Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

Beach Vibes

Summary: What would you do if you caught your brother cheating on your best friend?

While Beth is proud of her Malibu beach shop, Surf Sandwiches, she’s even prouder of her charismatic brother, Rick, who rose from foster care all the way through surgical residency. She makes subs, he saves lives. Things takes a turn for the happy after she finds out Rick is dating her new best friend, Jana. Then Jana’s handsome brother adds even more sparkle to Beth’s days…and nights.

But when she catches Rick with another woman—like, with with—her visions of an idyllic family future disappear in one awful instant. Either she betrays her brother or she keeps his secret and risks losing the man she loves and her best friend.

Love and loyalty collide with secrets and betrayal in this witty and emotional tale about the lengths we’ll go to for family, from Susan Mallery, bestselling author of The Boardwalk Bookshop.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Susan Mallery has a formula to her writing. I know it, you know it, everybody in the whole world knows it. I keep getting her books because they are enjoyable even when I know where things are headed. I’m cool with that.

Her last few books have also gotten more stereotypical in her characters as well. And the character’s traits are more pronounced- like instead of just being a mildly shitty- ass character, they go for douche-canoe all gold medal Olympic shitty behavior.

Again, I know this.

I have to say that I absolutely fell in love with the cover and even though I knew the title would be a bit misleading, I requested it. And I did like it!

But that is because I know what to expect when I pick up a book by her. Others might see the cover and think easy-breezy reading.

What I liked:

The cover, obviously.

Beth and Jana. Their friendship is goals. The pain they both put each other through- believable.

Where I want to rant:

The dynamic between Beth and Rick. We know Rick is a shit. Hell, it tells us that in the back cover copy. Yes, I get the sister vibe of wanting to take care of your brother, but when your own grandmother (I think I have the right character) is telling you that your brother is a shit, read the room. READ THE DAMN ROOM.

Bottom line: Fans of Susan Mallery will eat this book up and if I’m ever in California, I want to visit Beth’s sandwich shop.

*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*