Marriage is a Shore Thing

Wilks Beach #2

by Laura Langa

She’s tough. He’s golden. One dare later, they’re hitched.

I’ve sworn off love, so accidentally marrying a stranger after a friendly game of Truth or Dare? Worst. Case. Scenario. Never mind that Evander Young is a brilliant ER doctor with a dimpled smile that makes my heart race.

News of our nuptials spreads through my small beach town like wildfire—only everyone thinks it’s real after a long-distance romance. With my mom ecstatic that her grumpy, boxing-instructor daughter has finally found love, it looks like we’re stuck playing house—at least for now.

The thing is, happily-ever-afters aren’t for people who avoid feelings like they’re a knockout punch. But Van’s golden-retriever energy keeps chipping at my well-forged armor, and the sizzling chemistry between us? Definitely not fake.

When a family heirloom goes missing, Van and I team up for a midnight heist—sneaking through shadows, racing against time, and dodging a few close calls. Turns out, the real risk isn’t the heist—it’s falling for my accidental husband.

Enjoy the playful banter and sizzling tension of this accidental marriage, black cat/golden retriever, small beach town, closed-door/kisses-only romance by grabbing your copy TODAY!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Marriage Of Convenience, Medical, Clean Romance, Fiction

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2025

About the author

Laura Langa is an award-winning sweet romance author. She strives to write stories that pull at her readers’ heartstrings and create relatable characters you can’t help but root for. Laura loves trees and all things green, hates flossing but forces herself to do it every night, drinks tea—not coffee, and believes that salt air can often cure a bad mood.

Visit her website at www.LauraLanga.com
Subscribe to her newsletter at https://lauralanga.com/newsletter
Instagram @LauraLangaWrites
Facebook @LauraLangaWrites

Reviews

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Van and Geneva find themselves accidentally married after a dare in Vegas, they have very different expectations. Geneva was ready for a quick divorce. She never planned to get married, especially not to a stranger. But Van made a promise to his late sister that when he did marry, he would fight for it.

So despite being strangers, they agree to give the marriage a real shot. Three months of living together, giving their relationship a try. It’s forced proximity with slow-burning chemistry. He’s grieving. She’s closed off to love. She's grumpy, he's sunshine. And this arrangement might be exactly what they both need if they are willing to consider a future beyond the three months.

These two...the chemistry was wonderful. The back and forth and the banter were so entertaining, and when they finally stopped fighting their feelings, it was amazing. The kisses are a bit steamy, but this is still very much a closed-door romance.

This was such a fun read. I definitely need to go back and read book one in the series.

I gave this a 4.5, rounded up to a 5.
Loved it!

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Saloni Porwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely adored the MCs in this story! Both Van and Geneva are wonderfully layered with plentiful backstory to explain why they are the way they are, and it is encaptivating how the author unpacks all this baggage over the course of the story. This is similar to marriage of convenience, except it was accidental, so it makes for an interesting situation for the MCs to fall in love.

Like with most small-town stories, the side characters are very involved and are more than mere accessories in the background. I particularly adored both MCs mother's and the scenes and conversations with them. I'm very pleased to know this book is part of a series (although it still makes complete sense without having read the previous book) and I'm definitely reading the other two to follow the other characters and even then, get a glimpse of characters from this book.

I consumed this book in the audiobook format, and I could never quite get over my dislike for the male narrator's voice. His voice was extremely gruff, and he was going for a southern accent that didn't quite fit in with the rest of the narration. To make matter worse, instead of having the male narrator read only the chapters from the MMC's POV, he also read all of his dialogue from the FMC's POV which made for weird editing that felt abrupt. Took me far too long to get used to it and even then, it bothered me and make the listen less likeable.

[Cherilyn (Cherwhatyouread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wilks Beach books keep getting better and better! This book will keep you on your toes and turning the pages!

Geneva and Van meet in Vegas between a rock concert and some crazy moments at a bar, they find themselves spending time together where they “pretend” to get married in front of Elvis. Fast forward a month later, their pretend marriage is actually real. They give themselves 3 months before they plan to divorce. Though Van may have plans to stay when he makes himself at home in Geneva’s house and heart.

Favorite parts:
-Van calling her Gen.
-Van and Gen taking care of each other
-Van getting to see Gen’s soft side and encouraging her to open up to the people who already love her.
-the fire flies
-the whispering wind
-karaoke
-the heist
-Van and microwave cooking times. So funny.

