Wendy Wax does it again! I love this series and the characters . Friendships like these are hard to come by and it’s fun to read about them.

A quick summer read about family perfect for those looking to escape life and "visit" the beach vicariously through the descriptions and the characters stories.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer jerjen


This is the story of five friends who have stuck together through thick and thin. They have been there for each other during the good times and bad, through the tears and laughter and everything in-between. All of them have had hardships in their lives and have had to overcome many things. But they have also had friendship and support and friends that always had their backs. We should all be so lucky to have that strong of a support system in our lives.

Bitsy has had to deal with her husband leaving her (along with emptying out their bank account) for another woman. Nikki is struggling with being a mom of twins, not knowing what she is doing, and also struggling with her weight gain. Avery is having trouble making a commitment to Chase. She loves him but is afraid to take the ultimate next step in their relationship. Maddie is going on tour with her boyfriend, Will, but she is wondering if there is not more to life. And Kyra has agreed to letting her son, Dustin, be in his father’s movie, but that means she has to spend time with her ex and his wife. That will be hard for her to handle. So as you can see, they all have burdens to bear and things to work out.But they will do it with the help of each other.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the time I was right there watching everything develop. She is also very talented in her character development and she has created people that have depth and faults and good qualities. I would like to visit them and spend time with them.

This book evoked a lot of emotions while reading it: laughter, frustration, sadness, gladness and hope. I think it takes a special writer to take the reader through this vast array of emotions and I am glad to have taken this journey through her book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted women’s contemporary. This is the sixth book in the series and it can be read as a stand alone. But I think to fully appreciate, you should read the whole series, so you can see the characters’ development and enjoy spending more time with them.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

The Ten Beach Road Series features a really wonderful cast of women, each strong and experiencing different life challenges but coming together as friends to work through them all. At the heart of the series is the power of friendship and how our closest friends become our families. I have truly enjoyed getting to know each character and watching them grow as the series went on. Best Beach Ever is a solid installment in the series and sees each woman grow and change. I felt like Kyra's character, specifically, really comes into her own in this novel.

I would recommend starting the series at the beginning with Ten Beach Road simply because you will want to know the characters from the start to get a real feel for how each personality develops and their storylines progress. I do enjoy the novels in the series more when the ladies have a project they work on together, but if my guess is right, it looks like the next book may be moving back into that type of plot.

The Ten Beach Road series is one I recommend to friends for a fun read with engaging characters and Best Beach Ever definitely fits in with that.

I received this book courtesy of Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Abosltely delightful beach read. Leaves you happy and feeling good. Definitely of sandy summer time fun and beach vibes. A story full of friendship and bonding. It’s a time when friendships are put to the test and limits are pressed.

It is all about relationships -- those beginning, those ending, and those that are finding their new path.

Midway through the book, I was wondering if this was being set up as the last in the series since each character was reevaluating their life, their partner, and the directions that they wanted to go. It was not until the end, with the discovery of a new property, and a new financial backer, that I realized Wendy Wax was more than likely giving each character a “do-over” (which also happened to be the name of their old home improvement show) and a new jumping off point for their next round of life choices and property renovations.

If you have not read this series from the beginning, the women came together when a financial fiasco brought them to the brink of bankruptcy with only a monstrosity of a property, as recompense, to share amongst them. Using inner strength, and a lot of hard work, they brought the beauty out not only in the home but also in themselves.

As the series has taken shape, they each have told their stories and found their place. Now, with a turning point, they each can decide what their futures will hold and how they will get there. But first, they have one more property and one more chance, to see where this renovation will lead.

This wasn’t a summer beach read for me as I had a hard time with connecting with the characters in this book. It was my first time reading this series and I feel I was at a disadvantage not having read any of the previous novels. I’m sure those that have followed this series will enjoy this one.

Once again it is summer and we are able to catch up with our favorite residents of Ten Beach Road. But once their reality show hit the skids, they were forced to rent out Bella Flora for the summer. They are all having a hard time adjusting to their new "normal." Maddie is off touring with her rockstar boyfriends. Kyra is spending the summer on a movie set with her son and his father, but her mind is back at Bella Flora and with the man who rented Bella Flora. Nikki is struggling with being a first-time mother - to twins. She wants to be able to do it all, but at forty-seven it is exhausting. Avery is And Bitsy is finally tracking down her scum of an ex-husband. The women are all traveling down different paths, but one thing remains constant - their friendship.

