Just finished Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds by Allison Brennan and let’s just say… murder has never been so sunny-side sinister. 🏖️🔍📚

This book is like your favorite beach day—complete with snacks, suspicious characters, and a page-turning plot that refuses to let you relax. One minute you’re soaking in the seaside charm, and the next, BAM—someone’s dead, and everyone’s got a motive.

Allison Brennan delivers a pitch-perfect mix of cozy mystery and classic whodunnit—with bookish banter, smart sleuthing, and just enough twists to keep you guessing until the final wave crashes. The amateur detective energy? Immaculate. The tension? Deliciously tangled. The vibe? Murder mystery meets beach book club—and I’m absolutely here for it.

If you love stories that are light on the surface but laced with dark secrets underneath, Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds is the perfect escape. Just don’t trust anyone holding a mimosa. 😉

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds was a very mysterious fictional novel! It also came with thriller and romance! This was a fun, easy book to read. A woman named Mia goes on vacation on a fancy private island, a much needed getaway from her real day to day life. She loves to read and gets lost in her books, while being on this vacation.

Then something happens and she must get to the bottom of it! The lovely vacation turns upside down when someone was murdered there. As Mia starts to dig into what’s really happening, she discovers that this beautiful resort is full of hidden secrets! I think this book was very well written, it captured my full attention and the characters in this story were full of depth. A mystery book with thriller and romance is a completely new take on mixing genres together, yet it was perfectly done! Be sure to read the content warnings before reading this book. Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Allison Brennan and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book is expected to be published on June 17, 2025!

⭐️ 5/5 | 🌶️ 3.5/5
First Person POV, Single Narrative (other than the prologue)
FMC: Mia
Linear timeline
Romantic Mystery
MF Open Door Romance
Setting: St. Claire- private island in Caribbean

I loved this book SO MUCH! I’m obsessed with romantic mysteries but sometimes one genre over powers the other and the storyline can appear a bit scattered. But the spicy romance and the suspenseful, dangerous mystery were blended so well together in this book! I devoured this story and couldn’t put it down.

The author, Allison Brennan, weaves a narrative that balances the charm of a beach vacation with the suspense of a gripping mystery. Mia’s character is both relatable and inspiring, showcasing the transformation from a reserved reader to an unexpected sleuth.

The setting was so beautifully written and described in great detail. The island environment is vividly described, making it easy to visualize the sun-soaked beaches and hidden secrets lurking beneath the surface. The level of danger and adventure was so fun!

There’s a lot of self discovery, relationship growth, intergenerational friendships, and of course a fast paced, thrilling and complex murder mystery. All that plus the steamy chemistry between Mia and Jason added more depth to the story. The details for each character was just so well done and it all tied together perfectly.
Fans of Lucy Score’s Riley Thorne Series will enjoy this read too!

Thank you so much Harlequin Trade Publishing and MIRA Books for an electronic ARC of this book which was provided to me via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #BeachReadsandDeadlyDeeds

4.5 Stars!

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds is exactly the kind of escape I've been looking for—sun, sex, murder, and a main character who’d rather be reading than socializing? Yes, please. Mia Crawford is a super-responsible bookworm and financial advisor who gets forced into a fancy vacation on a private island before her big work promotion to partner. She’s planning to read, relax, even flirt a little. But, when she finds cryptic notes scribbled in the margins of a book that belonged to a missing-found-murdered woman that hint at something very off, she ends up turning her vacation into a murder mystery.

I love a good beach read, especially one with romance, and the mystery has just enough twists and red herrings to keep things interesting. This is the first cozy mystery I have read that I did not figure out whodunit prior to the reveal, and I've read almost 50 books so far this year! That is some good writing if you tell me. It was fast paced, but the plot kept me hooked from the first chapter. 10/10 would recommend!

The only thing I didn't like—the chapter-openers with quotes from other mystery and romance novels. I loved all the quotes individually, in their respective books, but it's a big pet peeve of mine. They take away from the plot, slow the pacing, and add unnecessary foreshadowing (especially considering the length of the chapters). I stopped reading the quotes around chapter 20.

