Wounded artist Hallie Reed comes to Pajaro Bay for a summer job at the town's funky old amusement park. But when she wakes up after a mysterious car accident with a gap in her memory, she soon discovers the missing hour is the key to uncovering a secret that could get her killed.
Danger, romance, and a new beginning await Hallie during her summer at the beach, and she—and the whole town—will be changed forever by what she finds Under the Boardwalk.
UNDER THE BOARDWALK is the second book in the Pajaro Bay cozy contemporary romance series. Hallie is on her way to Pajaro Bay to work at an amusement park with her college roommate (she’s a 30 year old divorcee, her roommate is a teenager—that’s the one part I didn’t quite understand), when she’s in a car accident and suffers amnesia. Suddenly Wendy, her roommate is missing, as well as another teen, and she and Kyle, the missing teens’ brother and guardian have to figure out who took them and why. A carnival owned by the family plays a major part--this was the coolest part of the book!! I enjoy the Pajaro Bay mysteries. A little touch of romance. An interesting mystery. Nothing too graphic. This one had some interesting history on carnivals.
Under the Boardwalk was another great afternoon read. The mystery is compelling and the slow blossoming romance between Kyle and Hallie made this an entertaining story. This one was more suspenseful than the previous book, Little Fox Cottage, but still a comfortable read. Friendships, healing from the past, educational about the carousel horses and a gripping mystery made my afternoon slip away.
Hallie Reed is a thirty-something divorcee who’s had a difficult life. She spent her childhood in the foster care system and ended up marrying an abusive control freak who permanently scarred her. After her divorce, Hallie goes to college and becomes roommates with teenager Windy Madrigal. The two become close friends and Windy invites Hallie to work at her family’s amusement park in Pajaro Bay for the summer. A car accident on the way to Pajaro Bay leaves Hallie with amnesia and Windy missing. Hunky Kyle Madrigal helps Hallie heal while they try to piece together the mystery of Windy’s disappearance.
This is the third book I’ve read by this author and I have to say I wasn’t nearly as impressed as I’d been with the previous ones. I had some trouble getting into the story and sticking with it. I didn’t find the plot to be as well developed as I’d expect from an author I’ve really come to enjoy. My first thought was, how likely was it that a teen and a grown woman had become such fast friends and room together at college? Yet, I was able to get past that and read on.
My other issue was that the story seemed to drag on a bit. There wasn’t nearly as much action moving the story along as I would have liked. I became bored several times throughout the book, but stuck with it. For a book with just 185 pages, it seemed much longer.
Perhaps Under the Boardwalk is a book that’s geared more towards teens, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had expected I would. There was a bit of amusement park history included, which I found to be a nice touch and I do like that the author gives ten percent of her book sales to charity. I’d still read more of Barbara Cool Lee’s books, but this one isn’t one of my favorites.
The idea was good,the writing not bad, but the story made no sense. A woman is in a car accident and has amnesia one day, the next she's working in an amusement park and solving mysteries with condescending Kyle. She wants to be on her own, but immediately wants to be with Kyle. (Who is obnoxious.) The big mystery also makes no sense. The items that are prized can't really be hidden in a suitcase. Again, the woman with amnesia, has the most clarity in solving the crime, and gets shot down by Kyle at every turn. Where are the dectectives??
I would recommend this to woman of all ages. Even though it's got romance it's pretty much a "G" rating. The story was interesting, written well. I could almost picture the park and ranch so much so that I wished it really existed. Although the mystery was solved too quickly, it was still a good read. I would read another story by this author.
When someone says that their middle name is Cool we usually take it to mean that they consider themselves very "cool", however, in this case, the terrific tome's author does indeed have Cool as a middle name, and must be pretty cool as well, because she has managed to produce this absolutely brilliant, and extremely cool "romantic suspense" novel.
Part of the profits from this book go to very worthy charities, and the author's website contains recipes for the mouthwatering and unusual dishes mentioned in the story.
Some package, eh; entertainment, charity and din-dins!
I'll certainly be seeking out, and reading the rest of the "Pajaro Bay" books, of which I believe there are several.
There's a sneak peek of "Christmas in Pajaro Bay", at the end of this one, and it sounds very promising.
This is the second book in the Pajaro Bay Series by Barb Lee, and I enjoyed it even more than the first one, The Honeymoon Cottage (which I totally loved) It starts out sounding like a sweet romance, but suddenly becomes a big mystery where danger and excitement and soul-seaching abound! I couldn't put it down until everyone was out of harm's way and life's purpose and romance triumph! What a great read.
