The Pre-Loved edit from Shopbop

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Under the Boardwalk (Costas Sisters Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 327 ratings

Her twin sister is missing.

When Ariana Costas heard her twin sister, Zoe, had disappeared, Ari left Vermont and returned to her Jersey girl roots to find her. Ari didn’t know what to expect from her search, but danger around every corner, dodging bullets, and a hunk in a leather jacket saving her was not it.

He thought she was someone else.

Detective Quinn Donovan thought he located Zoe Costas. Beautiful, dark haired and a perfect match to the description he’d been given, he believes he has his lady. Except as it turns out, the gorgeous woman is Zoe's twin Ariana, the college professor. Suddenly, Quinn’s job is more about trying to protect Ari who is in trouble deeper than the Atlantic at high tide. There’s more at stake than trying to protect her without spilling his well-guarded secrets.

Will he lose his heart and the girl in the process?

Shop this series

See full series
See included books
Shop this series
There are 2 books in this series.
Bundle price: Kindle price
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.

This option includes 2 books.

Something went wrong.
Bundle price: Kindle price
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.

Customers also bought or read

Loading...

From the Publisher

This book has it all
adventure, heartwarming moments
and two people who find love when they let down their walls
Meet the Costas Sisters

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ariana Costas, the heroine of Phillips's (The Heartbreaker, etc.) featherweight confection, is a Jersey girl with a wacky family who quickly gets caught up in some potentially dangerous hijinks. Sound familiar? Despite the parallels, Ariana is no Stephanie Plum. Rather, she's a confused, repressed psychology professor who feels like a misfit in her family of eccentrics. But when she learns that her twin sister, Zoe, has gone missing, she reluctantly returns to her family home just outside of Atlantic City. Shortly thereafter, she's shot at and saved by gorgeous undercover police detective Quinn Donovan, who tells her, in no uncertain terms, that Zoe is fine and that she should hightail it out of town for her sister's safety and her own. Instead, Ariana decides to don Zoe's miniskirt and do some sleuthing at the casino where Zoe worked. When Ariana isn't poking around the casino or heating up the pages with Quinn, she's trying to talk some sense into her parents, a pair of lovable Addams family look-alikes who are plotting their next money-making scheme. Phillips's passive prose prevents her protagonists from growing beyond their prescribed roles, and her ham-handed humor contributes little to the story (Ariana's family owns a monkey named Spank, which naturally leads to exchanges like this one—Ariana: "Spank who?"; her mother: "Spank the monkey!"). Nevertheless, Phillips's tale is loaded with enough sexual pyrotechnics to light a fire under her fans.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

After five years in Vermont carving out a staid, sensible life as a college professor, Ariana Costas returns to her small Atlantic coastal hometown to discover why Zoe, her identical twin, has suddenly disappeared while working as a waitress in the casino owned by a suspected drug lord. From her first day back, when an unknown gunman mistakes Ari for Zoe and a charmingly cocky undercover officer named Quinn Donovan tackles her on the beach, Ariana's life suddenly becomes a whole lot more exciting, and she is forced to reevaluate long-held beliefs in light of new evidence. Family complications--the boisterous, fun-loving, scam-running clan has now expanded to include a capuchin monkey and an extremely insecure young teenage runaway--only add to the general mayhem. This fast-paced, flirty, and adventurous romance by New York Times best-selling author Phillips is her first hardcover and will be eagerly received by her legions of fans, who will then clamor for Zoe's story, scheduled for release in 2005. Lynne Welch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0891TZYZ6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CP Publishing (July 7, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 7, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2189 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 408 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 327 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Carly Phillips
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Carly Phillips is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over eighty sexy contemporary romances featuring hot men, strong women, and emotionally compelling stories her readers have come to expect and love. She is happily married to her college sweetheart and lives in Westchester County, NY. She is the mother of two adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook and Instagram pages. She loves social media and is always around to interact with her readers. For more information on upcoming releases, visit Carly's website and sign up for her newsletter to receive two free books!

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
327 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers enjoyed the book's humor and found it entertaining with plenty of laughs. They appreciated the poignant and heartfelt story about family and finding one's place in a family. The storyline was described as engaging and easy to read in one sitting.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

7 customers mention "Humor"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find it an entertaining and easy read with lots of laughs. The story is poignant and heartfelt, with a great family.

"...not her typical style, but the larger-than-life characters and hilarious shenanigans quickly got my attention and I easily devoured the story in one..." Read more

"Ari's family was so funny. Quinn was a good guy and tried to keep Ari out of trouble when her twin goes missing...." Read more

"I like it! It was fun and a easy read. I ready both books #1 and #2. Each was enjoyable." Read more

"...To me, this book had it all. Adventure, heart-warming moments, and two people who find love when they let down their walls." Read more

3 customers mention "Family history"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the family history in the book. They say it's about finding one's place in a family. The book has romance and drama with a wacky family.

"...At the heart of this book, it is about family and finding your place in that family...." Read more

"...Romance, a touch of drama, a wacky family, a recalcitrant teen in need of love, stability, and family, a mooning monkey, a side story where Quinn's..." Read more

"...Ariana is a psychology college professor. Ariana has such a unique family, to say the least. Quinn is a detective...." Read more

3 customers mention "Story quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging storyline. They find it easy to read in one sitting, with romance and drama. Readers look forward to the next book in the series.

"...hilarious shenanigans quickly got my attention and I easily devoured the story in one sitting...." Read more

"...Ari, who he can't stop thinking about. Romance, a touch of drama, a wacky family, a recalcitrant teen in need of love, stability, and..." Read more

"...This is a story that will pull you in, in every way. Different facets of Quinn and Ariana's personalities were a great part of this story...." Read more

Good Story
4 out of 5 stars
Good Story
Under The Boardwalk, I can honestly say this wasn’t your normal Carly Phillps book but that didn’t stop from enjoying Ariana and Quinn’s story. Sometimes authors can surprise you and mix things up by adding cop-suspense (which I love) to their romances. Quinn and Ariana’s story still had the sweet, sexy, and funny family moments but for some reason, it was a little slow to start.
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2020
    This is a rerelease, first published in 2004. I didn’t read the original but it seems there have been a few tweaks. When reading reviews and making your decision on this book, be sure to look at the date of the review because some of the issues from the original publication may have been addressed.

    It’s no question I’m a Carly fan, but this is definitely one of her best. It's not her typical style, but the larger-than-life characters and hilarious shenanigans quickly got my attention and I easily devoured the story in one sitting. Some of the compelling elements are a con-artist family trying to go legit, a tiny monkey with a big personality, and a young teenage girl who desperately wants a family but is afraid to believe any family might want her.

    The disappearance of Ari Costas' twin brings the psychology professor back home to her family in New Jersey. A family in which she's never felt she belonged and from whom she's distanced herself as an adult. Ari is determined to find out what happened to her twin, especially since their last time together ended in conflict. She's brave but reckless as she snoops around the casino where her sister last worked. It’s a good thing Quinn is there to keep an eye on Ari, especially since there is far more at stake than the Costas family realizes.

    It’s lots of fun and loads of laughs, but it’s the heart and healing that make this a wonderful, memorable read. The connection between thirteen-year-old foster kid, Samantha, and Quinn, who also grew up in foster care, is poignant and heartfelt. Ari sees her family through new eyes and realizes their unconditional love and support have always been there for her. And there’s a message that always captures my heart, that family isn’t only borne of blood but of the people we welcome into our lives and wholeheartedly accept. With plenty of laughter, a little steam, and overflowing with heart, this phenomenal, touching read is not to be missed!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2024
    Ari's family was so funny. Quinn was a good guy and tried to keep Ari out of trouble when her twin goes missing. Quinn also is helping a girl in foster care. When Sam runs away to Ari's house and Ari's family likes her and Sam likes them. Ari's family decides they want to be foster parents to Sam, but first Quinn wants them to clean up their act. Ari realizes that she misses her family and twin. Ari realizes that things weren't as bad as she thought when she was younger. Ari does a lot of growing up and makes a few realizations. This was such a good book! I am looking forward to reading Zoe's story!
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2013
    I like it! It was fun and a easy read. I ready both books #1 and #2. Each was
    enjoyable.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2020
    This is a first suspense romance book that I have read from Carly Phillips. I know this is a rerelease but it was all new to me and I loved it! The cast of characters along with the pace that the story was set made this a quick, entertaining read.

    After five years of keeping her distance from her eccentric family, Ariana Costas returns to New Jersey when she gets word that her twin sister has gone missing. Ariana is determined to find out what happened to her sister and to bring her home. Only all is not what it seems. Quinn Donovan is an undercover detective whose operation can be blown with Ariana back and town and snooping around. When trying to take advantage of the situation, he gets more than he bargained for. He’s tough but Ari is tougher. It’s a battle that ends with two people finding what they have always wanted, a person who accepts them for who they are and a love that lasts them a life time.

    At the heart of this book, it is about family and finding your place in that family. All families are not the same but the common thread is love, respect and support. Although you may feel like an outsider, you really are needed to make that family whole.

    To me, this book had it all. Adventure, heart-warming moments, and two people who find love when they let down their walls.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2020
    Ari has come home to her kooky family because her twin is missing. In snooping to find out what happened to her, she meets Quinn, who sets her heart a pitter patter...but he knows more than he's letting on.

    Quinn, who is an undercover cop, and who knows exactly where Ari's sister is. But he has to keep Ari out of harms way AND make his case against his suspect.

    Ari, who he can't stop thinking about.

    Romance, a touch of drama, a wacky family, a recalcitrant teen in need of love, stability, and family, a mooning monkey, a side story where Quinn's partner & best friend finds love too...

    So much fun in one story. And heart.

    Ari comes to realize the family she's spent all these years being embarrassed by and running away from, hasn't been shutting her out. Her teen humiliation and embarrassment may have prevented her from seeing her place in the bosom of her family.

    Ari discovers home is truly where the heart is. She finds her missing piece and her soulmate.

    And Quinn finds a family and his HEA with Ari.

    Loved all the heart and family! Plus we get the steam too!

    I received a review copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2024
    Imn a giant fan of her dare books and all those encompassing stories. They are so steamy this one wasn’t at. All
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2023
    Ariana is searching for her missing twin Zoe. Quinn is an undercover cop who is trying to take down a crooked man. Ariana gets a job waitressing as she looks for clues about her missing sister. Quinn is trying to protect Ariana by keeping her close.

    I loved this amazing Carly Phillips story. Ariana felt like an outcast in her family because she is more straight laced than her quirky family. Quinn grew up in foster system and doesn't love easily. I recommend this book.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Rolly
    3.0 out of 5 stars There are a lot of sentences not finished or missing from this book
    Reviewed in Australia on December 23, 2023
    A lot of bits missing

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?