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Beachbreak High #1
It Had to be Mason
Ask your brother’s best friend nicely, and he’ll teach you how to date. He might even teach you how to kiss…
Zoe Walsh is the most awkward girl in Beachbreak High. For years, she’s admired her crush from afar, but she’s NEVER talked to him. What would she even say? She doesn’t know the first thing about boys, or dating. The only thing she really knows is dancing.
Mason McClellan is the charming, all-star quarterback who gets all the girls. He’s also Zoe’s brother’s best friend. This year, he plans to take the hottest girl in school to Homecoming. But she refuses to be his date unless he can dance. Sadly, Mason has two left feet.
When Zoe approaches Mason for dating advice, he cuts her a deal: if she teaches him how to dance, he’ll teach her how to date. Lessons include how to get your crush to notice you, how to get asked on a date, and how to kiss.
The last thing they expect is to fall for each other. But as Homecoming draws near, Zoe wonders – if dating Mason is just practice, how come it feels so much like the real thing?
It Had to be Mason is the first book in the Beachbreak High YA sweet romance series. If you like adorable dates, laugh-out-loud moments, and all of the feels, you’ll love Emily Lowry’s sweet romances.
Zoe Walsh is the most awkward girl in Beachbreak High. For years, she’s admired her crush from afar, but she’s NEVER talked to him. What would she even say? She doesn’t know the first thing about boys, or dating. The only thing she really knows is dancing.
Mason McClellan is the charming, all-star quarterback who gets all the girls. He’s also Zoe’s brother’s best friend. This year, he plans to take the hottest girl in school to Homecoming. But she refuses to be his date unless he can dance. Sadly, Mason has two left feet.
When Zoe approaches Mason for dating advice, he cuts her a deal: if she teaches him how to dance, he’ll teach her how to date. Lessons include how to get your crush to notice you, how to get asked on a date, and how to kiss.
The last thing they expect is to fall for each other. But as Homecoming draws near, Zoe wonders – if dating Mason is just practice, how come it feels so much like the real thing?
It Had to be Mason is the first book in the Beachbreak High YA sweet romance series. If you like adorable dates, laugh-out-loud moments, and all of the feels, you’ll love Emily Lowry’s sweet romances.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2020
788 people are currently reading
1528 people want to read
About the author
Emily Lowry
16 books182 followersEmily Lowry is true romantic. She’s a huge fan of happily ever afters, witty, fun characters and fast-paced sweet romances.
Emily writes from her home in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and in her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, baking cakes and paddleboarding.
Discover Emily Lowry’s first series, Rumors and Lies at Evermore High, for perfect sweet romance reads filled with gossip, high school drama & falling in love for the first time <3
Emily writes from her home in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and in her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, baking cakes and paddleboarding.
Discover Emily Lowry’s first series, Rumors and Lies at Evermore High, for perfect sweet romance reads filled with gossip, high school drama & falling in love for the first time <3
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
November 10, 2020
3,5 💖💖💖🌟s❣️
Such a sweet and wonderful teenager romance read!!!
Mason and Zoe were loveable and adorable characters, and their story was wonderful.
Although it was very well written and interesting, I just was not the appropriate target group for it, since I am not a teenager any more... 😉
Such a sweet and wonderful teenager romance read!!!
Mason and Zoe were loveable and adorable characters, and their story was wonderful.
Although it was very well written and interesting, I just was not the appropriate target group for it, since I am not a teenager any more... 😉
June 7, 2023
sweet short story
This is most definitely a PG novel. YA, sweet, tame little book. I finished it in a day as it’s not very long.
If your after a “my brothers best friend” style read, then this is for you.
This is most definitely a PG novel. YA, sweet, tame little book. I finished it in a day as it’s not very long.
If your after a “my brothers best friend” style read, then this is for you.
March 29, 2023
I’m usually not a fan of the brother’s best friend trope because it is almost always a forbidden romance which I hate. But thankfully that wasn’t the case with this book. Zoe’s brother, Tyler, and the hero Mason were super respectful of each other. They both wanted the best for Zoe and understood that it would be up to her who she ended up with, which I just loved.
I also really liked the whole dance competition at Homecoming. I’m from Montreal and we only get one prom in our last year of high school. But instead of crowning prom queen and king, we give a sash to the best girl and boy who can do the waltz. The school offers us one class to learn the waltz and we have to learn on our own and compete against everyone else in our grade. I was definitely getting deja vu when I read that😂
I have been having some trouble finding books I wanted to read and this book was the perfect book to get me through this slump. I wanted a quick and easy read before school started taking over my life again. I’m excited to get to next book in the series☺️
Check out my bookstagram: @aghopelessromantic
I also really liked the whole dance competition at Homecoming. I’m from Montreal and we only get one prom in our last year of high school. But instead of crowning prom queen and king, we give a sash to the best girl and boy who can do the waltz. The school offers us one class to learn the waltz and we have to learn on our own and compete against everyone else in our grade. I was definitely getting deja vu when I read that😂
I have been having some trouble finding books I wanted to read and this book was the perfect book to get me through this slump. I wanted a quick and easy read before school started taking over my life again. I’m excited to get to next book in the series☺️
Check out my bookstagram: @aghopelessromantic
dnf
June 11, 2024DNF @ 32% - not sure how a “Sweet YA Romance” made it onto my Kindle 💀💀💀 it took me a hot minute to check the blurb and GR to find out why the heck this was so… *PRECIOUS* … and well, I’m too old for this. 😂
September 24, 2024
Velmi roztomilá záležitost.
July 7, 2025
A very clean and quick YA Romance Contemporary! Very cute too!
4.5 stars!
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4.5 stars!
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March 3, 2024
If you enjoy sweet and cute teenage romance you will probably like this book. It was a quick read. I do wish there was more then just Mason and Zoe being in love, I mean obviously that’s what the overall book is about but maybe we could have heard more about Zoe and Tyler’s parents divorce? Just more details. But it was a good book and I will be checking out the other 2 books in this series.
January 13, 2025
WHY DO ALL PERFECT BOYS HAVE TO BE FICTIONAL!!
Mason is the perfect guy and Zoe is the best kind of weird and beautiful.
Loved the book.
Mason is the perfect guy and Zoe is the best kind of weird and beautiful.
Loved the book.
March 18, 2023
so adorable
February 13, 2021
Wow! This is the 4th book that I have read by Emily! She has never disappointed me. I absolutely love a good, cute, feel good high school romance book. I love how Zoe and Mason realize how special they each are. Not only together but apart. I feel that Zoe in the end found out that she wasn’t just average she was something special. Mason now feels like he is the luckiest boy (man) in the world to not only be with Zoe but to find himself within her love. I am excited to read the next book in this series along with the excitement of the release of her next books! Thanks Emily for writing these lovely books!
June 1, 2021
3.5 Stars
An enjoyable, easy, and quick read with a few laugh out loud moments. I enjoyed the way Zoe and Mason interacted and the progression of their relationship.
An enjoyable, easy, and quick read with a few laugh out loud moments. I enjoyed the way Zoe and Mason interacted and the progression of their relationship.
July 9, 2021
Waste of time really
May 23, 2022
this was cute
November 28, 2022
definitely cheesy at some parts, but a short and sweet read
December 2, 2025
Can two people be MORE blind when it comes to each other’s feelings? No, they cannot. Everyone’s oblivious and blind in this book.
December 16, 2024
Pretty good book! I liked it a lot. It was cliché but funny and sweet! Good for summer reading.
September 27, 2023
“But as I looked at Zoe, I just didn’t get how a guy like Kevin wouldn’t be interested in Zoe. For that matter, I couldn’t understand how any guy wouldn’t be interested in Zoe.”
Well, to start off, it was cute at parts in MASON’S pov. But um. So boring.
The Plot: okay, I find this really, and I mean really, stupid. I don’t know why on earth I was so excited for this. It was so dumb. He sprays water on his face and screws up his hair (because apparently that’s what girls like now; supremely sweaty-looking teenage boys.) Like, what?! Then, he asked this blonde girl (Of course she’s blond, tall, selfie obsessed, and thin) to the dance, and she clearly has “ew, why is he sweating so much” written all over her face. And then she refuses to go to a dance with him unless he can dance. I mean, this makes sense, but how it was executed was horrible. It was just so stupid. Read it, and you could understand. I hated how Zoe stalked Kevin, and I hate him. I hate it.
The Almost-kiss scene: I know it was supposed to get people riled up, like, with fire emojis in their eyes, but just no. It didn’t do it for me. It was good, but it left me disappointed that wasn’t actually the kiss scene, because that scene was ten times better than the actual kiss scene.
The worst kiss scene ever in a summary:
Our lips met.
His lips were soft.
I put my arms around his neck.
Then three seconds after I pulled away.
And touched noses with him.
I said “I love you.”
Then he gave me a peck.
And then we sat down and ate sandwiches.
Seriously? You put me through your crappy book for THAT kiss scene? Seriously? Scratch that, you can’t even call that a “kiss scene” , it was so horrible. It seriously reminded me of what would happen between two elementary schoolers and their first kiss. LIKE WHAAAT?
Zoe: I just felt like she was a bit clueless. A bit Like Nina said, for someone so smart, why is she so dumb? She was so fixed on this Kevin guy… and he turned out to be a total jerk! Like jerk! Hate hate hate Kevin. And her POV was just… kinda boring? She had zero (zero!) personality besides “Kevin is my destiny. Without Kevin, I am nothing.” And I felt when they had that “kiss scene” at the end, it felt like she wasn’t sincere? Like she had her mind somewhere else? Like, “Kevin is good, but he’s done with me, so… I’ll just take mason, I guess. He’s okay, too. Oh, and guess what? All of a sudden, I think I’m now in love with him. Very random, yup. Totally. This is great.”
Mason: He had zero personality besides “Zoe is so hot.” And “Football is awesome, it gets all the ladies.” Wow. Just- wow. His thing with Zoe was cute, but after that, it was so boring. His POV was better because of how he always commented on how cute Zoe was, and had more personality than all the characters in this book combined and multiplied by ten. but otherwise, they were just meh chapters. Better than Zoe’s POV, definitely, but it wasn’t a amazing POV either.
Im not gonna read this book again, that’s for sure.
I’m sorry if you liked this, but this book was crap.
Well, to start off, it was cute at parts in MASON’S pov. But um. So boring.
The Plot: okay, I find this really, and I mean really, stupid. I don’t know why on earth I was so excited for this. It was so dumb. He sprays water on his face and screws up his hair (because apparently that’s what girls like now; supremely sweaty-looking teenage boys.) Like, what?! Then, he asked this blonde girl (Of course she’s blond, tall, selfie obsessed, and thin) to the dance, and she clearly has “ew, why is he sweating so much” written all over her face. And then she refuses to go to a dance with him unless he can dance. I mean, this makes sense, but how it was executed was horrible. It was just so stupid. Read it, and you could understand. I hated how Zoe stalked Kevin, and I hate him. I hate it.
The Almost-kiss scene: I know it was supposed to get people riled up, like, with fire emojis in their eyes, but just no. It didn’t do it for me. It was good, but it left me disappointed that wasn’t actually the kiss scene, because that scene was ten times better than the actual kiss scene.
The worst kiss scene ever in a summary:
Our lips met.
His lips were soft.
I put my arms around his neck.
Then three seconds after I pulled away.
And touched noses with him.
I said “I love you.”
Then he gave me a peck.
And then we sat down and ate sandwiches.
Seriously? You put me through your crappy book for THAT kiss scene? Seriously? Scratch that, you can’t even call that a “kiss scene” , it was so horrible. It seriously reminded me of what would happen between two elementary schoolers and their first kiss. LIKE WHAAAT?
Zoe: I just felt like she was a bit clueless. A bit Like Nina said, for someone so smart, why is she so dumb? She was so fixed on this Kevin guy… and he turned out to be a total jerk! Like jerk! Hate hate hate Kevin. And her POV was just… kinda boring? She had zero (zero!) personality besides “Kevin is my destiny. Without Kevin, I am nothing.” And I felt when they had that “kiss scene” at the end, it felt like she wasn’t sincere? Like she had her mind somewhere else? Like, “Kevin is good, but he’s done with me, so… I’ll just take mason, I guess. He’s okay, too. Oh, and guess what? All of a sudden, I think I’m now in love with him. Very random, yup. Totally. This is great.”
Mason: He had zero personality besides “Zoe is so hot.” And “Football is awesome, it gets all the ladies.” Wow. Just- wow. His thing with Zoe was cute, but after that, it was so boring. His POV was better because of how he always commented on how cute Zoe was, and had more personality than all the characters in this book combined and multiplied by ten. but otherwise, they were just meh chapters. Better than Zoe’s POV, definitely, but it wasn’t a amazing POV either.
Im not gonna read this book again, that’s for sure.
I’m sorry if you liked this, but this book was crap.
July 31, 2023
This was a cute little read. I would say it’s perfect for preteens and teenagers. There wasn’t really much conflict or drama. Both characters were pleasant and always doing the right thing. The love interests liked each other pretty quickly and easily. And both started liking the other at the same time and the same way. Since it was dual point of view the fact that they started liking eachother the same way and at the same kind of timeline made it feel a little repetitive and not as interesting as it could have been. We listened to both of them monologue their feelings about falling for the other in similar ways at the same time so I would have liked things to be switched up a bit or thrown some curveballs or something. They didn’t have a ton of chemistry to me. Or, I should say the chemistry that they had felt more like just friendship for some reason. Maybe because it’s for a younger audience so it might be a little tricky to really show a romantic chemistry. Or maybe if there was some tension or a bigger conflict or something, that would have helped. Like if Kevin (the other guy) was actually competition for Mason it would have been more intense or made it so Mason had to fight harder to really win over Zoe or something? But anyways this is a great book for a young reader wanting a sweet, appropriate romance!
June 4, 2023
This book was so short so I loved that, but everything felt rushed. Like yes it’s short so I’m not expecting much but like it just seemed liked Mason and Zoe liked each other within their first time hanging out. Like there wasn’t much of a build up
Maybe I just read this book while I was tired so I didn’t fully process stuff but yeah
Also Kevin seemed to do a whole 180 degree shift. Like he seems boring yes, but then he becomes a jerk, like based on his character description and interactions he didn’t seem like a mean guy, just boring
Hmmmmm what else
Idk it wasn’t that bad and it was kindle unlimited so I’m not trying to complain. Again, another short and easy romance to read
I’m already having to add in an edit oops: this was supposed to be a brothers best friend trope, and yes it was but like, usually there’s supposed to be tension and stuff and none of that existed 😪 I just had different expectations for the trope but the reviews seem to like it so I think that’s just me
A note for myself: I technically started this the night of June 02, but like it was a bit past midnight so it says June 03, and then I couldn’t finish it June 03 because my friends woke up and then when they left, so did I, and then didn’t get home until 1 am😭
Maybe I just read this book while I was tired so I didn’t fully process stuff but yeah
Also Kevin seemed to do a whole 180 degree shift. Like he seems boring yes, but then he becomes a jerk, like based on his character description and interactions he didn’t seem like a mean guy, just boring
Hmmmmm what else
Idk it wasn’t that bad and it was kindle unlimited so I’m not trying to complain. Again, another short and easy romance to read
I’m already having to add in an edit oops: this was supposed to be a brothers best friend trope, and yes it was but like, usually there’s supposed to be tension and stuff and none of that existed 😪 I just had different expectations for the trope but the reviews seem to like it so I think that’s just me
A note for myself: I technically started this the night of June 02, but like it was a bit past midnight so it says June 03, and then I couldn’t finish it June 03 because my friends woke up and then when they left, so did I, and then didn’t get home until 1 am😭
November 23, 2024
Nice cute and easy read 😌
January 24, 2023
It Had to Be Mason was such a cute book; it was my first read by Emily Lowry. It’s not the usual smut filled books I normally read and it was a good change. This book is clean and safe for younger readers. Has hand holding and mild kisses scenes.
This is a high school romance where Mason and Zoe agree to help each other get the person they want. Mason is Zoe’s brothers best friend, so they automatically see each other as off-limits. Zoe teaches Mason to dance, and Mason teaches Zoe to date. They spend so much time together they end up falling for each other but neither one says anything or makes it obvious that they have feelings for each other. Zoe goes on her first date and it goes horribly wrong with the boy she has been crushing on forever but watched mostly from afar. Zoe cannot believe the difference when she gets to know him up close. When she gets home she just wants Mason. Mason is supposed to go to homecoming with Meredith; so Zoe doesn’t say anything and decides to skip homecoming until her best friend talks her into attending and getting Mason. Mason has plans of his own and cancels on Meredith to surprise Zoe with their own private homecoming.
This is a high school romance where Mason and Zoe agree to help each other get the person they want. Mason is Zoe’s brothers best friend, so they automatically see each other as off-limits. Zoe teaches Mason to dance, and Mason teaches Zoe to date. They spend so much time together they end up falling for each other but neither one says anything or makes it obvious that they have feelings for each other. Zoe goes on her first date and it goes horribly wrong with the boy she has been crushing on forever but watched mostly from afar. Zoe cannot believe the difference when she gets to know him up close. When she gets home she just wants Mason. Mason is supposed to go to homecoming with Meredith; so Zoe doesn’t say anything and decides to skip homecoming until her best friend talks her into attending and getting Mason. Mason has plans of his own and cancels on Meredith to surprise Zoe with their own private homecoming.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2020
Was able to read this a few days ago as part of the ARC group, Wow what a sweet High school romance novel (Brother’s BestFriend). Mason is Zoe’s older Brother’s bestfriend. Watching their love story unfold was so sweet. From knowing each other their whole childhood, to helping each other with their crushes, to eventually admitting they are in love 😍💕There is just something so nostalgic that these High-school YA stories bring! If you love sweet YA romances like me Give it a shot!
May 5, 2023
This was a cute, enjoyable story of a first romance that my mom read and wanted me to read also. I wasn’t disappointed. Some characters are flat, like Zoe’s mother, but that didn’t bother me. Parents are supposed to be in the background in YA so the characters can solve their own problems. Anyway, the romance was sweet, and the dates Mason and Zoe had while he taught her how to date were fun and humorous.
January 21, 2021
Sweet, clean YA read. Some of the language was off—calling grades marks didn’t feel Californian to me and Zoe kept saying Mason and I when it should have been Mason and me, but I tend to let things slide when it can be justified as the teenagers voice rather than the authors lack of grammatical knowledge.
April 17, 2023
I was looking for a sweet short book to read over the weekend and this was exactly that. Characters were likable and I found myself rooting for them even though I knew they would predictably get together (as characters always do in this genre of books). Will definitely read the rest of the series! They’re all on Kindle unlimited which is nice.
April 2, 2024
7.5/10 this was honestly a super cute and super fun read. i think it was the perfect length to allow for pining and had some of the best tropes in it. i really enjoyed how lighthearted and easy it was to read. a quick wholesome romance to read in a day and bring me closer towards my reading goal ;)
October 15, 2024
I enjoyed this book as a light, easy read for relaxation that didn't require much brain power. However, while I liked the main characters, I found the plot boring. I skipped pages because they didn't seem relevant to the story. So, even though I had a good time reading it, it will not stand out in my memory among similar books.
February 26, 2023
One of the best books I've ever read.Im obsessed,I could honestly read it 100 times over again.Whats crazy is this book made me want to read.Because I've never really liked to read but I read this so fast.Truly in love with this book.10/10
April 10, 2023
This was so very sweet and very engaging, but I did feel the second half moved rather quickly for a book where there wasn't really any conflict. There wasn't even a big omg I'm in love revelation, it was just kind of accepted but never addressed.
June 2, 2023
It had to be Mason
I must admit thar I'm overall not crazy about young teen romance stories, but the story of Zoe and Mason just touched my heart. It really captured the essence of young love.
I must admit thar I'm overall not crazy about young teen romance stories, but the story of Zoe and Mason just touched my heart. It really captured the essence of young love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews