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Just Beachy
A former actress in need of a reset reunites with her grandmother, her first crush, and the ladies of Ten Beach Road in this escapist novel from USA Today bestselling author Wendy Wax.
After losing her long-time acting gig on the hit show Murder 101, Sydney Ryan decides she needs a break from Hollywood politics. She heads to Treasure Island, Florida where her grandmother has been visiting and now refuses to leave. Sydney’s plan to lay low for a bit quickly goes awry though, as she is swept up in her grandmother’s now flourishing social life—Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, she’s also helping her neighbor Myra open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house repeatedly Sydney realizes her grandmother is keeping something from her.
Determined to ferret out the truth and protect her grandmother, Sydney enlists the help of the Ten Beach Road ladies and Luke, a local police officer who was once her high school crush. While Sydney puts her television crime solving skills to the test, she decides to act on the sizzling chemistry between her and Luke. And as Sydney spends more sunsets toasting to true friends and new romance, she begins to wonder if the sun is setting on her time in Hollywood and if this town could be the dawn of a new chapter.
After losing her long-time acting gig on the hit show Murder 101, Sydney Ryan decides she needs a break from Hollywood politics. She heads to Treasure Island, Florida where her grandmother has been visiting and now refuses to leave. Sydney’s plan to lay low for a bit quickly goes awry though, as she is swept up in her grandmother’s now flourishing social life—Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, she’s also helping her neighbor Myra open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house repeatedly Sydney realizes her grandmother is keeping something from her.
Determined to ferret out the truth and protect her grandmother, Sydney enlists the help of the Ten Beach Road ladies and Luke, a local police officer who was once her high school crush. While Sydney puts her television crime solving skills to the test, she decides to act on the sizzling chemistry between her and Luke. And as Sydney spends more sunsets toasting to true friends and new romance, she begins to wonder if the sun is setting on her time in Hollywood and if this town could be the dawn of a new chapter.
304 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2025
149 people are currently reading
10385 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Wax
22 books1,583 followersI write novels that explore friendship, self-discovery and the challenges life brings us, leavened with a touch of humor. I'm proud of all my books and perhaps best known for my "Ten Beach Road" titles including the USA Today bestsellers, Ten Beach Road and The House on Mermaid Point, and for While We Were Watching Downton Abbey.
I was born in St.Petersburg, Florida and grew up on St. Pete Beach within spitting distance of the Gulf of Mexico. I went, appropriately enough, to Sunshine Elementary School where recess and art class sometimes took place on the beach, and the highlight of every school year was the annual fish broil.
It’s hard to be a type-A personality when you grow up in such a laid back environment, but I managed. Convinced that you were expected to know how to read BEFORE you showed up for school, I forced a neighbor friend to teach me to read at the age of five. I’ve been reading ever since.
Books, in all forms, are one of my greatest pleasures and best forms of escape. And they’ve had a major impact on my life.
I went to the University of Georgia after reading Gone with the Wind one too many times. For a while I re-read Margaret Mitchell’s classic yearly, saw the movie whenever it played within twenty miles, and could quote large passages from memory. Today I have a growing GWTW collection, and the time I spoke at he Margaret Mitchell House was an incredible thrill.last
After college I worked in radio, television, and film. Like Olivia in 7 DAYS AND SEVEN NIGHTS, I’ve done live talk radio. I hosted a show in the eighties called Desperate & Dateless, and while I was never locked in an apartment for a week with a webcam rolling as she was, I did fall in love. Happily, the man who swept me off my feet consults with financial types and understands the bottom line. Unlike Olivia’s nemesis, Matt Ransom, my husband has never, to my knowledge, advised anyone to ‘love the one they’re with.’ We live in Atlanta with our two sons.
I was born in St.Petersburg, Florida and grew up on St. Pete Beach within spitting distance of the Gulf of Mexico. I went, appropriately enough, to Sunshine Elementary School where recess and art class sometimes took place on the beach, and the highlight of every school year was the annual fish broil.
It’s hard to be a type-A personality when you grow up in such a laid back environment, but I managed. Convinced that you were expected to know how to read BEFORE you showed up for school, I forced a neighbor friend to teach me to read at the age of five. I’ve been reading ever since.
Books, in all forms, are one of my greatest pleasures and best forms of escape. And they’ve had a major impact on my life.
I went to the University of Georgia after reading Gone with the Wind one too many times. For a while I re-read Margaret Mitchell’s classic yearly, saw the movie whenever it played within twenty miles, and could quote large passages from memory. Today I have a growing GWTW collection, and the time I spoke at he Margaret Mitchell House was an incredible thrill.last
After college I worked in radio, television, and film. Like Olivia in 7 DAYS AND SEVEN NIGHTS, I’ve done live talk radio. I hosted a show in the eighties called Desperate & Dateless, and while I was never locked in an apartment for a week with a webcam rolling as she was, I did fall in love. Happily, the man who swept me off my feet consults with financial types and understands the bottom line. Unlike Olivia’s nemesis, Matt Ransom, my husband has never, to my knowledge, advised anyone to ‘love the one they’re with.’ We live in Atlanta with our two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
June 3, 2025
4 stars - Wendy Wax has a really lovely & old school chick-lit series called “Ten Beach Road” set in the FL Gulf with some lovely characters and usually some HGTV-style reno going on and I’ve read & enjoyed them all. While this latest isn’t a strict sequel it is set firmly in that world & I enjoyed it a lot - plus it's an easy, quick & sentimental read. My quibbles are 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️ (skipped that) and Sydney (the actress MC) getting constantly mistaken for the character she played on TV - a gag that quickly became tiresome. I also appreciated & really empathized with the author’s note at the end and do hope she continues to write.
May 30, 2025
Spirited, enticing, and witty!
Just Beachy is an amusing, engaging tale featuring the unmoored actress Sydney Ryan who, after being dumped from her long-running series, heads to Florida to hang out with her grandmother, only to discover that something sinister is going on and she may need some help from her old high school flame to figure out exactly what it is.
The prose is light and sweet. The characters are intelligent, relentless, and impulsive. And the plot is a flirty, entertaining blend of friendship, family, chemistry, attraction, tricky situations, self-discovery, family, intrigue, happiness, and romance.
Overall, Just Beachy is a charming, humorous, breezy tale by Wax that did a wonderful job of mixing a sliver of mystery with some lighthearted, romantic fun.
Just Beachy is an amusing, engaging tale featuring the unmoored actress Sydney Ryan who, after being dumped from her long-running series, heads to Florida to hang out with her grandmother, only to discover that something sinister is going on and she may need some help from her old high school flame to figure out exactly what it is.
The prose is light and sweet. The characters are intelligent, relentless, and impulsive. And the plot is a flirty, entertaining blend of friendship, family, chemistry, attraction, tricky situations, self-discovery, family, intrigue, happiness, and romance.
Overall, Just Beachy is a charming, humorous, breezy tale by Wax that did a wonderful job of mixing a sliver of mystery with some lighthearted, romantic fun.
June 9, 2025
Welcome back, Wendy and the Ten Beach Road Gang in JUST BEACHY!
Talented Wendy Wax is a long-time favorite GA/FL author, and Ten Beach Road is one of my favorite beach read series. I was delighted to catch up with my favorite ladies and attend the nightly sunset cocktails and traditions, where the women share their 'one good thing' of the day, a practice that helps them stay positive and grateful.
“DAZZLING! A perfect beach read. Long-time Wendy Wax and Ten Beach Road FANS (like me) will devour JUST BEACHY! New characters, a new bookstore, a new house, a hot cop, a spunky Grand, celebrities, reno, art, mystery, romance, the Ten Beach Road ladies/cast, and best of all— the SETTING: Treasure Island, Pass-a-Grille, Florida!” (a favorite)
About...
