Susan Mallery’s newest novel, Beach Vibes, brings readers to the sun-soaked shores of Malibu for a heartfelt exploration of love, friendship, and family loyalty. With her signature blend of warmth and wit, Mallery crafts a story that feels both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly honest. The novel centers on Beth Nield, a sandwich shop owner who discovers her brother is cheating on her best friend, forcing her to make impossible choices between family ties and new relationships.
As a longtime fan of Mallery’s work—from her Fool’s Gold series to more recent standalone hits like The Boardwalk Bookshop and The Happiness Plan—I approached Beach Vibes with high expectations. While not without its flaws, this latest offering delivers a satisfying emotional journey packed with authentic characters and the messy complications of real life.
Character Development: Strengths and Vulnerabilities
Mallery excels at creating protagonists who feel like people you might actually know, and Beth is no exception. Her journey from loneliness to connection forms the emotional core of the novel, and her growth feels earned rather than forced. Having lost her friends in her divorce from Ian, Beth’s newfound friendship with Jana represents a lifeline—making her subsequent dilemma all the more heart-wrenching.
Beth’s relationship with her brother Rick initially appears touching, if somewhat one-sided. The gradual revelation of Rick’s true nature is one of the novel’s most compelling elements. Rather than portraying him as a cartoonish villain, Mallery creates a complex character whose manipulative behavior has evolved over time, leaving both Beth and readers to question how much of their relationship was genuine.
Jana, too, is wonderfully developed—a single mother balancing education, work, and parenting while cautiously opening herself to new relationships. Her journey toward forgiving Beth feels authentic rather than rushed, acknowledging both the pain of betrayal and the value of their friendship.
The standout character, however, might be Teddy—Jana’s brother and Beth’s love interest. His portrayal as a former child actor turned acupuncturist who’s raising three children after losing his wife breaks the typical romance hero mold in refreshing ways. His chemistry with Beth is immediate and believable, grounded in mutual respect rather than just physical attraction.
Plot and Pacing: An Engaging Journey with Some Detours
The novel’s premise—caught between loyalty to her brother and her budding relationships with Jana and Teddy—creates genuine tension that propels the story forward. Mallery effectively raises the stakes when Beth discovers that rather than Galaxy being “the other woman,” Jana is actually the one Rick is cheating with.
Where the pacing occasionally falters is in the aftermath of the big revelation. The conflict resolution between Beth and Jana feels slightly rushed compared to the more thoroughly developed reconciliation between Beth and Teddy. Additionally, the subplot involving Dex’s long-standing feelings for Jana, while sweet, sometimes distracts from the main storyline rather than enhancing it.
Setting: The Malibu Backdrop
Mallery anchors her story in a Malibu that feels authentic rather than glossy. This isn’t just the Malibu of movie stars and oceanfront mansions (though those elements appear), but a working community where small business owners like Beth struggle and succeed.
Beth’s sandwich shop, Surf Sandwiches, becomes a character in its own right—a place where community forms and relationships develop. From the surfing employee Kai to the elderly regular Mr. Kazinsky, the shop represents Beth’s independence and success, contrasting meaningfully with her brother’s more prestigious but ultimately less fulfilling career.
Themes: The Complexities of Loyalty and Trust
Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery explores several interconnected themes with nuance and depth:
- The blurry line between loyalty and enabling
Beth’s reflexive protection of Rick comes from years of being his defender, but ultimately forces her to question whether she’s supporting him or enabling destructive behavior. The novel sensitively explores how childhood patterns can persist into adulthood, sometimes to our detriment. - Recovery after betrayal
Both Beth and Jana must navigate the aftermath of Rick’s deception. Mallery doesn’t offer easy answers, instead showing how healing requires both honesty and forgiveness—of others and ourselves. - Found family versus blood ties
The novel thoughtfully explores what makes a family. Is it biological connection, as with Beth and Rick, or is it the chosen bonds like those Beth forms with Teddy’s children and Jana forms with her brother’s blended household? - Second chances in love and friendship
Nearly every character gets a second chance at something—Beth with romance, Jana with trustworthy love, Teddy with a partner after loss. Even Agatha, Beth’s aunt, demonstrates that new beginnings are possible at any age.
Writing Style: Accessible Yet Thoughtful
Mallery’s prose strikes a balance between accessibility and emotional depth. Her dialogue rings true, capturing each character’s unique voice, from Linnie’s endearing four-year-old chatter to Rick’s calculated charm. Particularly effective are the scenes between Beth and Teddy, where their connection feels palpable through both conversation and internal reflection.
One particular strength is Mallery’s ability to write children authentically. Magnolia, Atlas, Orchid, and Linnie each have distinct personalities that feel age-appropriate without becoming clichéd. Their integration into the story enhances rather than distracts from the adult relationships.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works Well:
- The central moral dilemma feels genuinely difficult rather than contrived
- Authentic character development, particularly Beth’s journey toward self-discovery
- Believable chemistry between Beth and Teddy
- Realistic portrayal of friendship between adult women
- Thoughtful incorporation of children into the storyline
What Could Be Improved:
- Rick’s villainy occasionally strains credibility, particularly in his final confrontation with Beth
- Some subplots (like Dex and Jana) feel underdeveloped compared to the main storyline
- The resolution between Beth and Jana seems rushed compared to other relationship arcs
- Several scenes in the middle section could be tightened for better pacing
Comparisons and Context
Beach Vibes fits comfortably alongside Susan Mallery’s recent standalone novels like The Boardwalk Bookshop and The Summer Getaway, maintaining her trademark blend of friendship, family dynamics, and romance. Fans of Elin Hilderbrand’s beach reads or Kristan Higgins’s emotionally complex romances will find much to enjoy here.
What distinguishes this novel within Mallery’s body of work is its unflinching look at family betrayal. While many of her previous books feature supportive, if sometimes complicated, sibling relationships, Beach Vibes dares to ask what happens when family loyalty becomes toxic.
Final Verdict: A Satisfying Emotional Journey
While not without its flaws, Beach Vibes offers exactly what Susan Mallery’s readers have come to expect—an emotionally resonant story with characters who feel like friends by the final page. The novel’s exploration of how we rebuild after betrayal, whether from family members or romantic partners, provides substance beyond the romantic elements.
For readers looking for a beach read with depth, Beach Vibes delivers a satisfying blend of romance, friendship, and personal growth against the backdrop of Malibu’s sunny shores. Despite some pacing issues and occasionally uneven character development, the emotional core of the story remains compelling throughout.
Who will enjoy this book?
- Fans of women’s fiction with strong romantic elements
- Readers who appreciate complex family dynamics
- Those who enjoy beach settings with authentic community vibes
- Anyone looking for stories about second chances in love and friendship
Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery reminds us that sometimes the most important relationships we build are the ones we choose for ourselves, rather than those we’re born into. Through Beth’s journey, Mallery crafts a nuanced portrait of a woman discovering that true loyalty sometimes means letting go of unhealthy attachments to make room for more fulfilling connections. It’s a message that resonates long after the final page.
For your next beach vacation or cozy reading weekend, Beach Vibes offers the perfect balance of emotional depth and escapist pleasure—a testament to Mallery’s continued evolution as a storyteller who understands the complexities of modern relationships.