This book is quite a bit different from Ms Brennan’s previous books but every bit as good. Actually if she writes it I want to read it. The book is primarily set on a private island in the Caribbean. Mia is sent to St. Claire on a mostly forced all expenses paid vacation before she becomes a partner in the firm where she works. She is looking for a single guy for a short-term fling before she goes back to work. Are there any single men on this island? She discovers a woman went missing from the island a few days before she arrived. As she finds out more of the circumstances she thinks maybe she can solve this mystery while on the island. I was shocked by the almost ending of the book right before she leaves the island to return home. It was totally unexpected. The author does a wonderful job of describing all the surroundings and the characters in the book. This is another book by Ms Brennan I would definitely recommend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a fun read. I loved the setting, I want to go there, it sounds really beautiful. I liked how the mystery keeps you guessing. And then the romance was fun too.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a fun, light-hearted beach read more suited to fans of romance and women's fiction. I downloaded it as a mystery/thriller, but I was more interested in the romance. The protagonist had no connection to the murdered woman, nor did the reader, so I had trouble caring about who killed Diana, or understanding why Mia would risk so much to solve the crime. As a mystery, I'd give it a 3, and as a romance, a 4, so I'll split the difference with a 3.5 and round up. Thanks to Allison Brennan, MIRA, and NetGalley for the advance copy.

The way the author puts a spin on this who done it and where had me continuing to read page after page not wanting to put this down. What a great read!

Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy of this book.

This is a fantastic beach read. It has a mystery wrapped with a bit of romance. I haven't read any of the authors other books, and am excited to dive into more of her work.

The dialog is fresh and fun and the romance adds just enough to the story to make it fun.

This was the mental escape that this mom of four was needing this Monday! I could not put this book down! I started late last night, and was finding any way to read it. Loved it! Such a good book.

Such a fun read! A murder mystery with a side of romance, this book is the perfect beach read. It takes place on a beautiful tropical island and allows readers to escape into the story. Highly recommend!

📚🏝️ Book Review: "Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds" by Allison Brennan 🌞🔍

Allison Brennan has once again struck gold with "Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds," a captivating blend of mystery, romance, and sun-soaked adventure. Perfectly combining suspense with a hint of romance, this novel is an absolute must-read for those who delight in a literary escape infused with intrigue and charm. 🌟📖

The story introduces us to Mia Crawford, a diligent and responsible book lover whose life revolves around her demanding job and taking care of her grandma. Sent on a luxurious vacation to St. Claire Island, Mia finds herself wrapped up in a mystery straight out of her favorite novels when she stumbles upon a curious book filled with handwritten clues. From here, the adventure takes off, with Mia diving headfirst into a real-life detective story. 🌴🔎

Mia is a wonderfully relatable character for book enthusiasts, her transformation from a cautious accountant to a daring sleuth is both inspiring and entertaining. The enchanting setting of a tropical island adds a lush backdrop to her journey, with each chapter immersing readers in sun-drenched intrigue and suspense. 🏖️📚

The plot unfolds like a good beach read should, with suspenseful twists, delightful banter, and a dash of romance. Jason Mallory, the charming bartender, adds a layer of romantic tension that is as engaging as it is entertaining. While some might find Jason's character somewhat archetypal, his presence provides the perfect romantic escapism, enhancing Mia's storyline with flirty energy and undeniable chemistry. 🍹💞

One of the standout elements of the book is Brennan's ingenious use of literary references, a treat for avid readers who will appreciate the layers this adds to the mystery. Each chapter opens with quotes from well-known mystery authors, skillfully foreshadowing the unfolding drama. 📖🔍

The narrative is fast-paced and engaging, weaving together Mia’s amateur sleuthing, a murder mystery, and a diverse cast of intriguing side characters. While the sheer number of red herrings may momentarily slow the pace, Brennan ensures the reader is continually captivated, with surprises and whodunit clues scattered throughout. 🔅🔦

Overall this was a delightful blend of luxury, mystery, and romance. It's a true page-turner that entertains from start to finish, delivering both humor and heart with its well-crafted characters and engaging plot. Whether on a sandy beach or snug at home, this book offers the perfect getaway. 💼🏝️

It should be noted that I'm a HUGE Allison Brennan fan and have never found any of her books to be less than a 5-star experience with this exceptional summer read, proving once again why her writing is so amazing. This vibrant novel is a testament to her talent, a delightful dance between escapism and mystery that beckons readers into its tropical embrace. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A fun story about an introvert who feels like anything but a main character being swept away by a murderous plot she accidentally gets involved in. A fun read for homebodies who don't necessarily want to adventure themselves but love to read about them.

This book I could not put down loved it from beginning to end. I would highly recommend!! This isn't like something ie read before.