Creative writer. Story of a college friend who goes to work at her roommate's families amusement park. The roommate disappears and the town and family struggle to find her. Quick read, nicely written.
Loved this 2nd book in the series, based in Pajaro Bay.
Windy Madrigal is at college with Hallie, and they're the best of friends. Dieing the Summer, Windy offers Hallie work at her family run amusement park at the bay.
Windy picks Hallie up from the bus then something happens which turns Hallies world, along with Windy's big brother Kyle's, upside down.
Kyle, being a little older than Windy and the younger twins, took over the family after their parents were killed in a fire at the amusement park some years before. Kyle meets Hallie when Windy's car crashes through the barriers off the road and into his farm. Where is Windy and why was Hallie found in the drivers seat?
It becomes apparent that Windy is misding, and when Zac, one of the twins also goes missing, something is very wrong in Pajaro Bay.
Hallie and Kyle, along with Chris (Zac's twin) do all they can to bring the pair home safely.
A really good story series, which doesn't have to be read in any order. I'm looking forward to reading the next book, already waiting on my kindle.
The title was misleading. There was no boardwalk cottage. It took a bit to connect the beginning with the rest of the story- one minute Windy and Hallie were driving toward Windy’s home, the next Hallie was alone in the car that had crashed. Then Windy and her younger brother disappeared, and the next section was a bit slow going. Finding out who the villain was and what he was after moved at a good pace, with a tense climactic scene. It was wrapped up nicely, with Hallie finding both a purpose and a forever love with Alex, Windy’s older brother.
Hallie Reed is coming to Pajaro Bay to start a new job for the Madrigal family. Her first day in town she's run off the road, and can't remember anything leading up to the crash, or what has happened to her best friend Windy Madrigal. When one of Windys brothers turn up missing too, she's drug into the middle of this mystery, and into Kyle Madrigals life. Great mystery, excellent handling of abusive pasts, and a wonderful descriptive lesson in old wooden carousels.
Hallie is going to her room mate Windys family house for summer in Pajaro Bay but someone forced her off the road and she knocks her head suffering from amnesia. Windys brother finds her and looks after her. She is rostered to work at the family's amusement park. Both Windy and her young brother Zac are missing. Someone tries to strangle Hallie. What is going on and will she see her friend again?? Couldn't put this book down.
When college is out for the summer Hallie and Wendy head to Panadol Bay were Wendy is from. Wendy has told Hallie so much about the town and her family! Hallie is so excited. Wendy and one of her brothers Zac are always working together to found out more of their family the Madrigal and the amusement park. The characters are well written. There romance, haunting and suspense. I really enjoy reading this one. Recommend to my family and friends!!!
I liked the characters, although it seemed odd that a 30-year-old divorcee would be rooming in a college dorm and close friends with a 19-year-old woman. The setting--a seaside amusement park--was interesting and made for an unusual mystery. There was enough romance and mystery and a satisfying ending. I appreciate that the author donates part of her sales to charity.
Once again another homerun....these are really good Mysteries/Love stories...with great back stories..... I have seen a Illion and they are breathtaking....even if this set is fictional you seemed to do it justice And the back story was great.....I hope the rest of your books are as good as the first two and the short story I have read. THANK YOU so much
A feel good story. Hayley. Can she begin to understand what has happened, was she driving the car, or is it something more sinister. A Missing friend and sibling alongside the fear and worries of her past life are what is haunting her. Can she help Kyle find his missing family and will she keep her heart in the process
No cottage. A mystery with family history and manipulative bad guy. The backdrop of an old small family amusement park is enjoyable. Seemed wrong to believe Windy would run off without even getting her friend to the house... And other beginning clues ignored by characters not depicted as stupid.
I love all the books I have read by Barbara Cool Lee. They are a lighthearted and suspenseful enough to keep you wanting to read more. I would love to live in Pajaro Bay if it were real or at least visit. Thanks for sharing your talent in writing wonderful stories.
I enjoy this author very much. Her series Pajaro Bay, are the kind of books that you could read on a cold, rainy day curled up on the couch with a soft blanket and your book. The characters are interesting and the mystery is intriguing.
Entertaining, fun, clean romance/adventure set in an old amusement park. The author has great empathy for sensitive, abusive situations, and has the characters reflect the real consequences of that. I enjoyed it very much!