In Susan Mallery’s latest standalone novel, Beach Vibes, readers are treated to a delightful yet emotionally complex story set against the scenic backdrop of Malibu. This contemporary romance explores the often messy intersection of family loyalty, friendship, and unexpected love, delivering a narrative that feels both fresh and comfortingly familiar to Mallery’s regular readers.
Like her previous works such as The Boardwalk Bookshop and The Summer Getaway, Mallery once again demonstrates her talent for creating relatable female protagonists who are navigating life’s complicated relationships while trying to find their own place in the world. However, Beach Vibes brings something slightly edgier to the table, asking readers to consider: what would you do if caught between loyalty to family and loyalty to friends?
Meet the Characters: Complex and Compelling
At the heart of this story is Beth Nield, a sandwich shop owner whose life has become predictably safe following her divorce. Beth’s characterization is impressively layered—she’s compassionate and dependable, yet harbors deep-seated insecurities about her intelligence and worth. Her journey from someone who primarily defines herself through her relationship with her brother to a woman confident in her own abilities is one of the novel’s greatest strengths.
The ensemble cast is equally compelling:
- Rick Nield: Beth’s surgeon brother who initially seems sweet but socially awkward, his character takes unexpected turns that challenge both Beth and readers
- Jana Mead: A hardworking single mother juggling college, work, and parenting, her friendship with Beth feels authentic and meaningful
- Teddy Mead: Jana’s brother, a former child actor turned acupuncturist and loving father to three children
- Dex Sanders: Teddy’s best friend, a former action movie star with hidden depths and feelings
- Agatha: Beth’s supportive aunt who offers wisdom without being the stereotypical “wise older woman”
What makes these characters work so well is how Mallery avoids making them one-dimensional. Even when a character makes questionable choices, the author provides enough context that readers can understand, if not necessarily agree with, their motivations.
Plot and Pacing: A Well-Crafted Emotional Rollercoaster
The story begins with Beth discovering her ex-husband’s billboard proposal to another woman, which serves as a catalyst for her to examine her own stagnant life. When her brother starts dating her new friend Jana, and she subsequently meets Jana’s brother Teddy, Beth sees the possibility of a ready-made family and future. But a shocking discovery—Rick is cheating with another woman—forces Beth to make an impossible choice between family loyalty and newfound love.
Mallery’s pacing deserves particular praise. The first half of the novel builds the relationships and connections between characters, allowing readers to become invested in their happiness. When the conflict reaches its peak around the midpoint, it feels genuinely distressing because we care about these people and their relationships.
The emotional stakes are consistently high, but Mallery wisely intersperses moments of humor and sweetness to prevent the narrative from becoming overwhelming. The subplot involving Jana and Dex provides a perfect counterbalance to the more tumultuous Beth/Teddy relationship arc.
Strengths: What Makes This Novel Shine
Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery particularly excels in its exploration of female friendship. The relationship between Beth and Jana feels authentic, with both women supporting each other through difficult times while also occasionally misunderstanding each other. In a genre often focused primarily on romantic relationships, it’s refreshing to see such care given to depicting meaningful friendships between women.
The novel also handles the blended family dynamic with sensitivity. Teddy’s three children and their acceptance (or hesitation) regarding Beth feels realistic rather than idealized. Magnolia, his eldest daughter who remembers her mother the most, is especially well-drawn in her protective instincts and cautious acceptance.
Perhaps most impressively, Mallery manages to make both Beth and Jana sympathetic despite their opposing positions in the central conflict. As readers, we can understand both Beth’s reluctance to betray her brother and Jana’s hurt at being deceived by someone she considered a friend.
Areas for Improvement: A Few Minor Quibbles
Despite its many strengths, Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery does have a few shortcomings worth noting:
- Rick’s character transformation feels somewhat abrupt. While his reveal as manipulative makes for good drama, his shift from seemingly sweet and socially awkward to calculating and cold could have been foreshadowed more effectively.
- The resolution between Teddy and Beth comes perhaps a bit too easily after the extended estrangement. Given Teddy’s stance on betrayal, his eventual forgiveness could have benefited from more on-page development.
- The Jana/Dex romantic subplot, while sweet, sometimes feels overshadowed by the main storyline. Their relationship deserved a bit more development, particularly given Dex’s long-term feelings.
- The novel occasionally leans on coincidence a bit heavily—the fact that Beth’s brother is dating her new friend, whose brother Beth falls for, requires some suspension of disbelief.
These quibbles aside, the novel remains thoroughly engaging and emotionally satisfying.
Themes and Takeaways: More Than Just Romance
While romance is certainly central to Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery, the novel explores several deeper themes:
- The complexity of family loyalty and its limits
- Self-discovery and reinvention in adulthood
- Overcoming childhood programming about one’s worth and capabilities
- The courage required to prioritize one’s own happiness
- The importance of chosen family alongside biological connections
Beth’s journey in particular speaks to the difficulty of breaking free from long-established patterns and the sometimes painful process of seeing loved ones clearly rather than through rose-colored glasses.
Writing Style: Accessible Yet Insightful
Mallery’s prose strikes an excellent balance between accessibility and insight. Her dialogue feels natural and often sparkles with humor, while her descriptive passages effectively evoke the laid-back beach town setting without becoming overly flowery.
The author excels at capturing small emotional moments—Beth’s flutter of nervousness before meeting Teddy’s children, Jana’s conflicted feelings about her own judgment after being deceived, Teddy’s protective instincts toward his sister. These nuanced emotional beats lend authenticity to the larger dramatic moments.
The alternating perspectives between Beth and Jana allow readers to understand both sides of the central conflict, creating a richer, more complex narrative than would be possible from a single viewpoint.
Who Will Enjoy This Book?
Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery will particularly appeal to:
- Fans of women’s fiction that balances romance with female friendship
- Readers who enjoy complex family dynamics
- Those who appreciate imperfect characters making difficult choices
- Anyone looking for a beach read with emotional depth
- Existing Susan Mallery fans who enjoyed her previous standalone novels
If you’ve enjoyed authors like Elin Hilderbrand, Kristan Higgins, or Jill Shalvis, you’ll likely find Beach Vibes to be right up your alley.
Comparison to Mallery’s Other Works
For longtime Susan Mallery readers, Beach Vibes feels like a natural progression from works like The Boardwalk Bookshop and The Summer Getaway. It maintains her trademark warmth and focus on relationships while incorporating slightly more complex moral dilemmas. The Malibu setting, while different from her fictional towns of Fool’s Gold and Happily Inc, is rendered with similar attention to creating a sense of community.
Final Verdict: A Satisfying Beach Read With Emotional Depth
Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery is a thoroughly enjoyable contemporary romance that delivers on its promise of exploring the complexity of loyalty while providing a satisfying romantic journey. The novel’s strengths—well-developed characters, authentic relationships, and emotional resonance—far outweigh its few shortcomings.
Mallery has crafted a story that will make readers laugh, tear up, and ultimately close the book with a contented sigh. Like the perfect day at the beach, Beach Vibes offers escape, warmth, and a refreshing emotional journey that lingers long after the last page is turned.
For readers seeking a beach read that doesn’t sacrifice emotional depth for easy entertainment, Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery is an excellent choice that proves why Susan Mallery remains a beloved fixture in contemporary women’s fiction.