Sydney Ryan plays Cassie Everheart, a heroic LAPD detective on Murder 101 who lives in Hollywood Hills. However, the producers decide to have her on-screen love interest, Jason, dump her for the new cookie cop and send her to rehab as an alcoholic. She thinks it may be temporary, but they canned her for good! Her last episode. Her career as a detective is over.
Only age thirty, now what? Maybe she can visit her family in Atlanta. What a disaster. Soon, she learns the public thinks she is her screen character, Cassie, and no one will serve her alcohol, which is desperately needed at the moment.
However, her mother says she needs her to go to Treasure Island, FL, to see what her 83-year-old grandmother (known as Grand), Lillian Louise Wilde, is up to, who has been a widow for six years and refuses to return to Atlanta.
She had come to visit a friend at Treasure Island and had not returned home. Now she wants to live in Florida full-time, and Sydney's mom wants her back in Atlanta, in a senior living facility, so she doesn't worry. Trust me, Grand is not ready for the old folks' home.
Sydney thinks that since she has no career and no life, she can also visit her friend, Kara, her mother, Maddie, and the ladies of Ten Beach Road in Treasure Island at Bella Flora while she is there. (the perfect place for do-overs).
Grand is a spunky live wire and has a more social life than Sydney, dating someone, and spends the night with Brian. Can he be trusted?
When her condo gets broken into several times, they are worried. But appears they are looking for something. A stolen painting? Grand is a successful artist, and she knows all too well what they are looking for, but it is not stolen. It is hers, and someone stole it, and no one is taking it. She has her secrets.
Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, a charming neighborhood in Treasure Island, but she’s also helping her neighbor, Myra, open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille, a personal favorite area of mine. The bookstore, named Sandcastle Books and Arts (We're Just Beachy), will be a cozy space after renovations, filled with the latest bestsellers, artwork, and possible art and acting classes. All the ladies are helping out.
Determined to get to the truth and solve the mystery of the break-ins, with, of course, the help of the resilient Ten Beach Road ladies (Kara, Maddie, Nicole, Avery, and Bitsy).
And of course, to make things more interesting, there is Luke the hot cop who was once Sydney's high school crush to spice things up.
As Sydney delves deeper into the mystery, she finds herself in increasingly dangerous situations. But with a few tricks up her sleeve, learned from her onscreen character, Detective Cassie, she might make it out alive and save her Grand.
Let the fun games begin, and new chapters to be written!
My thoughts...
To new beginnings! Oh, how I loved JUST BEACHY! I am so glad Wendy Wax is back and delighted to meet some new characters and cameo appearances from the Ten Beach Road ladies (one of my favorite series). Please let this series continue!
Wax always knows how to entice and charm readers from architecture, renovations, TV stars, vintage fashion, nostaglia, art, and now a book shop on the beach, plus do not forget these strong women, Cheese Doodles, and cocktails on the beach at sunset with one good thing they are grateful for.
This is what I call a BEACH READ! From charm, romance, wisdom, humor, female friendship, family, mystery, suspense and highly relatable well developed characters with heartwarming stories and courageous witty women all set in the perfect idea spot of Treasure Island, FL and Pass-A-Grille (my favorite places) as you can see from all my past reviews below of Ten Beach Road series.
I hope we see more of Sydney, Luke, Grand, and the Ten Beach ladies in the future, and always the daily sunset traditions, margaritas, and good conversation. I love catching up with everyone.
The only thing I would have liked to see (perhaps in the mass paperback edition) is the cover. I realize the author has little choice in the matter, but this cover does not fit the sophistication, flair, and glamour of the book (as the sensational usual covers from Berkley and the Ten Beach Road series). I would have liked to see some architecture, watercolor sketches, a cozy beach bookstore, art classes, or colorful Adirondack chairs lined up on the beach with cocktails and cheese doodles to draw you in. This is so much more than a beach read with a woman on a float (more depth). This book needs to be in front of the right readers.
However, this does not change my opinion of the book. 5 STARS as always! I love how the author portrays intelligent women, friendship, and sisterhood that find themselves in horrific situations, but ultimately, when they come together, they emerge stronger than ever. And they never give themselves up for a man. Perfect pick for book clubs! You will fall in love with these characters.
See all my reviews below of the Ten Beach Road Series. Although this one can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend starting from the beginning and reading them all in sequence. Thank me later. Do not leave for the beach without this series.
Recs...
JUST BEACHY is for fans of the author and those who enjoy books by Southern authors, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Mary Kay Andrews, and Karen White. Also for fans of Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan Series, as well as the shows, Virgin River, and Chesapeake Shores. I would love to see this one and the Ten Beach Road in a Hallmark movie series or an ongoing TV series, please.
Thank you, Berkley and NetGalley, for a gifted advanced reading in exchange for an honest review. (Love the new author photo.)
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 3, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
June 2025 Must-Read Books
June Newsletter
My Reviews of Ten Beach Road Series
Ten Beach Road #1
Ocean Beach #2
Christmas at the Beach #2.5
The House on Mermaid Point #3
Sunshine Beach #4
One Good Thing #5
A Bella Flora Christmas #5.5
Beach Beach Ever #6
Talented Wendy Wax is a long-time favorite GA/FL author, and Ten Beach Road is one of my favorite beach read series. I was delighted to catch up with my favorite ladies and attend the nightly sunset cocktails and traditions, where the women share their 'one good thing' of the day, a practice that helps them stay positive and grateful.
“DAZZLING! A perfect beach read. Long-time Wendy Wax and Ten Beach Road FANS (like me) will devour JUST BEACHY! New characters, a new bookstore, a new house, a hot cop, a spunky Grand, celebrities, reno, art, mystery, romance, the Ten Beach Road ladies/cast, and best of all— the SETTING: Treasure Island, Pass-a-Grille, Florida!” (a favorite)
About...
Sydney Ryan plays Cassie Everheart, a heroic LAPD detective on Murder 101 who lives in Hollywood Hills. However, the producers decide to have her on-screen love interest, Jason, dump her for the new cookie cop and send her to rehab as an alcoholic. She thinks it may be temporary, but they canned her for good! Her last episode. Her career as a detective is over.
Only age thirty, now what? Maybe she can visit her family in Atlanta. What a disaster. Soon, she learns the public thinks she is her screen character, Cassie, and no one will serve her alcohol, which is desperately needed at the moment.
However, her mother says she needs her to go to Treasure Island, FL, to see what her 83-year-old grandmother (known as Grand), Lillian Louise Wilde, is up to, who has been a widow for six years and refuses to return to Atlanta.
She had come to visit a friend at Treasure Island and had not returned home. Now she wants to live in Florida full-time, and Sydney's mom wants her back in Atlanta, in a senior living facility, so she doesn't worry. Trust me, Grand is not ready for the old folks' home.
Sydney thinks that since she has no career and no life, she can also visit her friend, Kara, her mother, Maddie, and the ladies of Ten Beach Road in Treasure Island at Bella Flora while she is there. (the perfect place for do-overs).
Grand is a spunky live wire and has a more social life than Sydney, dating someone, and spends the night with Brian. Can he be trusted?
When her condo gets broken into several times, they are worried. But appears they are looking for something. A stolen painting? Grand is a successful artist, and she knows all too well what they are looking for, but it is not stolen. It is hers, and someone stole it, and no one is taking it. She has her secrets.
Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, a charming neighborhood in Treasure Island, but she’s also helping her neighbor, Myra, open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille, a personal favorite area of mine. The bookstore, named Sandcastle Books and Arts (We're Just Beachy), will be a cozy space after renovations, filled with the latest bestsellers, artwork, and possible art and acting classes. All the ladies are helping out.
Determined to get to the truth and solve the mystery of the break-ins, with, of course, the help of the resilient Ten Beach Road ladies (Kara, Maddie, Nicole, Avery, and Bitsy).
And of course, to make things more interesting, there is Luke the hot cop who was once Sydney's high school crush to spice things up.
As Sydney delves deeper into the mystery, she finds herself in increasingly dangerous situations. But with a few tricks up her sleeve, learned from her onscreen character, Detective Cassie, she might make it out alive and save her Grand.
Let the fun games begin, and new chapters to be written!
My thoughts...
To new beginnings! Oh, how I loved JUST BEACHY! I am so glad Wendy Wax is back and delighted to meet some new characters and cameo appearances from the Ten Beach Road ladies (one of my favorite series). Please let this series continue!
Wax always knows how to entice and charm readers from architecture, renovations, TV stars, vintage fashion, nostaglia, art, and now a book shop on the beach, plus do not forget these strong women, Cheese Doodles, and cocktails on the beach at sunset with one good thing they are grateful for.
This is what I call a BEACH READ! From charm, romance, wisdom, humor, female friendship, family, mystery, suspense and highly relatable well developed characters with heartwarming stories and courageous witty women all set in the perfect idea spot of Treasure Island, FL and Pass-A-Grille (my favorite places) as you can see from all my past reviews below of Ten Beach Road series.
I hope we see more of Sydney, Luke, Grand, and the Ten Beach ladies in the future, and always the daily sunset traditions, margaritas, and good conversation. I love catching up with everyone.
The only thing I would have liked to see (perhaps in the mass paperback edition) is the cover. I realize the author has little choice in the matter, but this cover does not fit the sophistication, flair, and glamour of the book (as the sensational usual covers from Berkley and the Ten Beach Road series). I would have liked to see some architecture, watercolor sketches, a cozy beach bookstore, art classes, or colorful Adirondack chairs lined up on the beach with cocktails and cheese doodles to draw you in. This is so much more than a beach read with a woman on a float (more depth). This book needs to be in front of the right readers.
However, this does not change my opinion of the book. 5 STARS as always! I love how the author portrays intelligent women, friendship, and sisterhood that find themselves in horrific situations, but ultimately, when they come together, they emerge stronger than ever. And they never give themselves up for a man. Perfect pick for book clubs! You will fall in love with these characters.
See all my reviews below of the Ten Beach Road Series. Although this one can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend starting from the beginning and reading them all in sequence. Thank me later. Do not leave for the beach without this series.
Recs...
JUST BEACHY is for fans of the author and those who enjoy books by Southern authors, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Mary Kay Andrews, and Karen White. Also for fans of Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan Series, as well as the shows, Virgin River, and Chesapeake Shores. I would love to see this one and the Ten Beach Road in a Hallmark movie series or an ongoing TV series, please.
Thank you, Berkley and NetGalley, for a gifted advanced reading in exchange for an honest review. (Love the new author photo.)
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 3, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
June 2025 Must-Read Books
June Newsletter
My Reviews of Ten Beach Road Series
Ten Beach Road #1
Ocean Beach #2
Christmas at the Beach #2.5
The House on Mermaid Point #3
Sunshine Beach #4
One Good Thing #5
A Bella Flora Christmas #5.5
Beach Beach Ever #6
June 1, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and Wendy Wax for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited for a quick relaxing read. At 300 pages, it was quick and while I enjoyed aspects of it - there was a lot of skimming parts that felt out of place and awkward scenes.
Is this part of a series? Keep bringing in characters and referencing history and storylines that don’t really move this story forward so I’m guessing they’re from previous books but I didn’t see any books liked to this one on Goodreads or NetGalley.
Sydney, our FMC, is an actress on a popular police drama. At the beginning of the book, she learns that her character is not only being written off the show but going out in a less than ideal way. She is also being black listed by someone (from a previous book?) so getting another job is not looking good. With nothing holding her in California she decides to visit friends and her grandma in Florida.
There was so much going on and so many side stories that went no where.
There was far more than a lazy beach romance…kidnapping, bar fights, guns, repeated break ins, opening a bookstore.
The sex scenes were awful. Almost clinical and overall awkward. I’m always team open door - but in this situation I would have preferred closed door.
Overall, it wasn’t for me but I’m sure it would be more enjoyable for others.
I was excited for a quick relaxing read. At 300 pages, it was quick and while I enjoyed aspects of it - there was a lot of skimming parts that felt out of place and awkward scenes.
Is this part of a series? Keep bringing in characters and referencing history and storylines that don’t really move this story forward so I’m guessing they’re from previous books but I didn’t see any books liked to this one on Goodreads or NetGalley.
Sydney, our FMC, is an actress on a popular police drama. At the beginning of the book, she learns that her character is not only being written off the show but going out in a less than ideal way. She is also being black listed by someone (from a previous book?) so getting another job is not looking good. With nothing holding her in California she decides to visit friends and her grandma in Florida.
There was so much going on and so many side stories that went no where.
There was far more than a lazy beach romance…kidnapping, bar fights, guns, repeated break ins, opening a bookstore.
The sex scenes were awful. Almost clinical and overall awkward. I’m always team open door - but in this situation I would have preferred closed door.
Overall, it wasn’t for me but I’m sure it would be more enjoyable for others.
June 14, 2025
Just Beachy by Wendy Wax (2025)
related to the Ten Beach Road Series
6h 15m narrated by Amy Rubinate, 304 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Suspense
Featuring: Author's Note, Television Star, Police Television Show - Murder 101, Actress, Santa Monica, California; Tricenarians, Homecoming Trope, Time for Grandma to Downsize, Mother-Daughter Relationships, Tallahassee, Fl; Fictional Small-Town on a Barrier Island in Florida; Old Crush, Atlanta, Georgia; I'm An Actress Not My Character, February, Dry February, Sex - Detailed, Mystery, Bar, Artists, Detective, Tampa, Florida; Media, Characters and Setting of Ten Beach Road Series
Rating as a movie: NC-17 for adult content
Songs and Artists for the soundtrack: "Psycho Suite" by Bernard Herrmann, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" by Jane Taylor, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Adele
Books and Authors mentioned: Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling, Psycho by Robert Bloch, Sarah Bernhardt: The Divine and Dazzling Life of the World's First Superstar by Catherine Reef, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Sleeping Beauty by Charles Perrault, The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen
Memorable Quotes: In the fictional world you are about to step into, there is no Tropical Storm Debby or Hurricanes Helene and Milton. I left them out intentionally because although I, and so many others, have been forced to deal with the very real damage they caused, I prefer a world in which they never happened.
“Cassie Everheart is going to develop a serious drinking problem and spiral out of control?” For the last five years, I’ve been playing Cassie, a heroic, plucky LAPD detective who came up the hard way. I owe pretty much everything to Cassie. She not only rescued me from waitressing, for which I have absolutely zero talent, but provides me with a home in Santa Monica, a regular paycheck, a reprieve from my parents’ pleas to give up acting and “find a real job,” and given the audience numbers we’ve been pulling, way more than my allotted fifteen minutes of fame. Jerry Statler, who directs the show, shifts in his seat. “Yeah.” He nods at a blonde seated at the foot of the table whom I’ve never seen before. “Right after Jason dumps her for the new rookie cop.” There’s one of those silences that can only be described as deafening. I stare back at him. “Cassie gets dumped and becomes an alcoholic?” It’s a total nightmare. I close and open my eyes, trying to wake up.
I turn left onto Gulf Boulevard, take a short right then a left onto Gulf Way, which hugs the beach and the Gulf of Mexico and leads to the southernmost tip of Pass-a-Grille, where Bella Flora sits. I drive slowly behind a long line of cars with out-of-state plates and pass a seemingly endless row of parked cars that face the sidewalk and the low concrete wall bordering the beach. Wooden walkovers span the dunes, protecting the sea oats and leading onto the soft, white sand that stretches down to the Gulf.
I pass the concession stand and the Hurricane. In my humble opinion, this is not the best name for a restaurant on a sliver-shaped barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico, but it’s been around since the seventies, and although they’ve turned it into a massive New England–ish version of its original self, it’s a great place to watch the sunset. Eighth Avenue, which I guess qualifies as Pass-a-Grille’s “Main Street” even though it’s barely two blocks long—like all the other streets that stretch from the Gulf to the Pass-a-Grille Channel—is dotted with shops, restaurants, and galleries.
He nods in greeting. “Welcome to Harley’s. My name is Alan Jay, but folks just call me A.J.” He’s about to turn away when he blinks and does a double take. “Oh my God. You’re…it’s Cassie Everheart!” His face splits into a grin. “Man, I felt so bad when you ended up in rehab. Some people just can’t handle their alcohol. In fact, I recorded your last episode when they lead you away—we’ve replayed it, like, a million times. You know, it’s kind of a cautionary tale.” Now, there’s a piece of good news. “Gee thanks. Glad everyone enjoyed it. Maybe I can get you a video of my root canals. Those are a real hoot, too.” He laughs appreciatively then picks up the remote and aims it at the TV. Before I know it, there I am in high-definition, head up, tears streaming down my face, leaving the precinct for the last time. “Sorry.” He shakes his head. “But I never would have thought you’d lose it like that over a guy.” He says this as if he actually believes I’m Cassie Everheart, not the actress who plays her. “I’ll have a shandy, thanks.” “Oh, I don’t know. I’m not even sure you should be in here. And you definitely shouldn’t be drinking so soon after getting out of rehab.” He moves back behind the bar as I slide onto a barstool. “Why don’t you try this instead?” I take a first sip and realize that, despite the slice of lemon and the little umbrella hanging off the side of the glass, he’s served me straight lemonade. There is not a single drop of liquor in the glass. “I think you left out an important ingredient,” I sigh. “Sorry. Just trying to help you stay straight. How’s everything going?” “Things have been better.” I drink the first sips, slowly trying to imagine there’s at least something that resembles alcohol in it. But while it quenches my thirst, it doesn’t make my life feel less pathetic or the world any less hostile. I take another long sip and realize I need a restroom. “Man,” he says with another shake of his head as I get up, “I can’t believe you’re really here.” “Right. Well. My friend Kyra will be here soon, too. If I’m not out yet, could you bring her a margarita on me?” “Sure thing. Is she a detective, too?” The smile forming on my lips disappears when I realize he’s not joking.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👮♀️📺🏖👮🖼
My thoughts: This was an easy read, single session with audio. This story was pretty good and a bit unexpected. I enjoyed the grandma and the fans. It was a little more heated than in the second half I had to up the content rating. There was a sense that I had missed something or stepped into the middle of a series as they mentioned characters and past events as if I was supposed to know them. I discovered that this story, which is marketed as a standalone, is related to a series set in the same town.
Recommend to others: Yes. This story is witty and fun.
related to the Ten Beach Road Series
6h 15m narrated by Amy Rubinate, 304 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Suspense
Featuring: Author's Note, Television Star, Police Television Show - Murder 101, Actress, Santa Monica, California; Tricenarians, Homecoming Trope, Time for Grandma to Downsize, Mother-Daughter Relationships, Tallahassee, Fl; Fictional Small-Town on a Barrier Island in Florida; Old Crush, Atlanta, Georgia; I'm An Actress Not My Character, February, Dry February, Sex - Detailed, Mystery, Bar, Artists, Detective, Tampa, Florida; Media, Characters and Setting of Ten Beach Road Series
Rating as a movie: NC-17 for adult content
Songs and Artists for the soundtrack: "Psycho Suite" by Bernard Herrmann, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" by Jane Taylor, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Adele
Books and Authors mentioned: Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling, Psycho by Robert Bloch, Sarah Bernhardt: The Divine and Dazzling Life of the World's First Superstar by Catherine Reef, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Sleeping Beauty by Charles Perrault, The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen
Memorable Quotes: In the fictional world you are about to step into, there is no Tropical Storm Debby or Hurricanes Helene and Milton. I left them out intentionally because although I, and so many others, have been forced to deal with the very real damage they caused, I prefer a world in which they never happened.
“Cassie Everheart is going to develop a serious drinking problem and spiral out of control?” For the last five years, I’ve been playing Cassie, a heroic, plucky LAPD detective who came up the hard way. I owe pretty much everything to Cassie. She not only rescued me from waitressing, for which I have absolutely zero talent, but provides me with a home in Santa Monica, a regular paycheck, a reprieve from my parents’ pleas to give up acting and “find a real job,” and given the audience numbers we’ve been pulling, way more than my allotted fifteen minutes of fame. Jerry Statler, who directs the show, shifts in his seat. “Yeah.” He nods at a blonde seated at the foot of the table whom I’ve never seen before. “Right after Jason dumps her for the new rookie cop.” There’s one of those silences that can only be described as deafening. I stare back at him. “Cassie gets dumped and becomes an alcoholic?” It’s a total nightmare. I close and open my eyes, trying to wake up.
I turn left onto Gulf Boulevard, take a short right then a left onto Gulf Way, which hugs the beach and the Gulf of Mexico and leads to the southernmost tip of Pass-a-Grille, where Bella Flora sits. I drive slowly behind a long line of cars with out-of-state plates and pass a seemingly endless row of parked cars that face the sidewalk and the low concrete wall bordering the beach. Wooden walkovers span the dunes, protecting the sea oats and leading onto the soft, white sand that stretches down to the Gulf.
I pass the concession stand and the Hurricane. In my humble opinion, this is not the best name for a restaurant on a sliver-shaped barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico, but it’s been around since the seventies, and although they’ve turned it into a massive New England–ish version of its original self, it’s a great place to watch the sunset. Eighth Avenue, which I guess qualifies as Pass-a-Grille’s “Main Street” even though it’s barely two blocks long—like all the other streets that stretch from the Gulf to the Pass-a-Grille Channel—is dotted with shops, restaurants, and galleries.
He nods in greeting. “Welcome to Harley’s. My name is Alan Jay, but folks just call me A.J.” He’s about to turn away when he blinks and does a double take. “Oh my God. You’re…it’s Cassie Everheart!” His face splits into a grin. “Man, I felt so bad when you ended up in rehab. Some people just can’t handle their alcohol. In fact, I recorded your last episode when they lead you away—we’ve replayed it, like, a million times. You know, it’s kind of a cautionary tale.” Now, there’s a piece of good news. “Gee thanks. Glad everyone enjoyed it. Maybe I can get you a video of my root canals. Those are a real hoot, too.” He laughs appreciatively then picks up the remote and aims it at the TV. Before I know it, there I am in high-definition, head up, tears streaming down my face, leaving the precinct for the last time. “Sorry.” He shakes his head. “But I never would have thought you’d lose it like that over a guy.” He says this as if he actually believes I’m Cassie Everheart, not the actress who plays her. “I’ll have a shandy, thanks.” “Oh, I don’t know. I’m not even sure you should be in here. And you definitely shouldn’t be drinking so soon after getting out of rehab.” He moves back behind the bar as I slide onto a barstool. “Why don’t you try this instead?” I take a first sip and realize that, despite the slice of lemon and the little umbrella hanging off the side of the glass, he’s served me straight lemonade. There is not a single drop of liquor in the glass. “I think you left out an important ingredient,” I sigh. “Sorry. Just trying to help you stay straight. How’s everything going?” “Things have been better.” I drink the first sips, slowly trying to imagine there’s at least something that resembles alcohol in it. But while it quenches my thirst, it doesn’t make my life feel less pathetic or the world any less hostile. I take another long sip and realize I need a restroom. “Man,” he says with another shake of his head as I get up, “I can’t believe you’re really here.” “Right. Well. My friend Kyra will be here soon, too. If I’m not out yet, could you bring her a margarita on me?” “Sure thing. Is she a detective, too?” The smile forming on my lips disappears when I realize he’s not joking.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👮♀️📺🏖👮🖼
My thoughts: This was an easy read, single session with audio. This story was pretty good and a bit unexpected. I enjoyed the grandma and the fans. It was a little more heated than in the second half I had to up the content rating. There was a sense that I had missed something or stepped into the middle of a series as they mentioned characters and past events as if I was supposed to know them. I discovered that this story, which is marketed as a standalone, is related to a series set in the same town.
Recommend to others: Yes. This story is witty and fun.
June 11, 2025
Review coming soon.
January 27, 2025
A fun quick read. Hallmark mixed with some crime solving. A great plot with some subtle romance. Sydney an LA actress who gets blindsided by loosing her big role moves to Florida where her grandmother has decided to move. There she runs into people who can't seem to separate her character from her as a person. But her grandma has some secrets of her own that makes her a target of some thieves who are looking for something they know she has.
I received this ARC from publishers via Netgalley
#JustBeachy #NetGalley
I received this ARC from publishers via Netgalley
#JustBeachy #NetGalley
May 19, 2025
This fun cute 'cozy romance mystery" will be the ticket to while away on a beach somewhere. It had some really funny moments and you can't help but fall in love with the area and the characters. There were some loose ends that didn't make sense, but I had not read any of the books that did have to do with some of the characters in this book.
I did like the love interest and the 'scary scenes' were a bit over the top for amateurs, but I still enjoyed it for the pleasure of reading.
Spice and language
I did like the love interest and the 'scary scenes' were a bit over the top for amateurs, but I still enjoyed it for the pleasure of reading.
Spice and language
May 31, 2025
Book Review 🌊☀️🎨
Thank you so much partner @berkleypub #BerkleyPartner #Berkleypub for the free book!
Just Beachy
by Wendy Wax
About the book 👇🏽
After losing her long-time acting gig on the hit show Murder 101, Sydney Ryan decides she needs a break from Hollywood politics. She heads to Treasure Island, Florida where her grandmother has been visiting and now refuses to leave. Sydney’s plan to lie low for a bit quickly goes awry though, as she is swept up in her grandmother’s now flourishing social life—Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, she’s also helping her neighbor Myra open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house repeatedly Sydney realizes her grandmother is keeping something from her.
Determined to ferret out the truth and protect her grandmother, Sydney enlists the help of the Ten Beach Road ladies and Luke, a local police officer who was once her high school crush. While Sydney puts her television crime-solving skills to the test, she decides to act on the sizzling chemistry between herself and Luke. And as Sydney spends more sunsets toasting to true friends and new romance, she begins to wonder if the sun is setting on her time in Hollywood and if this town could be the dawn of a new chapter.
🎨 My thoughts:
I found your next cozy read! It’s a cozy mystery (crime) with a splash of romance. It was a very fast read and held my attention throughout. Honestly this gave me all the cozy summer vibes I enjoy when I’m season reading. Between the mystery and the banter, I just couldn’t stop once I started. It really is a great choice for a weekend binge read. You should consider picking this one up the next time you’re looking for something to read poolside! Just Beachy is out Tuesday 6/3/25!!
Happy reading 📖🌊☀️🎨
Thank you so much partner @berkleypub #BerkleyPartner #Berkleypub for the free book!
Just Beachy
by Wendy Wax
About the book 👇🏽
After losing her long-time acting gig on the hit show Murder 101, Sydney Ryan decides she needs a break from Hollywood politics. She heads to Treasure Island, Florida where her grandmother has been visiting and now refuses to leave. Sydney’s plan to lie low for a bit quickly goes awry though, as she is swept up in her grandmother’s now flourishing social life—Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, she’s also helping her neighbor Myra open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house repeatedly Sydney realizes her grandmother is keeping something from her.
Determined to ferret out the truth and protect her grandmother, Sydney enlists the help of the Ten Beach Road ladies and Luke, a local police officer who was once her high school crush. While Sydney puts her television crime-solving skills to the test, she decides to act on the sizzling chemistry between herself and Luke. And as Sydney spends more sunsets toasting to true friends and new romance, she begins to wonder if the sun is setting on her time in Hollywood and if this town could be the dawn of a new chapter.
🎨 My thoughts:
I found your next cozy read! It’s a cozy mystery (crime) with a splash of romance. It was a very fast read and held my attention throughout. Honestly this gave me all the cozy summer vibes I enjoy when I’m season reading. Between the mystery and the banter, I just couldn’t stop once I started. It really is a great choice for a weekend binge read. You should consider picking this one up the next time you’re looking for something to read poolside! Just Beachy is out Tuesday 6/3/25!!
Happy reading 📖🌊☀️🎨
June 14, 2025
Love the way Wendy Wax writes so happy she is back to her writing. If you haven't read her try her 10 Beach Road series first it's great.
Just Beachy gives us Sydney Ryan who is a series actor whose part gets cut through Hollywood politics. Sydney takes herself back to Casas de Flores, Florida to rest, heal and find new work. She ends up staying with her Grandmother who has just moved there and that is where the fun begins. Grandma is an artist, has a better social life going than Sydney and gets into trouble of the best kind!
Highly recommend! There are explained references to Ms. Wax's previous Ten Road series, it won't stop you from reading this book but having the back ground makes it easier I feel.
Just Beachy gives us Sydney Ryan who is a series actor whose part gets cut through Hollywood politics. Sydney takes herself back to Casas de Flores, Florida to rest, heal and find new work. She ends up staying with her Grandmother who has just moved there and that is where the fun begins. Grandma is an artist, has a better social life going than Sydney and gets into trouble of the best kind!
Highly recommend! There are explained references to Ms. Wax's previous Ten Road series, it won't stop you from reading this book but having the back ground makes it easier I feel.
July 7, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this book by Wendy Wax! Even though it is not part of the Ten Beach Road series, loved that some of the characters were in this book, and the FL setting. Little intrigue, romance, and family drama in this book. So glad Wendy is writing again!
May 19, 2025
A fun quick summer read!
February 26, 2025
Just Beachy was fine, but disappointing compared to the original Ten Beach Road series books. I guess this isn't billed as part of that series, but since it takes place in the same neighborhood and the original characters make brief appearances, I had high hopes. Instead it was a rather typical romance with a little crime thrown in.
Sydney is an actor whose character has been written off a police-procedural drama by putting her character in an alcohol treatment facility. Sydney leaves Los Angeles and drives to the Gulf Coast of FL to spend time w/ her grandmother. Nearly everyone she meets thinks she's actually the character from the TV show and treats her like an alcoholic. It's so dumb. I know there are stupid people who get so caught up in their shows they can't differentiate, but 95% of the people with whom she interacts tell her she shouldn't be drinking, she should still be in rehab, etc. Just dumb.
Ms. Wax uses outdated language, e.g., "master" bedroom instead of "primary." She refers to a dial tone when the character is on a cell phone. She says the grandmother is a topic on Jay Leno, which means this book must take place before February 2014. She writes about Sydney reading a board book to 4–6 year olds, which isn't realistic. She mentions abruptly at one point that Sydney has sisters, then never mentions them again. She doesn't name them, doesn't say if they're part of each other's lives, nothing. There's no point to the one reference.
Unfortunately I just wasn't impressed with the book at all. I wouldn't buy it or recommend it to someone wanting a continuation of the Ten Beach Road series.
Sydney is an actor whose character has been written off a police-procedural drama by putting her character in an alcohol treatment facility. Sydney leaves Los Angeles and drives to the Gulf Coast of FL to spend time w/ her grandmother. Nearly everyone she meets thinks she's actually the character from the TV show and treats her like an alcoholic. It's so dumb. I know there are stupid people who get so caught up in their shows they can't differentiate, but 95% of the people with whom she interacts tell her she shouldn't be drinking, she should still be in rehab, etc. Just dumb.
Ms. Wax uses outdated language, e.g., "master" bedroom instead of "primary." She refers to a dial tone when the character is on a cell phone. She says the grandmother is a topic on Jay Leno, which means this book must take place before February 2014. She writes about Sydney reading a board book to 4–6 year olds, which isn't realistic. She mentions abruptly at one point that Sydney has sisters, then never mentions them again. She doesn't name them, doesn't say if they're part of each other's lives, nothing. There's no point to the one reference.
Unfortunately I just wasn't impressed with the book at all. I wouldn't buy it or recommend it to someone wanting a continuation of the Ten Beach Road series.
February 17, 2025
GR has the wrong Wendy Wax attached to this book. THIS book should be this one:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
or
https://authorwendywax.com/
The one attached is a kid's book author.
--------------
The long awaited next book in the Ten Beach Road series follows Sydney as she gets written off her hit TV show and goes to Florida to hang out with her grandmother as she takes a reset and decides what to do with her life. But when her grandmother's new house starts getting broken into, Sydney knows that her grandmother is being untruthful when she says she has no idea why. Sydney is determined to find out the truth and keep her grandmother safe.
Y'all. This was just not good. SO many continuity errors. It feels like Grand told the cop 6 times about the secret, but every time it came up again, he didn't know and Grand hadn't told him. The sex scenes were weird and badly written. They would have been better to just fade to black. The new bookstore was fun, but it didn't have anything to do with the main plot.
Release Date: 6/3/2025
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
or
https://authorwendywax.com/
The one attached is a kid's book author.
--------------
The long awaited next book in the Ten Beach Road series follows Sydney as she gets written off her hit TV show and goes to Florida to hang out with her grandmother as she takes a reset and decides what to do with her life. But when her grandmother's new house starts getting broken into, Sydney knows that her grandmother is being untruthful when she says she has no idea why. Sydney is determined to find out the truth and keep her grandmother safe.
Y'all. This was just not good. SO many continuity errors. It feels like Grand told the cop 6 times about the secret, but every time it came up again, he didn't know and Grand hadn't told him. The sex scenes were weird and badly written. They would have been better to just fade to black. The new bookstore was fun, but it didn't have anything to do with the main plot.
Release Date: 6/3/2025
June 13, 2025
Disappointed!
The book seemed like it was written by a juvenile, not a seasoned professional. The storyline was silly, as were the actions if the main character Sydney/Cassie. Also, the 83 year old Grand is totally unbelievable--has Ms. Wax hung out with this age group lately? He version if that age group is a faury tale! As for cop/boyfriend, Luke, it was amazing all the time he took off to watch over the "ladies." Wouldn't happen in the real wold! Throwing exaggerated sex scenes didn't make this an adult novel, only a foolish one! The two stars are for including "Ten Beach Road" characters ...the ones she should have written about and continued their stiories. Sorry for this review, but so disappointed in this silly book!
The book seemed like it was written by a juvenile, not a seasoned professional. The storyline was silly, as were the actions if the main character Sydney/Cassie. Also, the 83 year old Grand is totally unbelievable--has Ms. Wax hung out with this age group lately? He version if that age group is a faury tale! As for cop/boyfriend, Luke, it was amazing all the time he took off to watch over the "ladies." Wouldn't happen in the real wold! Throwing exaggerated sex scenes didn't make this an adult novel, only a foolish one! The two stars are for including "Ten Beach Road" characters ...the ones she should have written about and continued their stiories. Sorry for this review, but so disappointed in this silly book!
July 12, 2025
No thank you
May 27, 2025
I was in the mood for something light when that beach-perfect cover of "Just Beachy" caught my eye—and wow, did this book surprise me! While it presented as a breezy romance, Wendy Wax delivered something with unexpected depth and spark.
The witty banter had me chuckling out loud more times than I care to admit. There's something deliciously satisfying about dialogue that crackles with personality, and Wax served it up in spades. The small-town setting gave off those summery vibes and sense of community. My favorite part was when locals hilariously confused protagonist Sydney with her TV alter-ego "Cassie Everheart." This confusion created some genuinely funny moments while subtly exploring how we merge actors with their on-screen personas—a thoughtful layer I wasn't expecting in a beach read.
I'll confess the romance between Sydney and Luke didn't quite sweep me away—the chemistry felt more lukewarm than sizzling. But what unexpectedly kept me turning pages? The mystery! Sydney's grandmother harbored a dangerous secret involving a missing painting and its true creator that added genuine tension to what could have been a predictable plot. This element elevated the entire story, transforming it from standard romance to something more compelling.
For audiobook lovers, Amy Rubinate's narration deserved special mention. Her voice work for both Sydney and her grandmother added dimension to the characters, and her timing enhanced those already-funny moments to another level of enjoyment.
While basking in sunshine recently, "Just Beachy" provided exactly the entertaining escape I craved.
Thank you, Berkley and PRH Audio, for my complimentary books for review.
The witty banter had me chuckling out loud more times than I care to admit. There's something deliciously satisfying about dialogue that crackles with personality, and Wax served it up in spades. The small-town setting gave off those summery vibes and sense of community. My favorite part was when locals hilariously confused protagonist Sydney with her TV alter-ego "Cassie Everheart." This confusion created some genuinely funny moments while subtly exploring how we merge actors with their on-screen personas—a thoughtful layer I wasn't expecting in a beach read.
I'll confess the romance between Sydney and Luke didn't quite sweep me away—the chemistry felt more lukewarm than sizzling. But what unexpectedly kept me turning pages? The mystery! Sydney's grandmother harbored a dangerous secret involving a missing painting and its true creator that added genuine tension to what could have been a predictable plot. This element elevated the entire story, transforming it from standard romance to something more compelling.
For audiobook lovers, Amy Rubinate's narration deserved special mention. Her voice work for both Sydney and her grandmother added dimension to the characters, and her timing enhanced those already-funny moments to another level of enjoyment.
While basking in sunshine recently, "Just Beachy" provided exactly the entertaining escape I craved.
Thank you, Berkley and PRH Audio, for my complimentary books for review.
Read
January 13, 2026DNF @ 25%
Sydney Ryan is an ex TV cop returning home to Florida where no one can tell her a part from her on screen character. To ease her mother's worry she agrees to live with her Grandma in a new swanky old folks community while she plans out her next career move.
That's as far as I was willing to go, the summary promised so much more and I hope other readers are patient enough to get to it. Although the gag was funny the first time, it is inconceivable to me that the entire state of Florida doesn't know the difference between an actor and the characters they play. I loved The Breakup Book Club by Wendy Wax and maybe if this book had more POVs I would have forgave the silliness in Sydney Ryan's POV.
Sydney Ryan is an ex TV cop returning home to Florida where no one can tell her a part from her on screen character. To ease her mother's worry she agrees to live with her Grandma in a new swanky old folks community while she plans out her next career move.
That's as far as I was willing to go, the summary promised so much more and I hope other readers are patient enough to get to it. Although the gag was funny the first time, it is inconceivable to me that the entire state of Florida doesn't know the difference between an actor and the characters they play. I loved The Breakup Book Club by Wendy Wax and maybe if this book had more POVs I would have forgave the silliness in Sydney Ryan's POV.
August 13, 2025
I’m really not trying to be dramatic or harsh when I say that this was the stupidest thing I’ve ever read and the only reason I finished it is because I spent real money on it and it’s set in St Pete Beach
September 24, 2025
Such a goood read! Definitely loved the story line! I could not put it down! I felt like I was in the story with them the whole time!
November 23, 2025
At first I thought this was just frothy fun, but then it became ludicrous. The running gag of the main character being mistaken for the fictional character she played on TV is too dumb to be funny. The sex scenes were uncomfortably porny. The whole thing sounded as if were written by the character Elle Woods from the movie Legally Blonde before she discovered how bright she was.
January 27, 2026
Loved it - as usual! I may need to go back and re-read the 10 Beach Road series.
March 26, 2025
Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC of Just Beachy by Wendy Wax. I am giving the book two stars for the setting (Paradise Island sounds lovely!) and the initial premise of the book is a great idea, its just not fleshed out in this novel.
The main character is Sydney Ryan, an actress that has became famous for her character on a police drama tv series. Her character's name is Cassie Everhart, this is important to the story because everyone thinks she is the character through out the novel. This is a problem mainly because Cassie is "written off" the show and she heads to Florida to recoup with her friends and grandmother who is in the process of moving from Georgia to Paradise Island, Florida. The story has a strong start in that we have Sydney who is trying to figure out her next steps and her sweet and lively grandmother needs her help to move in. Okay, then the story starts getting messy as the plot adds a lot of things. No spoilers but the story has kidnapping, bar fights, sunset toasts, book store renovation, and a second chance romance to just name a few. These are not done in a way that feels cohesive. I liked the premise from the book blurb but as I read I kept asking "why is this even here?" Then to make it worse some of the details/conflicts are not resolved or are mentioned once only to be forgotten. For example, Sydney has two sisters apparently, they are mentioned in one sentence and then nothing for the whole book. Sydney literally loses her job, moves across coasts, her grandma's house gets broken into and there isn't one call from a sister to check in? It threw me off and I would not likely recommend this novel due to the sloppiness of it.
The main character is Sydney Ryan, an actress that has became famous for her character on a police drama tv series. Her character's name is Cassie Everhart, this is important to the story because everyone thinks she is the character through out the novel. This is a problem mainly because Cassie is "written off" the show and she heads to Florida to recoup with her friends and grandmother who is in the process of moving from Georgia to Paradise Island, Florida. The story has a strong start in that we have Sydney who is trying to figure out her next steps and her sweet and lively grandmother needs her help to move in. Okay, then the story starts getting messy as the plot adds a lot of things. No spoilers but the story has kidnapping, bar fights, sunset toasts, book store renovation, and a second chance romance to just name a few. These are not done in a way that feels cohesive. I liked the premise from the book blurb but as I read I kept asking "why is this even here?" Then to make it worse some of the details/conflicts are not resolved or are mentioned once only to be forgotten. For example, Sydney has two sisters apparently, they are mentioned in one sentence and then nothing for the whole book. Sydney literally loses her job, moves across coasts, her grandma's house gets broken into and there isn't one call from a sister to check in? It threw me off and I would not likely recommend this novel due to the sloppiness of it.
May 31, 2025
3.5 rounded up
The perfect beach read book for the summer! There's a heartwarming grandmother-granddaughter relationship, romance, a sunny Florida setting and even some action involving a missing painting and its dubious origins. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Brenda Novak. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
The perfect beach read book for the summer! There's a heartwarming grandmother-granddaughter relationship, romance, a sunny Florida setting and even some action involving a missing painting and its dubious origins. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Brenda Novak. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
January 22, 2026
https://openbooksociety.com/article/j...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Well, first off, this is the first full-length book by Wendy Wax that I have read (previously read her novella – A Bella Flora Christmas – and unfortunately was not very impressed). This title is definitely a step up and one that I really enjoyed. So much so that I gave it a rating of ‘5’!
Sydney Ryan is an actress on the show Murder 101 (filmed in Hollywood) and is unceremoniously let go from the series by having her character (Cassie Everheart) committed to rehab for an alcohol problem. So what is a gal to do? Well… go visit friends and family on the East Coast while gathering her bearings after this setback of course! Sydney heads back to the east coast, her mother (Tonja Kay), friends, and her grandmother – Lillian Louise Wilde (affectionately known as Grand). Seems that Grand wants to move to Treasure Island, Florida, and her daughter (Sydney’s mother) is not happy about this and hopes that Sydney can talk Grand into at least moving into a senior’s residence.
Unbeknownst to Sydney or Tonja, Grand has found and put an offer on a place to buy…so in order to keep an eye on Grand, Sydney agrees to move in with Grand in this new Gulf home. And this is where some of the intriguing events start to occur. For one -> break-ins at the new home. While trying to figure out why this is happening, Sydney reconnects with an old flame (Luke Hayes) who just happens to be with the local constabulary. Grand is also trying to help her friend and neighbour, Myra open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille. Sydney starts to wonder what Grand is not telling her! That is something that I will not divulge, as that is an integral part of the story J Suffice it so say – this is all part of the charm of the book.
I got quite a chuckle out of Sydney’s ringtone for her mother – The Psycho theme song! Or the name of a restaurant on the sliver-shaped barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico call The Hurricane – what were they thinking? Another challenge Sydney has is that everyone (I mean the bartender at Harley’s) will not serve Sydney a drink because all he sees in her is Cassie Everheart, who was sent to rehab… he does not want her to relapse. Seems he is not able to separate the character from the real person, much to Sydney’s chagrin. The storyline around this scenario certainly had me smiling.
As with all good mysteries, it does take a while for Sydney to uncover the truth as to why the break-ins are happening. It also takes a while for Sydney to come to accept the new path her life is on – but a path with some new and exciting possibilities.
I must agree with another review that I read with respect to the intimate scenes between Sydney and Luke – I could have done with less detail and let my imagination do the rest.
Overall, Just Beachy is a good read which kept my attention throughout and in the end – wanting more from this author and the series. It was a humorous read with a bit of a mystery mixed in as well as a romantic component. Just Beachy must have been good, as I did read it in record time!!! 🙂
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Well, first off, this is the first full-length book by Wendy Wax that I have read (previously read her novella – A Bella Flora Christmas – and unfortunately was not very impressed). This title is definitely a step up and one that I really enjoyed. So much so that I gave it a rating of ‘5’!
Sydney Ryan is an actress on the show Murder 101 (filmed in Hollywood) and is unceremoniously let go from the series by having her character (Cassie Everheart) committed to rehab for an alcohol problem. So what is a gal to do? Well… go visit friends and family on the East Coast while gathering her bearings after this setback of course! Sydney heads back to the east coast, her mother (Tonja Kay), friends, and her grandmother – Lillian Louise Wilde (affectionately known as Grand). Seems that Grand wants to move to Treasure Island, Florida, and her daughter (Sydney’s mother) is not happy about this and hopes that Sydney can talk Grand into at least moving into a senior’s residence.
Unbeknownst to Sydney or Tonja, Grand has found and put an offer on a place to buy…so in order to keep an eye on Grand, Sydney agrees to move in with Grand in this new Gulf home. And this is where some of the intriguing events start to occur. For one -> break-ins at the new home. While trying to figure out why this is happening, Sydney reconnects with an old flame (Luke Hayes) who just happens to be with the local constabulary. Grand is also trying to help her friend and neighbour, Myra open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille. Sydney starts to wonder what Grand is not telling her! That is something that I will not divulge, as that is an integral part of the story J Suffice it so say – this is all part of the charm of the book.
I got quite a chuckle out of Sydney’s ringtone for her mother – The Psycho theme song! Or the name of a restaurant on the sliver-shaped barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico call The Hurricane – what were they thinking? Another challenge Sydney has is that everyone (I mean the bartender at Harley’s) will not serve Sydney a drink because all he sees in her is Cassie Everheart, who was sent to rehab… he does not want her to relapse. Seems he is not able to separate the character from the real person, much to Sydney’s chagrin. The storyline around this scenario certainly had me smiling.
As with all good mysteries, it does take a while for Sydney to uncover the truth as to why the break-ins are happening. It also takes a while for Sydney to come to accept the new path her life is on – but a path with some new and exciting possibilities.
I must agree with another review that I read with respect to the intimate scenes between Sydney and Luke – I could have done with less detail and let my imagination do the rest.