Best Beach Ever is one of those beach books where their life is not perfect just because they live on the beach. The Ten Beach Road series has always been that way - these women have been through a lot together and their friendship just endures. With this installment I found myself feeling bad for Nikki and her new role as a mother. I am 42 and there is no way that I could imagine having a baby, let along two. She was obviously completely exhausted. I was also thrilled for Bitsy, finally getting the closure that she so desperately needed from her lying, cheating, and thieving husband. The friends may not be spending their summer the way they would like, but at least they are spending it on the Best Beach Ever.

Bottom Line - In Best Beach Ever, Wendy Wax continues her "Ten Beach Road" world with familiar characters and new challenges. For those of you familiar with the series, you will enjoy catching up with old friends!

Details:



Best Beach Ever by Wendy Wax
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Pages: 400
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Publication Date: 5/22/18
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This book just did not connect with me. I was looking for a light fun beach read and I was disappointed. One problem was that I had not read the previous books. I did not really like the characters and I found them to be superficial. The story was predictable and there were no surprises. I found it rather disturbing that these supposedly good friends are so caught in themselves that they failed to see the struggles others are having. They placed more importance on a house than each other. I struggled to finish the book. This series should be read in order.

Must-read women’s fiction: ‘Limelight,’ ‘Best Beach Ever,’ ‘How to Walk Away’ and ‘The Optimist’s Guide to Letting Go’
By: Leigh Davis | May 17, 2018 12:00 am
May, the harbinger of summer, is as busy a month as June, July and August, filled with graduations, parties, gardening, lawn work and planning for summer activities. But don’t let all these events derail your reading, because there are some great May novels that you won’t want to miss. Plus, you deserve to reward yourself after sitting through 500 names being called for just that one special one.
Here are some perfect books for your well-deserved “me” time …
Limelight by Amy Poeppel
What it’s about:
In a smart and funny new novel by the author of the critically acclaimed, “big-hearted, charming” (The Washington Post) Small Admissions, a family’s move to New York City brings surprises and humor as their lives merge with the captivating world of Broadway.
Allison Brinkley—wife, mother, and former unflappable optimist—discovers that a carefully weighed decision to pack up and move her family from suburban Dallas to the glittery chaos of Manhattan may have been more complicated than she and her husband initially thought.
Allison learns that New York is unruly and bewildering, defying the notions she developed from romantic movies and a memorable childhood visit. After a humiliating call from the principal’s office and the loss of the job she was counting on, Allison begins to accept that New York may not suit her after all.
When Allison has a fender-bender, witnessed by a flock of mothers at her son’s new school, she is led to the penthouse apartment of a luxurious Central Park West building and encounters a spoiled, hungover, unsupervised teenager who looks familiar. It doesn’t take long to recognize him as Carter Reid—a famous pop star who has been cast in a new Broadway musical. Through this brush with stardom, Allison embraces a unique and unexpected opportunity that helps her find her way in the heart of Manhattan.
Why you should read this: There is no doubt — Amy Poeppel is an exceptional storyteller. Her first book, Small Admissions, was simply charming, as is this one. Allison, a former teacher and mother of three, uses her experience, intuition and training to attempt to manage bad boy Carter Reid as she also deals with helping her children adjust to the move from Texas to New York City. Poeppel’s story of domestic life is filled with humor, outrageous scenarios, genuine family relationships, while avoiding clichés. Her biggest strength is bringing the characters to life and making you care about them, so much so that you just hope that there might be a glimpse of them again in future stories.
Best Beach Ever by Wendy Wax
What it’s about:
Forced to rent out or lose their beloved Bella Flora after the loss of their renovation-turned-reality-TV show Do Over, Maddie, Nikki, Avery, Kyra, and Bitsy move into cottages at the Sunshine Hotel and Beach Club believing the worst is over. Only to discover just how uncertain their futures really are.
Maddie struggles with the challenges of dating a rock star whose career has come roaring back to life while Nikki faces the daunting realities of mothering twins at forty-seven. Avery buries herself in a tiny home build in an attempt to dodge commitment issues, and Kyra battles to protect her son from the Hollywood world she once dreamed of joining. And Bitsy is about to find out whether the rewards of seeking revenge will outweigh the risks.
