Key West, Tequila, a Pinch of Salt and a Quirky Slice of America

by Jon Breakfield

What would you do if you were on holiday and your better half said ‘Let’s not go back’?
Would you stay?
Would you stay if staying meant giving up everything back home in the UK to live on the backwater island of Key West, Florida?
Come with me to this oddball, bacchanalian corner of the world where anything goes, the closest major city is Havana and where my wife and I lead an eye-popping, adventure-filled life until it is all ripped asunder by a catastrophic hurricane.
KEY WEST: Tequila, a Pinch of Salt and a Quirky Slice of America is a lyrical portrait of a couple from the UK integrating themselves on a startlingly picturesque, joyously wacky island that is more Caribbean than it is American. More neurotic than it is sane. More corrupt than it is law-abiding. And more prone to hurricanes than it should be.
This book is a celebration of life, love and adventure—an enchanting account of a couple who weren’t afraid to jump off the hamster wheel and have a go at a dream.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

222 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 2012

About the author

Jon Breakfield was born in Virginia. He graduated from UCLA's prestigious Film School. Despite having survived the odd hurricane, he and his wife still love Key West and divide their time between Florida and Glasgow, Scotland. Jon is a former T.V. writer, the author of ten Non-Fiction books and two Crime Thrillers.
If he weren't a writer his only other career choice would have been that of international beer tester where he could continue with his travels whilst endeavouring to stay out of trouble in another language.

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I go to KW every year for a break when we just can't stand the winter "up north" any more... and every year we wish we could pitch it all and stay there in paradise. This book describes the adventures of a brave couple with more courage than we have - they really did it. It was better than a travel guide for learning about some of KW's fantastic real-life characters and locals' haunts. We just got back from our trip this year, and saw KW in a whole new light, and we even met Popcorn Joe!

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel reads partly like a travel guide disguised as an escape-the-daily-grind island adventure novel, and partly like a detailed Key West history book. It brings back vivid memories for those of us who have traveled to this magical place, and incites a deep desire to flee the "real world" for a rum-drenched life by the sea. When a couple travels from the UK to the Keys on holiday, there seems no better way to make the memories last forever than to simply stay! The year-long depiction exposes the reader to a variety of unique challenges faced by the couple, from the possibility of deportation to the landfall of a major hurricane. Strong personalities shine through the writing, making the characters seem more like old friends than words on paper (or on a screen for those of us who are e-reading!) I truly enjoyed every moment of this read.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun! As someone who goes to KW yearly and has often though about what it would be like to just not come back- I could live out this little fantasy via this book:)

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fun escape, just like what the author was trying to accomplish in his real life adventure in Key West. Part of the fun for me, of course, was reading about places I have been. It's a fairly easy, breezy read, most of it light-hearted and conversational. The author and his wife get through any of their trials with creativity, humor and a liberal sprinkling of alcohol. Oh, just read it and have fun!

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, quick read with a little adventure, a little history and some intriguing Key West characters. I'm happy that I already have a return trip to scheduled, or I might be busy making travel plans right now. I did have a little trouble with some of the lingo (author is from the UK), but that didn't keep me from enjoying the book.

[Mary Kruft · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT to read before your first Key West trip.....and I even met "popcorn joe!" Great story ( except for the British slang I didn't get) about two who take the chance to leave it all behind & chase a dream!

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book. I like Key West and I liked this book. Humorous and tells about an aspect of the island we tourists don't know about. I recommend it.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read that kept me entertained start to finish.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad I read this right before another key west visit. The descriptions made me remember all the wonderful things I love about key west

[Nicole]

Such a fun read! Love the humor!

[Scott Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Unfortunate that this well written amusing book has at the beginning a lonely one star rating...it's so much better even though it does read a bit to much like a travelogue.

[Kathleen Wendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book from someone who lived there a year I could relate!

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look at Key West

As a fan of Key West, I enjoyed this book. If you have ever been to Key West you will enjoy reading about the fun places you may have visited.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read before we make our way there in 2 days!

[Gail Kenney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure what to say about Key West. I like it, mostly, because, having been to KW several times, I enjoyed revisiting the places mentioned through the eyes of the author. In some ways, his writing is "too cute" as if he is trying to hard to be humorous. I am not sure I would recommend this book to another, yet, oddly, I find I want to read his book about Europe. So, if an author's goal is to make the reader want to read more of his work, then Breakfield is successful.

[Shahida Rahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fantastic read. Who would dare to give up their home for an adventure? That's exactly what Jon and Gabrielle did. A daring and an exciting adventure that's compelling, hilarious and educational! Most highly recommended.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book on my Kindle since it was on sale, and I'm headed to Key West for the first time next week. Not impressed with the book at all. But it did however get me a bit more excited for my trip just reading about the sunny scape!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been to most is the places discussed in this book, so it was pretty accurate! I would love to do whY this couple did and just let go of everything familiar and move to and island! I thought the book was pretty good. The writing wasn't the greatest but the story was good.

[Bruce W Werts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable!

First I read "Key West II". I enjoyed it so much I had to read "Key West". I was not disappointed. It is a great pair of books. Hope the third of the trilogy is forthcoming.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an enjoyable light read. The author and his wife spend a year in Key West living the life of locals. I found it completely amazing that the author and his wife made it through the year without disagreeing, arguing or being at each other's throats!

[Carston WAgner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Amateurish writing.

Poorly written with implausible anecdotes! We spend lots of time in Key West and very little of this book rings true. Couldn't finish it! I want my $3.95 back.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and amusing if you have been to Key West.

[Mike Henshaw]

very interesting a good insite to a raer piece of america

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Light amusing but many things seemed "cliched".

[Suzanne Huier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, true story. A couple from the UK decides to live in Key West for one year. What it's really like to live there with the locals.

[Debra Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a fun quick read.

[Mara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this in preparation for my trip to Key West. Don't know if it was the best introduction to Key West as it is a bit biased but a fun way to get to know this quirky town a little better.