Also this book has one incredible bonus epilogue that you don’t want to miss out on!

Favorite quotes:
Only my husband calls me Gen.

“I like sweet things and having fun, but…” The corner of his mouth quirks, almost imperceptibly. “I’ve never liked easy. Easy is boring. Anyone can do easy. I need”—that slight tug morphs into a wicked grin that I feel down to the soles of my feet—“ I need a challenge.”

The slow grin spreading over his face is more beautiful than ten thousand sunrises, and a single thought hits me like a sucker punch.
I love when this man smiles.
When I mirror his grin, his gaze softens.

It’s a posture I’ve seen before—Geneva preparing to go into battle for someone else. But in this moment—heck, in all future moments—I want to be the one to protect Geneva. Even though she’s fierce, even though she can handle everything herself, I want to be the one.

The way Van lights up, the way his dimple pops as his smile creases the corner of his eyes nearly annihilates the fatigue dragging on my limbs. In the cozy warmth of his truck bed, I realize that I’ve also been waiting for this. For Van to be unabashedly who he is—pure, brilliant light. Van is undoubtedly the best thing that’s ever happened to me, even considering the windfall of blessings I’ve received since arriving in Wilks Beach.

[Shayla Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

MARRIAGE IS A Shore Thing
(Wilks Beach Book 2)
by: Laura Langa
@lauralangawrites

••I give 4.5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

~I’VE SWORN OFF LOVE, SO ACCIDENTALLY MARRYING A STRANGER AFTER A FRIENDLY GAME OF TRUTH OR DARE? WORST. CASE. SCENARIO…

-MARRIAGE IS A Shore Thing, is a fun. Story with heart! It will have dear characters sneaking through shadows, racing against time, and dodging a few close calls. The real risk however isn’t about a heist, but for falling for accidental-fake spouses. I loved watching walls come down, and the difference/power of love is in this story! Seeing characters find and embrace strength within to trust, commit, and be open to possibilities that come with genuine love, care, and help! It makes all the difference! Worth the read!📚🙌🏻🩷

•Content: some drinking, no mild peril/danger, death of a sibling Divorce parents and abandonment, kisses. Closed-door!

“I care.”

-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“I let myself relax into the moment with someone who I’m just starting to know, but who feels like a memory.”

#marriageisashorething
#lauralangawrites
#wilksbeachseries

“Don’t worry, Gen. I’ve got you.”

#bookedwiththeemilys

“Come on, darlin’.”

#allaboutthebestreads

“I’ve got you.”

[Marissa | Readswith_marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Partner, @bookedwiththeemilys  @lauralangawrites for the #gifted book!🫶🏻

This was such a fun story to follow along to. I adored the realness and relatability in each of the characters. Reverse grumpy x sunshine is always one of my favs because I love a strong woman with a grumpy attitude throwing hilarious snide remarks to the golden retriever MMC.🤭

Geneva is all things strong, independent and layered. I relate so much to her with difficulty opening up to others. I loved watching Van crack down her walls one by one and I adored how he always made a mental note every single time he made her laugh and smile.

Van is the ultimate golden retriever and I loved him for it. He was never upset or hurt by Gen’s sometimes quick, frustrated reactions and truly let her express herself. You could tell from the beginning of him showing up on Gen’s doorstep that he knew he was facing a challenge and was ready to dive head first into it.

I loved the growing connection between the two of them and the moment you watch Geneva start to open up had me falling in love with the characters all over again.

This was an amazing addition to the Wilk’s Beach series and I’m so excited to see where the story goes next!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is truly an original story, I laughed out loud numerous times, held my breath and even cried. It's a reverse grumpy Sunshine, found family gem. Definitely recommend.

[Megan Crofton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was such a sweet, layered story, with great depth and character growth. It was fast paced and fun!

Geneva and her black cat attitude, I really enjoyed her character. Van had this great energy and there is a lot of depth there that has yet to be revealed. They each had so many layers individually but also in their relationship. Langa always creates these great layered characters and slowly peels back their layers throughout the story. It makes for such great storytelling. I loved Van and Geneva together. They had this constant push and pull. I loved that they took care of each other, so sweet. Van was patient and kind, allowing Geneva's tough shell to crack just slightly, letting her true nature shine through.

Langa's storytelling is always so well written and her word choice invokes such emotions. You could feel the emotions of the characters as they grew and the character development continued. The theme of grief was relatable and well-written. It is a tough subject but was handled very well.

