Editorial note: I received a copy of Beach House Rules in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a fantastic summer story. Grab a drink by the pool, and enjoy this entertaining novel about friendship, family and more.
There is just something about books taking place in small coastal towns. Because these kind of stories are so readable and enjoyable, it makes for a perfect combination for a breezy summer day.
Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey is all that and more. I took this novel on my vacation down to Cabo, and I just adored the story. The characters are vivid, and charming. There’s a focus on female friendships, and having a community there for each other. Plus, the mother/daughter relationship was wonderful to read about as well.
The novel is full of charm, humor, but also quite a bit of depth too. A lovely read all around.
What’s the Story About
Charlotte’s life is turned upside down after her husband Bill is arrested for a white-collar crime. The bank accounts are frozen, and Charlotte and her daughter Iris aren’t allowed back in the house. Plus, a snarky anonymous Instagram account is making posts on their every move.
Enter Alice, a local and an acquaintance who offers Charlotte and Iris to stay at a beachfront former bed-and-breakfast, with other single mothers. Left with no other options, Charlotte agrees, and they find solace among each other.
But when the women discover a secret link between them, it changes everything they thought they knew about the unconventional family they’ve created and leaves them wondering whether their coming together was a coincidence at all. Will the skeletons in the mommune closets help Charlotte and Iris reclaim their place in the Juniper Shores community—or shatter the sisterhood forever?
Charlotte and Iris
While Charlotte and Iris both believe Bill is innocent, they still have to figure out how to make things work without him. I really enjoyed reading about their relationship, and how this experience drew them closer.
Because Charlotte and her family moved to the area during covid, Charlotte feels somewhat like an outsider. But then, Alice invites them to the mommune, and everything changes for Charlotte and Iris.
After Iris was born, Charlotte left her finance job to stay home but now she needs to find a new job fast. This experience shows Charlotte just how resilient and capable truly is—same with Iris as well.
The Mommune
The story set in a mommune is such an interesting choice—very much enjoyed it.
Alice is a unique figure in the community. People know she’s lost three husbands, and the snark instagram account even calls her the Black Widow. I found her character arc quite fascinating and also unexpected.
And I’m such a fan of stories that focus on female friendships, and the community it can develop. I find it so important to read about women there for one another, and this was a great example of that.
Verdict
As you can tell, I found this to be a charming read! Full of colorful and entertaining characters, it showcases how important a community is, and that it’s never too late to reshape one’s own destiny. There’s also the vivid setting with the Southern beach coastal town, that will make you feel like you’re part of the community too.
Highly recommend! For book clubs, check out my discussion questions here.
