South Beach

Alexa & Holly #1

by Aimee Friedman

HOT SAND. HOT CLUBS. HOT GUYS.
What more could two girls want? Try the same guy.



SPRING BREAK. SOUTH BEACH. 'NUFF SAID.

On a trip to a place where anything can happen -- and does -- two ex-best friends discover that a chance encounter can lead to the chance of a lifetime.

Dream date or bad fate? She wants true love--and a break from her strict parents. Perhaps a spring fling will do?

Flirting with destiny or flirting with disaster? The guy of her dreams turns out to be her friend's first love. How far is she willing to go?

This year, Spring Break is going to be scandalous!

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Fiction, Teen, Young Adult Romance

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Aimee Friedman was born and raised in Queens, New York, in an apartment filled with books and different languages. She wrote her first story at the age of five, and was off and running from there. Aimee wrote all through her years as a student at the Bronx High School of Science and then Vassar College. After graduating from college in 2001, she became a children's book editor, a job she still does, and loves, to this day! Aimee published her first novel, the New York Times bestseller, South Beach, in 2005, and is now the author of several novels for young adults, the latest being Two Summers. Aimee lives in New York City, where she can usually be found writing in cafes, window-shopping, or searching for the perfect iced latte.

Reviews

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brought me so much joy as a tween. I remember reading it together with my best friend and we completely idolized these girls!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good summer read! Perfect by the pool!

[Tiny Pants · Rating 3 out of 5]

The incredibly cheesy cover does not exactly draw one in. And yet, I read this in one sitting, and it was honestly pretty good. I mean, there are cheesy bits and they're drunk like, the entire time, but I actually found it to be very lively and the characters to actually be somewhat endearing and relatable.

I think the thing I liked most about it was the overall conceit of the plot, which is that these two girls were friends in grade school, but then the one girl became really popular and dropped the other. Now they're on this trip together, and I found seeing how they negotiate their status -- that they used to be extremely close, but recently are not so -- very believable and again, very relatable. Some of the stuff they do is a bit madcap and can be very fun. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by it, though I will say again, the cover is dead cheesy and I wouldn't characterize myself as like, proud that I've read it!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Totally craptacular slightly predictable dishy summer read. Both of the characters go through believable changes, AND for the most part Friedman NAILS South Beach! (the thinly veiled Clevelander, AKA Ohio's, cracked me up - from the jerky bouncers to the drunken fratboys, yep, that's the Clevelander)

However, there's no Boardwalk on the part of South Beach where the girls are visiting. But that's OK.

Fun!!

[♥!♥Rusvely Peguero · Rating 5 out of 5]

A KOOL GIRL AND A NORMAL ONE GET 2GETHER REUNITING AFTER A LONG TIME OF NOT BEING BESTFRIENDS...THEY BOTH GO0 TO MIAMI FOR SPRING BRAKE AND LIKE THE SAME GUY...THEY HAVE MANY NIGHTS OF HOOK UPS DRINKING AND CLUBING W. UNKNOWN GUYS..OVER ALL THEY HAV AND UNFORGETABLE TIME W. FIGHTING AND ARGUING BUT AT THE END THEY BOTH FIND THEIR PERFECT GUY.

*BELLY* (HOOTT BOOK!!)

[Tiffany Dominguez · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so superficial, I felt sick reading it. The main character sells out and almost sleeps with a guy after getting drunk. Honestly, is this what girls are reading now? There is such a need for quality YA out there!

[Kayleigh P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read 2005-2007. Fun read about a girls trip. My problem with books like this was always how independent 16 year olds are depicted. I think that’s the exception, not the rule. But still, good escapism.

[Kali F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exelent. Amiee is a very good writer and uses descriptive writing very well. I would recomend this book!

[Juckle_spuckle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but relationships kind of got drawn on a little fast (especially between Tyler and Holly).

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book to read while at poolside and I found it hard to put down. Didn't expect the end though which was good. Quick read and a change of writing for myself.

[Allyson Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

i don’t care what anyone says, i LOVE trashy y2k books

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was super fast paced, and I loved the story line! Summary: Alexa is basically perfect, but she breaks up with her boyfriend right before spring break. Since she was planning on going to Colorado with him, she can't go on spring break with her friends so she decides to call Holly up and see what she's doing. They used to be best friends but they slowly grew apart. Asking Holly what she was doing was kind of odd. Holly isn't doing anything, but somehow they agree to go to Florida where Holly's grandmother lives. When they get there Holly's grandmother has a boyfriend and after Alex proposes they stay in a hotel, Holly's grandmother agrees. They won't tell her parents about it either. The main events that occur include hanging out and going to clubs with their new friends down the hall, Holly reuniting with Diego, and the girls becoming kind of friends again. As for the reuniting with Diego, Holly fell in love with him when she last visited her grandmother a few years ago. She still likes him, but they don't seem to have the same chemistry. But then he and Alex his and all hell breaks loose. In the end, everything is okay, and Diego and Alexa decide to date since Diego will be attending college near the girls' hometown. Near the end of the book Alexa's ex-boyfriend comes and wants to know why Alexa all of a sudden broke up with him. Somehow he and Holly get talking and he confesses he has liked her for awhile. Now the two are dating! Happy ending to a really good book! Excited for the second one!

[Lynz · Rating 3 out of 5]

South Beach is a breezy, easy read that captures the chaos and allure of spring break in Miami. The story follows two ex-best friends, Holly and Alexa, as they reunite for a trip that tests their friendship and personal growth.

The setting is vibrant, and the drama unfolds quickly, making it a good pick for a light, fast-paced read. However, while the book delivers on entertainment, it doesn't offer much depth or lasting impact. The characters are relatable, but their development feels surface-level, and the plot, though engaging, doesn't leave a lasting impression.

Overall, it's a fun read for fans of YA chick-lit and those looking for a quick, entertaining escape. While it didn't stand out as exceptional, it was enjoyable for what it was.

[Kbooks]

FANTASTIC FIND!
found it at a cheap thrifty bookstore in Virginia, only 1.50, great book!

has some language, lots of sexual content(innuendos, almost doing it with her bf, almost doing it with someone else

awesome! loved it, has important friendship life lessons as well!

[deedz · Rating 2 out of 5]

it’s definitely camp

[Gracie 💕 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this in the 8th grade and I loved it back then. 💕

[Brittany Bev]

I read this in 2005 and loved it back then. My Spanish teacher took it away from me in class one day but I think she eventually returned it 😂.

[Ariel Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing it was all mostly about a long friendship bad relationships and excitement. The genre of this book was relastic fiction because this girl named Alexa had just broke up with her boyfriend and her friends have all gone to their spring break locations so she calls up her old bestfriend from middle school and ends up going to south beach with her and experment some crazy things in south beach.Spoiler alert Holly ends up dating her best friends boyfriend. The setting of the book was mostly the bars that they went to in the book but there was multiple settings there was the VIP hotel that they snook into because they lived in a least famous hotel that the girls holly aunt suggested. Another setting was the beach that holly and Tyler went to for a date behind Alexa's back. Alexa wanted someone to go on a spring break vacation with her because she broke up with her boyfriend Tyler so she wasn't going to aspen with Him so she looked on her Facebook page and saw that her friend holly might not be going anywhere because her parents were overprotective so she called up holly and she and Alexa went to south beach and ended up staying in the hotel the flamingo after that holly she's her crush from like middle school that Alexa never knew about that she kissed and he really doenst have feelings for holly anymore so he starts to like Alexaand holly starts to date Alexa's ex-boyfriend Tyler This book was person vs person because its Alexa trying to see if her friend holly is still the same way also its person vs person because holly doesn't know if she should really hangout with Alexa because she thinks that she's better than everyone. The theme of this book was mostly friendship and dating because it the story when holly starts dating Alexa's ex boyfriend Tyler she gets really mad at holly because she didn't think that Tyler since he's the cutest boy in school and she's like the weird girl at school whos on the tennis team but at the end Alexa aceepts that holly is dating her ex boyfriend because her and her ex boyfriend end up being friends at the end of the story. The point of view of this book was first person because Alexa's and holly both share their feelings on how they feel about eachother on the sidelines of the story also because they use the word I, myself,.The title relates to the book because the title is called south beach and holly and Alexa go to south beach for spring break I thought the title ment like south beach was the name of bar or a city. The narrator is reliable because both of the girls are telling their sides of the story and what they think about eachother like in the book Alexa says holly was never the social type she only mostly hungout with the people on her tennis team. I was surprised when I found out that Tyler Alexa's ex boyfriend had to come talk to her after she broke up with him because he was just all cute face no fun then have said no she couldn't date him anymore because she really didn't like him that much so he started to date holly behind Alexa's back Untill she found out. I liked the way the author used specific words to decried all the charachters like for Alexa she said she had blonde hair that was long as tree branch she had green eyes that everybody wished they had and she was quite the flirty type she dated mostly every guy in the school. I would rate this book 5 because at first u think that this is the most boring book ever but once u get into the book and understand the words really well and how the characters feel about eachother like in the ok it said that everybody thought that I was just a girl who hungover most of the time just because i liked every guy and every guy liked me. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read books that u won't understand at first but they u understand what exactl happend and whats going to happen also read this book if ur really into books with specific details with lots of information.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spring break is approaching and neither Alexa St. Laurent not her former best friend Holly Jacobson have plans. For Holly, this is nothing new since her super strict parents rarely let her go anywhere, but for Alexa, this is a complete and utter social disaster. Never one to admit defeat, Alexa concocts a plan with Holly, and before they know it, they’re off to South Beach in Florida. Rooming together is a little awkward since the girls are so different. Alexa, a partier by nature, is afraid shy Holly will put a damper on her wild plans while Holly, intimidated by Alexa’s clothes, makeup, and attitude, just want to reconnect with her childhood friend—and crush—Diego. Things go along relatively smoothly until Alexa sets her sights on none other than Diego. South Beach is about to see a lot more drama.

South Beach is the perfect guilty pleasure read for any spring or summer vacation. Filled with hot beaches, dance clubs, gorgeous boys, and drama, this story is sure to keep any girl interested. Even though there is plenty of drinking and other sticky situations, South Beach does not come off as a trashy read, and this, I believe, is all due to the realistic characters. Alexa is certainly the less inhibited of the two girls but even with her selfish actions and sometimes nasty personality, she’s hard to completely dislike and can still be sympathized with. Holly is a genuinely sweet and innocent girl most readers will be able to relate to. Her character experiences growth into being more independent, which readers will cheer for. I commend Friedman for creating such an interesting and enjoyable read of friendship and fun.

South Beach will be enjoyed by those who also liked Summer Boys and Summer Girls, both by Hailey Abbott, and Faking 19 by Alyson Noël.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This best-selling novel is about a 16-year-old Alexa who is looking for a little excitement in her life. She is tired of her boyfriend Tyler, who she find naive, safe, and entirely too nice, So then Alexa breaks up with him and cancels their spring break plans, but then afterwards she's Shocked to find herself now with no place to go for break. And so then she calls up her old best friend Holly. The girls decide to hit South Beach, Florida and try to revive their friendship. Their trip is barely underway before both Alexa and Holly are questioning why they ever thought this was a good idea. With little in common anymore except for the memories of a faded friendship, they are struggling to get along and overcome their differences. When a boy comes between them, they realize they are more alike than they think. Good girl Holly are is similar in Alexa's more free-spirited lifestyle, and Alexa finds herself wanting something more than just a good time.

I made a text to text connection because I can connect how Holly,Laurent,and Alexa fall for the same guy. In the private series Ariana and Reed liked the same guy Thomas Pearson, and then terrible things start to happen, except there were only 2 girls not 3, and not much terrible things happen between liking the same boy with Holly,Laurent,and Alexa.

I rate this book 4 stars because this book was very descriptive about the friendship between Holly, Laurent, and Alexa,but just one criticism is that it gets boring alittle after awhile it gets more interesting.I recommend this book to teens who like books with the genre of Friendship.

[firmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

...

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really expected the worst with this series- it really sounded cheesy and probably would have been repetitive often. I actually found it to be really good- fun and the perfect summer read, but you know, I was sitting here in the cold, gloomy sparks of the winter, what could I say!

I read some good reviews and some bad reviews on this one, and I didn't know who to trust. The Goodreads Average Rating is pretty high and average. Aimee Friedman really created a fun book, I don't know why the whole trilogy has been sitting in my shelf for so long!

I had so much fun with this book, both Alexa and Holly were great characters who were complete opposites, although Holly did get on my nerves sometimes.

[Amy]

I love this book! This book is about how these 2 friend name Holly and Alexa. Alexa broke up with her boyfriend so during spring break she had no where to go, she went to ask her ex-friend Holly if she can hangout with her during spring break. It was awkward at first but throughout the book, they got really close to each other. I love how their friendship grow throughout the book! It remind me of how my friend and i end our friendship and we became friend again during the summer too. Ending a friendship and becoming friend again is really awkward at first because you might think that your friend had change, but later on you have more things in common.

[Shankia Tinsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read a teen drama story, and South Beach was the perfect "first time in a long time" teaser for me. Even though at some points I felt like I was reading an adult novel what with all of the raunchy and intimate scenes, I must say that I enjoyed this book; I even found myself laughing aloud in some instances, which is always a plus for a person who doesn't care much for comical things.

I'm still questioning whether or not I will read the rest of the series, given teen drama isn't my thing anymore, really. I would like to finish what I have started, but until then, I will never forget my trip to Aimee Friedman's South Beach!

[Jadine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book probably almost 10 years ago. I still had it on my bookshelf I got book three and wanted to reread book 1 and 2. I do not know what I thought about the book back then but now I feel like this book would have been better if the characters in it were in college not in high school. I just feel like the whole spring break travel alone thing was uncharacteristic for a high school student at least in my experience. They seem to have easy access to alcohol, parents that let them do all these crazy things. Not that I don't think high school kids do these things but I really don't think they do them to this elevated level.

[Shelbys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Its about teens in today life, growing up, and meeting boys. Although most teenagers today arent rich with many, many, credit cards, who can just fly to wherever they want whenever they want. Alexa (the main character) lives the life of a celeberty switiching roles between the best-friend and the girl-friend. In the end she finally realizes that she needs to be a best-friend and a good loyal girl-friend to the "love of her life". The book kinda gave some interesting tips on being a good friend to others as well.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book was okay. I mean, the story line was pretty weak, but the interesting details got me through it. I foundd the book a little boring because it was all based on this little childhood romance. And then, with all of that love at first sight stuff, it wasn't really interesting. I was just thinking while I read it about how many times I've heard that before and how it's so old. But, I mean, the book is old, so it's probably not the author's fault, considering it was written in 2005. If I'd read it then, then I would probably have been more interested in it.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

South Beach is a light, fluffy beach read. And that's not a negative thing. While I enjoyed it (and could relate at times to both main characters- like Alexa I also dumped a friend when I thought she was still babyish but that's about the only time.), it is not as good as Sea Change or The Year my Sister Got Lucky, which are also by Aimee Friedman.
I look forward to reading more about Alexa & Holly.

[..Fifi... · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book last summer and LOVED it...its totally a summer book...the way they desccribe Miami makes you want to visit Miami...and I live in Miami already...:D...the story is really good and took a twist as far as who ends up with who...I kinda predictated who was going to end up with whom, but still it was good...great story for a teenager...and I TOTALLY recommend it...really fun book...

P.S. Miami is as great as they describe it...:D...

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good summer read however I'm bit dissapointed by the ending and plot twist *spoiler alert* I was rooting for Holly to fall in love with Diego and be with him the suspense built that up so we got to know their history and their relationship seemed to have substance. Alexa seems to just always get what she wants and isn't the most likeable so its almost like she wins and Holly looses out which is unexpected and disappointing.