Weston Ashford was determined to have it all. After a tumultuous upbringing, he’d found a family of his own, a safe place to call home, and his surfing. As a World Junior Champion, his future was finally bright, until his past came for him, and one mistake had him sinking straight toward rock bottom.
Years later, he’s fresh-out-the-slammer and stripped of his medal, his future uncertain. When one last chance to follow his dream of becoming a professional surfer presents itself, he takes it with both hands—no distractions, no weakness. That is, until he crosses paths with his coach’s daughter. Weston quickly realizes that, while she’s the only person capable of shaking his focus, she may be the only one capable of healing his heart too.
Willow Graham isn’t supposed to be here. She had plans, and they didn’t include an abrupt move back to her hometown of Pacific Shores, or dropping out of the University she worked so hard to attend. Her entire life unraveled after a traumatic experience she’s still struggling to come to terms with, and her only priority is getting back on track.
Both hellbent on rebuilding their futures and rediscovering who they are, Willow and Weston initially find themselves at odds when their shared spaces cause a tension neither of them are prepared for, but as their forced proximity gives way to mutual understanding, they discover a connection deeper than they ever thought possible.
Will their unexpected bond prove strong enough to overcome the tides between them, or will they end in tatters?
Sarah fell in love with reading as a child, starting with the Magic Treehouse Series. She quickly learned that books can take her to all the places she always dreamed of going, and allow her to live endless lifetimes in the one that we are given. Sarah believes that a good, fluffy romance novel can make even the darkest days a little bit brighter. She believes in love stories readers can root for, the kind that will make even the skeptics believe in all that cheesy stuff like soulmates. She longs to produce stories that readers can pick up, and regardless of what’s weighing them down in life, feel a little lighter when they finish. Sarah was born in California and raised in Southern Oregon, and still considers herself a Pacific Northwest gal at heart; right down to being a coffee snob, collecting hydro flasks, adamantly believing in Sasquatch, and feeling like rain-drenched forests are a form of therapy. Sarah now resides in North Carolina with her husband, Mike, and their dog-baby, Rue. When she’s not writing, she’s likely reading, and if she’s not reading, odds are she’s out searching for a decent cup of coffee, or a rainy pine forest.
4.5⭐️ honored that sarah allowed me the privilege to read this early ~ an absolute must read! 🩷✨📖 any book with leo graham is going to have me swooning, but somehow he even had me swooning when he’s a full ass father. a perfect slow burn beach read!!
INFINITY STARS. How do I move on??? Dare I say this was my favorite Sarah A. Bailey book EVER!!! How is it possible every book she writes gets better and better. I never wanted it to end.
Wes is my new top book boyfriend and is the definition of perfection. This book will have you in ALL THE FEELS.
For me, Sarah is the Queen of emotional stories. I don't think I've made it through a single one of her books without tearing up.
I absolutely loved the Pacific Shores series and was so sad it was over. Imagine my surprise to find this was the start of a second gen series and I got to see all my favourites again! Willow and Weston are now my second favourite couple (August and Elena can't be topped) but Weston is definitely a contender for top book boyfriend of all time. Despite his difficult past he was there for Willow through everything and I loved watching them both help the other heal.
i missed pacific shores sm <3 being back in this world with these characters felt instantly familiar and comforting, while still allowing this story (and the new characters) to stand fully on their own.
just like with all of bailey’s books, this one shines because of the characters. willow and weston felt real, layered, and emotionally grounded. their connection developed naturally, with genuine chemistry. they had a very hurt/comfort dynamic—soft, tender, and emotional. their love was really sweet, nurturing, and safe, but never boring.
the mental health rep—trauma, anxiety, grief—was clearly handled with care and respect, and added significant weight to both the plot and the character growth. similar to the pacific shores series, there was strong emotional depth, but everything felt age-appropriate—their struggles, reactions, and relationships—for characters in their early 20s as opposed to their late 20s.