So many wonderful side characters and the girl's friend group is so fun and perfectly blend together. I also loved the whimsical town. Looking forward to more Wilks Beach books!

[Sarah Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book of the Wilks Beach series follows grumpy gal Geneva, a boxing gym owner from the fictional Wilks Beach, VA, and sunshine boy Evander, “Van,” an ER doctor from Nashville. One has a guarded heart due to serious daddy issues & one is grieving the loss of his sister. Add in a chance meeting in Vegas, a few too many scotches, and palpable chemistry, the two find themselves in a marriage of the accidental variety. Once Van discovers this, he seeks to reunite with Geneva to honor his marriage vows and his promise to his sister to only marry once. Over the course of three months, Geneva and Van navigate life, love, and loss, learning to lean on one another and trust that sometimes accidents are the most unexpected blessings.

I’ve been a Laura fan since I read her Love in Tucson series, and I was excited to read Geneva’s story when I was introduced to her in Seas the Dating Coach.

Van is just the sweetest MMC with the softest heart. He likes a challenge and felt something with Geneva he had never experienced. She was complex and sarcastic, yet gentle and caring. His observational skills were top-notch, and he made sure to pursue her in a purposeful way. He met her where she was at, and I loved that. Just add him to the list of book boyfriends Laura writes so well!

Geneva learning to lean on others and trust that her community is for her was entertaining. Her practiced hard exterior only could last so long with people who loved her around to remind her that she just needed to be herself. I loved the way she opened up to Van and got to be his listening ear & shoulder to cry on.

This book was so good, and I’m definitely in this series for the long haul (aka Brynn and Noah’s story💙). Read this one, friends! 🤩

Thank you, Laura Langa and @bookedwiththeemilys for the #gifted ARC!

CW: This is a clean, closed-door romance with kisses only. The death of a family member, divorce, and cheating is mentioned.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I absolutely adored this novel! Van and Geneva were so fulfilling to read about. Even though Van is going through a time of intense grief, Geneva with all of her snarky ways, is helping to pull him through.

And Geneva, the woman who has walls so high and a heart that she protects at all cost, can't help herself from falling for this man who seems to want to be there for her in any way she needs him to be.

I really felt for Geneva and the way she had been treated by her parents and even those she had considered friends in the past. It was no surprise that she was emotionally wounded. But Van was just the man to break through those walls and show her that he loved her for who she was, grumpy or not.

Their love story, which began with finding out that they actually were accidentally married, was such a joy to read. I can't stop thinking about these wonderful characters!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I didn't want it to end. It was so great to read about the female character being the grumpy one and the male character being the ray of sunshine. Van was incredibly likable and worked hard to break down Geneva's defenses. Geneva was as tough as nails but also was quick to help those in need.

The community in Wilks Beach is one where every one knows your name. They are quick to throw a party for you and care deeply for their community.

I was provided an arc. The opinions are my own.

[Audrey Colman · Rating 4 out of 5]

*sigh* can grumpy sunshine where she’s the grumpy get any better than this!?

Geneva gives off pure black cat vibes, and Van is so clearly a golden retriever. Seriously, can you get a better MMC!?

The way Van took care of Geneva — not because he was a doctor, but because that’s just how his heart worked — was maybe the best part!

The accidental marriage twist was perfect! And as always the town of Wilks Beach worked its marriage. I love the fireflies, and you can’t forget Geneva’s chickens!

Thank you so much to the author, and the Emily’s, for my gifted copy!

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

SWOONY.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK

Accidental marriage romances are so fun. And I think this handled insta-attraction + slow burn well. I thought that it was paced well (maybe a little fast) but that I genuinely started to love Van and Gen together. I’m apparently super into black cat x golden retriever romances and highly recommend you go try one too!! [aka this one because while it’s second in a series it can be read easily as a standalone!]

There’s just the right amount of small town shenanigans and I especially loved Gen’s tight friend group and the continual support that flowed from that corner. Van wove himself deeply into the Wilks beach community and I was smitten with him myself. I loved the heated kisses and the key quiet moments where their relationship was truly strengthened.

Looking forward to the next book!

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Content warnings: mentions of absent father, losing a sister to an aneurism (off page but recounted, grief depictions)

[Emily | booksandbedtime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always feral for an “oops, we got married in Vegas” trope, and MARRIAGE IS A SHORE THING delivered those vibes perfectly. When Van discovers that his “fake” Vegas marriage to Geneva is actually real, he does what any golden retriever hero would do…he tracks her down to make it work. 😏

This book is packed with tension and yearning (and honestly, I’ll always show up for a man who yearns). Van is pure sunshine, while Geneva is a bit more guarded, but their opposite energies fit together so beautifully.