Overall, Just Beachy is a good read which kept my attention throughout and in the end – wanting more from this author and the series. It was a humorous read with a bit of a mystery mixed in as well as a romantic component. Just Beachy must have been good, as I did read it in record time!!! 🙂
June 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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After losing her long-time acting gig on the hit show Murder 101, Sydney Ryan decides she needs a break from Hollywood politics. She heads to Treasure Island, Florida where her grandmother has been visiting and now refuses to leave. Sydney’s plan to lie low for a bit quickly goes awry though, as she is swept up in her grandmother’s now flourishing social life—Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, she’s also helping her neighbor Myra open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house repeatedly Sydney realizes her grandmother is keeping something from her.
Determined to ferret out the truth and protect her grandmother, Sydney enlists the help of the Ten Beach Road ladies and Luke, a local police officer who was once her high school crush. While Sydney puts her television crime-solving skills to the test, she decides to act on the sizzling chemistry between herself and Luke. And as Sydney spends more sunsets toasting to true friends and new romance, she begins to wonder if the sun is setting on her time in Hollywood and if this town could be the dawn of a new chapter.
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I was so excited when I learned that a new Wendy Wax book was on its way! And when I found it was going to bring us back into the world we were first introduced to in the Ten Beach Road series, I was ready to do a little happy dance. After all, how often are you given an opportunity to return to a beloved series year later to check in and see how the characters are doing? This book does introduce also a whole new cast, and they are just as delightful as our friends from Bella Flora. Wax brings us what seems like a mystery novel but is really so much more. This is a celebration of women's relationships, both family and friendship. We get to meet strong, independent females who remind us that women can do anything when they work together. We get some comic relief, some NSFW bits, and some swoony romance thrown in. Most of all, we get to enjoy that Wendy Wax is back writing the kinds of books we love from her.
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After losing her long-time acting gig on the hit show Murder 101, Sydney Ryan decides she needs a break from Hollywood politics. She heads to Treasure Island, Florida where her grandmother has been visiting and now refuses to leave. Sydney’s plan to lie low for a bit quickly goes awry though, as she is swept up in her grandmother’s now flourishing social life—Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, she’s also helping her neighbor Myra open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house repeatedly Sydney realizes her grandmother is keeping something from her.
Determined to ferret out the truth and protect her grandmother, Sydney enlists the help of the Ten Beach Road ladies and Luke, a local police officer who was once her high school crush. While Sydney puts her television crime-solving skills to the test, she decides to act on the sizzling chemistry between herself and Luke. And as Sydney spends more sunsets toasting to true friends and new romance, she begins to wonder if the sun is setting on her time in Hollywood and if this town could be the dawn of a new chapter.
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I was so excited when I learned that a new Wendy Wax book was on its way! And when I found it was going to bring us back into the world we were first introduced to in the Ten Beach Road series, I was ready to do a little happy dance. After all, how often are you given an opportunity to return to a beloved series year later to check in and see how the characters are doing? This book does introduce also a whole new cast, and they are just as delightful as our friends from Bella Flora. Wax brings us what seems like a mystery novel but is really so much more. This is a celebration of women's relationships, both family and friendship. We get to meet strong, independent females who remind us that women can do anything when they work together. We get some comic relief, some NSFW bits, and some swoony romance thrown in. Most of all, we get to enjoy that Wendy Wax is back writing the kinds of books we love from her.
May 16, 2025
During a table read, Sydney realizes that the character she has played on tv for the last 5 seasons is being written out if the show. At loose ends and unable to land another acting job, she decides to temporarily relocate to the Florida community where her grandmother, affectionately named Grand, has just moved. While there, Sydney reconnects with Luke, her high school crush, helps her grandmother's friend open a bookstore, and moonlights as a bouncer because people just can't seem to realize that she is not actually the cop character that she played on tv. With all of that going on, repeated mysterious break-ins at Grand's house has Sydney using all of the crime solving skills she learned from television to figure out what is going on.
Just Beachy was not for me. The story felt just surface level to me and while it had the opportunity to really dig deep into the characters and their relationships and show great character development, it left me wanting more. Some of the characters in the book were characters from the author's Ten Beach Road series that I haven't read. The backstories there were relatively complicated and their relationships to each other and the characters from Just Beachy were glossed over and I was left with a feeling of not knowing what was going on. Sydney and Luke's relationship felt very superficial, which it shouldn't have been since they have known each other since they were children. My favorite parts were all of the scenes that were related to the bookstore. Sydney's grandmother, Grand, was my favorite character.
I have read other books by Wendy Wax that I have enjoyed and I'm not going to hesitate to go back and read her Ten Beach Road series. If you like a light, fluffy, frothy beach read with family drama, mystery and romance thrown in there, Just Beachy might be for you.
Thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for an eARC of Just Beachy. Add to your summer TBR when it comes out on June 3.
Just Beachy was not for me. The story felt just surface level to me and while it had the opportunity to really dig deep into the characters and their relationships and show great character development, it left me wanting more. Some of the characters in the book were characters from the author's Ten Beach Road series that I haven't read. The backstories there were relatively complicated and their relationships to each other and the characters from Just Beachy were glossed over and I was left with a feeling of not knowing what was going on. Sydney and Luke's relationship felt very superficial, which it shouldn't have been since they have known each other since they were children. My favorite parts were all of the scenes that were related to the bookstore. Sydney's grandmother, Grand, was my favorite character.
I have read other books by Wendy Wax that I have enjoyed and I'm not going to hesitate to go back and read her Ten Beach Road series. If you like a light, fluffy, frothy beach read with family drama, mystery and romance thrown in there, Just Beachy might be for you.
Thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for an eARC of Just Beachy. Add to your summer TBR when it comes out on June 3.
May 4, 2025
Just Beachy starts off really funny and takes place at one of my favorite beach towns so I was all in for this one! Sydney has just been written off the cop show she’s been on for the past five years. It was really funny when she read the script and realized she’s being replaced by a younger actress and her character, Cassie, is sent off to rehab, never to return. She decides it’s a good time to visit her best friend Kyla in Florida and at the same time her mother asks her to help out her grandmother (Grand) who is also in Florida. When she gets there, she is meeting Kyla for a drink but everyone in the bar recognizes her and treats her like she’s Cassie, the character from her TV show. They ask her if she should be drinking after being in rehab and there’s a lot of humor throughout the story like this. She breaks up an attempted robbery and the officer that shows up at the scene is Luke, her high school crush.
Sydney helps her Grand move into her new townhome on the beach but when her home gets broken into several times there’s a mystery to solve. Luke wants to help them and Grand may know more than she’s letting on.
The story stretches along the Florida Gulf Coast from the Don Cesar in Passe Grille up to Treasure Island. I have been there often over the years and so one of the highlights for me was seeing the characters stop into some of my favorite places along the beach and enjoy meals and good times.
Things got confusing for me in the middle of the book when lots of characters from the author’s previous books show up and I don’t know who they are.
I think readers who have been to this beach area will enjoy this as well as readers looking for some laughs in a light hearted story with romance and a side of mystery. This was 3 and 1/2 stars for me and I rounded up to 4 here. My full review will be at All About Romance closer to the release date.
Sydney helps her Grand move into her new townhome on the beach but when her home gets broken into several times there’s a mystery to solve. Luke wants to help them and Grand may know more than she’s letting on.
The story stretches along the Florida Gulf Coast from the Don Cesar in Passe Grille up to Treasure Island. I have been there often over the years and so one of the highlights for me was seeing the characters stop into some of my favorite places along the beach and enjoy meals and good times.
Things got confusing for me in the middle of the book when lots of characters from the author’s previous books show up and I don’t know who they are.
I think readers who have been to this beach area will enjoy this as well as readers looking for some laughs in a light hearted story with romance and a side of mystery. This was 3 and 1/2 stars for me and I rounded up to 4 here. My full review will be at All About Romance closer to the release date.
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