Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Cocoa Beach” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Cocoa Beach

by Beatriz Williams (Goodreads Author)

3.65 · Rating Details · 539 Ratings · 135 Reviews

The New York Times bestselling author of A Certain Age transports readers to sunny Florida in this lush and enthralling historical novel—an enchanting blend of love, suspense, betrayal, and redemption set among the rumrunners and scoundrels of Prohibition-era Cocoa Beach.

Burdened by a dark family secret, Virginia Fortescue flees her oppressive home in New York City for the ...more

ebook, 400 pages

Published June 27th 2017 by William Morrow

More Details... edit details

Get a copy:

Or buy for

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Cocoa Beach, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

Most Anticipated Books of 2017

887 books — 2,596 voters

Speak Easy, Speak Love by McKelle George

Jazz Age Historical Fiction

107 books — 53 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30)

filter | sort: default (?) | Rating Details

Apr 06, 2017 Will Byrnes rated it really liked it

I met my husband in the least romantic setting possible: a casualty clearing station in northern France in the middle of February. A cold drizzle fell and the air stank of human rot. I suppose this constituted a warning from Providence, though Providence needn’t have bothered. I had always known better than to fall in love. I had always known love was something you would later regret.

Miss Virginia Fortescue is a good and decent person. In 1917, a twenty-year-old with a knowledge of cars, than ...more

flag 99 likes · Like · see review

Apr 30, 2017 Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews rated it really liked it

Falling in love and marrying during a war usually turns out to be a good thing, but for Virginia Fortescue Fitzwilliam it wasn't working out.

Virginia fell in love, married, and then spent hardly any time with her husband. The war is over, she still hasn't seen him, and then she returns to the United States to her father and her sister.

Her family has secrets, and she finds out Simon does too. Simon seems to be the perfect manipulator and liar.

We follow Virginia and Simon Fitzwilliam as the book ...more

flag 29 likes · Like · see review

Jan 13, 2017 Jessica rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, arc-egalley

I wasn’t super excited to read this book when I got the ARC off Edelweiss, because I’ve found myself growing gradually more frustrated with Beatriz Williams. Her first three books were great, soapish beach reads—plenty of twisty drama, but not dumbed down. But the next three were kind of disappointing. It began to feel like maybe she was rushing through them, focusing more on setting up the next book than on telling the story at hand to the best of her ability. But the thing is, none of the book I wasn’t super excited to read this book when I got the ARC off Edelweiss, because I’ve found myself growing gradually more frustrated with Beatriz Williams. Her first three books were great, soapish beach reads—plenty of twisty drama, but not dumbed down. But the next three were kind of disappointing. It began to feel like maybe she was rushing through them, focusing more on setting up the next book than on telling the story at hand to the best of her ability. But the thing is, none of the books are true, direct sequels to one another. Even though they all take place in the same universe and they’re all very loosely connected (usually through Julie Schuyler), it felt like she was leaving lots of threads hanging. She was also dropping many references to things in her other books that I was struggling to remember properly, and that could be confusing.

But I gave in eventually. I just couldn’t resist. And I’m glad I did, because I think it was her strongest book since Tiny Little Thing.

This one follows the adventures of Virginia Fortescue, the sister of the protagonist from A Certain Age. Even though I was iffy on that book, I do think it will help most readers to have also read that one recently because it gives you a lot of background information on the family drama.

The narrative alternates between France in WWI and Cocoa Beach five years later. Virginia worked as a nurse in Europe while the events of A Certain Age were going down, and there she met a handsome British army surgeon, Simon Fitzwilliam. They carried on a passionate affair, but his own family secrets eventually drove Virginia to leave him and return home to her family in New York. Five years later, she receives word that her husband has died and travels to Cocoa Beach to settle his affairs. Naturally, she comes to realize that everything is not as it seems.

One of the reasons that I think this was stronger than her last book, The Wicked City was that here Williams focused on just one story instead of two. I feel like when she’s writing books with two distinct storylines, one of them invariable suffers from the feeling that it’s been shoehorned in. That certainly wasn’t a problem this time. Virginia’s story felt complete, and the elements of the two timelines nicely informed each other. The story was even twistier than usual, and I was genuinely surprised by the direction it eventually went in.

The writing could be a bit clunky at times, though. Williams likes to end chapters on cliffhangers, but when the chapters are alternating between the past and the present, the resolution to the cliffhangers could get a bit muddled. But I was grateful that all the plot threads seemed to be resolved by the end of this book—and that Williams throws in an epilogue that suggests that her next book might finally answer the dangling questions that frustrated me so much about Wicked City.
...more

flag 25 likes · Like · see review

May 15, 2017 Sue rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Virginia is definitely a strong woman. When we first meet her she is driving an ambulance in France during WWI. She left her family home and all of her secrets behind in New York and ran away to France to help with the war. While there she meets a British doctor, Simon, who will change the whole course of her life. The book moves between Virginia's days in France and five years later when she moves to Florida to try to find out what happened to her husband and to settle his estate. This move put ...more

flag 16 likes · Like · see review

Jul 08, 2017 Brooke rated it did not like it

Shelves: not-my-cup-of-tea, 2017, kindle-reads, fiction

Beatriz Williams is an unfamiliar author to me. I decided to read COCOA BEACH because the premise sounded intriguing, & I always find it difficult to resist covers with water in the background. (Not sure why...🤔) So I'm not sure if it was necessarily the book, the fact that I'm not a fan of Willams' prose, &/or a combination of both. I'm definitely in the minority here & I can see this appealing to many readers, but I'm just not one of them. I didn't enjoy a single aspect of COCOA BE Beatriz Williams is an unfamiliar author to me. I decided to read COCOA BEACH because the premise sounded intriguing, & I always find it difficult to resist covers with water in the background. (Not sure why...🤔) So I'm not sure if it was necessarily the book, the fact that I'm not a fan of Willams' prose, &/or a combination of both. I'm definitely in the minority here & I can see this appealing to many readers, but I'm just not one of them. I didn't enjoy a single aspect of COCOA BEACH honestly. Sad; I was so looking forward to this one!

Right off the bat, the past/present flashbacks irked me. Many times I found the text repetitive & somewhat confusing, because I felt the pacing was inconsistent. The fact that I couldn't connect or feel for any of any of the characters didn't help. Virginia was such a boring MC & I got tired of her inner dialogue, as well as the dialogue she carried with others. Again, I'm not sure if this is just the Williams' method, but everything was so melodramatic I swore I could have been reading a soap opera drama! I wanted some good historical fiction, but jeez, not like this.

I'm aware that authors often attempt to incorporate a romance theme into everything, but the relationship between Virginia & Simon was cringeworthy & uncomfortable. The whole thing felt like a facade, each chapter trying to top the last by adding another twist. ("Tune in next week to find out what will happen on...") I just loathed them both. The "mystery" arc was predictable & it took too long to drop the ball. The flashbacks worsened this, making me eventually lose interest. (I lost interest in this within the first 20%, but finished because it was on my TBR for several months & wanted to give an unfamiliar author a chance to prove me wrong.) Well. That was a mistake.

It sucks when you're looking forward to a release for so long, only to have it turn into a complete flop. Unfortunately I wasted my time- not sure if I'll give Williams' a second chance as I just didn't care about any of it, (I wish there was more history/Virgina's Red Cross instead of concentrating on how good Simon looks!!) but we'll see. ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Jul 05, 2017 Bj rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, 5-stars, womens-fiction-chicklit, 2017, audio-1000-bj2017, playster, historical-fiction

5 "Discerning What is Real" Stars for the story and narration!

Loved both the historical fiction and the mystery in this story. There are even elements of romance weaved in--though romance is definitely not one of the primary focuses of the book.

The narration by Eva Kaminsky which seamlessly switches back and forth between English and American accents is also fabulous. Alex Wyndham performs a much smaller role but as always does a fantastic job.

This was my first book by Beatriz Williams, but I w ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Jun 29, 2017 Tracy rated it it was amazing

I love Beatriz Williams because she writes. She doesn't take 3, 4 or even 5 years to put out a book. She pumps them out every 6 months or so and they do not disappoint - at least in my opinion!

I also love her because her books are not predictable in any way. I'm always guessing and trying to figure out what the heck is going on!

