What a fabulous summer read, a great book to sit by the pool with and a cocktail! From enemies to lovers, a perfect romance!

Beach Rivals wasn't at all what I expected, but I loved it all the same. Clare is used to the nomadic life, after the death of her father she set off travelling and has never been able to hold down a stable job, or decide what she wants to do with the rest of her life since. When she see's an advert for a three month position at a bookshop in Bali she is a little reluctant, it seems just one more temporary job in a list of them, but she is convinced to go and give it a try. When she arrives nothing is as she expected. The Bookshop is a mess and Clare won't be running it by herself, instead she will be sharing the job with Jack, an American, who she also has to share her tiny apartment with. Jack thinks Clare is flighty and here for a holiday only and Clare thinks Jack is a corporate bore who's only here to further his career, what starts off as animosity grows to something more when they both decide to do whatever they can to save the Bookshop, and before long the pair will start to realise just how wrong their first impressions of each other were, and in fixing the Bookshop they might just be helping to fix each other.

I really enjoyed this book, it's such a quick and easy read, but one filled with heart and some truly brilliant characters. Clare is someone who is desperate to find herself. She still lives at home, isn't able to hold down a job and feels she needs to decide what she wants to do with the rest of her life. She goes on a truly emotional journey through this book, not only through her romance with Jack, but in realising that who she is now is perfectly fine, she doesn't have to become anybody else to progress in life, she just hasn't found the right job to suit her personality... until now. She's feisty, pushy in the best way and has a vision for the shop that she is determined will bring it back from near ruin, and she'll do whatever she needs to get Jack on her side. Jack is a character we don't spend quite as much time with, but we know there has to be more to him than the corporate bore that Clare initially thinks. He's quieter, more reserved and less likely to take chances than Clare, but as the story progresses we start to see the reasons behind his behaviour.

As with any good rom-com Beach Rivals treats us to a wealth of side characters who are quirky, and add a little tension, levity and humour to the story. My favourite by far was Celestina, the partner of the bookshop owner who was that elegant, quirky character who swans in at the perfect time to add something to the story.

Beach Rivals is such a good rom-com, but it's also one that just screams 'perfect for book lovers.' Who of us hasn't pictured packing in our jobs and running off to run a little bookshop somewhere? I definitely have, and Tilney brings Seashore books to life with it's overflowing shelves and sand worn floors. When Clare and Jack first arrive the shop is in a state, books are placed anywhere they fit with no order, it's desperately in need of a paint job and clean, and Tilney allows us to watch these two characters fall in love whilst showing their love for literature along the way. The books and bookshop play as large a role, if not more than the romance, and through it, Tilney shows us just how literature can bring people together, not just romantically but making new friendships and building a community based around a love for books.

Now on to the romance itself, I wouldn't really describe it as enemies to lovers, it was more misunderstanding at first meeting, but that didn't make me love it any less. If you're a fan of the grump/sunshine trope and like a good slow burn I would definitely recommend it. Tilney gives her characters time to learn about themselves, to accept themselves and then allows them to become something together. Though their interactions do take up a large part of the book, and some of them are definitely hilarious, tension filled and slightly steamy, the romance only really comes out towards the end of the book and I enjoyed getting to see Clare and Jack grow as individuals first.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a super fun read and the perfect summer romance novel for book lovers out there. An easy 4*.

A perfect summer romance.
Clare applies for a 3 month job at a book shop in Bali, when she arrives she has to share her job and small apartment with Jack a very handsome American.
They are the total opposite to each other and clash horribly as they start to bring the shop back to life.
You know what is going to happen between them and the journey is enjoyable as you love the characters and want a happy ending.
Just loved it.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC

This book is another classic, feel good romance which is truly an easy read. Although I find the title a little bit deceiving (there was really no rivalry and they didn’t spend that much time on the beach) I did find it a really enjoyable read! I didn’t personally find Jack very likeable, I think the author made him a little too grumpy that he actually ended up seeming like a bit of a jerk. Clare was so lovely though I could 100% overlook this, I found myself really rooting for her and wishing her the best.

Overall, I did really enjoy this book and I would recommend to people who like the contemporary romance genre!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher/author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I loved this book, the location and the main characters were fun and easy to read.

Clare has taken a job in Bali in a bookshop for 3 months, she’s not had good luck with jobs and loves to travel.

Jack is back in Bali with his job in the bookshop too. They are both flung together in the tiny apartment behind the bookshop.

This is is perfect summer beach read, it’s fun and a great setting in a bookshop on the coast. It’s an easy read and easily readable in one sitting.

Fun, fabulous summer read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Such a fun book and the perfect summer read. Enemies to friend to lovers set in a bookshop in Bali. What’s not to love. Great likeable characters. Can’t wait for Tilney’s next book

I read this book in two days. It’s hard to put down when chapters end on cliff hangers!

I loved the individual stories of Clare and Jack, as well as Adam and Celestine.