Luckily, when the going gets tough, the ladies of Ten Beach Road know that their friendship—tried and tested—can chase away the darkest clouds and let the sun shine in…
Why you should read this: Don’t you just eagerly await the next installment in the Ten Beach Road Series? From the very first book, this cast of characters captured our attention. In this newest release, Kyra faces her biggest challenge, allowing her son to act in a movie, directed by his married father and his wife. The joy of the book is that we catch up with all the characters and the new challenges that they face. Wax has the talented ability to give her characters their happy ending, but still show the realistic challenges facing them as they move forward. And don’t you just love the wonderful sense of karma running throughout the book?
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
What it’s about:
Margaret Jacobsen is just about to step into the bright future she’s worked for so hard and so long: a new dream job, a fiancé she adores, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in a brief, tumultuous moment.
In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Maggie must confront the unthinkable. First there is her fiancé, Chip, who wallows in self-pity while simultaneously expecting to be forgiven. Then, there’s her sister Kit, who shows up after pulling a three-year vanishing act. Finally, there’s Ian, her physical therapist, the one the nurses said was too tough for her. Ian, who won’t let her give in to her pity, and who sees her like no one has seen her before. Sometimes the last thing you want is the one thing you need. Sometimes we all need someone to catch us when we fall. And sometimes love can find us in the least likely place we would ever expect.
Why you should read this: Katherine Center writes amazing heartwarming stories. If you haven’t read her, you’ll be excited to discover that she has a backlist. While she definitely puts her characters through the wringer — this story is filled with a tragic scenario — in Center’s expert hands, it becomes more about family and less about loss. A marvelous example of acceptance and healing and a celebration of family — warts and all. (See an interview on HEA with Katherine.)
The Optimist’s Guide to Letting Go by Amy E. Reichert
What it’s about:
Gina Zoberski wants to make it through one day without her fastidious mother, Lorraine, cataloguing all her faults, and her sullen teenage daughter, May, snubbing her. Too bad there’s no chance of that. Her relentlessly sunny disposition annoys them both, no matter how hard she tries. Instead, Gina finds order and comfort in obsessive list-making and her work at Grilled G’s, the gourmet grilled cheese food truck built by her late husband.
But when Lorraine suffers a sudden stroke, Gina stumbles upon a family secret Lorraine’s kept hidden for forty years. In the face of her mother’s failing health and her daughter’s rebellion, this optimist might find that piecing together the truth is the push she needs to let go…
Why you should read this: The parent-child/mother-daughter bond is one of the most complex relationships there is. And when a parent has rigid expectations, the child either gives in or rebels. Amy E. Reichert wonderfully explores multigeneration mother-daughter relationships in her latest book. Lorraine, the distant, disapproving mother, is difficult to like, but Reichert brilliantly peels back the layers to show that she, too, had to deal with parental interference. Not only will you be entertained, but also in the end have a better sense of the limited options that women had in the past and a new appreciation for challenges that they faced. (See an excerpt on HEA from The Optimist’s Guide to Letting Go.)
Happy reading!
Leigh Davis is a former contributor to Heroes and Heartbreakers. When she is not reading, she’s usually outside throwing balls to her insatiable dogs. She loves hearing and talking about great books. You can connect with her on Twitter and Goodreads.

Title: Best Beach Ever
Author: Wendy Wax
Publisher: Berkley
On the shelves: May 2018
Format: Trade paperback
Genre: Women's fiction/contemporary
Price: $16.00
Pages: 385

This is a great book. I don't usually offer my opinion first, but I loved the characters and all their life challenges and was sorry that it ended.

I'm coming in late to the Ten Beach Road series simply because most of the books I read are introduced to me through publisher book review requests. Though I got this one in e-book form, I actually received it as a Mother's Day gift.

Best Beach Ever opens with these inseparable friends trying to deal with difficult issues. It tackles being taken advantage of, torn between being a mother and a partner, motherhood vs. career, Hollywood craziness (which is actually the norm) and not giving up because happiness isn't out of reach.

The women worked closely in bringing a manor back from the brink of ruin during a reality TV renovation. Their projects appear to be what empowered their friendship.