This book tells the story of Virginia Fortescue, sister of Sophie from A Certain Age. Remember how her husband was always supposed to send for her and never did? Well, ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 13, 2017 Debbi DuBose rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-library, historical-fiction, favorite-books, romantic, psychological-thriller, adversity, friendship, medical, battle-scenes-war, adventure, literary-non-fiction, read-2017, family-problems

I am so glad that I took a gamble and bought Beatriz Williams newest book: COCOA BEACH: A NOVEL. This turned out to be my favorite novel of hers, so far. My second most loved novel by Ms Williams is: ALONG THE INFINITE SEA, it takes place during and after WW Two. Her newest novel, just published this month, takes place in France between 1917 and 1919, and then in America. American, Virginia Fortescue, drives an ambulance through the muddy fields of WW One France. This is how she meets the Britis I am so glad that I took a gamble and bought Beatriz Williams newest book: COCOA BEACH: A NOVEL. This turned out to be my favorite novel of hers, so far. My second most loved novel by Ms Williams is: ALONG THE INFINITE SEA, it takes place during and after WW Two. Her newest novel, just published this month, takes place in France between 1917 and 1919, and then in America. American, Virginia Fortescue, drives an ambulance through the muddy fields of WW One France. This is how she meets the British Captain Simon Fitzwilliam, a Doctor, in the barn that's a British Hospital. It's quite obvious, from the first time they meet, that sparks fly between them. Virginia is with the newly formed American Red Cross. She drives recuperating patients, to the American hospital, a once upon a time real castle, with a moat and drawbridge, even! Driving one day, a bomb explodes in front of Virginia's jeep, knocking her out cold. She's taken to Captain Fitzwilliam who takes care of her, and her serious head injury. They've fallen in love, and begin to have an affair. Simon is the twin brother of Samuel. He's the oldest, but their British Estate has gone downhill along with the family money, so there's not much he wants to inherit there. He plans to go to Florida, where the family owns some thousand acres of land near Cocoa Beach, an old orange grove. Virginia, now Mrs Fitzwilliam, goes home to her Dad's home, when she finds out that she's pregnant. Simon, Samuel, and their sister Clara Fitzwilliam have convoluted and extremely confusing lives. So what is all this confusion about, and why? Then, Virginia and her daughter don't go down to Florida, where Simon is, for three years. Why? Well, you will have to read this romantic, psychological thriller to find out the answers to those questions. I will say that Ms Williams wrote her several stunning and complex main characters, with real emotional profundity. These are definitely well-written characterizations and they won't disappoint you! It's a very rare book that makes my heart race and my hands sweat! However, the nearer I got to the ending, when all of them are in Cocoa Beach; that's exactly what happened to me! This novel is full of blackmailers, liars, pretenders, bootleggers, and other criminals; who have all come to settle on the cheap land in Florida. The ending of this book, was left open enough that there has just GOT TO BE A SEQUEL!! I TRULY HOPE SO, ANYWAY!! If you don't read this Beatriz Williams book, you are unquestionably going to miss out on her best book, yet: COCOA BEACH: A NOVEL...... and so much more!!! Fantastic story! ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 12, 2017 DJ Sakata rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, womens-fiction

Favorite Quotes:

I’d never received a compliment like that. Certainly not from a grown man, a man of mating age. I didn’t even know that kind of man, other than that he existed, a separate and untamed species, kept in another cage from mine on the opposite end of the zoo. And that was well enough with me. I had no interest in mating. Having survived such a childhood, I thought myself practical and resourceful – and I was, by God!

Because while houses burned down regularly, and people died all the Favorite Quotes:

I’d never received a compliment like that. Certainly not from a grown man, a man of mating age. I didn’t even know that kind of man, other than that he existed, a separate and untamed species, kept in another cage from mine on the opposite end of the zoo. And that was well enough with me. I had no interest in mating. Having survived such a childhood, I thought myself practical and resourceful – and I was, by God!

Because while houses burned down regularly, and people died all the time, I had never imagined that Simon could meet his end like that. You could not extinguish my husband in mere flame. I simply wasn’t possible.

My Review:

Cocoa Beach was a mesmerizing read. Beatriz Williams has more than mastered her craft. Her words imbued her characters with a luxurious texture and her lush and effusively detailed scenes pulled me right inside the narrator’s head. I could see the cigarette smoke curling, smell the orange blossoms, hear the car engines, and feel the reverberations of bomb explosions.

