Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of the book as well as the audiobook
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This was an ideal beach read for me featuring some mystery and romance. The narrative was fairly predictable which is desirable for a beach read. I had a harder time engaging with the book and with the audiobook narrator's performance. Again, both were written and/or performed with care but I did not 100% connect with the story or protagonist.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

3.5 stars
Too slow to start, and too repetitive throughout the entire story. I didn't like that Mia was so down on herself for much of the book, but I did like how she grew towards the end. Jason and Brie were my favorite characters. The mysteries were fairly easily solved and the setting was great; you could absolutely picture it. The chapter headings were fun book quotes, and I loved seeing references to some of my all-time favorite book charaters: Harriet the Spy, Nancy Drew, Veronica Mars, Elvis Cole.

I applaud the author for trying something new. Would definitely read more in this genre from her, and even though I didn't love it, I do recommend it as a quick beach read.

I really enjoyed this book. I love when I can read a steamy romance mixed with a little mystery. It’s like two if my favorite genres in one!

What a fun premise and story!

The Book:
Mia is a risk-averse accountant who saves for a rainy day, helps her clients manage their money wisely, and prefers books to people. When her employer insists she take a vacation before accepting her promotion to partner, Mia (grudgingly) agrees and travels solo to the luxe private island of St. Claire for some fun in the sun (or reading in the sun as the only single at a resort filled with couples who frequent the place).

Mia meets a handsome bar tender, has a fling, and finds a tattered book that's been left behind by a former guest - And Mia suspects this guest is none other than the woman who traveled there solo and went missing.

Mia swore she wouldn't work while on vacation, but she's not accounting or financial planning - she's investigating. What happened to the missing woman and who on the island is responsible?

My Thoughts:
I love the location - What could be better than a luxurious private Caribbean island!
There is a great cast of characters - which makes for many suspects.
This is a fun summer read with a little bit of mystery and suspense, a little bit of romance, a little bit of adventure, and a lot of drama!

This review will be shared on my Instagram account Tues June 17 and will the link will be posted below.

I thought this would be a great beach read but it just ended up being a muddled mess. Mia, the main character, a strait laced accountant goes on a vacation to a secluded island. There were so many extra characters in the book and it was very odd that she befriended an 18 year old instead of one of the guests that was her age. The romance was forced and the mystery was pretty easy to solve. This book was slow and took me a lot to get through. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I think it is not her typical genre and it was obvious.

Allison Brennan is one of my absolute favorite authors.. Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds is a departure from her usual mystery and mayhem. I was very anxious to read this book! Mia is a risk-adverse accountant - she takes care of everyone - her clients, her bosses, her friends, and grandmother. She lacking in the love department, and she's hopeful on this gift/forced vacation from her bosses that she'll find a little love. After flirting with a very handsome bartender, Jason, Mia walks into the library (books are her favorite) and picks out a tattered book to read by the pool. When reading, she notices notes in the margins - which she deduces are a code for something. Whilst working on the code, she begins to learn a lot about the other guests, as well as the previous week's unfortunate murder victim, Diana. Mia can't help but start nosing around. Allison Brennan has written the absolute perfect Summer read. Fun, Fiesty, and Mysterious. It's the best book for summer! Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for an advanced reader of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

First and foremost, thank you to the publisher and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I loved this story and it was definitely worth the read! I absolutely loved this book!!!

"Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds" is a surprisingly fun blend of genres that somehow works well for the most part. However, at times it felt like she was trying to smash too many genres into this book and it was a lot. I've never read anything but Allison Brennan so I didn't know what to expect, but overall I liked it. The slow burn part was done really well, and I'm not usually one who loves slow burns.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

Allison Brennan usually writes romantic suspense novels (I've previously read her Quinn and Costa FBI Thrillers and enjoyed them), and here she takes a turn towards a more cozy mystery-type novel in Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds.

Her heroine here is Mia, an accountant in a small firm where she is about to be named partner. She has worked hard to get this opportunity, but she also knows that accepting the partnership will mean even longer hours at the office.

Her boss books her a vacation at a fancy private island resort and insists she take it. Mia is sort-of looking forward to hanging out at the beach, reading her favorite romance novels, and maybe even having a vacation fling with Jason the hot bartender.