unsurprisingly, one of my favorite aspects was the support system surrounding the MCs bc i adore the graham/ramos/hayes family. willow’s parents were of course incredible, and i especially loved her dynamic with her dad and how thoughtfully he handled her relationship with weston. despite the use of the coach's daughter trope, he was never controlling and his protectiveness felt appropriate and understandable. all of the family and friends felt solid, present, and truly supportive.
i also really loved the surfing in this one. there was more of it here than in heathen & honeysuckle. because even with leo being a professional surfer, we didn’t get much of the competitive aspect in that book, so it was really nice to dive deeper into that side of things with wes. as always, the ocean and surfing added atmosphere and grounded the story so well in the pacific shores setting.
as per usual, bailey’s writing is really beautiful here—immersive, well-paced, and emotionally resonant. also, the four squeezes ?! are you kidding me? i’m unwell.
and even though you absolutely can read this without having read the pacific shores series, i strongly recommend reading those books first. having that background added an extra layer of depth and enjoyment. i haven’t read the soulmate series yet (also not required), but i’ll definitely be doing that before continuing with the celestia cove series—especially before allie’s book (which i am very excited about!!).
overall, this was everything i wanted and was hoping for from a return to the world of pacific shores: familiar, comforting, heartfelt, and still completely its own.
thank you so much to netgalley, page & vine, and sarah a. bailey for providing me with this arc!
This book absolutely wrecked me in the best way. I honestly wasn’t expecting this story to hit the way it did, but it exceeded every expectation. Sarah handles heavy and sensitive topics with so much care, which I, and I’m sure many others, deeply appreciate.
My heart breaks for Willow and what she has faced. I love how Sarah wrote the mental and emotional battle that Willow experienced in her previous relationship with Parker from beginning to end. It is incredibly raw and real for those who have been through similar experiences.
Weston completely surprised me. There’s such a mystery to him at first, and then learning his story was heartbreaking. Sarah A. Bailey writes MMCs so beautifully, men who allow themselves to feel deeply and fully give into love, and Weston is no exception. I loved that both he and Willow have strong support systems from their friends and family. There was no shortage of love and support shown towards either of them including between each other. They truly embodied pure unconditional love.
Seeing Darby and Leo as parents is everything, truly the gold standard. The love and support surrounding Willow (and eventually Weston) is so powerful and comforting to read. Leo dealing with his daughter’s love life is absolutely hilarious. The balance between protective dad and wanting her independence added such great light moments to the story.
There is so much I want to say about Willow and Weston, but discovering their story firsthand is such an experience that I don’t want to spoil anything. Just know these characters have incredible depth and are written in a way that feels rare to find.
Fantastic ending. These two were truly made for each other. I have a feeling this is the start to another incredible series from Sarah A. Bailey.
Here I am again, speechless from another one of Sarah’s books.
I was so happy to be back in pacific shore, my heart didn’t know I needed this book but I really really did.
Seeing Leo being a dad was one of my favorite things in this book, seeing all my favorites again just did something to me. I missed all of these characters so much.
Willow is truly her daddy’s daughter and I loved to see it. She definitely kept him on his toes and I was living for it.
Wes, oh my heart. What a pure soul, truly. Everything that came out of this man’s mouth made my heart stutter. I don’t think he did one wrong thing the entire book. Instead he was always there carrying whatever weight willow needed him too.
This made me feel like I was living through Leo and darbys story all over again BUT completely different if that makes sense. Nothing was the same, but everything felt the same. Safe. Comfortable.
The four squeezes got passed down and MY GOD the tears were flowing. YOURE. SAFE. WITH. ME🥺
I loved watching both of these characters grow throughout the book, the character development and the growing through their trauma was so spot on. It was so realistic and most people will be able to relate somehow.
Sarah’s writing is so beautiful and wraps you up with the biggest hug and makes you feel apart of this family.
I’m dying for archer and allies story, will sell my man for it actually 🤭😮💨🫣✨🤣
6 stars - for sure going to be in my top reads of the year.
