Ocean Beach [Paperback]

I received a copy of Ocean Beach in exchange for an honest review. This was the first book I read from Wendy Wax, and I was excited to tear into it. The story followed characters from her previous novel Ten Beach Road ¬- Madeline, Avery and Nicole. After renovating Bella Flora, the women get an opportunity to fix up another home - this time in South Beach and while shooting a pilot for a television show called Do Over. What they didn't realize is that the TV show about renovating old homes has actually turned into a reality show. Maddie's daughter Kyra had an affair with a much-married famous actor that produced a son, and the producers are dead-set on having the baby a feature in the show. Avery's mother Deirdre is also along for the ride, and trying to mend their broken relationship. Deirdre left Avery when she was a young girl to pursue her career, and Avery is unsure she can ever get past that betrayal. Nicole is trying to overcome a scandal her money-hungry brother put her through and get her matchmaking business back on track, and Maddie is trying to save her own marriage. The women invade the house and meet the sweet old man who owns it, Max. Together, the entire group try to put the once lively house back together - but an air of mystery surrounds why Max is so insistent on getting it "ready" for someone from the past.

I will say, I think you need to read Ten Beach Road before Ocean Beach. When I got the book, I didn't realize it was a continuation from a previous novel, but I could easily tell right from the beginning that was clearly the case. I just felt like I had missed a huge chunk of storyline, and that feeling never went away. While I enjoyed the story and the characters, I most definitely recommend you read Ten Beach Road first. I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of Max and Millie's missing son, though I will say that it wasn't too much of a mystery. I had it figured out right away, and in my eyes it was fairly obvious as to who the child abductor was. Krya drove me a bit batty with her decisions, which were also obvious that they were going to backfire on her, but I enjoyed the dynamic between her and her mom Maddie. One thing that confused me - and this is a really small detail - was the back and forth between Nicole and Nikki. At first, I thought they were two separate people, and I got a bit lost. But Nicole and other characters refer to her as both, and I just didn't understand the constant switching. Max was such a sweet character, I loved how jovial he was and the love story that happened between him and his late wife Millie was so enchanting. Overall, I liked the book and would recommend - after Ten Beach Road of course!

Madeline, Avery, and Nicole are back! After renovating Bella Flora, the home they inherited at Ten Beach Road, their efforts have paid off in another way. They've been offered a gig that could further seal their futures in a positive way.

A chance to renovate a home in South Beach for a TV pilot called Do Over. And if the show is picked up by the network, they could be on their way at last.

Arriving at the designated location, each of them has mixed emotions about the task ahead. Not only is the house badly in need of a major overhaul, but they see that the network crew is already there, ready to snap their reactions, their every move, almost as if they, not the renovations, are the show.

When it dawns upon them that a reality show is what the network really has in mind, and that their personal lives, with all their warts, is fair game, the ugly truth almost makes them turn and run.

Slogging through the detritus of what was once a lovely example of Streamline Moderne architecture, the women know that the weeks ahead are going to be tough ones.

But little do they know that the task will be the least of it.

What unexpected events will threaten their peace of mind and the project itself? What mystery from the past will grab their attention and motivate them even more? And how will another man's quest for vengeance stun them, with disastrous results?

Each character immediately grabbed me, as if I were reuniting with old friends. Sometimes they frustrated me, especially Kyra, who seemingly made one bad choice after another. I rooted for Avery and her mother Deirdre to finally reach a place of forgiveness. And I couldn't help but enjoy the growing love matches between a couple of the characters.

As Ocean Beach came to an end, I desperately wanted to see what would happen to the characters next. I was totally invested in them. Five stars.

In this sequel to Ten Beach Road, Madeline, Avery and Nicole arrive in Miami's South Beach neighborhood set to redo a grand home hoping to bring it back to its original splendor. It is all for a new television show called Do Over. Since the last house they remodeled has not sold yet they all need this show to be their big break. Their lives all need a Do Over!

It doesn't take long for these unlikely friends to realize their idea for the show and the network's are as different as night and day. The network wants a reality show with emphasis on personal lives with the home as the background and setting, rather than the makeover being the star of the show.

All their relationships will be tested as they know how important this is to each of them. Plus a mystery from the past changes the whole scope of project and something unexpected happens that can put all of them in danger. The network soon becomes the least of their worries.

Wendy Wax has packed this book with a wonderful characters in an awesome setting and a story that grabs you from the first page. I have not read Ten Beach Road yet but I had absolutely no problem becoming invested in their characters quickly. They are all struggling with something that the reader knows is genuine.

My favorite character was not one of these wonderful women though. It was Max, the homeowner. What a wonderful life he had with his wife. Their lives were far from perfect, they had the share of problems and they were dealt with a terrible emotional blow. His wife Millie has passed on but you can actually feel their love in his stories. He wants the house fixed up because she wanted it done and he made her a very special promise before she passed on. A very extraordinary gentleman.

I love the way this author writes. She writes about strong women. Women that are facing life's changes with perfect amounts of reality, humor and intrigue. Women who are trying to realize their dreams. Women who care about each other. Fate brought these women together and they are making the best of it. Come hell or high water these are friendships that will endure.

Thank you Wendy for writing a perfect escape! I hope to see these friends together again soon!