***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Two best friends torn apart by a life-altering secret. One summer to set the record straight.
When twelve-year-olds Kat Steiner and Blake O’Neill meet at Camp Chickawah, they have an instant connection. But everything falls apart when they learn they’re not just best friends—they’re also half sisters. Confused and betrayed, the girls break off all contact.
Fifteen years later, when their father dies suddenly, Kat and Blake discover he’s left them a joint inheritance: the family beach house in Destin, Florida. The two sisters are immediately at odds. Blake, who has recently been demoted from regular nanny to dog nanny, wants to sell the house, while social media influencer Kat is desperate to hold on to the place where she lived so many happy memories.
Kat and Blake reluctantly join forces to renovate the dilapidated house, with the understanding that Kat will try to buy Blake out at the end of the summer. The women clash as Blake’s renovation plans conflict with Kat’s creative vision; meanwhile, each sister finds herself drawn into a summer romance. As the weeks pass, the two women realize the most difficult project they face this summer will be coming to grips with their shared past—and learning how to become sisters.
The Beach Trap by Ali Brady is a wonderful book about sisters, family, and love with a subtle Parent Trap vibe. I enjoyed this book very much as I love books about sisters and family drama.
Kat Steiner and Blake O’Neill met when they were twelve years old at camp. They immediately became fast friends, their personalities complemented each other. But, when Kat’s father comes by to pick up Kat, they realize they are half-sisters.
Fifteen years later, when Kat’s father suddenly dies, she finds out he left her a beach house in Florida, but, she co-owns it with her half-sister, Blake. She’s been angry with Blake ever since she found out that her father had a separate family, so she’s not happy to share her inheritance with Blake. Blake needs to get the beach house renovated as soon as possible so she can use the money to help her father move into a memory care facility where he can be looked after properly.
This book was so much better than I expected. The cover and the blurb made me think this would be a light-hearted rom-com, and it is, but it’s also so much more. I love books about sisters, and The Beach Trap did not disappoint. Like in the Parent Trap, Kat and Blake meet at camp, and that’s where they discover they are half-sisters. But instead of instant friendship, Kat is angry and does not have any contact with Blake until they inherit the beach house. This story is mainly about Kat and Blake and their journey to forgiveness and understanding.
I was fully immersed in this story from the very beginning and I enjoyed every page. I love a good family drama, especially with sisters, and lots of emotion, and The Beach Trap fulfilled all these wishes.
I highly recommend The Beach Trap to anyone who enjoys romance and women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Ali Brady
Ali Brady is the pen name of writing BFFs Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey. The Beach Trap is their first book together. Alison lives in Chicago and works as a VP creative director at an advertising agency. She’s the author of You and Me and Us and Little Pieces of Me. Bradeigh lives with her family in Utah, where she works as a physician. She’s the author of the psychological thriller, Imposter.
This one sounds really good! Your review definitely has me wanting to read it.
Question, do you set your posts to no longer take comments after a certain time? I went to comment on your Thank You Next review, and there was no box to reply. But I have to tell you that one sounds good and your review on it was great as well!
I’m a little confused about the parentage if Blake has a father with memory problems. Did they have the same mother? If so, I’m surprised that the house was left to both of them. It sounds like a good book with a love/hate relationship for the girls.
This one sounds really good! Your review definitely has me wanting to read it.
Question, do you set your posts to no longer take comments after a certain time? I went to comment on your Thank You Next review, and there was no box to reply. But I have to tell you that one sounds good and your review on it was great as well!
I’m about to start this one. Sounds like it’s going to be a great read.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
This sounds lovely! I enjoy a good sisters/family drama, and Destin is such a gorgeous location.
Thank you, Diana!
This sounds like a fun book. I loved The Parent Trap growing up, the original one with Hayley Mills.
Yes, the original one with Haley Mills is the best one!
At first, from the title, I thought that this was going to by a mystery thriller.
I can totally see how you could think that.
Great review, Wendy. This sounds like a great summer read.
Thank you, Carla!
I’m a little confused about the parentage if Blake has a father with memory problems. Did they have the same mother? If so, I’m surprised that the house was left to both of them. It sounds like a good book with a love/hate relationship for the girls.
They had different mothers. It’s a sad situation, but it’s nice to see the sister grow to like each other again.
This sounds like the perfect summer read. I’m glad it turned out to be better than you expected! Great review Wendy!
Thank you!
Wow that’s a lot of years to ignore each other. It was a hard discovery though, but neither girl was at fault for it. Wonderful review!
Right! It’s the father that did all the damage.
I like that this goes far deeper than a simple romcom. I’d love to see how the sisters work things out. Lovely review Wendy 🙂
Thank you, Mallika!
This sure looks interesting.
Thank you, Lydia!
I love family dramas too, think I would like this 😊 great review 💕
I think you would too, Jenny!
I love the cover and premise. Sure glad it exceeded your expectations. Wonderful review!
Thank you, Kimberly!
I do love sisters stories and particularly with a bit of humor tossed in.
Thank you, Sophia!
Awesome review Wendy! This sounds like such fun!🤗📚💜
Thank you, Susan!
Great review, Wendy! I am seeing lots of good things about this one. Another reviewer also said it was better than she expected.
Thank you, Cindy! It’s always nice to have a surprise!
I love that it has a subtle parent trap type thread. How fun! Excellent review!
Thank you, Tessa!
This sounds brilliant. A great review Wendy.
Thank you, Janette!