Heartbreak Beach

by Bailey Thomas

Reality shows are real, right?

Wrong. When Elise Rosenberg signs up to be a participant in the new hit reality television show, Heartbreak Beach, she quickly realizes how involved the producer, Brent Knox, actually is. She regrets not reading the long contract she was given before agreeing to be on the show, but it’s too late, as she is put in an uncomfortable position during the season finale.

Twenty women began the series, all fighting for the attention of Jared Bradley, the hot bachelor. Each week, he sent women home, until Elise was the only one left. The last episode is supposed to consist of her agreeing to leave Heartbreak Beach as a couple with Jared, but Brent Knox has another idea in mind. He wants Elise to reject Jared’s offer, forcing him to leave the show in the same way he started—single. She is legally obligated to follow the producer's wishes, but over the course of the show, Elise has fallen in love with Jared, and does not want to hurt him.

Instead of complying with her contractual duty, Elise decides to leave the beach with Jared anyway, and also reveals to him how the show was forcing her to break his heart. Jared and Elise decide to fight against the production company, sharing the truth about how messy reality television truly is.

Producers have ruined enough relationships, and Jared and Elise refuse to be another failed reality TV couple.

Genres: Novella, Romance

87 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2025

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fast-paced novella was not for me. I found myself rolling my eyes a lot at the unrealistic situations the MMC and FMC got into. The ending made me angry, and I was upset for the FMC. The MMC went from being sweet and protective to a huge a-hole.

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this novella in 3 days. I enjoyed the story line. I have a feeling this is not the end.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ashley O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Bailey, for providing me with an ARC of Heartbreak Beach.

This is a fast-paced novella that's a romance with a twist. Elise and Jared's adventures had me hooked in the first chapter. I devoured this book in less than a day.

If you're a fan of quick reads, reality TV premises, and an unpredictable plot, this is the novella for you! Better yet, this title is available on Kindle Unlimited on April 25th!

(Also, is it possible to hate a MMC as much as I hate Jared?!)

[Kayla Weiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured the ARC in one sitting. Highly recommend!

[Beatriz Agnello · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got sent an ARC of this book

This was so good and I honestly did not see the plot twist coming, this was honestly one of those books that really drags you in and honestly broke my heart. Jared broke my heart, can't believe I started to like him but honestly go read it once it comes out.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review I am not sure how to feel about this novella one because it is so short and hard to really flush out the storyline and the characters. I’ll start with what I did like which was the concept of the storyline based off a reality dating show and how there are people that go on their just for fame and to get social media status but there are people that go on these shows to find love. I was thrown for a loop at the end I really didn’t like the ending to be honest it made me dislike the MMC more I don’t understand the need to be cruel to the FMC for entertainment value this really bothered me. I am going to be more cautious about this author’s work going forward

[Morgan 📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review!

A big thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC!

This book was a WILD ride from the start! I couldn’t stop reading this book and finished it so fast. This was truly one of those books where you are asking “what happens next?!” It was a rollercoaster and I enjoyed wondering what was coming next!

I did want to throw hands at the end because….. (IYKYK). But I enjoyed this fast paced novella!

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short fast paced novella, and I don't want to spoil the book for anyone who might want to read it. So I'll keep my review short and to the point.

Can you find love on a reality tv show? Or is all scripted and set up scenes? Elise and Jared are about to find out! One will fall and one will play the nasty game of reality tv!

Just know going into it, some of the situations aren’t realistic which once you get to end I feel makes a bit more sense. I struggled with it not being as realistic as I like, but that is a me thing. While, the ending did some what shock me I also felt I saw it coming as well.

[ReaderGirly❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the beginning of this book was ridiculous. I mean, who runs away, steals a car, and busts out a cop window trying to escape a reality TV show producer who wants them to break up? I kept thinking, Jared and Elise could just pretend to break up for the cameras, but actually stay together. Like why did the producer wanting them to break up mean they had to go on the run as fugitives?

But then, the author threw in a little twist at the end and I was like ahhhhh it all makes so much sense now.

This was a short, cute read full of ooey gooey love scenes and action as Jared and Elise go on the run to escape Brent, who wanted Elise to break Jared’s heart by breaking up with him on the finale of the dating show they both star in. The only critique I had was the fact that Jared also got his own POV. We find out that he is only acting, so everything he said/felt in his POV was a lie. I felt like, why even have his POV then if it was all made up lies?

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Thrilling Adventure with a Jaw-Dropping Twist

For such a short book, this story is absolutely packed with tension and adventure. The pacing keeps you on edge, and just when you think you have it figured out—bam! WHAT A PLOT TWIST! I had a feeling something was coming, but I was not prepared for how cleverly it all unfolded. The character descriptions are vivid, making it easy to connect with them, and the plot is impressively well-crafted. A gripping read that delivers far more than its length suggests!

[Krystal King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh nah …. Please tell me there will be a second part. After this riveting plot I need more!

WOW! 👏🏽👏🏽

If you’re looking for a quick read but a lot of drama. THIS is the story for you. As much reality TV that I watch and I was still on the edge of my seat at the turn of every page. Jared and Elise …. well I don’t want to give too much away but sometimes you have to leave the script to rewrite another. Find out how they rewrite theirs by picking up this book when it goes on sale.

Tropes:
Dual POV
Forced Proximity
Fake dating/Romance

Thank you for this ARC!

[Cathryn Mosher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book from the author, and I dove in right away. It's a quick read, but I found myself struggling with how many events kept unfolding in increasingly improbable ways. Without giving away spoilers, Thomas does a great job of quickly developing the characters in the first couple of chapters and then building on the storyline from there. However, many of the situations the couple finds themselves in felt a bit far-fetched or unrealistic, with each new twist pushing the limits of believability.

