I know I'm going to be in the minority with this review, but I can only think of one word to describe it - Boring, with a capital B. I love classic Allison Brennan - Quinn and Costa, Lucy Kincaid. Books that are fast paced, that make you fall in love with the characters. Books that you can't wait to turn the page to see what is going to happen because you are so invested in the characters and the story. Books you can't put down because you have to see how they are going to end. This was not that, by any stretch of the imagination.

Thank you #netgalley and #htp #mira books for the eARC. Hoping the next one is better.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC! 💫 I couldn’t pass up a book that mixes a beach vacation, a book lover, and a mystery!

This was such a fun and cute read. I was instantly hooked when I found out Mia, the main character, is a book reviewer too 📚. I could totally relate to her love for reading and her Type A, anxious, overthinking self 😅. That said, since it’s all from her POV, the overthinking got a little repetitive, but I pushed through!

The romance moved a bit too fast for my taste, and it didn’t feel super true to Mia’s personality. Plus, the twist there was pretty predictable. I also had some trouble keeping track of the side characters toward the end as some blended together.

Overall though, this was a cute mystery that made for an easy, beachy read, even if it dragged a little in parts.

Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for this eARC

If you are a book girlie who likes murder mystery this book is for you! Especially single ones. This book is the dream! This FMC is us! She lives to gush about books on Instagram and never leaves home without a book. She goes on a tropical beach vacation alone and finds a sexy bartender and a murder to solve! Who wouldn’t want to live this adventure!

I thought this book was so fun and perfect for any mystery book lover. It makes me feel seen as an Instagram book girlie! I had a great time reading it!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced reader copy of Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds, in return for my honest review. I have never read anything by the author Allison Brennan but the title and the description of the book had been super intrigued. I am all for a good murder mystery/thriller type book, and I was not disappointed. I rated 4 out of 5 stars because at times I was confused about what was happening or being talked about. Especially in the very beginning. I was not entirely sure who the character was and what her internal dialogue was about. Of course after reading further into the book, it made a lot more sense and I understood the beginning. Now I loved the main character of Mia, and resonated with her in different ways. I could relate to her wanting to curl up in the sun and read a good book, as well as being more of a people watcher than someone who joins the crowds. But, Mia is way more brave than I would be, sticking her nose into different business, that really doesn’t have anything to do with her besides the free book she picked up to read. I felt throughout the book Mia was figuring out herself more and realizing some of the things she thought she wanted in life, were not really what she was continuing to want. Then you bring in the main male character of Jason; who is fearless, sweet, and just easy to be around. Their relationship is all sorts of fun and juicy. Now add in a dead body or two and some shady characters and you have yourself a very good read. I would recommend this boy, it was intriguing and had me guessing the entire read as to who the “bad guy” was.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the eARC!

I think this book had a lot of promise - and I know a lot of people will like it. It just wasn't for me. I did not like being in this main character's head. She was both too obsessed with her singleness and too negative for me, but I do think I might have enjoyed this more in audiobook form.

Let me just start by saying Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds gave me exactly what it promised: books, bikinis, and baffling behavior. Is it a beach read? Absolutely. Is there a deadly deed? Sure. Is it going to change your life or blow your mystery-loving mind? LOL, bless your heart.

Our heroine, Mia Crawford, is a Type A, book-loving, cat-owning, grandma-caring human spreadsheet who is suddenly whisked away on a vacation she didn’t ask for—probably because she needed a break from being aggressively responsible. I was intrigued by the setup: notes in a book leading to a disappearance? Sign me up. That’s my bookish kryptonite. But unfortunately, we left the realism on the mainland.

First: THE ROMANCE. Oh boy. Nothing says “character growth” like going from socially awkward introvert to making heart-eyes at a bartender 4.7 seconds after landing on the island. Ugh, instalove. 🙄The kind where you read it and go, “This would be cute if I were 14 and watching a Disney Channel movie.” But alas, I’m not. I’m an adult who expected at least one conversation before they started swapping life stories.

Second: the clues were legitimately fun. I had high hopes, I won’t lie. Marginalia mystery is a niche genre I would like to champion. But then the resolution flopped like a soggy towel on a pool chair. All that clever breadcrumbing, and it wraps up like a Scooby-Doo episode directed by someone who had to finish the script before lunch. I figured out the BIG SECRET around chapter eight. Which means either I’m a genius (possible), or this twist wasn’t as twisty as it thought it was (more likely).

