First edition as new

Like others, this is getting a lower rating yet it was not bad. It was just what it was. I found it very slow at times and too detailed. There were times I found the plot standing still and I was ready for something to happen to move the story forward. I liked the characters and the actual idea of the story, but wanted more around everything. ( )

I actually finished reading this two days ago, but I've recently become insanely obsessed with a silly game on my iPhone, and I've been ... distracted Luckily, I remember enough about the book to clearly remember that for the most part it was ... ok. Actually, probably not quite as good as ok, but the setting fed my optimism bias enough that I'll remember it as being an ok read.

The MC is a location manager for the film industry, tasked with finding the perfect "Old Florida" town: run down, palm tree laden, white beach bordered. This mandate was arguably the most interesting part of the writing for me; as a Florida cracker myself, I actually remember "old Florida" and genuinely wish we could bring it back. And I have to say, Andrews nailed "old Florida" in a way that's startling, especially given that Andrews is a Georgia girl. Cypress Key (which I'm assuming is fictional), is described as just outside of Gainesville and Alachua, so definitely in the northern part of the state, but her description of it so closely mimics my own home town - right down to the old casino at the end of a pier and a decrepit boathouse at the base of the bridge, that I felt right at home.

The rest of the story though, was just plain average. The romance didn't spark, the lack of reality in the timelines, and complete absence of the red tape involved in filming a movie; the complete cliche of the 'star' being an out of control coke head. All of this just felt dialled in and lacked any of the complexity that I've found in Andrews' earlier work. It was ok enough that I don't regret buying my copy used, but had I bought it new I would definitely have felt underwhelmed with Andrews' effort. ( )

Forgive me, but I didn't expect much of this 'beach read', perhaps it's because of the light happy covers.

It drew me along nicely and before I knew it I'd finished it.

Couldn't fault it as a beach read literally, as it is not taxing and an easy read. The characters were more interesting than I expected, especially Eb, who has so many irons in the fire/sides to him.

Enjoyed the insight into Greer's location manager job too. ( )

Beach Town is an easy read that makes you want to move to the coast and sit on the beach immediately. Throw in a Hollywood movie and hard to control actors and actresses and you have all kinds of drama happening on the peaceful coast called Cypress Key. I enjoyed this book immensely and would highly recommend it. As usual Mary Kay Andrews doesn't disappoint! ( )