But the characters – oh the characters! I was spellbound and confounded by them. I frequently waffled and felt conflicted, as I did not want Simon to be as wicked, greedy, unscrupulous, or as untrustworthy as Virginia was being led to believe. But someone was lying and I could not decide on whom as his entire family proved to be as slippery as eels with their words. Saying a lot while saying nothing precisely, which required considerable skill and talent from the author to maintain.

As with her other books, Cocoa Beach provided a substantial and meaty read with a complicated plot full of twists and turns as well as complex and alluring characters, and a maddeningly paced storyline to keep me on the hook as my wheels kept spinning while only digging me deeper and deeper into the Florida sand. Ms. William’s tantalizing words kept me engrossed, luring me into an intricate web of deceit and intrigue with several separate yet related mysteries going at once. The writing was densely populated with richly embellished sentences and heaving with opulent and evocative details. She could conjure entire communities in a paragraph or detail the act of obtaining and taking an aspirin for an entire page. This was not a fast or light read but an intense and enthralling tale to savor. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 20, 2017 Renee rated it it was amazing

Since I can't just say, "Read it now. It's fabulous," I'm pounding out this review on a computer with an Internet connection that's tenuous at best to get this review posted on release day! I can't say enough about how Beatriz Williams grabs readers and pulls them into a story with her dramatic and breathtaking plots and stunning settings. From the streets of New York in A Certain Age, to Florida's tropical coast in Cocoa Beach, Williams pens stories that make one feel as though she's lived in t Since I can't just say, "Read it now. It's fabulous," I'm pounding out this review on a computer with an Internet connection that's tenuous at best to get this review posted on release day! I can't say enough about how Beatriz Williams grabs readers and pulls them into a story with her dramatic and breathtaking plots and stunning settings. From the streets of New York in A Certain Age, to Florida's tropical coast in Cocoa Beach, Williams pens stories that make one feel as though she's lived in those locales (or at least researched them!) for a thousand years. Not only that, but the characters are absolutely mesmerizing! I don't know how she does it!

As a noob reader of her books, I admittedly went into A Certain Age, a little anxious. You never really know what you're going to get with a new author, but I couldn't put the book down--the same goes for this one. Virginia Fortescue's story switches from past to present, but never feels disjointed as can sometimes be the case with stories written in this manner. There's quite a lot of mystery involved, but it doesn't strictly feel like a suspense novel. There are strong elements of romance as well as nods to The Great War and life on the front. I thought the plot twist at the end of the story was a little out of left field, but after having read it twice, it's growing on me!

Cocoa Beach is a must-read for fans of stories of the Jazz Age, Prohibition, suspense, and romance. There's no other book this year set in the 20s that I can think of that I'd want to take poolside with me other than this fab story! Three cheers for Beatriz Williams and Cocoa Beach! Grab your book, your drink, and your beach towel and get ready to journey to 1920s Florida.

~ My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars ~

*I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.* ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 05, 2017 Barb rated it it was ok

Shelves: beatriz-williams, new-in-2017, read-in-2017

Virginia isn't really sure who to trust, or what to believe. Her estranged husband, Simon, has died in a fire at his home in Cocoa Beach. She decides to travel from New York to Florida to settle his estate and put her affairs in order. But Virginia suspects that the truth about what happened to her husband may not be what's been reported to her and the authorities.

I realized while I was reading that this story has a 'something familiar feeling' to it that I get when I read Daphne du Maurier, I Virginia isn't really sure who to trust, or what to believe. Her estranged husband, Simon, has died in a fire at his home in Cocoa Beach. She decides to travel from New York to Florida to settle his estate and put her affairs in order. But Virginia suspects that the truth about what happened to her husband may not be what's been reported to her and the authorities.

I realized while I was reading that this story has a 'something familiar feeling' to it that I get when I read Daphne du Maurier, I enjoy that 'something familiar feeling'.

