What do you think?
Rate this book
Beaches, Bagels & Babes
Sapphic Slow-burn Summer Romance!
In the fun-loving vacation town of Wonderwood, New Jersey, Daisy DeMarco’s life revolves around beaches, bagels, and babes. She resists the tides of change better than a mud-stuck jetty, but when her boardwalk breakfast counter faces closure, she must find a way to weather the storm. A way that doesn’t involve teaming up with her childhood ex-crush, the spoiled “Pier Princess,” Candace Perry.
Candace spent years trying to cover the sunburn scars Wonderwood left on her body and heart. However, after being fired, she has no choice but to return to the seaside destination. There, forces from her past collide as she learns of her uncle’s underhanded plans to expand his boardwalk empire.
Candace and Daisy’s history hangs heavy in the seaside air. The fact that they need each other—along with their lingering attraction—is impossible to deny.
Can Candace convince Daisy to accept her help? Or is she the salt taffy promise Daisy thinks her to be?
Over one sizzling summer, they’ll both find out!
In the fun-loving vacation town of Wonderwood, New Jersey, Daisy DeMarco’s life revolves around beaches, bagels, and babes. She resists the tides of change better than a mud-stuck jetty, but when her boardwalk breakfast counter faces closure, she must find a way to weather the storm. A way that doesn’t involve teaming up with her childhood ex-crush, the spoiled “Pier Princess,” Candace Perry.
Candace spent years trying to cover the sunburn scars Wonderwood left on her body and heart. However, after being fired, she has no choice but to return to the seaside destination. There, forces from her past collide as she learns of her uncle’s underhanded plans to expand his boardwalk empire.
Candace and Daisy’s history hangs heavy in the seaside air. The fact that they need each other—along with their lingering attraction—is impossible to deny.
Can Candace convince Daisy to accept her help? Or is she the salt taffy promise Daisy thinks her to be?
Over one sizzling summer, they’ll both find out!
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
59 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 17, 2025
This book went from “awwwww” to “AW SNAP” very quickly, but not in the way I was expecting… at all. There are so many levels to this book, and I won’t try to attempt to explain everything, but I need to explain a couple of things. 1. The attraction! OMG the way Nat Page writes attraction had me sweating and not because it was “soupy” the inner monologues of both characters is hilarious and relatable to anyone who has ever been attracted to someone they shouldn’t be (F’ Should). 2. The universe: the island holds all of the “fun” quirks of small town life, from everyone knowing everything to no one knowing you at all. Papa built a community that felt real and humanly awful but worth fighting for (I promise I’m not losing it: read the book). 3. The MCs: Candace and Daisy are fully formed characters, from their past which is woven together perfectly with who they became, to their wardrobes and sense of humor, they are fun and play off of each other so seamlessly.
I’m trying not to spoil anything, but this book is so good and more people need to read it. That’s it, that’s all I’ve got!
I’m trying not to spoil anything, but this book is so good and more people need to read it. That’s it, that’s all I’ve got!
July 20, 2025
”Beaches, Bagels & Babes” by Nat Paga was a wonderful second-chance-to-lovers / business-partners-to-lovers sapphic romance. It was definitely a sloth-burn that unfolds at a steady pace.
This was a lovely summer read with well-developed characters and an interesting plot. I especially liked how the main characters, Daisy and Candace, opened up to each other and started to heal their bond. At its heart, this story is about overcoming trauma, moving on from the past, and growing into more mature people - letting go and going with the flow.
An amazing aspect of this story is the found-family element. It was wonderful how supportive friends could be, and without a blink of an eye, offer help when needed. The villain, Uncle Peter Perry, was well-crafted – just the right mix of manipulative, power-hungry, and controlling, along with his lackies to do his dirty work.
I didn't expect the plot twist near the end, but it felt like it was just where it was supposed to be.
Nat Paga's writing-style really worked for me. The story was flowing perfectly. It was so easy and smooth to read this book. I enjoyed it so much.
I absolutely loved the recipe! Definitely gonna try that one. Cream cheese, peanut butter, and jelly? Sounded just perfect. Cream cheese and lox – classic for a reason.
Huge thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a lovely summer read with well-developed characters and an interesting plot. I especially liked how the main characters, Daisy and Candace, opened up to each other and started to heal their bond. At its heart, this story is about overcoming trauma, moving on from the past, and growing into more mature people - letting go and going with the flow.
An amazing aspect of this story is the found-family element. It was wonderful how supportive friends could be, and without a blink of an eye, offer help when needed. The villain, Uncle Peter Perry, was well-crafted – just the right mix of manipulative, power-hungry, and controlling, along with his lackies to do his dirty work.
I didn't expect the plot twist near the end, but it felt like it was just where it was supposed to be.
Nat Paga's writing-style really worked for me. The story was flowing perfectly. It was so easy and smooth to read this book. I enjoyed it so much.
I absolutely loved the recipe! Definitely gonna try that one. Cream cheese, peanut butter, and jelly? Sounded just perfect. Cream cheese and lox – classic for a reason.
Huge thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2025
🏳️🌈Rep: Lesbian FMCs, Nonbinary SC, Minor Trans SC
📝Tropes/Themes: Sloth Burn, Second Chance, Small Town, Beachy Boardwalk, Stick it to the Man, Overcoming Trauma, Found Family, First Love
Where do I even begin?? I went into this book thinking it was a typical summer sapphic romance - but it was so much more than that! Nat Paga packed so much into this book, the layers had layers! I was hooked from the prologue, especially those last two lines! I knew from that moment my heart was going to go through the ringer and I was not wrong. I just had no idea exactly how right I was.
BBB is a dual POV story that follows Daisy and Candace, who each have decades of trauma and grief weighing them down. There were so many times I wished I could just reach into the book and hug them. We find out the details of what happened between them (and also to them) little by little, getting more pieces of the puzzle along the way. But from the beginning you know that there is a lot of complicated history there.
Daisy and Candace met when they were preteens. After HS Candace left Wonderwood never to come back. Daisy took over Bagel Bombs after her parents died that year and it’d been her whole life ever since. Two decades after they first met, the tide brings Candace back to Wonderwood and back into Daisy’s life. But all Daisy sees now is Candy, the “Pier Princess.” You could cut the tension with a knife at their initial reunion. When Candace learns of her evil uncle’s plans to take over the boardwalk, including Bagel Bombs, and expand his empire she makes a proposal to Daisy that will help both of them and Daisy, eventually, reluctantly agrees. From first crush to first heartbreak to enemies to business partners to…well, it depends on the day!
You will LOATHE Peter Perry from the moment he enters the story. (Frankly, if you don’t, then it’s safe to say we would NOT get along.) Peter and his cronies are the quintessential evil rich white men - you know, the kind who do whatever they want and always get away with it because they have people in their pockets everywhere and no qualms about committing heinous acts. These men filled me with white hot rage. I would love to say they were overexaggerated for dramatic purposes, but it’s the fact that none of it felt overexaggerated that made the rage so strong.
Aside from those neanderthals, though, I truly adored all the characters in this story. The chemistry between Daisy and Candace is so hot they could probably toast the bagel bombs themselves! They literally have to keep stopping themselves from ogling each other and enjoying each other’s company. I get why they are both so hesitant to let themselves go there but dang! They move at a sloth’s pace for sure, but I promise you it is beyond worth the wait! 💥It really was beautiful watching them get reacquainted and seeing the icy walls between them slowly melt away. #BagelBabes
Then there is Rio, Norman, Demi and her whole family, and Ted, too. Plus we can’t forget the unlikeliest of heroes ever - Horace the Horseshoe Crab! IYKYK! I also loved that one of the prominent side characters (Rio) was nonbinary! It’s so wonderful seeing good trans/enby rep! And without giving any spoilers - there was another very minor trans character and the way they were introduced in the story was perfect - no deadnaming or misgendering, just an “I used to know them as someone different” kind of moment.🥰
Seriously though, when I said this story had layers I meant it! There was so much going on at the end of this story and so much up in the air with so many things that could go (and were going) wrong - I couldn’t put it down until I knew what happened! I don’t want to say more than that though, because you just need to experience it for yourself. Make sure you have some breathing exercises handy - you’ll need them!
Beaches, Bagels & Babes was an utter delight to read. This story is a mix of romance and action, filled with humor, sprinkled with mystery, and baked to perfection! I hope you’re hungry! 😉
I received an ARC from the author. This review is honest and voluntary.
Note: This story does cover some intense topics, so please do check the TW/CW below.
⚠️TW/CW [contains some spoilers]:
mention of parental death, mention of car accident, kidnapping, attempted murder, mention of murder, drugging, manipulation, mention of parental abandonment, hurricane, panic attack, mention of adultery (not the MCs), sexual content, traumatic public outing, minor homophobia/use of slurs
📝Tropes/Themes: Sloth Burn, Second Chance, Small Town, Beachy Boardwalk, Stick it to the Man, Overcoming Trauma, Found Family, First Love
Where do I even begin?? I went into this book thinking it was a typical summer sapphic romance - but it was so much more than that! Nat Paga packed so much into this book, the layers had layers! I was hooked from the prologue, especially those last two lines! I knew from that moment my heart was going to go through the ringer and I was not wrong. I just had no idea exactly how right I was.
BBB is a dual POV story that follows Daisy and Candace, who each have decades of trauma and grief weighing them down. There were so many times I wished I could just reach into the book and hug them. We find out the details of what happened between them (and also to them) little by little, getting more pieces of the puzzle along the way. But from the beginning you know that there is a lot of complicated history there.
Daisy and Candace met when they were preteens. After HS Candace left Wonderwood never to come back. Daisy took over Bagel Bombs after her parents died that year and it’d been her whole life ever since. Two decades after they first met, the tide brings Candace back to Wonderwood and back into Daisy’s life. But all Daisy sees now is Candy, the “Pier Princess.” You could cut the tension with a knife at their initial reunion. When Candace learns of her evil uncle’s plans to take over the boardwalk, including Bagel Bombs, and expand his empire she makes a proposal to Daisy that will help both of them and Daisy, eventually, reluctantly agrees. From first crush to first heartbreak to enemies to business partners to…well, it depends on the day!
You will LOATHE Peter Perry from the moment he enters the story. (Frankly, if you don’t, then it’s safe to say we would NOT get along.) Peter and his cronies are the quintessential evil rich white men - you know, the kind who do whatever they want and always get away with it because they have people in their pockets everywhere and no qualms about committing heinous acts. These men filled me with white hot rage. I would love to say they were overexaggerated for dramatic purposes, but it’s the fact that none of it felt overexaggerated that made the rage so strong.
Aside from those neanderthals, though, I truly adored all the characters in this story. The chemistry between Daisy and Candace is so hot they could probably toast the bagel bombs themselves! They literally have to keep stopping themselves from ogling each other and enjoying each other’s company. I get why they are both so hesitant to let themselves go there but dang! They move at a sloth’s pace for sure, but I promise you it is beyond worth the wait! 💥It really was beautiful watching them get reacquainted and seeing the icy walls between them slowly melt away. #BagelBabes
Then there is Rio, Norman, Demi and her whole family, and Ted, too. Plus we can’t forget the unlikeliest of heroes ever - Horace the Horseshoe Crab! IYKYK! I also loved that one of the prominent side characters (Rio) was nonbinary! It’s so wonderful seeing good trans/enby rep! And without giving any spoilers - there was another very minor trans character and the way they were introduced in the story was perfect - no deadnaming or misgendering, just an “I used to know them as someone different” kind of moment.🥰
Seriously though, when I said this story had layers I meant it! There was so much going on at the end of this story and so much up in the air with so many things that could go (and were going) wrong - I couldn’t put it down until I knew what happened! I don’t want to say more than that though, because you just need to experience it for yourself. Make sure you have some breathing exercises handy - you’ll need them!
Beaches, Bagels & Babes was an utter delight to read. This story is a mix of romance and action, filled with humor, sprinkled with mystery, and baked to perfection! I hope you’re hungry! 😉
I received an ARC from the author. This review is honest and voluntary.
