Serendipity

Praise

Praise for Serendipity
“With her sparking new voice and endearing love for Fire Island, Becky Chalsen has a forever fan in me.”—Jane Rosen, author of On Fire Island
 
“Moving and insightful, Serendipity perfectly captures the complexities of long-term friendships and romances. Chalsen’s charm sparkles in this perfect summer read with enduring resonance.”—Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of The Breakup Tour

“Sun-soaked, breezy, and charming, this book deftly reminds us that while romances may come and go, some of life’s greatest love stories are our long-term friendships.”—Mikki Brammer author of The Collected Regrets of Clover
 
“Chock-full of joy and drama, humor and heart, Serendipity reads like a bright, balmy weekend spent on Fire Island – Rocket Fuels and all. With a charming cast of characters and a perfectly summery setting, Chalsen has once again crafted the quintessential beach read, capturing the all-too-relatable highs and lows that come with ushering relationships into adulthood (romantic or otherwise). It’s a sunny celebration of love in all its forms; I savored every word.”—Genevieve Wheeler, author of Adelaide

“Ocean Beach comes alive on the page like a sun-bleached postcard; a dreamy and vivid story about a group of old friends looking for a summer of fun but finding so much more. I adored Maggie; a very relatable creative woman whose life hits the rocks, and she comes back to her roots to face her past and find her purpose again. Becky’s writing is so rich and vivid, and this book is totally transportive. Serendipity is all heart; a glorious page turner, the perfect summer read—absolutely magic.”—Lizzy Dent, author of The Summer Job
 
“Serendipity is a sun-kissed love letter to old friendships and new adventures, to making mistakes and growing up, to dancing with your friends until your feet hurt. Reading it feels like framing a photo from your favorite vacation and smiling at it every morning. Chalsen writes with the tender pen of someone who cherishes true friendship, the bonds that survive beauty and heartache, sun-filled days, and rainy ones, knowing the clouds will open up again. Serendipity made me dream of sandy skin, sunscreen, and soulmates.”—Taylor Hahn, author of The Lifestyle
 
“Becky Chalsen absolutely delivers with her sophomore novel! I devoured this book in one sitting—it is a perfect beach read! Chalsen deftly weaves together a realistic coming of age story about friendship, growing up and growing apart, and what happens when old friends come back together. I fell in love with each of the characters and with the gorgeous summer setting. Move this one to the top of your summer TBR!”—Falon Ballard, author of Right on Cue
 
“This warm and witty novel about the people and places we choose to call home is the perfect beach read. Chalsen mixes light, sparkling summer fun with profound meditations on that period in our lives—usually mid-to-late-twenties—when our childhood expectations fall apart, and we’re forced to reinvent who we are and what it takes to make us happy. Fans of Emily Henry’s Happy Place will fall head over heels for Serendipity’s gorgeous second-chance love stories between a group of friends, set against the alluring sun and surf of Fire Island.”—Ashley Winstead, author of The Boyfriend Candidate
 
“Serendipity is as unforgettable as the perfect beach rental. Absorbing and deeply relatable, this book sparkles with the textured truth and complications of long held relationships. A coming-of-age, romantic comedy, and dazzling ode to friendship all in one. As to be expected with Chalsen, this book is a thoughtful meditation on the choices, pain and love that come for a person in their 20s, wrapped up in a radiant, beachy sweetness. The Serendipity House gang will stay with me for a long time.”—Cat Shook, author of If We’re Being Honest

“With the friend group dynamics of The Big Chill and the romance of Emily Henry’s Happy Place, Serendipity is the perfect summer romp.”—Bustle

“Light, summery contemporary…Maggie’s personal growth as she reconnects with her past unfolds with a cozy and comforting vibe, and though Chalsen keeps things breezy, the emotions are real. This fast-paced and sun-filled romp is sure to brighten readers’ spirits.”—Publishers Weekly

“Chalsen name-checks How I Met Your Mother…and this book gives off that show’s vibe. Many of the plot points will resonate with readers reminiscing about those postcollege years.”—Booklist

“Serendipity is, at its core, a book about friends, and the relationships that stay with you or fall away as you grow.”—Long Island Weekly

“At its core, the book is about friendship and the honesty and forgiveness it takes to maintain its lasting bond. It’s also about change and the burden of secrets, and how a group of twentysomethings learn to be themselves, by themselves. How they own up to their mistakes and missed opportunities. Growing up is hard to do.”—Fire Island News