The Beach Hotel Book 1

Hibiscus Bay #1

by Megan Jacobs

She thought their life was perfect. He was hiding behind an intricate web of lies. It took just one terrifying night for it to unravel… Harper White thought she had it a thriving business, a handsome husband, and dreams of a beach hotel in Australia. When the unthinkable happens, the life she knew vanishes overnight, along with her husband. Making the brave decision to leave LA, Harper embraces a second chance at happiness in the idyllic Australian small town of Hibiscus Bay. The locals are welcoming, and she enjoys putting down roots as she refurbishes the derelict Hibiscus Sands Hotel. And her heart melts, just a little, when she captures the attention of a handsome local surfer. But something doesn’t feel right. Is Harper’s past really behind her? Or does fate have one more card to play…? Find out in The Beach Hotel , a captivating, contemporary, sweet romance series with a hint of mystery, that will have you believing in second chances and the power of love. Scroll up to start reading Book 1 today!

This is Book 1 of 5 in the Hibiscus Bay Series.

101 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 11, 2023

Reviews

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beach Hotel, #1 - I am used to Ms. Jacobs cutting a book into five pieces, so know this "series" is on the Installment Plan. That aside, this snippet is interesting with character introductions, story lines and a cliffhanger. The characters are likeable and the usual story lines of marriages that maybe dying and couples pulling apart. 4*

Hibiscus Bay Series:
The Beach Hotel, #2 - Picks up in pace and interest. New lives, old worries. There's a lack of communication between a couple that does not help their marriage. 4*

The Beach Hotel, #3 - Life is moving on, new relationships, new work and the old past raises its head. 4*

The Beach Hotel, #4 - Very interesting, especially the last half of this installment, with good suspense the last chapters. 5*
Hibiscus Bay Series end.

Roses in the Sand - This would have been a good story except for that stupid formula, which is the fourth book this week I read to follow it. She's finally found love again; he has to leave but will tell why when he returns; she demands to know; he can't tell; she freaks and breaks up; while he's gone she's depressed and filled with selfishness.

Add to this, the woman is cyberstalking her ex for five years, the one she chased on foot as he drove off; that's different. New guy returns, spills what and why, and HEA.

This could have been a sweet story. Megan can write well but following the same worn out formula ruins her story. I mean is this the acceptable, politically correct behavior today, a mental woman and "a slave to her" man? Romantic return. 3*

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic start to this mysterious and love story. Attention grabber right away and found myself supporting and cheering on Harper, our lead female character in this series. She and her husband of 10 years, Mason, have worked tirelessly on their beautiful hotel. They have sunk endless hours and money into this beautiful hotel which they have put possibly on the market with interest being shown by a a large upscale hotel corporation whom they are meeting with.

Had my doubts of Mason's character with his going and coming with no commitment being shown on his part with his wife. He never let her know where he was going or coming back and always kept her in the dark or wondering where he was going. Adding to his questionable loyalty were his deadbeat and criminally inclined friends. Then he mysteriously pulled a key out of a drawer that wasn't there the night before when Harper went through all they keys in the drawer to open Mason's office door which was unusually locked and she needed to use the coputer.

In the blink of an eye she saw their beautiful hotel go up in smoke and fire. She'd lost it all. To make matters worse Mason has once again disappeared. She went through grief stages as he never appeared again. Harper decided to go and find her beach boutique hotel in Australia.

This is an all consuming mentally pulling book and am excitedly looking fo the next book in this series.

I received an early copy for my honest and voluntary review.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Confidence comes from yourself."

However, when your marriage starts to unravel things like confidence land outside where they should be. Harper and husband Mason have been approached by a buyer with a generous offer. Harper is all for it but Mason isn't so sure

Meanwhile, across town, her brother Zachary , a writer and his wife Heather, a teacher are struggling with their own disappointments: he's having trouble ending his manuscript and their attempts at conceiving aren't successful.

And then there's Freya, their mother. Widowed a decade earlier she spends a lot of time dodging the matchmaking friends and trying to move on, but she's lonely.

What is about to happen will change their lives.. and I'm not going to spoil it ... Highly Recommended 5/5

[ Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]

[Ashley Raye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great start to the series. We really get introduced to the characters and see where their lives are. I love the family dynamic that we saw and think it is going to make the series so interesting. It didn't quite give us much of a mystery, but I think it was just something light to make us curious and have questions. Nothing was answered in this book, it was definitely setting the series up. I did enjoy the writing style. Even for something so short it had a way of engaging me and making the story come alive. I look forward to the rest of the books. Hopefully we will see more mystery as we go.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Business couple Harper and Mason differ in their opinions about the future of the hotel they own. Mason’s uncharacteristic and secretive behaviour causes Harper further anxiety and a sense of isolation.
Meanwhile her brother, Zach, has his own multiple concerns which affect his ability to complete his novel. A fairly slow-paced introduction to Megan’s new series which picked up momentum towards the end as circumstances escalated into a crisis. A cautionary note: this book ends in a significant cliff-hanger that will require the reader to look forward to Book 2!
I received a free review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in The Beach Hotel Series which acquaints.the reader with the primary characters including Harper and Mason White who are the owners of a popular hotel, Zachary and Heather Nelson who have been having problems with their marriage, and Freda who is the widowed mother of Harper and Zachary. The book has well developed characters who are realistic and a great storyline with a bit of mystery. The book ends in a shocking cliffhanger and the story will continue in Book Two of the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shuvai · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beach hotel by Magan Jacobs is the first book in the series. The book is a romantic mystery about Harper and her family, things are not going as expected within the dynamics of the family.
This book is really sweet and clean well written and easy to read.
The characters are complex can't wait to see how it will all unfold in the next book.
Though I am not impressed with the idea of waiting for the next book but I guess everything good is worth the wait.
I recommend this book to someone looking for a sweet and clean romance book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[rye · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

