Welcome to Beach Town: A Novel

Written by Susan Wiggs

Narrated by Brittany Pressley

Beloved New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs returns with a compulsively readable tale of an idyllic California beach town forced to reckon with scandal when a high school valedictorian’s speech reveals secrets that shake the town to its core.

""Readers will savor sunny skies and perfect surf in this stunning new novel, but one thing is for sure: In this Beach Town, there is always more happening than meets the eye. Don’t miss this expansive beauty of a summer book!"" --Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Summer of Songbirds

Every town has its secrets...

In idyllic Alara Cove, a California beach town known for its sunny charm and chill surfer vibe, it’s graduation day at the elite Thornton Academy. At Thornton, the students are the worldly and overindulged children who live in gated enclaves with spectacular views. But the class valedictorian is Nikki Graziola, a surfer’s daughter who is there on scholarship. To the shock of everyone in the audience, Nikki veers off script while giving her commencement address and reveals a secret that breaks open the whole community. As her truth explodes into the light, Alara Cove will face a reckoning.

Nikki Graziola’s accusation shakes the foundation of Alara Cove, pitting her against the wealthy family whose money runs the town. Her new notoriety sends Nikki into exile for years, where she finds fame—but not fortune—overseas as a competition surfer...until a personal tragedy compels her to return to Alara Cove.

 As Nikki struggles to rebuild her future, she finds that the people of the town have not forgotten her. But time has changed Alara Cove, and old friendships, rivalries, and an unexpected romance draw her back into the life of the beach town she’s never quite forgotten, and where joy and redemption may be possible after all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Jun 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9780062914217

Susan Wiggs

Susan Wiggs is the author of more than fifty novels, including the beloved Lakeshore Chronicles series and the recent New York Times bestsellers The Lost and Found Bookshop, The Oysterville Sewing Circle, and Family Tree. Her award-winning books have been translated into two dozen languages. She lives with her husband on an island in Washington State’s Puget Sound.

Reviews for Welcome to Beach Town

[Karen Bergt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another awesome novel by Susan Wiggs.
I Loved this book.

[Janet Bradley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed it very much. I loved the descriptions of the airstreams along with the development of the park. The characters were interesting and carefully realized.

[susan0316 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Susan Wiggs is one of my go-to authors when I want a light breezy summer book. This book did take place on a beautiful beach in California but there was way more to the plot than just happy days. The main character had to face the consequences of going against the status quo in her town and at her high school. Her decision affected the rest of her life as she worked to find a place of peace in her life.Nikki was the daughter of the man who runs the local surf shop. She's surfed from a young age and feels peace when she's out on the ocean. The town views her as being from the wrong side of the tracks and when she receives a scholarship from the prestigious Thornton Academy for high school, she is ignored and looked down on by many of the rich and famous students for being a townie. She decides to work harder than everyone else and ends up as the valedictorian of her graduating class. Her commencement speech has been approved but she goes off script. Her best friend had just died and his death was being covered up by the board and their rich benefactors. She doesn't get her high school diploma and her college scholarship and acceptance are rescinded. Just when things are at their worst and she is longing to get out of the small town, she is accepted into the world surf tour and falls madly in love with another surfer and they move to Australia. Her life becomes full of travel and surfing competitions and she gradually loses touch with most of the people at home. After 15 years, her boyfriend/husband dies in an auto accident and she realizes that she has nowhere to go except to go home to the town that she couldn't wait to leave years before. As she deals with her grief, she begins to accept her town and her family and friends but still doesn't know where she belongs. Will Nikki be able to settle down in the beach town where her friends and family live or will she leave to try to find what may be a happier life?Nikki was a great main character and was willing to speak out against what she felt was wrong no matter what the consequences were to her and her life plans. She had a great affinity for nature and was the most calm and happy when she was out in the ocean on her surf board. I wish that the author had gone into more detail about her time in Australia with Johnny but even without that piece of the story this was a nice summer read. It was the story about discovering love and family after questioning it for years and it was the story of re-kindling friendships and finding new love among old friends. Put this one in your beach bag to read at the pool or the beach.