*i received this book via GoodReads giveaway. Thanks to all those that made it happen!*

i'm sorry to say i wasn't impressed with this one.

The plot revolves around a white-collar worker drudging through each day until he wins the lottery. He quits his job and proceeds to move to Sand Key, Florida, where he meets a bevy of other people that are also looking for respite from life's various problems.

Despite the ostensibly motley gang of people, none seem likable or even relatable. While it's entirely possible that this was the author's intention, the novel reads like it was written by and for highfalutin WASPs. All of the women in the story seem to be either meretricious opportunists or airheaded bimbos. The main character describes in rather great detail a taxi driver that "looks like he is from one of those stan countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Iranistan, Iraqistan . . . whatever" [p. 67]. He sees "a collection of magazines and Internet articles" and (of course) suspects "much of the information has to do with the precise manufacture of things that go boom" [p. 68].

One of the most prevalent "jokes" in this book is a lame barb at Koreans. After an obligatory "rice and Rottweiler stew" joke, the author fills up another page sneering at "human waste being used as fertilizer in North Korea" [pp. 117-8]. i cannot be sure whether or not Mr. Hart was aware that this had been rather commonplace for thousands of years until about a century ago. i also cannot say whether or not he was aware that biosolids are often still used as fertilizer worldwide (yes, even in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.) But i can certainly venture a guess. Kirkus actually mentions this irrelevant banter in their review, but naturally it was left out when the review was reposted on the author's website.

"This is neither great literature nor politically correct, but it’s a lot of fun.", concludes Publishers Weekly's review. If your idea of fun is lowbrow schlock with vapid characters, then you may find it here. However, even as a fan of lowbrow schlock from time to time, i couldn't say that i enjoyed this one.

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I received this book for Early Reviewers. It was a decent read and kept me wanting to read each chapter to see what happens next. It's a comedy fiction about a guy who wins the lottery and heads off to an island to be a reclusive hermit. However, the neighbors prevent that from happening and what ensues is funny capers that involve mafia, assassins and a crazy ex-wife.

For the rest of the review, visit my blog at: http://angelofmine1974.livejournal.com/83616.html ( )

Gulf Boulevard by Dennis Hart is a book I received through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. It was Mr. Hart's first novel and sometimes that does not bode well. This first novel was overall an enjoyable read, even though there were times when I thought there was too much detail. Maybe that's "just me." ( )

Great first novel and I will be looking forward to his next book. My only complaint is like many first time novelists, the author seemed to intent on describing things in greater detail than I thought the story needed. Part of this is my problem, since I'm used to reading more tersely written books. Regardless, this is a great story from a promising new author. ( )

If you want a fun read try this debut novel by Dennis Hart. It took a little bit of time for me to get into it (I almost put it down during the first chapter) but once past that I enjoyed the twists and turns and the characterizations of his neighbors. It may be a tutorial on what not to do after you win the lottery but I would say pick it up and enjoy. It's a good read. ( )