I was so happy to be back in Pacific Shores! I truly missed this world. I absolutely love when authors write second generation/next generation stories, and Tattered Tides does it so well. Seeing familiar faces from the previous series alongside brand new stories within the family felt comforting and exciting all at once.
Sarah’s writing is beautiful and emotionally rich, as always. Her books tend to carry some heavy themes, but the way she handles them is thoughtful and impactful. The mental health representation in this story is especially strong and really feels like the heart of the book. It’s raw, honest, and handled with so much care.
This features the coach’s daughter trope, but it’s done right. I loved the found family vibes and the incredible support system surrounding these characters because it truly felt like one big, loving family. The summer, coastal atmosphere was perfect, and the surfing element added such a great layer to the story.
Willow and Weston have a gorgeous dynamic. They’ve both been through so much, and watching the way they support and care for each other was incredibly moving. This was an emotional, slow burn romance that packed a real punch, and I loved every minute of it.
This was a stunning read, and I’m already so excited to see where this series goes next!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah A. Bailey, and Page & Vine for the eARC of this book.
Willow Graham might be the most alluring person I’ve ever met. Her ability to take up every crevice inside my mind is maddening, and I’m terrified of it.
“I’m aware of you at all times, and it’s completely eclipsed my focus. I can’t lose sight of the reason I came here.”
I am so excited to be back in Pacific Shore’s and Willow and Wes’s book is a perfect entry into this next gen series. I am obsessed with these two!! Their book is heavy on trauma that they have both experienced and the suffering they have endured, especially for Weston. But as the story continues to develop these two find peace and safety with each other, and a beautiful relationship grows from the ashes for these two. Seeing all the OG characters was so heart warming! Seeing them all take in Wes and giving him the family and love he always deserved is so beautiful. I loved seeing Leo and Darcy Graham as parents in this story too. Leo Graham is the freaking rule not exception for a leading male character! My last note is to please make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading. This book definitely touches on heavy topics.
Tropes: Boy Down Bad Coaches Daughter He’s a V!rgin Both Recovering From Trauma She Teaches Him How To Love He Shows Her How to Heal
I was lucky enough to read this as an ARC, and am I happy I did, because I don't know if I would have made it to its release in May🤣
I am a ride or die Sarah fan. This is the 8th book I have read by her, and I know it won't be my last.
The Pacific Shores series is hands down, one of my favorite series. So to get to go back to that world, 20 years later, and see them as full grown adults with families was such a damn joy.
Willow is the daughter of Leo and Darby, and the perfect combination of her parents. She's a sweetheart to her core and playful as hell. She is home from college after breaking up with her boyfriend (who is an absolute piece of trash). She is dealing with the fall out of that and trying to navigate her feelings around it all. Weston is the foster child of Penelope and Carter from The Soulmate Series. He has been out of jail for a few months and has been trying to find his footing and move his life forward.
I have yet to read a book by Sarah that doesn't have me crying at least once, and this book is no exception. Sarah is one of those authors that not only can create fantastic characters, but writes so poetically that honestly, i'm awestruck.
I can't wait for the rest of this series, to meet the new characters and revisit the old ones.
Okay wow, I was not paying attention because I SCREAMED when I realized this was second gen. As expected, this one was emotional. We have Willow going through it with her ex and Weston with his own criminal history. I want to applaud Sarah for writing the one trope I never expected to read. It’s 2026 and Willow used HER choice to do what was best for her at this time in her life.
Early 20’s characters are not something I usually seek out but I did feel like the struggles for these two were age appropriate. It felt a little immature and I’m sure that was the intent. I loved seeing their friendship evolve into more. I loved learning about the other second gen’s we will see in future books.
I think the only thing that was hard for me to move past was how easily it was for Weston to show Willow love and care when he never received it himself growing up. That’s not something that comes naturally, you have to work at it and I didn’t see that struggle communicated. It was like he knew exactly what to do to love Willow… but hey, this is fiction! While this can be read as a standalone, I would never support suggesting you skip any of the Pacific Shores books! Wicked and Wildflower was one of my fav books of 2025!
