I’m sure everyone has a different idea of what makes a good beach read – some like bodice-ripper romances, others might prefer a good hard-boiled detective novel. For me, a good beach read has romance, conflict, maybe a side mystery thrown in, and of course, a beach setting. Wendy Wax’s Ocean Beach, the sequel to last year’s summer hit Ten Beach Road, has all of those in spades.
Nicole, Maddie and Avery, along with Maddie’s daughter Kyra and grandson Dustin, and Avery’s mother Deirdre, have a new house to renovate, this time for the a new TV show called “Do Over.” When the ladies arrive at the historic home in South Beach, owned by legendary comedian Max Golden, things are not quite what they expected. “Do Over” will be more reality show than home renovation show and there’s a camera crew following their every move. They work out a deal with the network to allow for private moments and agree to keep the fighting and personal conflict to a minimum as the renovate The Millicent, named for Max’s recently deceased wife and comedy partner, Millie.
Each of the women is struggling with their own inner demons. Nicole is still reeling from her brother’s betrayal and trying to maintain her matchmaking business, so when a mysterious and supposedly rich man contacts her to find him a wife, she thinks nothing of it at first. Maddie’s marriage is on the rocks and her husband is not as supportive of her presence at The Millicent as she would like him to be. Avery is still trying to prove herself as an architect while managing her romance with the contractor and childhood friend who helped the ladies renovate Bella Flora, while Deirdre works hard to earn Avery’s forgiveness for abandoning her as a child for a career in Hollywood. Kyra is battling the camera crew for her own footage of the renovation while dealing with the movie star who fathered her child, who is trying to worm his way back into her life.
So that covers romance, conflict, and the beach setting. While helping Max clean out his closets, Maddie discovers he had a son who disappeared from their front yard when he was 3 years old. The friends agree to find out what happened to Max’s son, adding a nice little side plot to the story.
Ocean Beach is a fun summer diversion, whether you’re actually at the beach or just wishing you were.
We have a copy of both Ten Beach Road (linked to my review) and Ocean Beach for one winner, U.S. addresses only. To enter, leave a comment and tell us what you think makes a good beach read. The winner will be announced on July 11. This giveaway is closed.
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I love the beach/ocean and the reality show twist could be very entertaining!
a GOOD BEACH READ IS ONE i CANNOT PUT DOWN UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN! OOPS@ the caps!
Tbis book would be grat for the summer. Thanks.
A good beach read is something that keeps me captivating and the pages turning from the first to the last page. I love romance mixed with a little intrigue or suspense.
I agree with Megan ^^^. A good beach/summer book is the kind where you just want to know what happens next!
A good beach read has to have a restful atmosphere, that’s why on a beach or near an ocean is perfect. Mystery makes you turn the page, a love story stirs you up and the lack of violence or explicit sex means that you can relax and just enjoy the story.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Adventure with a side of mystery and a sprinkle of romance.
I think any book can make a good beach read. But I really like adventure and romance books.
I love to read at the beach. I really enjoy a great chick lit book with a great story. One of those ones you don’t want to put it down and you don’t want it to end! Thanks for the great giveaway
Seasidebooknook at yahoo
ANYTHING makes a good beach read. I love a good series though. I love knowing that once I finish one, I have another to pick up where that one left off.
Something not too heavy with a bit of romance in it.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
A good beach read needs romance and characters that are memorable!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
This sounds like a book I would enjoy! Thank you!
Love a thick and juicy book that you can sink your teeth into. A book that you just cannot put down. Romances are preferred – with a bit of clever humor and a touch of mystery tossed in.
My wife would enjoy this one.
I try and limit my reading of ‘whodunnits’ by keeping a mixture of books on my nightstand, but I always take a whole stack away on holiday [although the load will be much lighter now our family has a kindle.] But I’d highly recommend Helen Simonson’s Mr. Pettigrew’s Last Stand, engaging escapism.
To me a good “beach read” is a book that doesn’t require too much thinking but keeps my attention. I also enjoy books with beach settings too!
A good beach read to me is one that I enjoy reading by the ocean between jaunts into the waves and sand castle making. 🙂
I’m definitely adding Ocean Beach to my beach reads list.
This book has allot of stuff going on in it.
A good beach read just takes me away from it all to a place of relaxation and a cast of interesting characters. Both of these books sound awesome.
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
a book that is one that keep you so into it that ou forget about anything else.
A good beach read for me is one that is light and breezy with some romance and mystery.
A good beach read to me is usually a book that I can immerse myself into but still pay attention to what’s going on around me, definitely has to have a touch of romance! Ocean Beach sounds like it would fill the bill!
This book sounds like a great summer read. I would love to find out if they find Max’s son. Please enter me. Thanks!
A good beach read for me is one that catches my interest early and keeps it.
would love to read this novel…thanks for the chance 😉
i need a good beachy type of read 🙂 thanks for the chance!
A good beach read is when I can set it down and then come back to it and pick right up without alot of thought!
I usually go for something light (usually “ckick-lit”, but anything that holds my attention is a perfect beach book!
The perfect beach read would be a mystery – one so good that you can’t stop reading until you feel the pain of the sunburn (yes it has happened to me!)
something not too serious.
A good beach read should have both romance and action. It needs to be a page turner so you don’t fall asleep in the sun and get a horrible sunburn!
For me, the perfect beach read has a light plot, something enjoyable I just can’t put down.
Something light and not serious
Susan, you win! Please reply to this email with your address and I’ll get it sent out.
A good beach read would have romance, suspense and some fun rolled all into one story! Amazing characters too!
A good beach read combines romance and mystery.
Sure to be a good read.
Sounds like it has all the components of a great beach read. Would love to go to the beach and read it!
Something I own (so I don’t have to worry about sand/sunscreen/french fry damage!). A good storyline is a bonus!
A good beach read is any book you are really into!
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Beach read needs to be escapist in nature-taking you to another world.
Something lighthearted and romantic
A good beach read is a book that pulls you in to the point that you can’t put it down
A romance that you can put yourself into
A good beach read is one where you don’t have to think while reading.
Takes place at the ocean, of course, with lots of romance!
For me a good beach read has to be able to take me away. Not too far, but enough to let my imagination wander. 🙂 Thanks.
A good beach read is something that makes you not want to put it down.
I think a good beach read is something that you can stop reading but can’t wait to get back to.
sounds like a nice juicy book for the summer time