Still, I breezed through it in an afternoon, which is kind of the point, right? It didn’t demand much brainpower, the pacing was decent, and the setting made me want to book a vacation. Somewhere without murder, preferably.

So, if you like your mysteries sunny, your romances instant, and your twists more “Ohhh, that’s it?” this one might be worth a spot in your beach bag. Just don’t expect to fall in love… unless you’re Mia.

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds is the newest novel by Allison Brennan. Mia Crawford is on a required vacation at an exclusive resort just before her promotion to partner at a financial planning firm. Just before Mia arrived, a woman disappeared from the resort and Mia begins to secretly investigate which unknowingly puts her in the path of the criminal responsible.

I have read many of Allison Brennan’s novels and this was slightly different in that it had a lighter vibe as well as more romance than her other books that are more straight mystery/thriller. While I’ve enjoyed her other books, I also enjoyed this lighter one as well- possibly due to all the book and author references throughout! Definitely a great summer read to throw in the beach bag!

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds by Allison Brennan

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 1/5 🌶️

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds by Allison Brennan is the perfect summer mystery! From the very first chapter, this is a super intriguing read that fully immerses the reader.

Mia Crawford is a hard-working woman who’s forced to take a break from her routine life. She believes that she is on the beautiful island to relax, flirt, and read. She never foresees herself solving a mystery. However, when she comes across a book with lots of mysterious notes in the margins, she starts to get curious. Then, when a guest goes missing, Mia decides that it’s up to her to figure out what’s going on.

The pacing throughout the story is excellent. There are so many twists and turns along the way, including every guest having their own hidden agendas, resort staff that seem like they’re hiding something, and tons of secrets everywhere. It was such a delightful detail that the clues to the mystery were located in a book (love a good bookish moment!) and the island setting was perfection.

Mia is a fantastic main character. Her intelligence, along with her drive and determination when she sets her mind to something, make her a character that’s easy to root for. Even though she’s out of her element when solving the mystery, she gives it her all and does what’s right. Her chemistry with Jason, the bartender who also has secrets of his own, adds a wonderful romantic element to the story that works to enhance the mystery.

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds is an absolutely wonderful mystery/women’s fiction read. A fun, engaging read that’s perfect for summer!

So good! Took me a minute to keep all the characters straight but loved it! Was an easy read with a lighthearted who-done-it. My favorite things. You’ll all in love with Mia as she learns more than she could have imagined about herself

Mia didn't want to go on vacation but here she is. Luckily, there's Jason, the hot bartender, and a pile of books. And now a mystery that she's determined to solve. This is a genial fun beach read that sees Mia find clues related to the disappearance of another guest at the resort in a discarded book. It's a bit of a romp, the setting is good (who doesn't like a beach) and the mystery, like all cozy mysteries, is just twisty enough. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A popcorn read that will be perfect for travel or the beach.

♡ thank you to Harlequin Publishing and Allison Brennan for an ARC of this book! ♡

5/5 ⭐️

when i tell you, this book had me from the beginning & NEVER lost me.. this was the perfect mix of romance & mystery (my two favs) and i cannot think of a better book similar to this one!

📖 plot & pace: mia is forced to take a week long vacation by her employer. she hasn't taken a vacation in years and was just offered a promotion. she reluctantly takes the vacation to St. Claire, but when she arrives, she learns of a fellow visitor vanishing just the day before. she picks up a book from the gift shop from a table of books left behind by guests, and she soon realizes this book came from that missing guest.. and she's left clues to her disappearance.

even from chapter one, i was ENTICED by this book. there were so many twists and layers to this story that al flowed together SO WELL. the pacing was a perfect mix of fast and slow.

👥 characters: our FMC mia is such a perfect amateur sleuth. she almost backs out of the mystery but her morals prevent it. she meets so many great people on the island, like brie and jason. there's also some unlikeable characters (expected with an island full of rich, snobby people), but they just blended with the plot so well. i thought the characters were very well developed and all felt purposeful.

