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Beach Town #1
Beach Town
Greer Hennessy needs palm trees.
As a movie location scout, picture-perfect is the name of the game. But her last project literally went up in flames, and her career is on the verge of flaming out. Greer has been given one more chance, if she can find the perfect undiscovered beach hideaway for a big-budget movie. She zeroes in on a sleepy Florida panhandle town called Cypress Key. There's one motel, a marina, a long stretch of pristine beach and an old fishing pier with a community casino-which will be perfect for the film's explosive climax.
There's just one problem. Eben Thibadeaux, the town mayor, completely objects to Greer's plan. A lifelong resident of Cypress Key, Eben wants the town to be revitalized, not commercialized. After a toxic paper plant closed, the bay has only recently been reborn, and Eb has no intention of letting anybody screw with his town again. But Greer has a way of making things happen, regardless of obstacles. And Greer and Eb are way too attracted to each other for either of them to see reason.
Between an ambitious director and his entourage-including a spoiled "It Boy" lead actor-who parachute into town, a conniving local ex-socialite, and a cast of local fangirls and opportunists who catch the movie bug, nothing is going to be the same in Cypress Key. Now Greer is forced to make some hard choices: about the people and the town she's come to care about, and about her own life. True love is only for the movies, right? Can Greer find a way to be the heroine in her own life story? Told with inimitable heart and humor, Mary Kay Andrews' Beach Town is the perfect summer destination.
As a movie location scout, picture-perfect is the name of the game. But her last project literally went up in flames, and her career is on the verge of flaming out. Greer has been given one more chance, if she can find the perfect undiscovered beach hideaway for a big-budget movie. She zeroes in on a sleepy Florida panhandle town called Cypress Key. There's one motel, a marina, a long stretch of pristine beach and an old fishing pier with a community casino-which will be perfect for the film's explosive climax.
There's just one problem. Eben Thibadeaux, the town mayor, completely objects to Greer's plan. A lifelong resident of Cypress Key, Eben wants the town to be revitalized, not commercialized. After a toxic paper plant closed, the bay has only recently been reborn, and Eb has no intention of letting anybody screw with his town again. But Greer has a way of making things happen, regardless of obstacles. And Greer and Eb are way too attracted to each other for either of them to see reason.
Between an ambitious director and his entourage-including a spoiled "It Boy" lead actor-who parachute into town, a conniving local ex-socialite, and a cast of local fangirls and opportunists who catch the movie bug, nothing is going to be the same in Cypress Key. Now Greer is forced to make some hard choices: about the people and the town she's come to care about, and about her own life. True love is only for the movies, right? Can Greer find a way to be the heroine in her own life story? Told with inimitable heart and humor, Mary Kay Andrews' Beach Town is the perfect summer destination.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published May 19, 2015
About the author
Mary Kay Andrews
63 books13k followershttps://marykayandrews.com/
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MARY KAY ANDREWS is the New York Times bestselling author of 30 novels (including The Homewreckers, The Santa Suit, The Newcomer; Hello, Summer; Sunset Beach; The High Tide Club; The Weekenders; Beach Town; Save the Date; Ladies’ Night; Christmas Bliss; Spring Fever; Summer Rental; The Fixer Upper; Deep Dish; Blue Christmas; Savannah Breeze; Hissy Fit; Little Bitty Lies; and Savannah Blues), and one cookbook, The Beach House Cookbook.
A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, she earned a B.A. in journalism from The University of Georgia. After a 14-year career working as a reporter at newspapers including The Savannah Morning News, The Marietta Journal, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where she spent the final ten years of her career, she left journalism in 1991 to write fiction.
Her first novel, Every Crooked Nanny, was published in 1992 by HarperCollins. She went on to write ten critically acclaimed mysteries under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck. In 2002, she assumed the pen name Mary Kay Andrews with the publication of Savannah Blues. In 2006, Hissy Fit became her first New York Times bestseller, followed by twelve more New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestsellers. To date, her novels have been published in German, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, Hungarian, Dutch, Czech and Japanese.
She and her family divide their time between Atlanta and Tybee Island, GA, where they cook up new recipes in two restored beach homes, The Breeze Inn and Ebbtide—both named after fictional places in Mary Kay’s novels, and both available to rent through Tybee Vacation Rentals. In between cooking, spoiling her grandkids, and plotting her next novel, Mary Kay is an intrepid treasure hunter whose favorite pastime is junking and fixing up old houses.
https://www.facebook.com/marykayandre...
https://www.instagram.com/marykayandr...