It’s the second book in the Wilks Beach series, but it reads perfectly as a standalone. That said, the cozy little beach town totally won me over, so I’ll definitely be going back to read book one next!

What You’ll Find:
💍 Accidentally married
🐈‍⬛ Black cat / Golden retriever energy
🏠 Forced proximity
🎭 Fake dating
🌴 Small beach town charm
💘 He falls first
🗣️ “My wife.”
🔄 Dual POV

[Charity - cleanreads_messyhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Van and Geneva's (only her husband calls her Gen) was full of fun, sassy, and sweet moments. I giggled at the black cat/golden retriever vibes and swooned at Van's tender way with his wife.
They may have not meant to get married but it was so clear they were meant to be. The banter was so fun. And they way they both learned to take care of each other was so sweet. a quick and sweet marriage of convenience that makes you cheer for them.

[Rachel Gruber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book that I have read by Laura Langa and Iam going to go back and read the other books she has written . I was chosen to be on arc group and I couldn’t stop reading this book it was so good !
Van and Geneva met on a girls trip in Vegas , Geneva wasn’t with her friends and Van and Geneva bumped into each other they end up accidentally married .
Months down the road Van finds Geneva and wants to make the marriage work and that’s when the fun begins . Geneva is rough and tough but under all of her exterior she’s soft and Van breaks her down . Van is a sweet guy with the loving personality. Both Gen and Van have some things they need to work on and they work through them together, and grow as a couple.
It’s a good book and i recommend reading it when it comes out . Iam really hoping a Noah (Gen’s brother )book will come out next. At the end of the book there is a bonus scene to see where Gen and Van is it’s worth it for a quick read . It’s really cute 🥰
Thank you Laura and booked with the Emily’s

Trigger warnings death of a sibling
Divorce parents and abandonment

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up! Such an incredibly sweet story. Geneva and Van were so good together, and their separate growth arcs were amazing! Geneva learned to accept help and let people in, while Van let himself grieve the loss of his sister. There were a lot of fun moments between these two, and their reverse grumpy/sunshine vibes had me laughing out loud at times. I love the found family trope, and that was definitely done well here- Geneva’s friends and the Wilks Beach community took her (and Van eventually) under their wing, even if she was resistant for a while. As far as accidental marriage stories go, this is one of my favorites.

[Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous characters, filled with genuine sweetness and just the right amount of magic.

[Jacklynn Crummel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Laura Langa, but it definitely won’t be my last!! I was instantly intrigued by this story. Van and Geneva meet in Vegas and accidentally end up married, and while the whole “Vegas wedding” trope can sometimes feel cliché, the way it’s done here fits the story perfectly.

Van is such a golden retriever, and Gen is totally a storm cloud, and somehow, they just work. I loved watching Geneva’s growth throughout the book. She’s likable from the start, but seeing her gradually soften toward Van (and then toward everyone else) was so endearing. I especially loved how she showed up for Van when he needed it most. Their dynamic was sweet, heartfelt, and so satisfying to read. This book is part of a series but I didn’t feel like I missed out by reading it as a stand alone!

[Cassondra Perea]

BETA REVIEW:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How does a girls’ trip (to Las Vegas, Nevada) end in an accidental marriage? That is the question Geneva is asking herself when her supposed “husband” (Evander Van Young) lands on her front door steps. Learning that the friendly game of Truth or Dare resulted in a law binding marriage (despite their best efforts), the small-town of Wilks Beach, Virginia is quickly overtaken by the news. But when Van refuses an annulment, the pair agree to give their marriage three months. Will adhering to strict rules be enough to get through the arbitrary timeline, or will the forced proximity reveal their marriage was never a mistake?

Marriage is a Shore Thing is the second book in the Wilks Beach Series by Laura Langa. This story takes Geneva, a side character, first introduced in Seas the Dating Coach (book #1) and places her in the role of female main character (FMC) and love interest. However, if you are new to the series no need to fret. Langa wrote this book as a standalone novel, meaning readers do not have to have read the rest of the series to understand or enjoy this one.

I immediately fell in love with the two main characters, Geneva and Van. Despite Van grieving a profound loss, he managed to keep an open-heart. He gently pursued his “wife” in an effort not to overwhelm or love bomb her. His patience paid off as Geneva revealed her authentic self to him and him alone. While the world saw her as an “ice queen” he learned about her exceptional character.

This five-star read also includes:
-dual POVs (Geneva/ Van)
-hints of magical realism
-opposites attract
-he falls first
-found family

Stand out moments:
-MMC nursing FMC back to health
-brushing her hair
-calling her “darling” and “Gen”

Special thanks to Laura Langa who allowed me to review this book in exchange for my honest review.

*I am praying book 3 follows Noah and Brynn in a second chance romance!!!

USE I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE AS THE SONG FOR THE POST

[Nicole Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you BookedWithTheEmilys and Laura Langa for the gifted ARC

This book was absolutely delightful! I fell in love with Laura Langa’s writing earlier this year while reading Seas The Dating Coach. I was so happy to return to Wilks Beach for Geneva and Van’s story.

Geneva is strong, stubborn, and guarded. But she has a softer side underneath her tough, prickly exterior. I love that we get to see this side of her from the beginning with her inner dialogue and how she interacts with Van in Vegas. When Van comes to Wilks Beach, his easy going personality and gentle presence starts to chip away at Geneva’s hard edges. It’s a beautiful thing to see. I love how she slowly started opening up to Van, letting him see the real her. Geneva is loyal and protective. She claims to have a black heart but that’s just a cover to protect the tenderness inside.

Van is a lovable, golden retriever. He is charming yet genuine. His laid back, unflappable personality makes him the perfect match for Gen. He enjoys a challenge. He loves her saucy, sassiness and grins bigger when she sends sharp jabs his way. Geneva needs someone steady who doesn’t scare away easily and Van is perfect for the job. He doesn’t give up on her, gives her room to be herself, and helps her slowly bring color back into her life.

I love Gen and Van’s relationship. The way they care for each other is so sweet. Van appreciates Gen’s complex, fiery personality. Geneva doesn’t like talking about emotions but is always eager to listen to Van’s struggles with grief. They go toe to toe and banter back and forth like a tennis match.


Favorites:
💙My little storm cloud.
💙She gives off touch me and die vibes
💙The banter 🫠
💙Cosmic signs of love
💙My wife
💙Them taking care of each other when they get the flu
💙He calls her darlin’ and Gen
💙Celebrity Circuit
💙Hair brushing
💙Prunella, Stella, and Hank
💙The heist
💙 “You know, you’re cute when you’re trying to scare me away. It’s adorable, really.”
💙 “How about you let me decide what I can handle?”
💙 “I guess you’re still Taylor Swift in her Reputation era, but the Lover transition is clearly on the horizon.”

If you like sweet, romantic comedies that are fun and playful but also have depth, you definitely need to add this book to your TBR.

[Kaci Bonar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book, it’s not the one I was expecting to come next in the series, but it’s exactly what I needed!  Laura Langa continues to develop the community of Wilks Beach and I’m in love with this oceanfront town even more!

Geneva is the tough as nail, gym owner who seems to be all about being tough and not showing any cracks in her personal armor.  At story start, we see her astride a barstool in Vegas watching a boxing match on TV and making occasional conversation to the man nearest to her.  She offers to try and get him into the afterparty after the match before going their own ways.  The next time we see her, it seems like nothing has changed, except everything has.

Van is a genuinely good guy, ER doctor on a bit of a hiatus from life.  With his sister having recently passed away, life has changed forever for him.  When he shows up to Geneva’s beachfront cottage, Van knows that life has taken on another diversion from what he could ever foresee.  Determined to make the most of his time of his work sabbatical and newlywed status, Wilks Beach isn’t about to know what hit them.

This story is extremely well-rounded with the myriads of emotions and things that happen when Van moves to the community!  I loved that this wasn’t all “sunshine and roses” as some might think.  We learn about the heartache that has occurred in each of the protagonists’ lives and how this vulnerability has shaped them!  I also enjoyed the banter and witty remarks between the two.  It’s hard not to laugh when she’s so naturally sarcastic and he’s not!  While they’re opposites, once the switch is flipped for her, she can’t help but want to spend time with the only person she will allow to call her ‘Gen.’  We see appearances by some of the other well-known residents of Wilks Beach and can only hope to cross our fingers as to who might be written next!  I know this Virginia isn’t nearly done yet and I’m all the happier for it!