Nicole was a A-list matchmaker who met special agent, Joe Giraldi, when he was trying to catch her brother, Malcolm, who was involved in a 3 million-dollar Ponzi scheme. They married and now have twin daughters. Joe works hard to stop crime and is often on the road leaving Nicole alone to raise the girls. He's hoping to convince her that she needs a nanny and he has the perfect one in mind. Other than being a mom, Nicole needs a challenge to feel content in life.

Madeline Singer is a friend, mother and grandmother. She's also loved by a musician from the past whose career has been rekindled. She is the pillar of strength that supports not only her family's lives, but her friends' lives, as well.

Her daughter, Kyra, is a single mom forced into having her son act in a dark movie. Daniel, who is Dustin's father, is a popular actor now trying to fill the role as a Hollywood director. Making it difficult is that Kyra and her son had to move out of their home because of financial strain and Dustin meets his father's family and can't understand why he's not part of their lives.

Bitsy Baynard is a former heiress, now living in a one-bedroom cottage thanks to her money- stealing husband who ran off. She's pretty much living with the fact that there's nothing she can do to recover her money and divorce her husband until fate steps in.

Avery is an architect who loves a friend she's known for years. His family problems pushed them apart now they have to decide if they can become a couple and trust once more.

I've wanted to read a Wendy Wax book for a while now. I already started collecting them from library book sales. What drew me into this book is the unique sisterhood. They watch out for each other, help get a friend over a mentally and physically exhausting experience, motive each other to pursue goals and relationships, provide a hug when desperately needed and they aren't afraid to say what's on their mind.

Five sunset toasts
Denise Fleischer
gottawritenetwork.wordpress.com
July 15, 2018

I had not read any of the previous books in the series, which caused a problem with this one. I enjoyed it enough, but I spent most of the time quite lost. I realize that books in a series build on each other, but I felt I was missing too much by jumping in the middle.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy of this one. I came to this series late, but am so glad that I found it!

The latest episode of the Ten Beach Road series wrapped up several continuous storylines and created several new ones. Maddie, Avery, Nicki and Kyra all moved to self discovery in this book. I especially loved Kyra’s story in this one, where she moves into a strong person and a ferocious mother. Kyra starts to realize what is really important and has to protect Dustin day to day.

I enjoyed everyone’s storyline in this book...but what draws me again and again is the relationships these women form with each other and other people in the books. I love the description of the beach and the houses and the towns where they are. This one is a great addition to the series and well done! Start with the first book though! You won’t be sorry.

This is the final installment of a six book series. If you haven’t read the preceding books, you will be completely lost – like me. There were so many characters and parts of backstories that it was difficult to put the pieces together on my own so I finally gave up and just kind of went with it.
After reading this book, I may try to read the rest of the series since there are some interesting character stories that concluded in this book (although it may spoil the fun, knowing the endings now!).
Despite trying to figure out who was who and what happened and how this person is connected with that person and why this is going on, the reading is light and the story moves quickly. The one character that caught my attention is Nicole and her struggle with losing baby weight after having twins. Yes, I can TOTALLY relate to the emotions described and the very real struggle it is to lose the weight after having twins as an older Mom (though not 47!). I could even relate to her fierce desire in the beginning to be totally independent in looking after her baby twins.
I gave the book three stars only because I had no idea what was going on for quite a while.
I received a copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Great beach read! This is the 6th book in her "Ten Beach Road" series. This is a great series and I would recommend reading the others before this one. I hadn't read one of them in a while and I was a little slow to catch on. Highly recommend series though. Strong characters and the story keeps me hooked!

Best Beach Ever by Wendy Wax is the sixth novel in Ten Beach Road series. January 2 has rolled around, and the ladies have moved out of Bella Flora, so tenant can move in. They have into their cottages at the Sunshine Hotel. Madeline Singer is getting ready to go on tour with her rocker boyfriend, Will. Kyra and her son, Dustin will be departing in two weeks for Orlando where Dustin will make his acting debut in his father’s, Daniel Deranian new film. Kyra is not looking forward to spending six weeks in the company of Daniel’s wife, Tonja Kay. Nicole Grant Giraldi and her husband, Joe are busy as the parents of active twin daughters. Nicole has not lost her baby weight and is unhappy with her body image. Avery has a new project designing a tiny home. She likes Chase Hardin, but she is unable to commit. Something is holding her back. Bitsy Baynard realizes her husband is not returning (it has been over a year), and she is trying to locate Bertrand along with the money he stole. These ladies are friends (family) through the good times and the bad. They have been through rough times and come out the other side better for it. Come along for another journey with the ladies and see if they get their happily ever after.