MARY KAY ANDREWS is the New York Times bestselling author of 30 novels (including The Homewreckers, The Santa Suit, The Newcomer; Hello, Summer; Sunset Beach; The High Tide Club; The Weekenders; Beach Town; Save the Date; Ladies’ Night; Christmas Bliss; Spring Fever; Summer Rental; The Fixer Upper; Deep Dish; Blue Christmas; Savannah Breeze; Hissy Fit; Little Bitty Lies; and Savannah Blues), and one cookbook, The Beach House Cookbook.
A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, she earned a B.A. in journalism from The University of Georgia. After a 14-year career working as a reporter at newspapers including The Savannah Morning News, The Marietta Journal, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where she spent the final ten years of her career, she left journalism in 1991 to write fiction.
Her first novel, Every Crooked Nanny, was published in 1992 by HarperCollins. She went on to write ten critically acclaimed mysteries under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck. In 2002, she assumed the pen name Mary Kay Andrews with the publication of Savannah Blues. In 2006, Hissy Fit became her first New York Times bestseller, followed by twelve more New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestsellers. To date, her novels have been published in German, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, Hungarian, Dutch, Czech and Japanese.
She and her family divide their time between Atlanta and Tybee Island, GA, where they cook up new recipes in two restored beach homes, The Breeze Inn and Ebbtide—both named after fictional places in Mary Kay’s novels, and both available to rent through Tybee Vacation Rentals. In between cooking, spoiling her grandkids, and plotting her next novel, Mary Kay is an intrepid treasure hunter whose favorite pastime is junking and fixing up old houses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,683 reviews
June 1, 2015
This was my least favorite MKA book. There was way too much detail about filming the movie. Details that didn't have anything to do with the plot. There were two entire pages dedicated to how Greer solved the portable toilets crisis. What did that have to do with the storyline? I get that it shows how valuable she was to the filming crew and how good she was at her job, but it was a bit much. There was way too little interaction between Greer and Eb. Their scenes were my favorites, but the rest just wasn't that interesting. The whole storyline with the Dad was too forced at the end. And the ending? There just didn't seem to be any major problem to overcome. It wasn't my favorite read, which is really disappointing because Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors. I much prefer last summer's Save the Date!
June 9, 2019
3.5
This was the first Mary Kay Andrews novel I read, well, listened to.
It was an enjoyable novel. Our heroine, Greer, is a movie location scout, so there are a lot of scenes about the intricacies of movie making.
Her love interest was multi-layered and a bit different.
This was the perfect beach read.
Beach Town could be turned into a cute romantic comedy.
This was the first Mary Kay Andrews novel I read, well, listened to.
It was an enjoyable novel. Our heroine, Greer, is a movie location scout, so there are a lot of scenes about the intricacies of movie making.
Her love interest was multi-layered and a bit different.
This was the perfect beach read.
Beach Town could be turned into a cute romantic comedy.
May 5, 2015
NOTE: I received this book free through the Goodreads First Reads program.
Let me say that the 2 star rating suggests that the book isn't good, which is not the case. My takeaway from the book, however, truly fit the "it's ok" descriptor of the two star rating. Beach Town is a leisurely read that you can put down and come back to. The characters are only semi-likable, the town is semi-interesting. There was at least one moment that made me chuckle. Still, I did not find the story particularly compelling nor did I feel the urge to encourage others to read it.
Let me say that the 2 star rating suggests that the book isn't good, which is not the case. My takeaway from the book, however, truly fit the "it's ok" descriptor of the two star rating. Beach Town is a leisurely read that you can put down and come back to. The characters are only semi-likable, the town is semi-interesting. There was at least one moment that made me chuckle. Still, I did not find the story particularly compelling nor did I feel the urge to encourage others to read it.
July 23, 2015
A breezy, easy beach read. Greer stumbles on an old Florida beach town that is perfect for a movie shoot and the story flows from there. There's the BFF, former cheating boyfriend, new gruff and charming love interest, small town politics and a cast of intertwined characters. Mostly predictable story and happy ending.
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May 8, 2022What is this book.
Literally nothing happens. The author seems under the mistaken impression that her audience is interested in what life is like for location managers doing a movie shoot. We’re not. I’m definitely game for a book where a location manager is the main character, but, like, something has to happen to them that is interesting. Otherwise what is this book.
Did this author have no editor? No one to say “look, the story about the porta-potties not being cleaned is both entirely uninteresting and does not advance the plot”? Entire conversations are written into this book that could have been entirely cut out because they’re meaningless accounts of a location manager’s daily duties. But I guess if you cut those out, then you would be left with like twenty pages about a SUPER awkward romance between the main character and the local mayor and family drama that happens to said mayor.
This book also has one of my least favorite things—a baseless catty fight between two professional women. The main character randomly gets it into her head that her assistant location manager is after her job. This is after the main character takes off from her job without warning and her assistant does a passable job of holding down the ship. Literally nothing else happens to spark this rivalry but by the end of the book we’re supposed to think the assistant manager is a talentless “slut” (the main character’s word). And after the main character complaining about how hard it is to be a woman in the movie business.
Go home, Beach Town, and take your lack of plot with you.
Literally nothing happens. The author seems under the mistaken impression that her audience is interested in what life is like for location managers doing a movie shoot. We’re not. I’m definitely game for a book where a location manager is the main character, but, like, something has to happen to them that is interesting. Otherwise what is this book.
Did this author have no editor? No one to say “look, the story about the porta-potties not being cleaned is both entirely uninteresting and does not advance the plot”? Entire conversations are written into this book that could have been entirely cut out because they’re meaningless accounts of a location manager’s daily duties. But I guess if you cut those out, then you would be left with like twenty pages about a SUPER awkward romance between the main character and the local mayor and family drama that happens to said mayor.
This book also has one of my least favorite things—a baseless catty fight between two professional women. The main character randomly gets it into her head that her assistant location manager is after her job. This is after the main character takes off from her job without warning and her assistant does a passable job of holding down the ship. Literally nothing else happens to spark this rivalry but by the end of the book we’re supposed to think the assistant manager is a talentless “slut” (the main character’s word). And after the main character complaining about how hard it is to be a woman in the movie business.
Go home, Beach Town, and take your lack of plot with you.
May 24, 2015
Not my favorite book of hers. The ending was rushed.
April 4, 2016
Always a fun time with southern charmer, Mary Kay Andrews and of course, love the Florida setting and the front cover. Coming in Paperback format, May 2016.
BEACH TOWN is a "must" for your beach bag for some summertime fun. Highly recommend the audio, narrated by the fabulous Kathleen McInerney for hours of laugh out loud entertainment!
Mary Kay Andrews is back with her southern lovable humor and sass with BEACH TOWN, for a summer sizzling beach read of family, drama, and romance, assured to warm your heart.
Set in Florida panhandle, Greer is a movie scout, and finding the perfect spot for the big screen is her specialty; especially after her last project. She is given another chance to make things right and she knows if she can find the perfect undiscovered gem beach hideaway, she will score and save her reputation.
When she discovers Cypress Key, a laid back Florida beach town, she thinks she has found the idea spot for a big-budget movie. With a marina, a motel, an old fishing pier with a community casino, and miles of pristine beach –this has to be a winner.
Unfortunately, as typical in a small town, they do not like outsiders. Cypress Key is no exception. Eben, the town mayor is against Greer’s plans. He wears many hats and runs the town. He is all for revitalizing the town and does not want it to be turned into a commercialized circus.
After a paper plant closed, they finally are cleaning up the mess, so he does not need this gal coming in to do more destruction. However, Greer is driven and determined to change his mind. To make things worse, with two strong personalities on opposite sides, they also have chemistry and a strong attraction.
To further complicate matters, Greer is dealing with a director and a spoiled leading man, testing her limits. As she is challenged with one obstacle after another, she begins to learn something about herself and the town. At the same time, she may find her own love story.
A long- time fan of Atlanta’s Mary Kay Andrews/Kathy Hogan Trocheck, having read all her books, and anxiously await the next- always humor mixed with a heartwarming tale. I listened to the audiobook, and as always Mary Kay Andrews and Kathleen McInerney are a match made in southern heaven. Full of humor, wit, and sass for hours of listening entertainment.
As a Florida resident, this town reminded me so much of
1920's Lake Worth Beach Complex (Palm Beach County), throwback --with its motels, old pier, diners, beach, shops, restaurants, and its old casino (which by the way has just been renovated in 2013).
Don’t forget to pack BEACH TOWN, for your summer reading pleasure! Why you are packing, load up with some of her back list - the queen of southern charm and mischief.
Be sure and read, the prequel CHANGE OF SCENE, coming April 5, 2016, to learn about Greer's family before arriving at Beach Town.
JDCMustReadBooks
BEACH TOWN is a "must" for your beach bag for some summertime fun. Highly recommend the audio, narrated by the fabulous Kathleen McInerney for hours of laugh out loud entertainment!
Mary Kay Andrews is back with her southern lovable humor and sass with BEACH TOWN, for a summer sizzling beach read of family, drama, and romance, assured to warm your heart.
Set in Florida panhandle, Greer is a movie scout, and finding the perfect spot for the big screen is her specialty; especially after her last project. She is given another chance to make things right and she knows if she can find the perfect undiscovered gem beach hideaway, she will score and save her reputation.
When she discovers Cypress Key, a laid back Florida beach town, she thinks she has found the idea spot for a big-budget movie. With a marina, a motel, an old fishing pier with a community casino, and miles of pristine beach –this has to be a winner.
Unfortunately, as typical in a small town, they do not like outsiders. Cypress Key is no exception. Eben, the town mayor is against Greer’s plans. He wears many hats and runs the town. He is all for revitalizing the town and does not want it to be turned into a commercialized circus.
After a paper plant closed, they finally are cleaning up the mess, so he does not need this gal coming in to do more destruction. However, Greer is driven and determined to change his mind. To make things worse, with two strong personalities on opposite sides, they also have chemistry and a strong attraction.
To further complicate matters, Greer is dealing with a director and a spoiled leading man, testing her limits. As she is challenged with one obstacle after another, she begins to learn something about herself and the town. At the same time, she may find her own love story.
A long- time fan of Atlanta’s Mary Kay Andrews/Kathy Hogan Trocheck, having read all her books, and anxiously await the next- always humor mixed with a heartwarming tale. I listened to the audiobook, and as always Mary Kay Andrews and Kathleen McInerney are a match made in southern heaven. Full of humor, wit, and sass for hours of listening entertainment.
As a Florida resident, this town reminded me so much of
1920's Lake Worth Beach Complex (Palm Beach County), throwback --with its motels, old pier, diners, beach, shops, restaurants, and its old casino (which by the way has just been renovated in 2013).
Don’t forget to pack BEACH TOWN, for your summer reading pleasure! Why you are packing, load up with some of her back list - the queen of southern charm and mischief.
Be sure and read, the prequel CHANGE OF SCENE, coming April 5, 2016, to learn about Greer's family before arriving at Beach Town.
JDCMustReadBooks
June 27, 2015
Life isn’t easy for Greer Hennessy. It’s difficult enough in her line of work as a movie location scout, but when a disaster she couldn’t control occurs, she loses the job she loves. Now, she is hired as a location manager for the film Beach Town. Her first assignment is to locate the perfect spot for the film, but the director’s demands are not easy to fulfill. When she comes upon a small Florida town, Cypress Key, she’s convinced it would be just the place the director is looking for. A sleep-eyed town that is more than a little run down.
The only problem Greer encounters is Cypress Key’s mayor, Eb Thibadeaux. He doesn’t want a movie made in his town. He gives Greer a hard time whenever she tries to do make a deal, but there’s too much on the line for Greer and she has no intention of giving up. It's up to her to convince the stubborn mayor that his town would profit from a movie.
To add to Greer’s difficulties, Eb’s niece is given a job working on the movie set and instantly becomes involved with the movie’s star actor and finds herself the center of TMZ reports and not in a good way. Greer has her hands full.
It doesn’t help when Greer and Eb find themselves attracted to each other. They know it’s an impossible situation but sometimes the heart just wants what it wants. They fight it as much as they can, but will the succeed? Or will their differences about the movie ruin any chance these two can have at happiness?
This is the perfect book to stick in your beach bag and relax under the sun. The characters come to life in each page – there’s a motley cast, to say the least. This story has them all from the good guys to the bad ones. They are all here. The book moved at a nice, steady pace. I felt as if I escaped to Cypress key for a few hours. Mary Kay Andrews has another winner on her hands!
FTC Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
The only problem Greer encounters is Cypress Key’s mayor, Eb Thibadeaux. He doesn’t want a movie made in his town. He gives Greer a hard time whenever she tries to do make a deal, but there’s too much on the line for Greer and she has no intention of giving up. It's up to her to convince the stubborn mayor that his town would profit from a movie.
To add to Greer’s difficulties, Eb’s niece is given a job working on the movie set and instantly becomes involved with the movie’s star actor and finds herself the center of TMZ reports and not in a good way. Greer has her hands full.
It doesn’t help when Greer and Eb find themselves attracted to each other. They know it’s an impossible situation but sometimes the heart just wants what it wants. They fight it as much as they can, but will the succeed? Or will their differences about the movie ruin any chance these two can have at happiness?
This is the perfect book to stick in your beach bag and relax under the sun. The characters come to life in each page – there’s a motley cast, to say the least. This story has them all from the good guys to the bad ones. They are all here. The book moved at a nice, steady pace. I felt as if I escaped to Cypress key for a few hours. Mary Kay Andrews has another winner on her hands!
FTC Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 29, 2016
This may have been my favorite MKA book to date. Taking place in my adopted hometown of sunny Florida was part of it. But I especially enjoyed the making of the movie and Greer's sass. The family drama and the teen angst was well done. The ending was fairly predictable but still a worthwhile read. I loved it!
October 21, 2022
Cute story. I’m glad she mad up with her dad after 30 years of nothing from him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2016
Ich habe mich schon seit geraumer Zeit sehr auf das neue Sommerbuch von Mary Kay Andrews gefreut! Denn ihre Bücher passen einfach immer so gut, wenn man einfach abschalten und die Seele baumeln lassen möchte. Und so war es auch hier wieder der Fall.
Ich hatte kleinere Startschwierigkeiten, in diesem Buch anzukommen, aber ich hatte irgendwie ein paar Tage, da habe ich drei Bücher angefangen, weil keins mir in diesem Moment so richtig zugesagt hat. Und dann habe ich mir am Dienstag Abend wieder "Kein Sommer ohne Liebe" vorgenommen. Ich war zu diesem Zeitpunkt auf Seite 206 von 528. Mein Ziel war, an diesem Abend wenigstens 150 Seiten zu lesen. Das Ende des Liedes war, dass ich um zwei Uhr morgens mit dem Buch durch war... Und ich habe nicht einmal gemerkt, dass so viel zeit verflogen war!
Ich meine, man darf sich bei diesem Buch keine tiefschürfenden wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse erhoffen. Es ist wirklich locker-leichte sommerliche Unterhaltung. Aber gerade das macht den Charme der Bücher von Mary Kay Andrews aus: nicht denken, nur entspannen.
Im aktuellen Buch haben wir es mit Greer Hennessy zu tun. Sie ist Location-Scout und -Manager und wird irgendwie vom Produzenten wie ein kleiner Handlanger behandelt. Das hat mich manchmal echt genervt, aber auf der anderen Seite hat sie so viel in petto und schafft quasi das Unmögliche. Eine sehr starke Frau also.
In der Liebe hatte sie berufsbedingt bisher nicht so richtig viel Glück und da sie Scheidungskind ist und dazu auch noch von ihrem Ex betrogen wurde, ist sie sehr vorsichtig, was neue Bindungen angeht. Allerdings verfolgt der Bürgermeister von Cypress Key da so seine eigenen Pläne... Und das ist auch gut so... ;)
"Kein Sommer ohne Liebe" ist wieder eine wunderbar leichte Sommerlektüre in gewohnter Mary Kay Andrews-Qualität.
Die Charaktere sind sympathisch, die Handlung nicht allzu tiefgründig. Bestens geeignet, um sich einfach aus dem Alltag auszuklinken.
Ich habe dieses Buch sehr genossen und kann es besten Gewissens weiterempfehlen.
Ich hatte kleinere Startschwierigkeiten, in diesem Buch anzukommen, aber ich hatte irgendwie ein paar Tage, da habe ich drei Bücher angefangen, weil keins mir in diesem Moment so richtig zugesagt hat. Und dann habe ich mir am Dienstag Abend wieder "Kein Sommer ohne Liebe" vorgenommen. Ich war zu diesem Zeitpunkt auf Seite 206 von 528. Mein Ziel war, an diesem Abend wenigstens 150 Seiten zu lesen. Das Ende des Liedes war, dass ich um zwei Uhr morgens mit dem Buch durch war... Und ich habe nicht einmal gemerkt, dass so viel zeit verflogen war!
Ich meine, man darf sich bei diesem Buch keine tiefschürfenden wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse erhoffen. Es ist wirklich locker-leichte sommerliche Unterhaltung. Aber gerade das macht den Charme der Bücher von Mary Kay Andrews aus: nicht denken, nur entspannen.
Im aktuellen Buch haben wir es mit Greer Hennessy zu tun. Sie ist Location-Scout und -Manager und wird irgendwie vom Produzenten wie ein kleiner Handlanger behandelt. Das hat mich manchmal echt genervt, aber auf der anderen Seite hat sie so viel in petto und schafft quasi das Unmögliche. Eine sehr starke Frau also.
In der Liebe hatte sie berufsbedingt bisher nicht so richtig viel Glück und da sie Scheidungskind ist und dazu auch noch von ihrem Ex betrogen wurde, ist sie sehr vorsichtig, was neue Bindungen angeht. Allerdings verfolgt der Bürgermeister von Cypress Key da so seine eigenen Pläne... Und das ist auch gut so... ;)
"Kein Sommer ohne Liebe" ist wieder eine wunderbar leichte Sommerlektüre in gewohnter Mary Kay Andrews-Qualität.
Die Charaktere sind sympathisch, die Handlung nicht allzu tiefgründig. Bestens geeignet, um sich einfach aus dem Alltag auszuklinken.
Ich habe dieses Buch sehr genossen und kann es besten Gewissens weiterempfehlen.
June 11, 2015
My summer cannot truly begin until I have read the latest Mary Kay Andrews novel. Each and every novel that I have ever read by Andrews takes me only hours and allows me to feel so connected to her characters and puts me in a fresh frame of mind. This book follows Greer Hennessy, a movie scout that has recently lost her mother and has not had contact with her father in about twenty years. Greer is doing some traveling in order to find the ideal location for an upcoming movie shoot. She ends up in a Florida town called Cypress Key. Greer decides that this is the perfect location for the film, even though it looks all but deserted. However, Greer does not expect to run into the town’s mayor, Eben Thilbadeaux, who has other plans for the small town that do not include allowing it to be Hollywood commercialized. Greer meets an interesting cast of characters and is even able to reunite with her dad.
This book has a lot to say about love, family ties, greed, anxiety issues, and so much more. Greer was a character in need of self-discovery and ended up in just the right place to begin a journey like that. Cypress Key was the perfect place for this book to be set; I have always wanted to live in Florida, but am just afraid that I won’t be able to withstand the heat. However, this book gave me a nice little escape to the state that screams summer all year round! I also really enjoyed meeting/reading about Greer’s father. Readers get to learn a bit about his back story and he is actually very witty and adds a lot of humor to the story. Greer’s job was another point of interest for me; I did not know there was such thing as a movie location scout, but I must say that Greer was very good at her job! Jump into this gratifying summer read today!
***A free copy of this book was provided by the publishers at St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review***
This book has a lot to say about love, family ties, greed, anxiety issues, and so much more. Greer was a character in need of self-discovery and ended up in just the right place to begin a journey like that. Cypress Key was the perfect place for this book to be set; I have always wanted to live in Florida, but am just afraid that I won’t be able to withstand the heat. However, this book gave me a nice little escape to the state that screams summer all year round! I also really enjoyed meeting/reading about Greer’s father. Readers get to learn a bit about his back story and he is actually very witty and adds a lot of humor to the story. Greer’s job was another point of interest for me; I did not know there was such thing as a movie location scout, but I must say that Greer was very good at her job! Jump into this gratifying summer read today!
***A free copy of this book was provided by the publishers at St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review***
September 11, 2017
I received a copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
I should first say that I am not a huge fan of this genre. I really have no idea what possessed me to request this novel as a giveaway. If only I could turn back the wheels of time and undo that thoughtless action. But alas, this garbage is now in my head. Hated it from start to finish. An absolutely trite, tired story line without even a hint of originality. On top of being hot garbage as far as the plot, character development, and overall writing go, there is liberal profanity sprinkled in just to make the whole journey even more uncomfortable. This novel is only for the most devout of beach read fans with incredibly low standards.
I should first say that I am not a huge fan of this genre. I really have no idea what possessed me to request this novel as a giveaway. If only I could turn back the wheels of time and undo that thoughtless action. But alas, this garbage is now in my head. Hated it from start to finish. An absolutely trite, tired story line without even a hint of originality. On top of being hot garbage as far as the plot, character development, and overall writing go, there is liberal profanity sprinkled in just to make the whole journey even more uncomfortable. This novel is only for the most devout of beach read fans with incredibly low standards.
September 14, 2015
Another winner by MKA. Just the right mix of everything we look for in chick lit. I hate to see these books end and I keep thinking we could pick this story up in another book. I only have 2 or 3 of her older books left to read and then I'll just be in the line of people waiting for the next book to come out.
September 11, 2015
Sadly, this book was a disappointment. I typically like this author but this one was different to me. The storyline seemed thrown together and I didn't love any of the characters. Started off slow and never picked up for me.
June 19, 2015
Loved it. Perfect book to start off the summer.
April 2, 2016
4.5 stars
October 26, 2020
Love this one!
September 14, 2021
This book dragged on so much it felt like it went on forever, which it did and there wasn't that much happening in between. To add insult to injury, the ending felt rushed. Go figure.
May 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-250-06593-3
Greer Hennessey is a movie location scout and she needs to find a specific location with palm trees and a beach. When she stumbles upon a place called Cypress Key she thinks she's found the absolute perfect place. But, has she found more than she bargained for?
It seems Eben Thibadeaux is the head of everything in Cypress Key from Mayor right on down to the person who issues building permits and at first, Greer finds him a tad arrogant. However, those feelings soon begin to change although she doesn't want to admit it to herself.
Eb, on the other hand, has his own issues to deal with. He's raising his neice, Allie since her father, Jared is in jail but is soon to be released and Allie can't wait to see him. However, she just might be expecting too much from this man she hasn't seen in a while.
Greer is busy making plans for the movie shoot and trying hard to keep, Kregg, the big star of movie private and away from fans which isn't an easy feat for any one person but she seems accomplish this task with ease and grace.
As time wears on Greer finds out that Eb totally disgrees with their plan to blow up something at Cypress Key for the climactic ending to the movie but with the growing attraction between the two of them perhaps a plan can be hatched? The more Greer works with the people in the town, the more attached she is becoming. What is just around the corner for Greer?
This is a great summer read. It'll be perfect for curling up on the beach with a nice tall glass of homemade lemonade, a floppy hat and a smathering of sunscreen. I totally loved it!!!
Greer Hennessey is a movie location scout and she needs to find a specific location with palm trees and a beach. When she stumbles upon a place called Cypress Key she thinks she's found the absolute perfect place. But, has she found more than she bargained for?
It seems Eben Thibadeaux is the head of everything in Cypress Key from Mayor right on down to the person who issues building permits and at first, Greer finds him a tad arrogant. However, those feelings soon begin to change although she doesn't want to admit it to herself.
Eb, on the other hand, has his own issues to deal with. He's raising his neice, Allie since her father, Jared is in jail but is soon to be released and Allie can't wait to see him. However, she just might be expecting too much from this man she hasn't seen in a while.
Greer is busy making plans for the movie shoot and trying hard to keep, Kregg, the big star of movie private and away from fans which isn't an easy feat for any one person but she seems accomplish this task with ease and grace.
As time wears on Greer finds out that Eb totally disgrees with their plan to blow up something at Cypress Key for the climactic ending to the movie but with the growing attraction between the two of them perhaps a plan can be hatched? The more Greer works with the people in the town, the more attached she is becoming. What is just around the corner for Greer?
This is a great summer read. It'll be perfect for curling up on the beach with a nice tall glass of homemade lemonade, a floppy hat and a smathering of sunscreen. I totally loved it!!!
December 22, 2015
The CD audio narrator is AMAZING!!! Plus you can never go wrong with a book by Mary Kay Andrews! When this book was released, I got the privilege of attending the promo tour and hearing MKA speak about the book and her process of writing the story, including her personal research and the traveling involved. Oh, the excitement of working on a Hollywood movie - doesn't seem too difficult unless your star was recently released from rehab and begins hanging out with the mayor's underage niece. I caught myself driving the long way and sitting in the car just so I could listen to the book. I truly enjoyed this book, especially since it takes place in Florida.
November 30, 2016
Loved the town of Cypress Key, and the description of the area. Found the details about the making of a movie to be maybe unrealistic, but what would I know. Listened on Audio, and the reading was excellent.
September 10, 2016
I'm a bit on the fence about this book. It was engaging and well written, but had an overabundance of cursing. This isn't something that normally bothers me, but when the f-bomb is dropped every other paragraph that's excessive.
I also thought the ending was a bit abrupt.
I also thought the ending was a bit abrupt.
April 1, 2015
I do love visiting the worlds MKA creates, if only for a little while. And this one is only about 2 hours from here!
July 2, 2015
Usually enjoy a light Mary Kay Andrews read. Not this one. Did not care about these characters. Disappointed.