I was disappointed Williams didn't explored Virginia's feelings about all the things she discovered as we went along, I think it would have made the story more interesting. There are some big events that happen that we don't really get to hear her thoughts on and that was disappointing. The ending felt a little too neat and tidy given the way events unfolded. I needed a little more detail in order to feel like I could buy into that ending. The same goes for the resolution of what happened with her father. It felt very out of the blue and hard to digest without some more details.

What I like about Williams's fiction is the character development and the relationships she creates. This story has some of what I've come to expect from her writing but the mystery and the way the truth was revealed could have been more polished and finely tuned.

The flip flopping back and forth in the timeline works for the majority of the story but when it gets down to the nitty-gritty where the action happens in the timeline and it really seems to muddle things up.

I'm especially confused by the timeline of events of June 22, 24, and 25 and why Virginia said what she did and set things in motion at the beach. I don't think that really makes sense when you go back two days before (June 22) and discover what she knew while riding in the car (trying to avoid spoilers here).

The final scene did not make any sense to me at all so the whole book left me with an overall unsettled feeling...like 'hmm, what did I miss?" It appears this is a stand alone book so I didn't expect that I would need to be able to remember characters from other books.

But I have no doubt that I will eagerly read the next book Beatriz Williams publishes and hope that it's more in keeping with some of her previous works. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 28, 2017 Charlotte Lynn rated it it was amazing

In true Beatriz William’s style this book had everything that I look for in a good book. There was a historical event with WWI, romance, family, and a strong female character. Virginia is the main female character. She was strong in keeping herself safe while she was driving an ambulance during WWI yet feminine enough to trust a man (Simon) to take care of her. Simon was a different type of character. I felt like he was shady. From the first meeting he seemed suave, too smooth, and up to somethi ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 08, 2017 L.J. Evans rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I hadn't read Ms. Williams last book, A Certain Age, yet, but I knew I had to do that before I read this book because her characters always make peek appearances in future books. I really need a detailed family tree of connections, please. But, I was really glad I did. While I really liked the characters of Sophie and Octavian in A Certain Age, the story itself didn't keep me on my toes like Cocoa Beach did. The entire time I was reading Cocoa Beach, I was unsure whether Simon was good or bad. W ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 04, 2017 Jess rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, library-ebook, 2017-all, 2017-new

There is a loooooooot of plot and character misdirection going on in this book. Which is fine! But I did find it confusing at times to track which characters were playing each other and where the double crosses were coming from.

And the end... look, I like the outcome. I'm just not sure that (view spoiler) ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 12, 2017 Amanda rated it it was amazing

Oh man! I can't give anything away so my review will just be my raving. This book is just perfect. I spent the entire book trying to put the pieces together. I didn't know who to love and who to hate. Who wasn't playing fair and who was honest. The end had me reading for four hours straight (and into the wee morning hours) just to finish and figure it all out. I loved it all!!! Prepare to be sucked in.

This can be a stand alone book, but I highly recommend reading at least A Certain Age first... ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 07, 2017 Christina (Confessions of a Book Addict) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, for-review, adult-historical-fiction

3.5 stars - I definitely didn't enjoy this one as much as the books in the Schuyler series, but it was still entertaining. It was very atmospheric and a lot more of a thriller than I anticipated. The last few chapters were at a breakneck pace and had me desperately flipping the pages to find out the truth. It's definitely a good beach read for those who want more suspense than romance. Full review to come.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 28, 2017 Katie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Well I love the authors previous books but I did not enjoy this one. The frantic nature of the entire book wore me out. I did finish it but only because I had to know the ending.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 17, 2017 Cheryl rated it liked it

I have read several books from this author and enjoyed them. Yet, this book did not have the same passion of the characters and the storyline that I have come to enjoy from this author.

Yes, I liked Virginia and Simon. Despite the age gap, they were good together. Part of the reason that they worked well together is because Virginia acted more mature for her age. Additionally, I gravitated towards her independence. The only flaw I had towards Virginia is that she did not give Simon more of a cha ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 18, 2017 Darcysmom rated it really liked it

I was lucky enough to win an ARC of Cocoa Beach from Harper Collins Publishing. Beatriz Williams has written a compelling novel that sweeps through World War I Europe and Florida at the height of Prohibition. Virginia Fortescue is a woman with a secret - a secret that sends her to France to drive ambulances, to marry an English officer she barely knows, and to Florida to uncover her late husband's secrets.
I particularly loved the letters that Simon wrote to Virginia. I have a soft spot for epist ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 18, 2017 Ellen rated it liked it