The plot, which draws inspiration from "The Bachelor" TV show, has a mix of mundanity and drama. But some of the events—like trying to hitch a ride to Phoenix in a day and ending up stretching the journey out over three days, only to have the return trip happen in a single day—felt a bit off. While I understand that as a novella, there’s limited space to develop the story, I think the pacing and scope could have been tightened to make the plot more grounded in reality.

I’m hopeful that in the next book, the author will expand on the characters a bit more. A potential revenge storyline could add an intriguing layer to the plot, though it’s hard to say where things are heading. And while the person whose heart was supposed to be broken on the beach wasn’t quite who I expected, I’m curious to see how the story will unfold.

[Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Bailey for the ARC of your Novella. This Novella was super cute! I loved how it was themed like the bachelor. The main characters Elise and Jared were perfect and swoon worthy. I finished this within one day. I wasn't expecting a Novella (I don't normally read Novellas) to have so many twists and turns but this did. My one complaint is the ending. Bailey, how could you do this to us? 😅

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay this is such a great novella! Perfect for those quick summer reads. I love a reality tv romance plot and this delivered. It's high stakes fast paced and wild. TALK ABOUT A PLOT TWIST ENDING. The writing was enjoyable and the FMC is 🤌🏻 but I have no words for the MC. Can't wait for the next book!

Thank you Bailey for the gifted ebook!

[Samanthasue218 · Rating 4 out of 5]

No spoilers. Read via kindle (arc).

This was a quick read. It has drama, suspense, and twists. Definitely didn’t see everything that happened coming. I enjoyed this read.

Would I recommend? Yes if you are looking for a quick drama suspense.

[❤️Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fast past, with insta love, a twist you won't see coming and a not so hea.

Thanks to the author for an arc!

[Emily Bunch · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely loved this book! the end was nothing like i thought it would be! had me hooked the whole time!

[Tasha Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this novella. The story had me hooked from the beginning and i didn’t expect the twist at the end! Bailey did such a good job with this one!

[Meghan Truskowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love loved loved. I felt like I was reading an action packed romance movie.

[Kat Kohlepp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not excepting the ending at ALL! Had me at the edge of my seat the whole book!

[Jess Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Bailey for an ARC of your novella. A fast, fun, and wild adventure it was!
I literally felt like I was watching a reality tv show and pictured everything so vividly as it happened. I recommend this book when it's released if you are looking for a quick read, something that will have you hooked from start to finish, and are looking to go on an adventure with the characters in a novella !!

[Tanisha FantasyBooksandBudgets · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long-time Love Island fan, I was so excited to receive an ARC for this novella.
I went into this story hoping for drama and entertainment and was not disappointed!

I finished this in one sitting, I was so invested in the characters. The plot twist is totally unexpected and hits you like a brick. I was so shocked I just stared at the page for a while.

If quick, high stakes, drama filled adventure is your jam, I highly recommend this novella! I had a fun time reading it and laughed out loud.

Well done, Bailey Thomas!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat! I was rooting for Elise and Jared and looking forward to an amazing outcome after all the craziness they went through! That ending though ......whew! It was a quick read and I found myself feeling sorry for Elise and really hating Jared!!

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huge thankyou for the ARC of this Novella!
I did enjoy Heartbreak Beach, it’s a very fast paced, easy read novella with a TWIST! I did, however sometimes find myself rolling my eyes a bit at the unrealistic situations that the FMC and MMC got themselves into. Also didn’t think it was possible to hate a MMC as much as I hate Jared🤦🏼‍♀️

[Kelsey Dey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as an ARC reader, and I didn’t really care for it, but it was 99 pages, so I pushed through.

I gave it 3/5 ⭐️ because the ending twist I definitely didn’t expect! I liked that it showed that reality tv is anything BUT reality, but the rest of the book was too outlandish for me. Most of it was just ridiculous. If you want a short novella about a show similar to The Bachelor, with a twist at the end, it’s for you. But it just wasn’t for me! Thank you for the author, though, for providing me with an ARC copy to read and honestly review!!

[Stacey Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping read. Could not put my book down. Devoured it in 2 hours. Did not see that twist coming though .
Amazing characters. Highly recommend

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

Fun and lighthearted with a twist at the end. I really came to like the characters, picturing them together as they go through their adventures. The story flowed well, if not a little unlikely but easy to follow. However, I had mixed feelings about the ending, but maybe because it was unexpected. It caused me to rethink the storyline and how I felt about it as a whole...but that may be more about my preferred style than the actual novella. Overall, it was very creative and an easy quick read that I would recommend

[Kamilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to get an ARC for this book. I enjoyed it so much! It was a quick read that kept me wanting to know what happens next. Elise and Jared meet on a reality dating show. They decide no one can decide their romantic future but them, so they fight against the direction the producer is trying to take the show. Will they be able to get the happy ever after they’re going for? These two were going through it the whole book. The ending had me yelling out loud and was definitely unexpected. This is great for fans of novellas, dual povs, and romance with adventure. Definitely read this book!

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This was so unexpected!!

Romance .. with a twist ! I’ve read a lot of books over the last few years, some were somewhat predictable and some were .. well like this one!

I can positively say, this is the worst mmc !! That’s all!

I hope you all take a little time to read this fun story when it comes out on KU April 25th!

Thank you to the author for this arc 🫶🏼

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as part of an ARC and to begin with I was interested in the story but found after a bit that it was just too unrealistic but the twist at the end made it all make sense.

I actually really enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you are looking for a quick read with an unexpected twist.