TW:  grief, abandonment, emotional neglect

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in the Wilks Beach series, and after meeting Geneva in the first book, I knew I would love getting her story. Sometimes I really need a closed door romance as a palate cleanser, and this one ended up being exactly what I was in the mood for. Sweet, heartfelt, and full of small town magic.

Geneva and Van find themselves accidentally married after a dare in Vegas, and they could not be coming from more different places. Geneva never planned to get married and fully expects a quick divorce. Van, however, made a promise to his late sister that when he did marry, he would fight for it. Instead of walking away, they agree to give the marriage a real shot with three months of living together in Wilks Beach. What starts as a practical arrangement quickly turns into forced proximity, shared grief, and a growing connection neither of them planned on.

I loved everything about this story. It was wholesome, comforting, and surprisingly emotional. You can feel both of their pain and healing as the story unfolds, and the magic of Wilks Beach adds such a special layer to everything. Their banter was so good, and Van was such a sweetheart without ever feeling over the top. Geneva was strong, guarded, and understandably closed off, which made watching her slowly open up even more rewarding.I also loved the heist element of the story, with the two of them working together to pull off the plan to find the family heirloom. It added something playful and different to the romance and gave them a chance to really operate as a team.

The narration was really enjoyable. I love a duet narration, and Rylee Kuberra and John Joseph Rogers worked well together to bring these characters to life. Van’s southern accent was not perfect, but it did not take away from the story or my enjoyment of the audiobook at all. The emotional beats still landed exactly where they needed to.

If you love an accidental marriage, reverse grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, small town charm, and a touch of magic and mayhem, this is absolutely a read you should pick up.

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and West East Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this book.

[Reading Rounds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marriage Is a Shore Thing by Laura Langa
🎧 Narrated by Rylee Kuberra & John Joseph Rogers

Initial vibes:
Black cat x golden retriever. Accidental marriage. Small beach town chaos. Prickly FMC who absolutely does not want feelings + a sunshine ER doctor who keeps poking the armor. Cozy, playful, and lightly suspenseful.

After a game of Truth or Dare goes wildly off the rails in Vegas, a grumpy boxing-instructor heroine finds herself accidentally married to Evander Young, an annoyingly charming ER doctor with a sunny disposition. When their small beach town assumes the marriage is real (I guess, why wouldn't they?), the two are forced to play house. As if that weren’t enough, they end up sleuthing around town together to recover a missing family heirloom, complete with sneaking, scheming, and late-night antics.

Rylee Kuberra absolutely carried this audiobook. She had the tough job of making a prickly, emotionally guarded FMC likable, and she nailed it. I also really enjoyed the action and mystery elements. The sleuthing gave the romance momentum and something fun to orbit around. The banter and chemistry were strong enough that I genuinely didn’t miss spice, which is not always the case for me. And I loved that the author and publisher used “sweet” and “closed-door” instead of “clean." That word choice felt intentional and thoughtful without demonizing spicy books.

While I didn’t love John Joseph Rogers’ narration because it slowed the pacing in action-heavy scenes, the story itself worked for me. It was well-paced, emotionally satisfying, and delivered a solid HEA. This is technically book two in the Wilks Beach series, but it works perfectly well as a standalone.

[jensbooknookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

This one’s a knockout from the FMC knocking out the MMC as their meet-cute in Vegas to their “accidental marriage” this books is so much fun! I always like a seeing the black cat vs the golden retriever and these two have such sizzling chemistry I can’t stop smiling. Plus how can you not love a small town with magic and a found family ring heist. The audio on this was fabulous and I highly enjoyed it being read in tandem.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

A friendly game of truth or dare ended in an accidental Vegas marriage. So when Van shows up on Geneva’s doorstep in her small town island of Wilks Beach she’s not surprised. She is shocked when she finds out he’s not there with divorce papers but rather the intention of being her husband and giving this a real try. How is that even possible he’s an ER doctor and nice guy, why would he want to be tied down to a Boxing coach and the hot mess that she is.

In Wilks Beach news spreads very fast. Before they can even explain the situation, everyone thinks they have been in a secret year long distance relationship and are in fact in love newlywed. So now Van and Gen are stuck playing house for the next 3 months.

Sharing the same house, Van is finally able to get Gen to drop some of her walls. He is smitten this prickly girl is everything he ever wanted, now he just has to convince her she deserves love. Through sickness, beach dates, karaoke, hot wing runs, ring heists and magical lightning bugs something blossoms between them that not even Gen can deny.

𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:

“I can’t what? Kiss you in public? Do you have any idea how hard it is not to kiss you every second I’m conscious? Resisting you is a full-time job.”

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 :

* Black Cat x Golden Retriever
* Er Doctor vs Boxing Coach
* Accidentally Married
* Banter & Smokin Chemistry
* Found Family Heist for Family Heirloom
* He Calls Her Darling
* Magical Island of Wilks Beach
* Dual POV - Kisses Only

☀️💙🥊💍☀️🩺💙☀️🥊

https://www.instagram.com/p/DS5L4NcFB...

[Brea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook had absolutely no right to pull me in this hard, yet here we are. An accidental Vegas marriage? Immediate disaster. A grumpy boxing gym owner who treats emotions like a personal attack? Iconic. A southern ER doctor who says “darlin’” like it’s a love language and a coping mechanism? I was done for. Laura Langa’s writing walks a fine line between cozy, chaotic, and genuinely heartfelt, and somehow never trips. The humor sneaks up on you, the banter is sharp, and the emotional moments land without turning melodramatic. Geneva is pure black-cat energy—defensive, prickly, and allergic to vulnerability—while Van is sunshine with patience, manners, and the emotional stamina of a saint.
The audiobook experience was… an adventure. Rylee Kuberra was exceptional as Geneva—snarky, guarded, and perfectly calibrated for a woman who would rather throw a punch than discuss her feelings. No notes. John Joseph Rogers did a solid job as Van, but his pacing was slower than my emotional recovery after a third-act conflict. I liked him, I really did, but I spent a good portion of the listen internally chanting “sir… please… we have places to be.” Yes, I know I can change the speed. No, it is not the same. That said, the duet narration still worked well overall, the emotional beats came through, and I stayed fully invested from start to finish.
Final verdict: a funny, cozy, slightly unhinged closed-door romance with strong writing, excellent banter, and an audiobook that’s absolutely worth your time—especially if you enjoy grumpy/sunshine chaos and accidental marriage shenanigans.
✨ Story: 4⭐️ | Narration: 4⭐️
Huge thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and the author for the gifted audiobook. All opinions are my own—and yes, I will absolutely be continuing this series.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You are a menace wrapped in pretty packaging.”

A weekend in Vegas + a friendly game of Truth or Dare (heavy on the dares) with a stranger = an accidental marriage. Van and Geneva have the cutest romance ever. An opposites attract vibe with all the banter and wit makes this one highly entertaining.

When this duo realizes they were signing more than they bargained for, Van, an ER doctor, convinces Gen, a boxing instructor and his “little storm cloud,” to give him three months and that time on small town Wilks Beach is everything. There is a comfort there, even with suspicious and quirky characters, that is easy to settle into.

Van immediately won me over with his golden retriever personality. Watching him chip away at Geneva’s black cat (or more like, prickly hedgehog) demeanor was so rewarding (see the third slide for our actual pets and how I picture these two😆). Past hurts and trauma, secrets and family, lend a sobering reality to the story, and explain a lot about why they are who they are, but it was their connection that simply stole my breath. Every underlying current, each vulnerable moment, and all of the chemistry-laden interactions left me full of swoon and hope.

Touch me and die vibes? Check. Mine? Got it covered. Caring for each other? Yes! A mystery twist? Definitely.

Laura Langa is a newer-to-me author and I utterly adore her style–the way she animates her characters and awakens emotions within the reader is brilliant. This series is everything and I can’t wait for more time on Wilks Beach.

Content: mild romance; past traumas

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*

[Dani (dtieds_allbookedup) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5

Thanks to @bookedwiththeemilys and @lauralangawrites for the #gifted copy of this book.

"All I want is more--now, tomorrow, forever. All I can think about is her."

My Thoughts: I'm a sucker for fake dating and accidental marriage, which means I had a huge smile on my face while reading 'Marriage Is a Shore Thing.' I loved that a whole month went by before Van and Geneva came face to face yet again because that reunion was well worth it. Van was such an amazing golden retriever, always jumping in to help with whatever Geneva could need, even when she absolutely did not want the help. To his opposite, Geneva was a black cat with her solo life ways.

Their banter was spot on and had me kicking and giggling while reading. Van and Geneva's differing personalities surprisingly complemented each other, and their fake marriage felt more and more real. With the lines of their false marriage continuing to blur, they turned to each other in their most vulnerable moments, and I found that to be a beautiful development. By the end, it made me so giddy to read about their love.

Although this is the second book in the Wilks Beach series, you can read it as a standalone. I'm in love with this small town and its people, and I can't wait for more.

What You'll Find:
💍Accidentally Married
🐈‍⬛🐕Black Cat/Golden Retriever
💔Sworn Off Love
🔥Forced Proximity
🥰Fake Dating
🏖️Small Beach Town
❤️‍🔥He Falls First

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @bookswiththeemilys and Laura Langa for the #gifted copy for an honest review.

“𝓘’𝓵𝓵 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓘’𝓵𝓵 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓹 𝓯𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔂𝓸𝓾.”

I really loved this book. You get a little of everything. There’s cute, fun banter but there’s also tension, chemistry and heartfelt conversations.

I loved Geneva and how much of a black cat character she was. She had walls built up so high, no one could knock them down. Marriage is not in the cards for her, until she accidentally married a stranger. What I loved about her was that while she did have her walls up, she was never mean to Van, especially after he shows up wanting to give their relationship a try. I loved how she had insecurities and families issues. I felt like it made her feel more real. I loved that she would do nice things for others without wanting anyone to know.

Oh, how I loved Van. He was the true definition of a golden retriever character. I just loved how he was the complete opposite Geneva. However, we do get to see the side of him that is still grieving. He would literally do anything to make Geneva smile and make sure she was protected, even though he knew she could handle herself. He just wanted to care for her. I will say, I did love the “my wife” moment, it seriously had me giggling.

While these two were complete opposites, Laura did a fantastic job balancing them out. I never felt like one character was “too much.” They were perfectly written. I loved the side characters and the found family.

I know for sure that I will continue to read books by Laura. So, I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you love a black cat x golden retriever, small town, accidental marriage, closed-door romance.

[sassygirlreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Marriage is a Shore Thing! Geneva and Van are perfect and I enjoyed the accidental marriage aspect of the story. Geneva’s walls are up as she swears off love, but Van so sweetly starts knocking them down. Van is all heart and just can’t stop helping others, especially Geneva. Geneva is a big softie as well, but no one gets to see it until Van shows up and little by little color enters her life. Van is so caring, and his playfulness just made me smile. I laughed every time Geneva threw her insults, and Van just smiles and loves her for her sass and quick wit. Geneva and Van are so sweet together – she’s black he’s white, she’s bitter he’s sweet, she’s sassy he’s charming. I love how flustered she gets around Van, and that he doesn’t give up with her “touch me and die” attitude. They have undeniable chemistry from the start, and it continues while they work through their own personal issues. Marriage is a Shore Thing had so many laughable, vulnerable, and loveable moments and I didn’t want their story to end!

My favorite things:
- Geneva getting flustered
- Van’s southern charm
- Take care of each other
- Darlin’, my wife, and Gen
- Wetgate
- Wilks Beach “magic”
- Hair brushing
- The heist and the grand gesture

Tropes:
- Romcom
- Accidental marriage
- Forced proximity
- She's grumpy, he's sunshine
- Sworn off love
- He falls first
- Small beach town
- Swoony kisses

Happy reading!

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

☀️ Book Review ☀️

Marriage is a Shore Thing by @lauralanga
Wilks Beach, book 2 (can be read as standalone)

"She’s tough. He’s golden. One dare later, they’re hitched."

•My Thoughts•
Van and Geneva were an unexpected pairing that turned out to be perfect! Geneva is a black cat female, with high walls. Van was the golden-retriever partner she didn’t know she needed. Once she realized she didn’t have to be the strong, independent woman all the time, their bond flourished in the best way. It was a joy to watch them come together, work as a team, and push each other to be the best versions of themselves. One unique thing I'm loving about this series is the subtle touch of something magical and unexplainable! It leaves a whimsical touch. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!

•Favorites•
💙 Dual POV
💙 Small beach town
💙 She's sworn off love
💙 Accidentally married
💙 Fake dating
💙 Meddling town folks
💙 Touch of magic
💙 The ring heist
💙 Golden retriever, loyal main male character
💙 Black cat female main character
💙 Forced proximity
💙 He fixes up her house
💙 He takes care of her
💙 Open communication
💙 Geneva's walls coming down
💙 Their chemistry
💙 He brushes her hair

My rating: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: none (sweet kisses only)
CW ⚠️: mentions of alcohol, toxic family, death of sibling, divorce