There were things about this book I really liked, the historical setting and details of World War I, a strong female character driving an ambulance in wartime France. But I was not enjoying the constant twist of who the evil twin was, Simon or Samuel. I felt that the personality of Virginia was weakened by her dependence on the men. It was just okay for me, but it did keep me reading to find out the truth.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 22, 2017 PennsyLady (Bev) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: giveaway, historical-fiction

Cocoa Beach

Virginia Fortescue flees distressing family relations in New York City
and becomes an ambulance driver in World War I France.
A charming British Army surgeon (Captain Simon Fitzwilliam)
whirlwinds into Virginia's life, bearing secrets of his own.
Eventual marriage, return to the states, inevitable estrangement and birth of a daughter pepper their past.
Five years later, Virginia and young daughter Evelyn are summoned to Cocoa Beach, Florida with news of Simon's death in a fire at his seasi ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 16, 2017 Carrie rated it liked it

I adore Beatriz Williams' books. This one just didn't do it for me.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 30, 2017 Marlene rated it really liked it

Originally published at Reading Reality

This didn’t turn out to be quite what I expected, but I don’t know why. The book does match the blurb. More or less.

It also reminds me more than a bit of Daphne du Maurier’s classic Rebecca, if Rebecca wound itself up on the Florida coast during Prohibition.

The story of this Cocoa Beach is set loosely within the sequence of Williams’ other novels. They are all set in Prohibition-era America and feature at least some of the same set of wealthy and ill-fated ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 11, 2017 Stephany rated it it was amazing

Shelves: thrillers, historical-fiction, 2017, for-review

I recently read Beatriz Williams’ novel, A Certain Age, and Cocoa Beach picks up right where that novel left off. In A Certain Age, we’re introduced to the protagonist in this novel, Virginia, who is the older sister of Sophie. Virginia has a young daughter and is supposedly married to a man she met while serving as an ambulance driver in France during World War I. But there are suspicions about Virginia’s marriage brought up during that book, and I was pleased to get all of my questions answere I recently read Beatriz Williams’ novel, A Certain Age, and Cocoa Beach picks up right where that novel left off. In A Certain Age, we’re introduced to the protagonist in this novel, Virginia, who is the older sister of Sophie. Virginia has a young daughter and is supposedly married to a man she met while serving as an ambulance driver in France during World War I. But there are suspicions about Virginia’s marriage brought up during that book, and I was pleased to get all of my questions answered during Cocoa Beach.

When this novel begins, Virginia has received word that her husband has died in a house fire in Florida, and her presence is needed to settle his estate. So she arrives in Florida with her daughter, Evelyn, and lots of questions. During the course of the novel, she learns more about what her husband was doing in Florida and about her husband’s brother and sister, who gladly welcome her into their lives as they all try to grieve Simon’s death.

The novel alternates between present-day 1920s Florida and World War I, when Virginia and Simon first meet and fall in love. I love a good love story, as everyone knows, and there was something so precious about Virginia and Simon. Virginia is someone who has been overlooked her whole life and wasn’t sure how to deal with Simon’s attention, and Simon is charismatic and romantic and overzealous in his affection for Virginia.

This book took so many twists and turns, and I really wasn’t expecting it to be such a crazy novel. Every time I thought I knew what was happening, the novel took a completely different turn. I really, really loved how crazy the plot was and how I never knew who to really trust throughout the entire novel. At a certain point, I had to tell myself to stop trying to solve the mystery and just read the novel blindly.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the setting and time period. Of course, any novel set in Florida has my heart and reading about Florida during the Prohibition era was fascinating. The 1920s is one of my favorite time periods to read about because it was such a great era – women coming into their own and honing their power.

I also cannot review this novel without talking about the writing, which was outstanding. Beatriz Williams writes in such a beautiful way that truly captures the essence of the human spirit. There was one particular part in the novel, and I hesitate to say anything more because I don’t want to spoil any part of this enchanting read, where I felt like I was fully immersed in Virginia and what she was going through. I felt so connected to her in a way I haven’t felt connected to a character in such a long time. I credit that to Williams’ outstanding writing.