Note: This story does cover some intense topics, so please do check the TW/CW below.
⚠️TW/CW [contains some spoilers]:
mention of parental death, mention of car accident, kidnapping, attempted murder, mention of murder, drugging, manipulation, mention of parental abandonment, hurricane, panic attack, mention of adultery (not the MCs), sexual content, traumatic public outing, minor homophobia/use of slurs
August 6, 2025
My favourite read of the year.
Where to start with this book? To say that I adored it feels to sell it short. But yes, I ADORED it.
The story starts off with a cutesy beach town, and where you might think this is a simple, second chance sapphic romance… think again. It has so many layers, and they’re all interlinked. I was so invested in Daisy and Candace’s story, desperate to find out all the beef between them, and begging them to just kiss already, but the pacing makes sense for their individual character arcs, and when it does come together, boy does it come together.
I had such a huge crush on Daisy (I mean, come on!!), but Candace and all the supporting cast are well-rounded and add so much to the small-town vibe of Wonderwood. I hope there’ll be more books and this’ll turn into a series ‘cause I’m seriously not ready for it to be over.
I never saw the plot twists coming, and guaranteed it’ll have you hating Peter Perry with a rage like no other. This book really is an emotional rollercoaster – highs, lows, laughs, anger, swwooooooninggggg, but it’s a book I’ll not forget in a long time.
If you’re gonna read one book this year, make it this one. Nat isn’t joking when she says this is a sloth burn, but it’s definitely worth it in the end. Wish I could give it six stars.
Where to start with this book? To say that I adored it feels to sell it short. But yes, I ADORED it.
The story starts off with a cutesy beach town, and where you might think this is a simple, second chance sapphic romance… think again. It has so many layers, and they’re all interlinked. I was so invested in Daisy and Candace’s story, desperate to find out all the beef between them, and begging them to just kiss already, but the pacing makes sense for their individual character arcs, and when it does come together, boy does it come together.
I had such a huge crush on Daisy (I mean, come on!!), but Candace and all the supporting cast are well-rounded and add so much to the small-town vibe of Wonderwood. I hope there’ll be more books and this’ll turn into a series ‘cause I’m seriously not ready for it to be over.
I never saw the plot twists coming, and guaranteed it’ll have you hating Peter Perry with a rage like no other. This book really is an emotional rollercoaster – highs, lows, laughs, anger, swwooooooninggggg, but it’s a book I’ll not forget in a long time.
If you’re gonna read one book this year, make it this one. Nat isn’t joking when she says this is a sloth burn, but it’s definitely worth it in the end. Wish I could give it six stars.
October 1, 2025
This is such an incredible book from start to finish! Daisy and Candace are distinct characters with unique personalities that clash and mesh in interesting ways. The summer setting is perfect for reading while sitting at the beach in the summer or reminiscing about the summer in the winter - it's so atmospheric that you'll be transported right there.
In Nat Paga's signature way, she deftly incorporates nuanced critique of capitalism and gentrification forcing small businesses to close their doors to put up parking lots and safety-questionable amusement rides.
Not only is the romance compelling, but the plot is an equally propelling force as our two main characters navigate the hurdles of their lives, circumstances seemingly (but not totally) out of their control, and getting to know each other again after the incident that drove them apart many years ago.
Give this second-chance summer romance a read! This is easily the best book I've read this year.
In Nat Paga's signature way, she deftly incorporates nuanced critique of capitalism and gentrification forcing small businesses to close their doors to put up parking lots and safety-questionable amusement rides.
Not only is the romance compelling, but the plot is an equally propelling force as our two main characters navigate the hurdles of their lives, circumstances seemingly (but not totally) out of their control, and getting to know each other again after the incident that drove them apart many years ago.
Give this second-chance summer romance a read! This is easily the best book I've read this year.
July 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, it was a perfect friends to enemies to lovers story, that I love.
The relationship between the two main characters was great, the sexual tension when Daisy was trying to fool herself that she hated Candace, with the longing stares and the little moments like in Daisy’s kitchen.