characters: ✦✦✦
plot: ✦✦
setting: ✦✦

I was thoroughly excited about a beach mystery book- only to realize that the mystery wasn't there! It came at the end of the last chapter- and it happened to be the last two paragraphs... that's it! I wasn't too big on the characters either... they weren't formed very much, and I think they all could have had a little more to them. The plot and setting were a little... boring? I think it could've been more interesting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book ! Harper is a co owner of a hotel with her husband but dreams of a simpler life . Her husband , Mason , has been acting elusive lately but she can’t figure out why . Her brother , Zack and his wife Heather are struggling to find contentment in their tiny apartment. Their mother is loving and devoted and just wants to see her children happy . The last chapter ends on a cliffhanger. I am super excited to see what happens next .

[Kim Mears · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series, it sets the story for the series and introduces you to the three main characters, Harpers, her mother Freya and her brother Zach. They are all making out to be happy on the outside, but inside they all have doubts about their lives. Will the future have something better in store for them.

I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it. I am looking forward to.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about starting over. There are a few unexpected things that happened in the story. A couple twists and turns that you don't see coming. Starting over is not easy. And it comes with its own set of complications that makes for very interesting reading. Throw in a perspective romance and you have a really good story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marichus Real · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into the book. I was confused about who was with who and what their relationship was.
The story tells us about a widow and her daughter and a son and their spouses.
They try to be happy, but it is not easy. There are too many words untold and that kills any relationship.
I’ll have to wait for the next books and see what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melinda Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

H0w do you decide about something when it can effect your life and two people can't agree . Then something happens that might make the decision for you . Marriage can be complicated when two people feel at distance and do you close that gap .. and when you been married to the love of your life and they pass away. . The thought of starting over is not what you want after so many years

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Jacobs never disappoints. Harper and her husband Mason own a hotel. Harper wants to sell the hotel and move to Australia and run a smaller and simpler one. Mason does not. Harper's brother Zachary and his wife Heather are also having marriage troubles. The story ends with a cliffhanger and Mason missing. I can't wait for book two!!

[Ellen Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in a new series by Megan Jacobs. Mostly it’s setting up the story and introducing the characters. Harper wants to sell her and husband Mason’s hotel and move to Australia. Her brother Zachary is a writer and he and his wife are having issues. Their mother Freya just wants to live out her life the way she wants. Great storyline, can’t wait to see where this series goes.

[GPReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is off to a good start! There's a lot of relationship drama in this one... With all members of the family. The ending leaves you with a lot of questions. As an advanced reader, I can tell you book 2 is when it really starts getting good . This is not a standalone! You'll want to get the whole series. Note: I'm an ARC reader for this book

[Karen Cino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introduction to series

This is the first book in the Hibiscus Bay series and it's a good introduction to the characters.
I wasn't expecting a cliff hanger at the end of the book, leaving me hanging. For that reason I gave it four stars. I'm planning on reading book two. It's the perfect beach read.

[Mary Heiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the beginning of the series. It’s sitting everyone up and what they do and doing. Everything seems to be going wrong and now we don’t know where one of the characters is. We may find out later. You will enjoy the read.

[Katy Wonnacott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boo!

This was a short story with a cliff hanger ending. Unless you're willing to invest (waste) time waiting for the next 4 "books", any interest in the characters was a waste of time. Please, author: if you don't have time to write a complete story, don't waste my time.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm hooked! A mysterious plot with plenty of drama, a wonderful mix of characters, potential romance on the horizon and all in a beautiful beach setting. An amazing beginning to an exciting new series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book really lays out the different characters and the roles they play in the extended family. Right at the end, the cliff hanger happens. I really wonder whT is next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Martha Reddinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy but Interesting


The characters are quickly set up in an interesting way. The Maj o r incident at the end of the story was a surprise.

[Tami Willard · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're introduced to Freya and her family. Freda is a widow who is lonely and feels her home is now too big. Harper and her husband Mason own a hotel. She wants to sell and downsize. He doesn't and seems to be keeping secrets. Zachary and his wife Heather are struggling. He's trying to finish writing his second book. She's feeling overwhelmed. Will their marriages survive?.

I received an ARC copy via Booksprout. Review voluntarily given.

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper and her husband, Mason, co-own a hotel. There is a buyer for the hotel, and while she wants to sell, he doesn't. Mason has been acting different lately, and Harper isn't sure why. The story ends on a cliffhanger, so be prepared to read book two.

I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper and Mason owned an up scale hotel in LA. But, it had been Harpers dream forever to.own a smaller custom holte in Australia. A company had offered $10 million for the hotel. But, Mason refuses even discussing the idea with Harper.

Let's let Megan take us on this journey.

I received this ARC from B Megan and am leaving my Honest review.