This novel is perfect for people who enjoy a good historical drama and love a novel that has tons of unexpected twists and turns. While I wish the ending wasn’t wrapped up so abruptly, it’s still a novel I had no trouble giving 5 of 5 stars. Pick this one up!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 14, 2017 Diane rated it really liked it

One of the great pleasures of reading Beatriz Williams' books is that if you are intrigued by a secondary character, frequently you will get more of them in a subsequent book. In a previous book, A Certain Age, set in the jazz age of New York City, Virginia Fortescue is the older sister of Sophie, who is a major character in the book. We learn a little bit about Virginia, enough to peak our interest.

In Cocoa Beach we get Virginia's story. During WWI, Virginia volunteered to work overseas in Fran One of the great pleasures of reading Beatriz Williams' books is that if you are intrigued by a secondary character, frequently you will get more of them in a subsequent book. In a previous book, A Certain Age, set in the jazz age of New York City, Virginia Fortescue is the older sister of Sophie, who is a major character in the book. We learn a little bit about Virginia, enough to peak our interest.

In Cocoa Beach we get Virginia's story. During WWI, Virginia volunteered to work overseas in France, driving an ambulance to bring wounded men to get medical attention. She meets a handsome British doctor, Simon, and they quickly fall in love, even though Simon is married.

Simon has a difficult family situation, as does Virginia, perhaps that is one thing that attracts them to each other. They marry, but soon something tears them apart. They are separated for three years, and then Virginia is notified that Simon has died in a fire on his property in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Virginia goes to Cocoa Beach with her three year-old daughter and finds Simon's brother and sister waiting for her. She has her doubts about her husband's death, and is determined to get to the bottom of what Simon has been up to for these three years.

Williams' drops us into the humid, muggy atmosphere of south Florida, and you can almost smell the sea air, taste the sweet oranges, and feel the hot sand under your feet.

One thing I find interesting about many of Williams' female characters is their interest in cars. In Cocoa Beach, A Certain Age, and Tiny Little Thing, the women learn not only how to drive cars, but to repair and maintain them as well. This is most unusual for women of these times.

The writing in this story reminds me of watching a 1940's Barbara Stanwyck movie on Turner Classic Movies. The dialogue is rat-a-tat-tat, and the repartee is snappy. Cocoa Beach could have easily been a movie about the 1920's made in 1947.

I also enjoyed the British slang in this book- "dosh" (money), "rotter" (a bad guy, a "player"), and "skint" (broke). Fair warning: I will be tossing these terms around in my everyday language.

You don't need to have read A Certain Age to enjoy Cocoa Beach, but you will have a deeper appreciation if you did. And I was happy to see Marshall, the Prohibition agent from A Certain Age, pop up here; I hope the end of this story leads us to see more of him in the next Beatriz Williams book.

Cocoa Beach is a terrific beach read, a book to get lost in while you are lounging on your porch with a glass of iced tea. (The cover is gorgeous too.)
...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 16, 2017 Cindy Roesel rated it really liked it