I thought I would like this book, and I honestly ended up liking it even more than I expected! I never read the Pacific Shores books (although, trust, now that I've read this one, I definitely will be), but even without that context, I was still really able to enjoy this book so much!
Weston was such a soft and gentle MMC, and I loved how tender he was with Willow. He had his own trauma, but he allowed Willow to be a reason for him to grow rather than a crutch for him to rely on. And Willow... what a force. I loved watching her become stronger and more confident, with Weston at her side as a support. Some of their romantic lines to each other just filled me with so much joy and hope and sheer love.
I adored the Pacific Shores community, and I am particularly OBSESSED with Allie and Archer... I want to know so much more about them, and I can't wait to read their story as well! I need more of these people and this community -- and in the mean time, I'll go back and read the stories of all their parents...
Content-wise, I really wish the trigger warning had been clearer. The FMC’s sexual assault, pregnancy, and abortion aren’t just mentioned—they’re essentially the entire plot. I’m not someone who’s easily triggered, but I can absolutely see how this could be distressing for readers who’ve experienced similar trauma without knowing how central it would be.
As for the romance, it was sweet… but not always believable. The MMC speaks in very flowery, poetic language constantly. While it sounds romantic on paper, it didn’t feel realistic to me. I did like them together, though.
Chapter 30 being almost entirely a montage of them having sex in multiple locations was… a lot 😂 I don’t mind spice, but that felt excessive and unnecessary.
The final confrontation was predictable and lacked impact. Overall, not a bad read, but not a standout either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I am so GLAD we are staying in Pacific Shores and gosh, does this book kickoff second gen with a bang.
Weston & Willow. These two show love at it it’s best when it’s filled with mutual respect, understanding, patience, and care.
You don’t have to read the Pacific Shores series before starting this book but I highly recommend it because man, I definitely enjoyed this book that much MORE because I have.
Getting to witness Leo and Darby as parents was everything. Leo Graham as a father?! The perfect girl dad.
There is so much foreshadowing for what’s to come in this series and I am so excited to see where Sarah takes these characters.
FRTC closer to release date 💗
What to expect..
coach’s daughter small coastal town good girl x bad boy
Loved Weston and Willow’s story. Wes specifically was perfection. He was so patient and caring. Their love for each other was built on respect and support and I really believed in their unconditional love for each other. Weston, who is inexperienced (which I loved), leads with his heart and he truly let it guide him to figure out the best way to show his feelings to Willow, and I think that’s exactly what she needed.
Wes and Willow have very different upbringings and both of them have been through different traumatic life events but they were so mature about how they handled those difficulties. Seeing all the support they get from their family and friends was really touching. I loved the mental health representation, it was very raw and honest, and handled with so much care.
Thank you NetGalley, Page & Vine, and Sarah A. Bailey for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“You can always come back home, Sugar.” “I don’t think I’ll need to this time,” I whisper, my words laced with unbreakable confidence.
SECOND-GEN HELL YEA. Honestly it was bittersweet to see my babies Leo and Darby as parents. Like how dare Sarah mention the grey in Darby's hair.
This story deals with some pretty heavy topics so please check the trigger warnings before diving in. That being said, I felt this story was pretty sweet and fluffy. While the struggle Willow goes through is dark, the romance and relationship between her and Weston was so sweet. It's because of this I did not enjoy this story quite as much as the original series. I really missed the angst in this one. I can't wait for Allie and Archer's storyline though!
This book left me speechless. 🥹💜 First of all thank you and bless whoever in @netgalley accepted for me to get my ARC ! 😚 Now, this is a 6 star read. It was so beautifully written. @sarahabaileyauthor has such a way with words. This might have been my favorite book yet specially in describing love from Weston’s perspective. I cannot get over it, it was just poetic. The connection between the past series and this book was so satisfying! I am in awe, I literally had to dm Sarah and let her know she made me cry because it’s her fault! But I would not have it any other way. This is 11 out of 10, 6/6 stars I cannot wait to have the physical copy in my hands 🙌🏼
I could have almost highlighted this whole book. Sarah a Bailey writes beautifully.
