Already had read this but never shelved it! ( )

This was an interesting short read. I was looking for a Christmas novella, and this was some what Chrismasy. I had not read the other books in this series, so I don't think it fair to say I found the story a little lacking. I enjoyed Wendy Wax's style of writing and hope to read more. ( )

First of all I have to say that I have never read anything by Wendy Wax before. When I selected this book from NetGalley, I was actually looking for some reading material for the holidays and when I saw Christmas At The Beach, I thought that I would give it a try.

Having no background to the story, I really didn't have a very good idea of the storyline. I went to Goodreads and read the synopsis of the previous book in the series, Ten Beach Road, to get an idea of the background for this holiday novella. It seems that three strangers, namely Avery, Nichole, and Madeline suddenly find themselves in financial ruin after their shared financial manager takes off with all their money. It seems that all they have left is co-ownership of a run-down beach villa in florida called Bella Flora. The women meet at the villa to figure out what they can do about their situation, and they decide that with the help of a contractor as a guide, they will restore the villa to it's original glory and then sell it and hopefully split the profits. They also agree to have their renovation filmed, sort of like an HGTV type of program.

Now since I haven't read that any of the series except this holiday novella, that is about all I can tell you about the premise of the book. Christmas at the Beach brings the women back together to celebrate the holidays and to learn of the anonymous buyer of the restored beach mansion. This reunion is narrated by Madeline's daughter Kira, who is divorced from a famous actor and is constantly hounded by the paparazzi.

This is a really nice holiday tale that has a little bit of everything - a little suspense, a lot of drama, with some humor thrown in as well. I did enjoy the book, I only wish that I had been able to read the other books in the series prior to this so that I could have had more background on the main characters and the whole beginning of the story. That being said, I enjoyed the writing - Wendy Wax kept the story interesting and made me want to know more. If I can get my hands on the rest of the books in the series, I would like to read them prior to the release of the next book in the series called The House On Mermaid Point. From what I see from other reviews, the author has a solid fan-base and the series seems to be quite popular.

I received this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review. ( )

I really enjoyed catching up with all the fun characters (Avery, Nichole, Madeline, and Kyra) from Ten Beach Road and Ocean Beach (which I loved)! I am so glad Wendy decided to gather the girls (and guys) together for a celebratory send off before the sale of the mansion. I always enjoy Florida settings since I reside in South Florida and have lived in other areas of Florida and travel frequently.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn the e-book also includes a preview the next Ten Beach Road series (House on Mermaid Point-coming July, 2014). For those of you who have not read (While We Were Watching Downtown Abbey) – I have – there is also a special excerpt included as well.

I am looking forward to House on Mermaid Point, as this will be in the Florida Keys (lived there for two years) and it sounds as though the setting will be in the Islamorada area (which is my favorite part of the keys). This will be the gal’s next Do Over house for the Lifetime TV series. (Each time a mention of landmark I know – keeps me smiling). Of course the paparazzi is not far behind.

Not to give away; however, it sounds as though this one will be centered around the 61 yr single gentleman (star) who owns the house and is financial trouble and turning his home into a B&B to stay afloat----and possibly a little romance with Madeline (51 –newly divorced). How exciting. This should be fun and adventurous, turning this house into a B&B (since I am all about B&Bs and have handled marketing for boutique hotels for years). A great read – love the Atlanta writer! (be sure and read Ten Beach Road first).
( )

If I could give this book a 1/4 of a star I would. The main character is an idiot. She couldn't understand why someone would be hostile toward her after their husband has a child with her. She had an affair with a married man, had his baby and feels that she is wronged by the wife.

Kyra, I think that is her name, is a snob. She became a celebrity because her baby daddy is a high profile actor. Wow, what a lovely way to rise to the top. This woman has nerve to refer to a photo of herself and her son being like the Madonna and Child. Someone needs to stick a large pin in her enormously swollen head.

If this book is a prequel, I most definitely will not be reading the actual book.

This was my first read by this author and I was really disappointed. ( )