Beatriz Williams' new novel, COCOA BEACH (WilliamMorrow) is on just about every "best beach read list" this summer. It's what we've come to expect of all of her novels. Once again, I have to point out the fact that not only is every book by Williams' delicious between the pages, the covers are consistently gorgeous! COCOA BEACH takes readers to beautiful Florida. I live in Miami, so I can tell you it's very hot now, but the beaches are always inviting!
COCOA BEACH takes place between the years of
Beatriz Williams' new novel, COCOA BEACH (WilliamMorrow) is on just about every "best beach read list" this summer. It's what we've come to expect of all of her novels. Once again, I have to point out the fact that not only is every book by Williams' delicious between the pages, the covers are consistently gorgeous! COCOA BEACH takes readers to beautiful Florida. I live in Miami, so I can tell you it's very hot now, but the beaches are always inviting!
COCOA BEACH takes place between the years of 1917 and 1922. Virginia Fortescue, sets out to uncover the secrets behind her estranged husband, Simon Fitzwilliam's sudden death. They met during WWI when Simon was a surgeon and Virginia was a Red Cross ambulance driver. They haven't communicated in three years, after a family falling-out with his parents. Simon has built a life in Florida hoping one day Virginia will come back to him. While in Cocoa Beach, her shady brother-in-law, Samuel and his wife, Clara urge Virginia to go back home to New York and let them deal with Simon's estate. But she's suspicious there is more to Simon's death than a simple house fire. Virginia is determined to find out the truth for her sake and the sake of Evelyn, the daughter Simon never knew.
COCOA BEACH blends love, suspense, betrayal and redemption - everything we expect from a Beatrix Williams' novel. And it's all set among the unscrupulous rumrunners and scoundrels the of Prohibition-era in dubious Florida. In Virginia, Williams' has created one of her most complex characters. She's not a gal to be toyed with, especially when it comes to her family. The other characters in COCOA BEACH are well-developed and forward their storylines with more details than I could keep track of. I share that in a good way. The novel is like a huge wedding cake, with so many layers dessert never ends. For most of the novel, I wasn't sure who was telling the truth, but I keep turning pages until being completely satisfied by the ending.
What can I write that hasn't been written about a Beatriz Williams' novel? They immerse you in an interesting period of history so deeply, that you have to kind of take a moment when you finish to establish your surroundings. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 07, 2017 Elizabeth rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, women-fiction, 2017-reads

Over the course of the last year or so I've read several of Beatriz Williams. By the last one I read, A Certain Age, I was feeling a little tired of her sparkling, snappy protagonists, and that the story lacked the kind of depth that really pulls you into a story. Maybe she was getting a bit formulaic?
But I picked up Cocoa Beach any way and I am so glad I did. Virginia Fortescue is not sparkly or snappy and the story is deep, twisty, and not formulaic at all.
Instead, Virginia is a thoughtful wo ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 07, 2017 Nancy rated it liked it

3.5
Beatriz Williams Cocoa Beach (William Morrow, digital galley) has sun, sand, mangroves and mosquitoes, as well as mystery and romance. And it's appropriately steamy -- no AC in 1922, which is when Virginia Fitzwilliam arrives in Cocoa with her toddler daughter to inherit her estranged husband's estate and shipping business. She met British Army surgeon Simon while an ambulance driver in World War I France, and the narrative toggles between the two timelines: Even as Virginia motors to Miami B ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 07, 2017 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: listened-to-audio

This is the first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last. Great characters and great mystery. I really had no idea who the good guys were throughout the entire book, it really keeps you guessing. And the end had me completely baffled but after reading some other reviews it seems that I need to read some this this author's other books (and as I said, I plan on doing that regardless) because she tends to intertwine stories and characters.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 18, 2017 Tammy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: release-2017

BW's latest is set in present day 1920's Florida flashing back to WWI where Virginia and Simons story began. I was looking for a light summery read when I picked this up its not really that. Filled with suspense and drama, it's chapter endings ask more questions than provide answers. It definitely keeps you guessing up until it's last chapters!

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Genres

Historical

94 users

Fiction

32 users

Mystery

16 users

See top shelves…

Books by Beatriz Williams

More…

Share This Book

+ Share on your website

Trivia About Cocoa Beach

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Cocoa Beach

“I had the best of times. I’m not the sort of chap who’s going to grovel on about what a stupid, callow fool he was in his salad days, how it was all a great waste of time, nothing but ruination.” — 0 likes

“I had learned that you could imagine anything you wanted, that the space inside your head belonged only to you. Furnished and decorated and inhabited only by you, so that your insides teemed and seethed while your outward aspect remained serene. “You’ve” — 0 likes

More quotes…

title link	preview: Cocoa Beach
avg rating	preview: Cocoa Beach Goodreads rating: 3.65 (539 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32600192-cocoa-beach?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1483317856l/32600192.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32600192-cocoa-beach?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams[/url]

See a Problem?

Preview — Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams

Cocoa Beach

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Popular Answered Questions

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

Genres

Books by Beatriz Williams

Share This Book

Share on your website

Trivia About Cocoa Beach

Quotes from Cocoa Beach

See a Problem?

Preview — Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams

Cocoa Beach

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Popular Answered Questions

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

Genres

Books by Beatriz Williams

Share This Book

Share on your website

Trivia About Cocoa Beach

Quotes from Cocoa Beach

new topic
Discuss This Book