Dramas & Plays
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Welcome to Beach Town: A Novel
Beloved New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs returns with a compulsively readable tale of an idyllic California beach town forced to reckon with scandal when a high school valedictorian's speech reveals secrets that shake the town to its core.
"Readers will savor sunny skies and perfect surf in this stunning new novel, but one thing is for sure: In this Beach Town, there is always more happening than meets the eye. Don't miss this expansive beauty of a summer book!" --Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Summer of Songbirds
Every town has its secrets...
In idyllic Alara Cove, a California beach town known for its sunny charm and chill surfer vibe, it's graduation day at the elite Thornton Academy. At Thornton, the students are the worldly and overindulged children who live in gated enclaves with spectacular views. But the class valedictorian is Nikki Graziola, a surfer's daughter who is there on scholarship. To the shock of everyone in the audience, Nikki veers off script while giving her commencement address and reveals a secret that breaks open the whole community. As her truth explodes into the light, Alara Cove will face a reckoning.
Nikki Graziola's accusation shakes the foundation of Alara Cove, pitting her against the wealthy family whose money runs the town. Her new notoriety sends Nikki into exile for years, where she finds fame-but not fortune-overseas as a competition surfer...until a personal tragedy compels her to return to Alara Cove.
As Nikki struggles to rebuild her future, she finds that the people of the town have not forgotten her. But time has changed Alara Cove, and old friendships, rivalries, and an unexpected romance draw her back into the life of the beach town she's never quite forgotten, and where joy and redemption may be possible after all.
"Readers will savor sunny skies and perfect surf in this stunning new novel, but one thing is for sure: In this Beach Town, there is always more happening than meets the eye. Don't miss this expansive beauty of a summer book!" --Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Summer of Songbirds
Every town has its secrets...
In idyllic Alara Cove, a California beach town known for its sunny charm and chill surfer vibe, it's graduation day at the elite Thornton Academy. At Thornton, the students are the worldly and overindulged children who live in gated enclaves with spectacular views. But the class valedictorian is Nikki Graziola, a surfer's daughter who is there on scholarship. To the shock of everyone in the audience, Nikki veers off script while giving her commencement address and reveals a secret that breaks open the whole community. As her truth explodes into the light, Alara Cove will face a reckoning.
Nikki Graziola's accusation shakes the foundation of Alara Cove, pitting her against the wealthy family whose money runs the town. Her new notoriety sends Nikki into exile for years, where she finds fame-but not fortune-overseas as a competition surfer...until a personal tragedy compels her to return to Alara Cove.
As Nikki struggles to rebuild her future, she finds that the people of the town have not forgotten her. But time has changed Alara Cove, and old friendships, rivalries, and an unexpected romance draw her back into the life of the beach town she's never quite forgotten, and where joy and redemption may be possible after all.
Editorial Reviews
"What happens when you dream one thing and something else comes your way? This story is rich with life and danger, and ultimately, hope. Fans of Colleen Hoover will gobble it up." - Barbara O'Neal, bestselling author of This Place of Wonder
"The perfect beach read...full of surf, rediscovered love, and second chances." - Booklist
"Wiggs writes with compassion and insight... This is another winner." - Booklist on Sugar and Salt
"Compassionate and poignant... Hot-button issues from real-life events inspired Wiggs to write this complex, thought-provoking novel that depicts how the power of friendship and love can overcome heart-wrenching challenges." - Shelf Awareness on Sugar and Salt
"Sugar and Salt is a touching and important read." - Bookreporter.com
"Susan Wiggs and the words ‘favorite writer' go together, and with Sugar and Salt she is at the top of her powers. She understands the tender dramas of everyday life, of friendship and family, of wanting something that might be just beyond reach-and then again might not. I loved her character Margot Salter, and my heart soared and broke and soared again to learn the secrets of her past and how they threaten her hard-won present. Susan writes so deliciously about food, love, and hope...she will make you believe in life's sweetness." - Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Box
"A feel-good family saga… A charming tale about the silver linings of unwanted detours." - People on The Lost and Found Bookshop
"The perfect beach read...full of surf, rediscovered love, and second chances." - Booklist
"Wiggs writes with compassion and insight... This is another winner." - Booklist on Sugar and Salt
"Compassionate and poignant... Hot-button issues from real-life events inspired Wiggs to write this complex, thought-provoking novel that depicts how the power of friendship and love can overcome heart-wrenching challenges." - Shelf Awareness on Sugar and Salt
"Sugar and Salt is a touching and important read." - Bookreporter.com
"Susan Wiggs and the words ‘favorite writer' go together, and with Sugar and Salt she is at the top of her powers. She understands the tender dramas of everyday life, of friendship and family, of wanting something that might be just beyond reach-and then again might not. I loved her character Margot Salter, and my heart soared and broke and soared again to learn the secrets of her past and how they threaten her hard-won present. Susan writes so deliciously about food, love, and hope...she will make you believe in life's sweetness." - Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Box
"A feel-good family saga… A charming tale about the silver linings of unwanted detours." - People on The Lost and Found Bookshop
Readers Top Reviews
Enjoyingbooksagai
We meet Nikki a surfer daughter who goes through a tragedy that she dealing with. Then Johnny comes along and she falls in love they travel around surfing and enjoying life then sadness hits again. This story will have sad times romance times and hopeful times you will read about Nikki growth over a period of time. If you’re looking for a beach read bring this to the beach with you. I bought this while we went RVing to a small town like Aara Cove and while I sat looking out at the waves I could picture Nikki and Johnny traveling around surfing and having fun
Sarah CEnjoyingbo
Welcome to Beach Town left me with a smile on my face, wishing I could live in Alara Cove! This heartwarming novel was a great summer read. The California beach town of Alara Cove sounds like an ideal place to grow up, and Nikki Graziola has spent her life there, surfing daily and spending time with her closest friend at the elite Thornton Academy. As valedictorian her senior year, she exposes secrets about the school that threaten to blow up the idyllic views of the community, losing her college scholarship in the process. Nikki moves away for love and to become a professional surfer, and then is brought back home after a terrible tragedy changes everything about her life. Moving home was the last thing she ever thought she would do, but she makes the best of the situation. The book follows Nikki over several time periods in her life, and we truly get to know her and understand her character. She is so many things in one person- an almost orphan, a distinguished surfer, a daughter, a sister, a whistleblower, and a friend. Her life has been anything but easy, and the way she is able to get up and keep trying day after day speaks to her strength. The book is very character driven, digging deep into Nikki’s emotions and motivations. The secondary characters become important once Nikki moves back home, and I loved seeing the various relationships blossom when given time to do so. The setting was perfection, and I loved making a mental picture of the beach with Nikki’s father’s caravan park nearby. The plot about restoring it was a fun one and very enjoyable to read. The book isn't all light beachy fun- it delves deep into the ups and downs of one woman's life in a very realistic and heartwarming way.
Kindle Susan Rob
Wife's books are usually much warmer and uplifting. The topic was good, but just darker than her usual work. Still very readable.
Donna BKindle Su
The story was filled with tears, smiles, adventure, anger, joy, love and sadness. The characters became real and it reflects real life.
Anne T. Stefanosk
Heartbreaking loss... strong women. Loved the variety of ways these women showed their strength. Always a fabulous story in a Susan Wiggs book.