She didn't realize she would get caught up in a mystery when a guest goes missing. Mia and a teenage guest (who doesn't trust the woman her father wants to marry) team up to find out what happened to the missing guest.

There are a lot of characters to keep track of in this fun page-turner of a novel, and it does have a White Lotus feel to the story. Everyone has secrets that appear to be related to the missing guest who was perhaps blackmailing several of the guests.

The hot bartender has his eye on Mia, and after several attempts at romance are interrupted, they finally connect in some steamy scenes. Mia begins to question whether this is a vacation romance or could it be something more?

Brennan does a wonderful job balancing the romance and the mystery/suspense here, and bibliophiles like myself will enjoy and perhaps even recognize the quotes from popular mystery/thriller novels that opened each chapter. And I also loved that her heroine is an accountant, many readers will be able to relate to Mia's job. Careful readers may also be able to figure the secret that Jason is hiding.

All in all, Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds is a perfect beach read for those who like their romance mixed with a lighter mystery. I truly enjoyed it.

The publication date of this wonderful Beach Read comes right before my annual Colorado River Ski Trip, and I can't think of a more wonderful author to take with me on my own beach adventure!

I am normally not a fan of first person, contemporary romance, but Allison Brennan is a masterful author and can make this mix of different genres work and work brilliantly. Mia, as the main character is just a wonderful mixture of likeable, relatable, determined, smart and very savvy. She is a great narrator for this story, but I really did miss having other points of view, especially Jason's. Oh, Jason. Wow. How could Mia not fall for the hot, adventure loving bartender? I had my doubts, but how could Mia not fall for him especially when he is exactly the romantic fling she came on this vacation to find. The mystery and all the sub-plots were so fun to follow and worked well with the romance. The twist ending was, while not exactly a surprise, fun to see play out to make this a fantastic beach read.

Mia Crawford is on, not exactly a forced vacation, but her boss is paying for her to spend a week at the exclusive island resort of St. Clare in the Caribbean. During this time away, Mia wants a fling and to make some firm decisions about her future, one she isn't exactly excited about. When she comes upon a tattered paperback book on the share table it sets her vacation on a whole different course. Discovering a body while on a midnight swim with Jason, the sexy bartender, definitely wasn't on her list of vacations plans.

She soon learns that the missing resort guest, Diana Harden, was murdered and as Mia reads the book she found, she begins to realize that the notes in the margins are from Diana, and they intrigue Mia. Overheard conversations and attempting to unravel the book's code send her and young friend, Brie, on a mission to find who killed Diana and uncover the secrets Diana hid in the book. Mia, being an avid mystery reader, is all about solving this real-life mystery. Finding romance along the way is just a wonderful plot twist.

My thanks to the Publisher and the author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

Mia is overworked and on a long overdue vacation on a fancy private island. She is all set to settle in on the beach and read a novel when she notices there are cryptic notes in the margins. Soon she realizes the notes may be related to the disappearance of a recent guest on the island and decides to investigate, uncovering more than she bargains for.

This is a fun mystery and great to read in the summer with the added beach vacation vibes. I enjoyed the riddles laid out in the notes in the novel. I liked Mia as a protagonist and all the characters on the island, especially Bri. I did feel like the story dragged in a couple places, but overall it was an enjoyable read.

Tropes
* Slow Burn
* Vacation Adventure
* Murder Mystery
* Secrets and Riddles
* Amateur Detective

4 star

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds by Allison Brennan was the perfect beach read for my recent mini vacation. Mia is hardworking, dedicated and ambitious. She attends an employer-mandated, week-long tropical vacation before a starting a new job after a big promotion. She thinks she is in for sun and hopefully plenty of time to get lost in a good book. What she finds is extremely friendly fellow travelers, an unsolved mystery that is still unfolding, and clues hidden in a book she picks up in the gift shop. We recommend this one if you like a good mystery, an amateur bookish detective, and a good slow burn romance.

This story is quite the mesh of genres and it's really well done. Not the type of book I typically associate with this author and if she wrote like this again I'd read it. What made this story for me was the cast of characters. I think there is something for every reader to enjoy. The mystery was fun to follow, the romance was good but wasn't typical.

3.5 ⭐️

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds is what happens when your dream vacation turns into a real-life version of Only Murders in the Building—but with more sunscreen and a suspiciously charming bartender who’s just a little too good at mojitos. Mia’s “forced fun” trip to St. Claire Island starts off with her trying (awkwardly) to be the carefree, impulsive version of herself she always reads about. Spoiler: she’s better at watching chaos unfold than starting it herself.

Then she picks up a paperback from the resort gift shop—one mysteriously left behind by a guest who vanished right before she arrived—and finds notes scribbled all through the margins. Some coded, some cryptic, and all of them basically screaming, “Hey, Mia, this isn’t just beach reading anymore.”

The vibes? Rich people secrets, accidental sleuth energy, vacation-core chaos, and just enough murder to make you side-eye the complimentary breakfast. Mia’s easy to root for—relatable, introverted, smart, and brave in ways that sneak up on you. She doesn’t fall into clichés; she grows into them, which I loved.

Now the romance… Jason is charming, sure. But let’s be real—I spent half the book muttering “Mia, don’t fall for the first shirtless guy with a cocktail shaker.” I didn’t fully trust him, but their dynamic still worked, and Mia gets an ending that fits her, not just the plot.

The mystery is clever. The annotated book is such a cool device—like a scavenger hunt woven into someone else’s thoughts. I stayed hooked the whole way through, even when the ending wrapped up a little too cleanly. Think vacation movie finale: justice served, secrets spilled, and everyone grabbing a sunset drink like nothing just imploded.

Tonally, it’s juggling romance, murder, and beach vibes like a tipsy cruise ship entertainer—and honestly? I was into the chaos. Sometimes it felt like two books crash-landing together, but that slightly messy genre mix is part of what makes it fun.

Thank you to Allison Brennan, MIRA Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. On Sale June 17th, 2025

Vacation turned into mystery solving! I love the mixed genres and actually a first for me. Mia discovers all kinds of secrets during her vacation.

White Lotus meets Murder She Wrote sound good? Mia, an accountant and avid reader, splits her vacation at a beautiful private Caribbean resort between trying to solve a mystery and flirting with the gorgeous bartender. Most of the ultra rich vacationers are miserable and all of them are hiding something.
The plot of this book doesn’t break any new ground and the romance is a bit forced, seeming to race and then stall every few chapters. Unfortunately for me, I clued into the big final plot twist at about 40% into the book and I think most people who have read a lot of mysteries will too. The pacing does pick up as the book goes along and I was satisfied with the conclusion. Overall, it is a quick cozy mystery with low stakes and a side of romance, without particularly graphic content.
I am grateful to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

Mia Crawford, a self-proclaimed risk-averse bibliophile, leads a rather mundane life. However, her vacation at a luxurious resort takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a sacrilege—a written commentary in the book she’s reading. Initially annoyed, Mia can’t help but be intrigued. The notes in the book, along with the dialogue, ignite her curiosity and set her on a path of solving a mystery.

With a resort guest, Diana Harden, having gone missing, Mia becomes an amateur sleuth, determined to unravel the truth. But her quest for justice isn’t the only thing on her agenda. She also harbors a secret desire for a romantic fling.

The story unfolds smoothly, with quotes from various novels opening each chapter. Mia is a likable character, and it’s delightful to witness her gradually breaking free from her shell. As she compares the notes in the book she found, Mia draws inspiration from years of reading countless mystery novels. She hopes to apply her knowledge and skills to solve the mystery, following the clues she uncovers.

This captivating tale offers a delightful blend of mystery, personal growth, and the pursuit of love. The mystery is intriguing, Mia’s journey of self-discovery is heartwarming, and her dreams of finding romance hold a promise of being far more than just a fleeting desire.

Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

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!

3.5 stars rounded up. This is a fun little beach read. The mystery and romance elements were perfect. Some aspects could have been flushed out a little bit more though.

I was honored to receive an eARC of this book thru NetGalley and was so thankful to be introduced to the Romantic Mystery Genre.

This book had everything you could want for a summer read… Beach Resort Setting ✔️Murder Mystery ✔️ Book about a Book ✔️Romance with a splash of spice ✔️ Allison Brennan kept the plot moving, the plot twists twisting and had me still trying to guess who the murderer was till the very end. I especially enjoyed the romantic subplot woven into the the story… Jason was DREAMY! Highly recommend if you are a summer mood reader who likes both mystery/thrillers and contemporary romance.