It was a slow burn, a very very slow burn, at times I was like please just kiss already, I understood why but it made me frustrated at points.
The actual plot was a twister, I never expected the ending, especially as I went into this book thinking it was a simple sapphic romance, so when the twists came and didn’t stop coming I was shocked
Highly recommend if you like a slow burn sapphic romance with a good plot and a hero crab.
*full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review from the author, Nat Paga*
The relationship between the two main characters was great, the sexual tension when Daisy was trying to fool herself that she hated Candace, with the longing stares and the little moments like in Daisy’s kitchen.
It was a slow burn, a very very slow burn, at times I was like please just kiss already, I understood why but it made me frustrated at points.
The actual plot was a twister, I never expected the ending, especially as I went into this book thinking it was a simple sapphic romance, so when the twists came and didn’t stop coming I was shocked
Highly recommend if you like a slow burn sapphic romance with a good plot and a hero crab.
*full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review from the author, Nat Paga*
July 17, 2025
I was accepted by Nat Paga to be an ARC reader for Beaches Bagels & Babes and below is my honest review.
We love a 5 star sapphic read! Beaches Bagels & Babes is exactly that!
This book made me feel so much - I was happy, I was sad, I was angry, I was hopeful. So many emotions! I don’t think I’ve ever hated a character more than Peter Perry (if you know, you know! 😡)
It is a slow burn, second chance sapphic romance and the story centres around the two FMC’s Daisy and Candace (I fancy both I won’t lie) and it is so fantastically written.
I recommend this to anyone who loves a sapphic read! - There is a trigger/content warning page at the start of the book so please read it before diving in!
Overall, I give this 5 stars!
We love a 5 star sapphic read! Beaches Bagels & Babes is exactly that!
This book made me feel so much - I was happy, I was sad, I was angry, I was hopeful. So many emotions! I don’t think I’ve ever hated a character more than Peter Perry (if you know, you know! 😡)
It is a slow burn, second chance sapphic romance and the story centres around the two FMC’s Daisy and Candace (I fancy both I won’t lie) and it is so fantastically written.
I recommend this to anyone who loves a sapphic read! - There is a trigger/content warning page at the start of the book so please read it before diving in!
Overall, I give this 5 stars!
August 8, 2025
Daisy and Candace met as kids, and were a bit more then friends, but things ended badly. Now 20 years later Candace is back in town.
After her parents death Daisy inherited their bagel shop, but it's struggling. Her food is good, but is being undercut by the businesses over on the pier. Owned, of course, by Candace's Uncle.
Having lost her job in the city Candace has returned, and may have to beg her uncle for a job. First day back she runs into Daisy, who is not happy to see her. Then she learns her uncle intends to drive Daisy out of business. So she offers to help.
Uncle Perry going Godfather level villain was a bit much, honestly. The story would work with him just being the usual asshole.
3 out of 5 stars.
After her parents death Daisy inherited their bagel shop, but it's struggling. Her food is good, but is being undercut by the businesses over on the pier. Owned, of course, by Candace's Uncle.
Having lost her job in the city Candace has returned, and may have to beg her uncle for a job. First day back she runs into Daisy, who is not happy to see her. Then she learns her uncle intends to drive Daisy out of business. So she offers to help.
Uncle Perry going Godfather level villain was a bit much, honestly. The story would work with him just being the usual asshole.
3 out of 5 stars.
August 3, 2025
This book was absolutely fantastic! It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Perfectly paced, perfect storyline, perfect storytelling, relatable characters, the whole nine yards! I loved the tension, the backstory between Daisy and Candace. Granted their reunion and hashing out was a little rough but it was perfect nonetheless. The spice? Beautiful, well built and placed. The bad guys? Also perfect. Granted I wanted to punch Peter Perry and Vinny more than once, but they got what was coming to them. I am so excited to read whatever else this Author brings to the table. Well done!!
August 18, 2025
This was a lovely read - a fun, sapphic slow burn, great characters and made me want some bagel bombs real bad!!
huge thanks to the author for the arc ebook
huge thanks to the author for the arc ebook
August 27, 2025
I didn’t want to put it down.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews