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| Malibu, California – Present Day Beth runs a popular sandwich shop near the beach, and while she wishes she had a guy in her life, she is otherwise happy. She meets Jana while both are volunteering at a local food bank. Jana is a single mom working at a medical office and trying to get into the nursing program at UCLA. They spend time after their stint at the food bank talking while eating the sandwiches Beth brings from her shop. Beth knows that Jana has a young daughter and lives with her widower brother, Teddy, and his three children. Jana soon tells Beth about meeting a doctor and going on dates with him. What Beth doesn’t know is that the doctor is Beth’s younger brother, Rick. Beth and Rick had a tumultuous childhood when their single mother abandoned them in foster care. They eventually landed with their Aunt Agatha and her husband, providing stability. Beth sacrificed a lot for Rick because he saved her from being raped while in foster care. She even gave him the savings she had planned to use for culinary school so he could attend medical school. Rick is now a successful doctor with Beth doting on him. She learns from him that he is dating a woman who may have a checkered past. Let’s just say he doesn’t paint the woman in a good light. He then suggests they meet. It is at that meeting that the two women learn how they are now connected. Unfortunately, by this time, Beth met Teddy, and she’s attracted to him, and they start dating. Rick isn’t happy she is dating his current girlfriend’s brother. Then Beth discovers her brother is cheating on Jana. I guess one can describe BEACH VIBES as having a bit of a soapy feel. Beth is divorced and learns early on in this tale that her ex is engaged. She feels her former friends abandoned her after they “chose” her ex during the divorce, though Beth didn’t do anything wrong. That is why her new friendship with Jana is dear to her. Someone who doesn’t judge her by the man she is married to. Jana doesn’t talk much about her daughter’s father but talks a lot about her brother’s bravery after suddenly losing his wife. Teddy and Jana are supportive of each other and Beth probably feels the same way about her relationship with her brother Rick. After learning that Jana is dating Rick (shame on him for setting up the surprise), Beth feels a little awkward at first. Her brother is dating the woman who has become her best friend! Meanwhile, dates with Teddy are a wonderful distraction and Beth ignores Rick’s grumbling about the matter. After learning about Rick’s cheating, she confronts him and demands that he break off his affair. He tells Beth that Jana is more important than the other woman, so when he tells her that the relationship is over, Beth believes him. But the fact that she didn’t tell Jana (or Teddy) hangs over her head. Jana was wild as a young woman but having her daughter changed her. As a single mother, she is grateful for the help from Teddy and also from Dex, her brother’s best friend who is like a second father to all the kids. Meeting Rick and having him ask her out was a shock. Her last relationship ended when the guy slapped her daughter. Jana will do whatever it takes to protect her child. A blessing in her life is Beth, who has proven to be a good friend. While it is a bit awkward that she is dating Beth’s brother, the relationship is good. Readers sense that Rick’s infidelity will soon raise its ugly head. BEACH VIBES is an enjoyable and intriguing tale that pulls you into the lives of the characters. If you’re looking for your next beach book to take you away to a place where you can read about other people’s problems, then grab a copy. Patti Fischer |
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BEACH VIBES – Susan Mallery