I am extremely happy to be back in Pacific Shores. A second gen book. Leo Grahams daughter!! Our little Willow all grown up. And an artist.
Weston: our bad boy surfer Maybe a little jail time. And a little fun surprise with him… I kind of adored him.
Wouldn’t be a SAB book without some emotional damage. Oof right off the bat we are being thrown in the deep. I mean gut wrenching sad topics are just pummeled at us.
This book was GORGEOUS. SARAH A. BAILEY THE POET YOU ARE!!! Weston and Willow are absolutely everything, I love them so much. This book also managed to make me love Leo Graham more than I even thought was possible. Him as a father was just TOO good. Getting to see him and Darby as parents to Willow was just incredible. Such an amazing start to this second gen series, I could not be more excited for what’s to come! Full review to come, I need to finish processing how beautiful this was because I have so much to say! 🌊💜
I think Sarah’s books just get better and better every time. Thank you for handling some of the topics in this book with so much care. I appreciate it more than you know. I hope others do too! I can’t wait for the next in the series.
I laughed and I cried while reading this one and maybe I cried because it was really close to home. But I really loved it. I love Willow and her artsy side and I love Wes and how much he loves her. I love how they were honest and raw with each other from the beginning. I love how they honored themselves by dedicating time to work through their trauma.
This was my first Sarah Bailey book and it won’t be my last. I read this book in under 24 hours, I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t realize it was interconnected to another series, Pacific Shores, but I will be going back to read that series. Though I wish I would have read that series first, I didn’t need to read it to follow along with the side characters in this book. I loved both Willow and Weston and how they worked through their individual trauma together. The epilogue was the perfect ending! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
sarah never fails at creating characters that you fall in love with instantly. poor baby wes was just broken with no one to love and willow literally did not deserve anything that happened to her. the way that their relationship mimicked their parents’ in a way… so damn heartwarming. i cannot wait to see where the rest of this series goes, allie’s book next please 🙏🙏🙏
please be sure to check the TW before reading because there are a lot of serious topics in this book!!!
Weston Ashford, a disgraced former surfing prodigy fresh out of prison, gets one last shot at his dream... until falling for his coach’s daughter threatens his focus. As Weston and Willow try to rebuild their broken lives, their unexpected bond could either heal them or break them completely.
THIS. BOOK. 💔 Sarah… THANK YOU.
Every person should read this. Because if more people understood the pain Willow and so many women carry, the world might be a kinder place. Even though Willow has the support of her family and Allie, so many women suffer alone, feeling judged, carrying guilt you can’t put down… a weight most people can’t even imagine.
Willow’s struggle is so raw, so real. I felt every bit of her fear, her shame, and her internal battle with telling Weston broke me. This story doesn’t shy away from the messy, heartbreaking truth of what it feels like to fight your own mind while the world keeps moving. It lingers. It hurts. And in the end, it heals too.
It’s a story I won’t forget. So, again… thank you. 🤍
🌊Surfing 🌊 Found Family 🌊 Small Town 🌊 Friends to Lovers 🌊 Hurt/ Comfort 🌊Coach's Daughter
Absolute perfection. y'all are not even ready 😭😭😭 Weston is EVERY SINGLE THING. literally a dream MMC. Sooo swoony. & dont even get me started on LEO FUCKINF GRAHAM. AHHHH. Seeing my babies as parents, melted my heart. Willow was such a sweet, amazing girl.
It was everythinggg I wanted it to be and more. 🙌🥹💗
I didn’t want to it to be over so l read slower and slower! Wes and Willow were darlings. I loved their story! Seeing Leo as a dad?! Priceless! I loved being back at Pacific Shores! My favorite place! I'm not over it! Not by long shot! Did I love it?! Yes, I did! Did I cry?! Maaaaybe! 5 stars?! Most definitely!