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.
A last-minute adjustment to her valedictorian address reshapes the careful future Nikki Graziola has planned. Reeling from the fallout of standing up to the spoiled elites at her school, she turns to surfing for solace.
Fifteen years later, she returns home on the heels of another devastating loss. Although time has passed, the community hasn’t forgotten. Author Susan Wiggs delivers a heart-tugging story about second chances in Welcome to Beach Town.
Nikki’s character is that outspoken voice of the underdog, determined to be heard. While standing up cost her the path to college, it opened the door to adventures with Johnny. She reflects on that as she returns to a hometown that is now run by the next generation of spoiled elites.
Relationships play a significant role in the story, whether it’s Nikki’s somewhat fractured relationship with her father or her friendship with Cal. Ultimately, it is a story about life coming full circle.
Welcome to Beach Town features a main character who must navigate grief and loss throughout pivotal points in her life. Taking on the privileged elite of her hometown is just one of the many challenges she faces.
After graduating from Harvard University, Susan Wiggs became a math teacher. Her first novel was published in 1987. She has written numerous bestsellers since then, including The Lost and Found Bookshop, Home Before Dark, Family Tree, Summer by the Sea, and Map of the Heart. Her notable series include the Lakeshore Chronicles and the Bella Vista Chronicles. Her novels have been published in dozens of languages in many countries around the globe.