Best Beach Ever is my favorite book in the series. It is a well-written and engaging story. You do need to read the Ten Beach Road series in order or you will be lost. There are too many characters and backstories. These ladies have been on a journey. They were taken advantage of in a Ponzi scheme and received Bella Flora as a settlement. They had a successful television show and then lost it. They now must rent out Bella Flora to recoup their loss. The benefit is they are all together at the Sunshine Hotel and Beach Club. These women have a great friendship. Maddie is the matriarch of the group and she dispenses valuable wisdom to the group. It has been lovely to watch these women grow over the course of the series. I admit to being frustrated with Kyra and Avery in this installment (just wanted to shake some sense into them). It was nice to watch each woman come into her own. It is a sweet, feel good novel. I am giving Best Beach Ever 4 out of 5 stars. Best Beach Ever is the perfect summer novel.

This is a cute book - good for summer reading. I had trouble enjoying it and keeping on with reading the story. I think if I had read the other books in the series IO would have enjoyed this book more. I only read part of the book, but it seemed very disjointed. The characters are very strong though, and do not just fall over for anyone, and are good role models.

The sixth book in the series and this book is different from the rest of the series. This is the first book where there isn't a formal house renovation and instead the book solely focuses on the characters and what is going on in their lives beyond a home renovation.

The thing that I loved most from the previous books was the characters, so I was excited to read a book that didn't focus on the drama of a home renovation as that felt like it had been done a few times in this series; instead this book is all about the women. Although this book felt a little disjointed because the women were in and out of each other's lives, it made the book feel fresh and new. Wendy Wax did a great job of giving each woman a moment or more in the book for their stories to progress.

The one big thing I can say about this book and most in the series is you can read them with some time in between because there is so much recap in the beginning. Having read book one and two just before this one, it felt repetitive and frustrating, but I could see if you read them sporadically that recap would help with your reading experience. I would appreciate this more if there was some time in between my reading.

With a Florida setting and a focus on the beach and sunsets, I was so glad that I was able to keep this book for my beach vacation, it was the perfect addition to my beach bag.

My girls are back!!! Reading this series is like catching up with a group of your nearest and dearest friends. This is book #6 in the series and if you haven’t started it yet, what are you waiting for?!
I loved this latest installment of the girls of Ten Beach Road. Each woman brings her own charm and shenanigans to the story. Each woman is easy to relate to and genuine. This story brought to light hidden fears for each woman and it showed their strengths too.

A few years ago I picked up Ten Beach Road on a whim and ever since then I've eagerly looked forward to the continuing story of these ladies and their adventures. Best Beach Ever may be the best yet in the series.

This novel follows the same "core" of girls: Kyra, Avery, Nikki, Maddie who were all introduced in the original novel and the newest addition, Bitsey in January shortly after the last book "A Bella Flora Christmas" concludes and wraps the story up a few months later.

Each girl continues along the storylines that have been continuing through the series: Kyra struggles with Dustin's role in Daniel's new movie, Maddie doesn't know how to relax and enjoy being with Will, Avery tries to let go of the hurt caused by Chase, Nikki comes to terms with being an older mother to twins and Bitsey is trying to reclaim her fortune and make Bertie pay for the wrongs he's committed.

The beautiful thing about this series is that it's not necessary to read the prior novels to be able to continue on the path with these women. The backstory highlights are told but not much is really spoiled beyond the relationships. You can easily slip into this story and go back and read the others or decide not to at all.

My only small gripe about this novel is that there is no way in heck that 9 month olds are speaking as much as Nikki's twins are. Most 9 month olds can maybe do mama and dada but not 3 word sentences. It's a minor gripe but it took me out of the moment each time because I'd have to keep reminding myself these are babies, not toddlers.

Overall it was a fun and delightful read and I think it will be found in many totes on the beach this summer!