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July 25, 2016My first MKA book! I'm still mulling over my feels. It's romance, but it's not. It's a mystery, but it's not. It's like like Nora, but it's not.
I liked it, especially Eb. Eb is the best.
I liked it, especially Eb. Eb is the best.
July 15, 2019
The last 40 pages of the book were beyond ridiculous.
February 16, 2020
A fun, quick, beachy story that was hard to put down at times. Just what I needed for the end of summer.
May 18, 2020
I enjoyed this novel. I would always select anywhere with a beach as my location for a vacation so I'm quite familiar with a reader's phrase of "beach read" or "beach book." As with any book, the beauty of the book or meaning of the book that brings a reader joy is from that reader's view which may also be a culmination of their personal life history, experiences, reflections, and enhanced by books previously read. From my view, ”Beach Town” has everything I enjoy in a ”beach book.” It started with a title to pique my interest and especially as I couldn’t wait to discover the setting of this particular beach town. Next was an array of characters and interpersonal relationships that led to family drama including a daughter estranged from her father, another father in prison, boyfriend/girlfriend drama, exes, and it was hard to resist celebrity drama especially when the celebrities came to their small town. Add the spice of romance and sex with good dialogue and a great beach book is created.
I have absolutely no familiarity with the dynamics of a movie set so it was fun to travel with Greer Hennessy as she began the search for the perfect beach town to suit the producer/director’s requirements. From the job title of movie location scout I confess that I thought Greer’s job would be finished when the producer/director arrived on the scene and the location was approved. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
If you want to pack one more book for this year's beach vacation, I highly recommend "Beach Town" as you won't want to miss a visit to this coastal town.
Although I no longer go to the beach every summer, I know I’d like to read another title by Mary Kay Andrews at least every summer. I don’t choose a book by cover art but the covers on her website look like an open invitation that this reader won’t be able to resist.
p.s. You might enjoy reading a blog on GoodReads with the title, "What is the Perfect Beach Read Anyway?" There's also some great comments from readers on the blog and/or with their definition of the perfect beach read. https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/1...
I have absolutely no familiarity with the dynamics of a movie set so it was fun to travel with Greer Hennessy as she began the search for the perfect beach town to suit the producer/director’s requirements. From the job title of movie location scout I confess that I thought Greer’s job would be finished when the producer/director arrived on the scene and the location was approved. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
If you want to pack one more book for this year's beach vacation, I highly recommend "Beach Town" as you won't want to miss a visit to this coastal town.
Although I no longer go to the beach every summer, I know I’d like to read another title by Mary Kay Andrews at least every summer. I don’t choose a book by cover art but the covers on her website look like an open invitation that this reader won’t be able to resist.
p.s. You might enjoy reading a blog on GoodReads with the title, "What is the Perfect Beach Read Anyway?" There's also some great comments from readers on the blog and/or with their definition of the perfect beach read. https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/1...
August 29, 2019
Beach Town is my second book by Mary Kay Andrews and, as it happened with the first, Sunset Beach, I enjoyed it very much. It was a lovely reading and it provided me with hours of immense pleasure.
I enjoyed everything: the plot, the subplots, the characters and the romance. I even wanted to visit Cypress Key, a small town where the book happens.
Before starting reading Beach Town, I couldn't imagine I would have so much fun reading about making a movie but I enjoyed that part, too.
The romance part of the story, between Greer and Eb, was so sweet, this is a beautiful couple. I also liked Eb's family: Ginny and Allie.
I couldn't not notice the simmilarities with Sunset Beach in more than one aspect but it didn't bother me.
Before reading Sunset Beach, it had been so long since I had last enjoyed a romance novel. Enjoying this second book by the same author really makes this a special author and I will, definetely, look for more of her novels.
I enjoyed everything: the plot, the subplots, the characters and the romance. I even wanted to visit Cypress Key, a small town where the book happens.
Before starting reading Beach Town, I couldn't imagine I would have so much fun reading about making a movie but I enjoyed that part, too.
The romance part of the story, between Greer and Eb, was so sweet, this is a beautiful couple. I also liked Eb's family: Ginny and Allie.
I couldn't not notice the simmilarities with Sunset Beach in more than one aspect but it didn't bother me.
Before reading Sunset Beach, it had been so long since I had last enjoyed a romance novel. Enjoying this second book by the same author really makes this a special author and I will, definetely, look for more of her novels.
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