🤩 tropes: amateur sleuth, blackmail, rich people drama, everyone's a suspect

okay.. wow. i'll never shut up about this book, hope that's okay😆 this is a book i could read over & over without getting tired! i'm craving more 💕

BEACH READS AND DEADLY DEEDS is a fun and easy mystery book. Hardworking Mia Crawford goes on a much-needed vacation to a private island in the Caribbean, where she gets lost in her books. When someone is found murdered, and Mia realizes that the book she is reading contains cryptic blackmailing notes written in the margins by the dead woman, she decides to investigate, only to discover that the island is full of secrets.

The pacing starts easy, like any good vacation, but soon spirals into suspense, with hidden agendas and shady resort staff.  A colorful cast of side characters surrounds Mia; the story is absorbing, with many secrets, clues, and twists. The book contains numerous literary references, and the quotes were a welcome treat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you also to Allison Brennan; I will check your many other books!

Perfect summer vibes at a scenic island resort, mixed with a murder mystery a book lover is trying to solve while also giving in to a spontaneous, out of character romance?? YES. PLEASE. Absolutely loved this book and did not predict the ending! The chemistry between Mia and Jason was 5 stars on its own. Definitely recommending this one for everyone to pick up this summer!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read and review Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds by Allison Brennan!!

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds is the perfect summer mystery full of sleuths and suspects. Set on a private island resort, this novel integrates a cozy whodunit with a slow burn romance.

This story follows Mia Crawford, a hard-working woman with a strict 9-to-5 mindset, who is forced to take a vacation from her controlled, scheduled life.

Mia swears she is not going to work on this vacation or find love, but when she stumbles upon a well loved paperback with cryptic notes in its margins, she finds herself working again to solve a murder mystery and the mystery of her heart.

I love, love, love this book!! The bookish elements really spoke to me. And I really saw a lot of myself in Mia. I, too, am a hard-working person who struggles to give up control and not follow a schedule. I’m at the same point in life as Mia where I’m contemplating giving up my full time job to follow my dreams of owning a bookstore. I love how the author tied everything together and gave us a HEA. Aside from the murders, hehe!

I have read most of Allison Brennans books and always enjoy her writing style. this was a bit more bad romance than mystery and that part was predictable but still enjoyable but not terribly realisitc. After all, who is going to really run away from an actual millionaire like that.

Mia goes to an exclusive resort to find a vacation boyfriend and maybe fit some reading in. When she picks up a discarded book in the gift shop , she is swept into solving the mystery of the missing owner. No one at the resort is who they appear to be so who can MIa trust? Jason, the hot bartender, seems to return her interest … can they hook up or will solving the island’s crimes get in the way?
This lighthearted mystery romance is perfect for the beach or poolside with a nice glass of sangria. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC- my opinions are my own.

Mia Crawford goes on a once in a lifetime vacation on a remote island and gets caught up in a murder mystery. She befriends many people on the island, and herself and 18 year old side kick find clues and solve the mystery. At the same time she falls in love with the bartender.
This book is a cute summer read full of both mystery and romance. It would be a good read for the beach!

Personally, I did not love the writing or find the book that captivating. But definitely think a lot of people will like it!

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds delivers escapist fun with a killer premise, a dreamy island setting, and a bookish heroine caught in a real-life mystery. It’s White Lotus meets cozy crime, with just enough intrigue and romance to keep you turning pages. While the ending feels rushed and a few threads are left hanging, it’s still a solid pick for your beach bag this summer.

Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA and NetGalley! Thank you for the ARC! I thought this book was a cute read. It had some mystery. It had some romance, and I found myself constantly waiting to see what you happen next! Great little summer read!

Leave it to Allison Brennan to open the first chapter with every bookworm’s reality - “I never leave home without a book.” I am a huge Allison Brennan fan and will say, “Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds” was vastly different than anything I’ve ever read by her - in the best way possible.

This book was so fun! I absolutely loved the mix of mystery, romance and a bit of thrill. The mixing of genres was done perfectly. The characters had a lot of depth. Despite the long chapters, it was a quick read. I also appreciated the humor and witty remarks throughout. Reading this definitely made me feel like I was on the island, perfectly written.

Overall, fun and atmospheric - the perfect beach read! Highly recommend picking this one up when it’s released June 17th!