I enjoy reading anything that Brennan writes, so when I saw this ARC on Netgalley, I couldn’t wait to read it. It didn’t disappoint, it has plenty of mystery and romance with some great character development. It was a perfect mix of suspense, action and romance with a tropical setting, what else could you ask for. It is a great beach read and the perfect book to take on a vacation. I highly recommend this book especially if you are into mysteries that have great characters, plenty of red herrings and a beautiful tropical island. What I especially enjoyed that Brennan did was open up each chapter with quotes from other mystery authors that gave you clues for what was about to happen. Mia is an overworked accountant who is about to become a partner in her company. Her bosses book a vacation for her before she moves up. Mia is a booklover and especially loves mysteries. She decides to try to solve the mystery of the missing guest that is eventually found murdered. What she didn’t realize was how dangerous it can be to solve a murder when it isn’t just in a book. Thank you to Netgalley and MIRA Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Allison Brennan is a must read for me. This book was a little different from her usual books but I liked it. Mia loves books and spends all her free time reading. When there is a murder while Mia is on vacation she tries to solve it from notes written in a book. Then there is a spunky teen and a hunky bartender to help her out. I also enjoyed the quotes from some of my favorite authors. If you love a lighthearted mystery with romance this books for you.

Give me all the stories taking place in posh resorts! I'm here for it. This was no exception. I loved the setting and the setup of this novel. There's mystery and suspense and prominent characters to learn about. Overall, it's worth a read. Plus, that cover! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Who doesn’t want to be forced into a luxurious vacation from work before getting a promotion? Mia Crawford is doing just that. And she is sent to paradise, the perfect place to read a few books, find a few single men and get a great tan in the process. But when a single woman went missing in connection with this resort just a week before, Mia has a hard time relaxing, as a single woman herself. Instead, she finds clues and tries to solve the mystery herself…

I love the idea of this book and it was a great beach read but I did find myself having a hard time connecting to the FMC, especially in the beginning, which is weird because we’re a lot alike (minus the single thing). But the imagery, the banter between her and other characters and the plot were all solid. What an ending!

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, Allison Brennan and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions stated here are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and MIRA for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you love a good murder mystery with a side of romance, “Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds” by Allison Brennan delivers the perfect mix of suspense, intrigue, and tropical escapism, similar to “White Lotus.” This lighthearted yet engaging mystery follows Mia Crawford, a responsible and overworked accountant who is reluctantly sent on an all-expenses-paid vacation to the exclusive St. Claire Island. However, what starts as a forced getaway quickly turns into a real-life detective case when Mia stumbles upon a cryptic book filled with handwritten clues—potentially linked to a missing woman.

Mia considers herself a modern-day Nancy Drew, and when she learns that a woman recently disappeared from the island, she can't resist playing detective. Armed with the mysterious book she found in the resort gift shop’s lost and found, she starts piecing together the clues hidden within its pages. Along the way, she meets the island’s charming bartender, Jason Mallory, who offers both a welcome distraction and a potential partner in crime-solving. Their romance is a slow burn, filled with flirtation and undeniable chemistry, though I did find Jason a little too perfect; I wish he had some more flaws instead of being the stereotypical adventurous love interest, though he does provide some excellent escapism.

Brennan skillfully balances multiple subplots, weaving together Mia’s amateur sleuthing, a second murder that shakes the island, and a cast of colorful side characters. While the sheer number of characters and red herrings can slow the pacing at times, the mystery remains engaging. Some twists—such as the truth about CeeCee—are easy to predict, while others, like the killer’s identity, come as genuine surprises. The book also features a refreshing and supportive female friendship between Mia and Brie through the subplot involving Brie’s father, which adds depth to the story.

One particularly fun aspect of the book is how Brennan incorporates real-life authors as clues within the story, making it a treat for book lovers. Though the mystery sometimes takes a backseat to the romance and island drama, the book maintains a lighthearted, escapist tone—perfect for fans who enjoy a mix of sun-soaked luxury and unexpected danger.

With a satisfying conclusion that ties up all loose ends, “Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds” is an enjoyable and easy-to-devour mystery. Whether you’re lounging on a beach or curled up at home, this book makes for a perfect getaway read.

Mia needs a break. She loves books. She spends much time reading. This talented author has written a page turner with realistic characters who keep the story moving quickly. The main character is intriguing. Curl up in a comfy chair for an afternoon of entertainment. You won’t be sorry. Living on an island for a week…fun and mysterious…murder and mayhem…Thanks Netgalley