Full Summary

"The Beach House" is a sweeping contemporary romance and family saga set in the tranquil yet vibrant community of Crystal Cove, California. The novel follows Jessica "Jess" Morgan, a talented and ambitious interior designer who returns from Los Angeles to her childhood home in Orange County after the loss of her parents. Her goal: to restore the weathered Morgan family beach house perched above the Pacific—a home overflowing with memories, secrets, and the promise of new beginnings.

Upon arrival, Jess is met with both nostalgia and trepidation. The beach house, battered by years and storms, is a symbol of her family's legacy but also of unresolved grief. Jess's journey of restoration quickly becomes more than a renovation project; it’s a quest to reclaim her identity, reconcile the pain of her past, and discover whether she truly belongs in the town she once left behind.

Jess’s efforts are complicated by a colorful and beloved cast: her supportive but anxious mother Vivian Morgan; Maddie Rivera, her lifelong best friend and the heart of the local café; Maddie's lively twin daughters; the eccentric neighbor Mrs. Carter; and Sam Callahan, the charismatic, music-loving younger brother of Luke Callahan, the town’s trusted contractor. Luke, a rugged craftsman with a shadowy past, is hired to help Jess restore the beach house. Their initial interactions are charged with tension and chemistry, but as they work side-by-side—fixing foundations, uncovering hidden letters, and weathering literal and emotional storms—a deep partnership and slow-burning romance take root.

Obstacles abound: Jess faces persistent pressure from Tyler Grant, her ex-boyfriend and a real estate developer determined to buy and redevelop the beach house for his own gain.