The story hooks you in and I’m in love with Seashore Books - maybe I need a holiday in Bali to visit!

I loved reading this one. I just love this kind of books.
4 stars read for me. I love this author snd her writing style.
Thanks to netgally for this arc.

DNF. I found this book slightly childish - particularly in its writing style. For the concept and the vibe, I think it will be easy for some people to overlook, but I knew within a few pages of reading that I wasn't going to get on with the main character or indeed, her story. It's sad because I loved the concept, but the writing really wasn't very good.

As great as this book sounded, the writing just didn't work for me. From the first page I found the writing dull. Which is strange, as this one sounded right up my alley.

Still, this truly could be the perfect beach read, so I hope people give it a chance this summer.

Claire takes a three month job at a bookshop in Bali are struggling to find her way in life. There she finds that she will be working with grumpy Jack - and sharing a tiny flat that comes with the job. The bookshop itself is in a terrible state and Claire finds herself determined to make a go of the shop.
Claire comes across as a deeper character than she actually thinks she is, becoming emotionally invested in the success of the store. Jack is more difficult, but you do find out more about him as the story develops. The attraction between the two grows, but Claire does find a holiday fling Toby so you aren't quite sure of the final outcome with Jack. A lighter, holiday romance to read and enjoy whilst sitting by a pool - or indoors looking out at summer rain whilst dreaming of an exotic holiday.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

This book hooked me straight away! Grumpy guy, lost girl, beautiful beach and a derelict bookshop? Yes I’m in! The main character was so full of life I felt I knew her, I even wanted to be her in so many ways! The storyline is fun and emotional, the other characters you meet along the way are colourful and it’s left me craving a working holiday!

One bookshop in paradise. Two bitter rivals. A whole summer to get through...Clare thought that by now she would have her life figured out. Instead, she's living with her parents, working a job she hates and has absolutely no idea what she wants to do with the rest of her life. When she sees a viral job advert for a three-month bookseller position on a Bali beach, she jumps at the chance. But it's not until she arrives in Bali that Clare realises she won't be working in the bookshop alone. Instead she's sharing the bookshop - and a flat - with a handsome but infuriating American man, Jack.

This book and cover called out to me immediately and it did not disappoint!

I resonated heavily with Clare in the aspect of not really knowing what you're meant to be doing with your life and just taking it day by day. I really enjoyed this book and it was the perfect background setting too!

I rated this 3.5 stars!

I was definitely attracted to this book by the gorgeous cover but happily enjoyed the story as much! Set in Bali which sounds beautiful, the two main characters are polar opposites but run a bookshop together. There are plenty of eclectic characters which I loved and a happy ending, just perfect for some light hearted escapism, I would highly recommend x

Beach Rivals follows two unlikely characters teaming up to run a bookshop in Bali for the summer and save it from going under. The only problem is, Clare and Jack couldn’t be more different. Clare is more go with the flow and creative while Jack likes order, planning and the comfort of numbers and paperwork. Soon the pair begin to clash as they not only work together but also share a tiny apartment, and as the summer continues the heat between the two amps up until they realise they might be so different after all.

It’s a slow burn opposites-attract romance that isn’t too strenuous to follow making it a great beach read for romcom fans. While I see the Emily Henry comparison, I’m not sure it’s quite in the same league but it’s got bags of charm that will leave you wanting to pack your bags and head to Bali to enjoy the sun, sand and everything Seashore Books has to offer. I was rooting for the success of the pair in bringing the bookshop back from the brink and loved the dynamics between the pair when they worked on projects for the shop together.

*** Huge thank you to the team at Transworld for my copy to review. 3.5 stars rounded up

I almost put this book back down, as I thought I had read it before...but after checking my spreadsheet, I realised that I hadn't and continued. A perfect holiday read where the plot is fairly predictable, but the characters enchant and the sub plots intrigue. You will want to finish this one. Polar opposites find themselves in a bookstore, sharing accommodation and finding a way to achieve their goals, whilst discovering more about each other that they find attractive.

Beach Rivals is a reasonable summer read about enmies and opposites becoming lovers. I found it quite lightweight but that's possibly what most readers want in a holiday read.

This book has a seriously gorgeous cover & gorgeous setting, that definitely gives alll the holiday vibes when reading it.

Whilst I was also impressed by the lack of cringe or over-the-top cheese, the writing style just wasn't for me & I also struggled with connecting with the characters (or getting the connection they had together), which made the novel pretty hard to get through.

Nevertheless, 'Beach Rivals' was a light, easy read that would be ideal for reading on the beach or by the pool.

I tried to connect with the main character and the author's writing but unfortunately the style wasn't for me. I didn’t finish at 20%. Other people might find the novel more to their taste and might enjoy it.

This was such an interesting read! I found myself so engrossed in the story, the characters had such incredible arcs, and I can't wait to follow this author's journey!