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DOWNBEACH
1988. On the real streets of Monopoly…
The world around sixteen-year-old Mike Gibbon is one of stark contrasts. Atlantic City is simultaneously a place of great wealth and deep despair. Despite playing host to major events like Mike Tyson fights and Wrestlemania, it has just been named by Time magazine as the worst place to live in America.
Gibb, as his friends call him, is one of the most popular kids at Atlantic City High School, and an orphan. That confusing combination forces him to keep his emotional guard up. For support, he relies on his two best friends Dogg and Dougie; they always have his back.
Gibb has two goals this summer, keeping up with the girl of his dreams and sneaking into the Mike Tyson fight. With two hands, he is trying to hold onto the last days of innocence. He feels the world outside his door. The little mischiefs he and his friends partake in keep escalating. Until one fateful night, his door gets kicked in. Before senior year even starts, Gibb must learn to cope with loss, his own culpability, and the first taste of real life.
These kids don’t have to imagine Boardwalk and Park Place, nor ask why Baltic and Mediterranean only cost sixty bucks. They know the next get out of jail free card is never coming!
The world around sixteen-year-old Mike Gibbon is one of stark contrasts. Atlantic City is simultaneously a place of great wealth and deep despair. Despite playing host to major events like Mike Tyson fights and Wrestlemania, it has just been named by Time magazine as the worst place to live in America.
Gibb, as his friends call him, is one of the most popular kids at Atlantic City High School, and an orphan. That confusing combination forces him to keep his emotional guard up. For support, he relies on his two best friends Dogg and Dougie; they always have his back.
Gibb has two goals this summer, keeping up with the girl of his dreams and sneaking into the Mike Tyson fight. With two hands, he is trying to hold onto the last days of innocence. He feels the world outside his door. The little mischiefs he and his friends partake in keep escalating. Until one fateful night, his door gets kicked in. Before senior year even starts, Gibb must learn to cope with loss, his own culpability, and the first taste of real life.
These kids don’t have to imagine Boardwalk and Park Place, nor ask why Baltic and Mediterranean only cost sixty bucks. They know the next get out of jail free card is never coming!
248 pages, Paperback
Published December 11, 2024
4 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Matt Overs
1 book2 followersMatt Overs has been covering the fights for more than two decades. His articles have been published in KO Magazine, Boxing Insider, and The Boardwalk Journal. He is a staff writer for breakingac.com. Matt is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He lives with his family in Mount Laurel, NJ. DOWNBEACH is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 22, 2025
I read the novel as an ARC reviewer a couple of months ago and found it engaging. Thanks to the author for sending me a copy!
The story is similar to that of The Outsiders, although the setting is different. The latter is very well-crafted, Iso could picture everything the author describes. The characters were relatable and realistic, flawed as all of us are.
I did struggle a bit with the narration style, because sometimes there was a bit of a lack of cohesion between paragraphs. In general, the narration felt a bit run-on, so it seemed like there was no time to breathe or reflect in between scenes.
The story is similar to that of The Outsiders, although the setting is different. The latter is very well-crafted, Iso could picture everything the author describes. The characters were relatable and realistic, flawed as all of us are.
I did struggle a bit with the narration style, because sometimes there was a bit of a lack of cohesion between paragraphs. In general, the narration felt a bit run-on, so it seemed like there was no time to breathe or reflect in between scenes.
November 29, 2024
I think I read this sometime in August maybe, thank you to the author for sending me an ARC copy to read and review!
I really enjoyed this when I read it, I found it very engaging and easy to read, with well-written main characters!
- content note: from what I remember there was some cursing
I really enjoyed this when I read it, I found it very engaging and easy to read, with well-written main characters!
- content note: from what I remember there was some cursing
July 28, 2025
Downbeach felt raw, real, and direct like I was standing with the Downbeach crew as the tides came in and the Atlantic City streets lit up. It captures the confusion and aimlessness of youth in a way that feels uncomfortably real. The atmosphere—hazy, restless, emotionally off-kilter—lingers even after you put it down.
That said, I struggled with some of the choices in the narrative, especially the central act of violence. It felt abrupt and disconnected from the emotional stakes, which made it harder for me to stay invested in Gibb's journey. You really can feel the 1980's Atlantic City vibe. The sense of place really works for this novel. I also noticed quite a few typos and formatting glitches, which pulled me out of the story more than once.
Still, I can see what the author was reaching for—a moody, messy coming-of-age spiral—and I respect the effort. It didn’t connect deeply with me but there’s something here that might resonate more with the right reader. Overall, a good story that is worth trying. Go support a good writer on their debut novel!
That said, I struggled with some of the choices in the narrative, especially the central act of violence. It felt abrupt and disconnected from the emotional stakes, which made it harder for me to stay invested in Gibb's journey. You really can feel the 1980's Atlantic City vibe. The sense of place really works for this novel. I also noticed quite a few typos and formatting glitches, which pulled me out of the story more than once.
Still, I can see what the author was reaching for—a moody, messy coming-of-age spiral—and I respect the effort. It didn’t connect deeply with me but there’s something here that might resonate more with the right reader. Overall, a good story that is worth trying. Go support a good writer on their debut novel!
December 11, 2024
Downbeach is an engaging coming-of-age story centered around Mike Gibbon (or "Gibb") and his friends during the summer before their senior year of high school, set in Atlantic City in 1988.
This book was an absolute joy to read. The character development was well-crafted, and the bond between the friends felt authentic and heartfelt. While the timeline at times seemed a bit disjointed, I appreciated how the narrative spanned the entire summer, capturing the nuances of those fleeting months. The story evoked a strong Outsiders vibe, which I absolutely loved. Overs does an excellent job of immersing readers in the '80s, creating an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and true.
I highly recommend Downbeach to anyone who enjoys stories about friendship, love, and the bittersweet journey of growing up.
This book was an absolute joy to read. The character development was well-crafted, and the bond between the friends felt authentic and heartfelt. While the timeline at times seemed a bit disjointed, I appreciated how the narrative spanned the entire summer, capturing the nuances of those fleeting months. The story evoked a strong Outsiders vibe, which I absolutely loved. Overs does an excellent job of immersing readers in the '80s, creating an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and true.
I highly recommend Downbeach to anyone who enjoys stories about friendship, love, and the bittersweet journey of growing up.
December 14, 2024
His life in the city is like the the city, two parts of each other. The city can be rich and broken at the same time just like his life. He has two friends who with himself get into many dares which are getting worse but life is about to have a major turnaround when his door is kicked. Now he needs to learn a new way to live so follow his journey
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I was soon caught up in his tale
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I was soon caught up in his tale
December 14, 2024
This is a book for dreamers.
The prose, the world, the characters, catch your heart nearly immediately. Gibb and his all-star group of friends take you back to the good old days, when you life was simpler - but so much more complicated as well!
This story goes from high highs, to low lows, and it takes your whole heart right along with it.
I can't recommend it enough to those looking for a good cry and a good laugh, and something that lingers a long time afterward.
The prose, the world, the characters, catch your heart nearly immediately. Gibb and his all-star group of friends take you back to the good old days, when you life was simpler - but so much more complicated as well!
This story goes from high highs, to low lows, and it takes your whole heart right along with it.
I can't recommend it enough to those looking for a good cry and a good laugh, and something that lingers a long time afterward.
December 25, 2024
This story follows Gibb a star football player and part of the Downbeach crew. The story is a well thought out and engaging story. The detail about Atlantic City, the 80s and boxing are in depth. The main character is easy to fall in love with and makes you want to know what’s next for him at all times. I recommend this for anyone looking for a coming of age with some local history in it.
January 16, 2025
Take me back to the 80s. Overs brought me back to my years of high school. Never forgotten friends, first loves, and well becoming adults.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews