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Beauty and the Beach: A Sweet RomCom Novella
Hello, universe!
I'd like to invoke my right to change my mind.
XXO,
Caro
This summer is all about Rick, me, and a second chance at us. See, he's my high school sweetheart, the one I let go. I'm the breaker of his heart and the queen of the friend zone. I had reasons way back then, but now I'm ready to grow old and beautiful together.
If only he believed me.
If only I had a partner to help me prove I've changed.
Enter beach bar owner and savior of mermaid brides. He's my new boss, a win-Rick's-heart brainstorming machine, and the calm through my calamities. He's exactly who I need … until he's who I want.
Rick is solid, a love based on years of friendship, while Jesse is a fleeting rush of chemistry on summer vacation. I'm a one man kind of girl.
The universe has a sense of humor. Or maybe she misunderstood?
Beauty and the Beach is a heartwarming beach romance novella. Prepare to fall in love with swoon & sizzle but no cheating, explicit content, or profanity.
I'd like to invoke my right to change my mind.
XXO,
Caro
This summer is all about Rick, me, and a second chance at us. See, he's my high school sweetheart, the one I let go. I'm the breaker of his heart and the queen of the friend zone. I had reasons way back then, but now I'm ready to grow old and beautiful together.
If only he believed me.
If only I had a partner to help me prove I've changed.
Enter beach bar owner and savior of mermaid brides. He's my new boss, a win-Rick's-heart brainstorming machine, and the calm through my calamities. He's exactly who I need … until he's who I want.
Rick is solid, a love based on years of friendship, while Jesse is a fleeting rush of chemistry on summer vacation. I'm a one man kind of girl.
The universe has a sense of humor. Or maybe she misunderstood?
Beauty and the Beach is a heartwarming beach romance novella. Prepare to fall in love with swoon & sizzle but no cheating, explicit content, or profanity.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2023
About the author
Annalise Whelan
17 books3 followersAnnalise Whelan lives on the Alabama Gulf Coast with her husband, two mixed-breed dogs, and a cat named Gumbo.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 30, 2024
Quick and fun Novella to finish out the night!
September 13, 2026
4.5 Stars
I adored this book!
Jesse and Caro completely stole my heart. From the moment he rescued her on the beach (and every other time after that), I was invested. I seriously could not get enough of these two. Every single moment they spent together had me slowly turning into a big ol' pile of ooey, gooey deliciousness. Talk about chemistry... yowzers! Sparks were definitely flying!
And Jesse... *dreamy sigh* This man!
He knew Caro wanted Rick. He knew he could end up with his heart broken into a million pieces, but he never stopped showing up. He was her constant. He wanted to be there for her. He helped her discover what it was like to just be... normal. And knowing that he might not be the one she chose in the end but still being there for her anyway? My heart.
Now, don't get my wrong, there were times I wanted to Gibbs slap Caro and reach through my kindle to shake some sense into her. But as the story progressed and her feelings started to change, I had a giddy smile on my face, encouraging her to just open her eyes and grab what was right in front of her face. I seriously loved these two!
In fact, I loved everything about this book—the setting, the side characters, ALL OF IT! I wanted more and I wasn't ready for it to end. But when you love a book this much, of course you always, always want more.
This is my first book by Ms. Whelan and I already know I'm going to be picking up more by her. When an author can grab my attention and keep it that quickly? Definitely going to add more of her books to my TBR.
I adored this book!
Jesse and Caro completely stole my heart. From the moment he rescued her on the beach (and every other time after that), I was invested. I seriously could not get enough of these two. Every single moment they spent together had me slowly turning into a big ol' pile of ooey, gooey deliciousness. Talk about chemistry... yowzers! Sparks were definitely flying!
And Jesse... *dreamy sigh* This man!
He knew Caro wanted Rick. He knew he could end up with his heart broken into a million pieces, but he never stopped showing up. He was her constant. He wanted to be there for her. He helped her discover what it was like to just be... normal. And knowing that he might not be the one she chose in the end but still being there for her anyway? My heart.
Now, don't get my wrong, there were times I wanted to Gibbs slap Caro and reach through my kindle to shake some sense into her. But as the story progressed and her feelings started to change, I had a giddy smile on my face, encouraging her to just open her eyes and grab what was right in front of her face. I seriously loved these two!
In fact, I loved everything about this book—the setting, the side characters, ALL OF IT! I wanted more and I wasn't ready for it to end. But when you love a book this much, of course you always, always want more.
This is my first book by Ms. Whelan and I already know I'm going to be picking up more by her. When an author can grab my attention and keep it that quickly? Definitely going to add more of her books to my TBR.
April 26, 2024
Fun little beach read. Great characters, cute story. Short and sweet!
July 28, 2024
Caro is convinced that settling down will make Rick realize he’s in love with her, but her new boss Jesse may throw a wrench in that plan.
Meh. Novellas are usually hit or miss for me. This one was more of a miss. Caro is shallow and annoying. I liked Jesse, but I just felt constantly sorry for him. Could have been executed so much better. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Zero spice.
Meh. Novellas are usually hit or miss for me. This one was more of a miss. Caro is shallow and annoying. I liked Jesse, but I just felt constantly sorry for him. Could have been executed so much better. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Zero spice.
July 23, 2026
Train wreck to HEA
This book is soo cute. Literally had me laughing out loud. The MFC is such a wreck when it comes to anything to do with normal day to day chores. Trying to win back an old love she ends up falling in love with a poor bar owner. Its soo adorable, I love it.
This book is soo cute. Literally had me laughing out loud. The MFC is such a wreck when it comes to anything to do with normal day to day chores. Trying to win back an old love she ends up falling in love with a poor bar owner. Its soo adorable, I love it.
September 27, 2023
Quick read!
This was a really quick and cute read! If you want a summer beach read this is the book for you!
This was a really quick and cute read! If you want a summer beach read this is the book for you!
October 4, 2023
quick lil novella - definitely grew on me, would've made for a cute lil movie <3
April 22, 2024
A quick cute book!
A fun quick beach read. These two were so fun to read about. I knew she’d end up falling for the right one. Entertaining!
A fun quick beach read. These two were so fun to read about. I knew she’d end up falling for the right one. Entertaining!
May 6, 2024
perfect cute little weekend read! the characters were lovable & the story was at just the right pace for a novella! obsessed
May 12, 2024
Cute and super easy read especially after a reading slump.
June 24, 2024
It's a cute read, but it's really fast and not that dramatic
July 4, 2024
so bad i deleted it off my kindle after 2 pages cus wtf
August 25, 2024
Needed a cute little romance to cleanse my palate after reading nothing but fantasy so I loved this lil story
February 23, 2025
This was a cute little beach novella. I wish it had some spice tho. It was a decent palette cleanser & also helped raise my reading goal quickly!
October 8, 2025
Beauty and the Beach
A cute quick beach story that turns into a good love story. The main character puts in the hard work to find her true love and herself.
A cute quick beach story that turns into a good love story. The main character puts in the hard work to find her true love and herself.
July 29, 2026
Quick and sweet! Had some good funny spots, but really nothing over the top amazing. Definitely nothing wrong though!
November 30, 2025
📚Beauty and the Beach is an adorable novella that follows Caro and Jesse and they navigate life and love. Together they learn what they really want out of this adventure we call living. This one isn’t spicy- but it had tension and yearning.🥰 Highly recommend!
April 9, 2024
Cute and quick summer read
March 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews