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The Sex On The Beach Book Club
A Sexy Romance...
Holly Hillbay is a love-burned private investigator who relishes chasing down cheating scumbags. Hot on the trail of another two-timing spouse, Holly goes into stealth mode to find out if the owner of Books on the Beach, Wes Brockman, is slipping between the covers with her client's adulterous wife. Joining the book club, she soon realizes that Wes isn't her philandering Casanova, nor is he a mild-mannered book store owner. He's way too dark, hunky and mysterious, pinging Holly's interest... and lust. Holly's heart is on ice, but her body is all for a little beach romance as long as it doesn't interfere with the job. That works great until Wes becomes her job, her lover and maybe her destruction.
An Incriminating Murder...
Wes's bookstore is a new chapter in his life, and he's closed the book on his old one. When Holly shows up in his club breathing snarky attitude and raw sexiness he can't keep his hands off her. The woman ignites more than his lust, she makes him feel alive--which is saying something since he's been technically dead for years. It's not until a book club member is murdered in his store that Wes learns Holly's an uncover P.I. But now he needs her more than ever and hires her to find the killer... and because he can't bear to let her go. Wes is falling hard for the sexy sleuth while guarding his dangerous secret that could get people he loves--including Holly--killed.
The Lethal Consequences...
Secrets and betrayals explode, and Holly discovers that falling in love with a bookstore owner can be devastating...and deadly.
** This title is a reissue of a 2007 release.
Holly Hillbay is a love-burned private investigator who relishes chasing down cheating scumbags. Hot on the trail of another two-timing spouse, Holly goes into stealth mode to find out if the owner of Books on the Beach, Wes Brockman, is slipping between the covers with her client's adulterous wife. Joining the book club, she soon realizes that Wes isn't her philandering Casanova, nor is he a mild-mannered book store owner. He's way too dark, hunky and mysterious, pinging Holly's interest... and lust. Holly's heart is on ice, but her body is all for a little beach romance as long as it doesn't interfere with the job. That works great until Wes becomes her job, her lover and maybe her destruction.
An Incriminating Murder...
Wes's bookstore is a new chapter in his life, and he's closed the book on his old one. When Holly shows up in his club breathing snarky attitude and raw sexiness he can't keep his hands off her. The woman ignites more than his lust, she makes him feel alive--which is saying something since he's been technically dead for years. It's not until a book club member is murdered in his store that Wes learns Holly's an uncover P.I. But now he needs her more than ever and hires her to find the killer... and because he can't bear to let her go. Wes is falling hard for the sexy sleuth while guarding his dangerous secret that could get people he loves--including Holly--killed.
The Lethal Consequences...
Secrets and betrayals explode, and Holly discovers that falling in love with a bookstore owner can be devastating...and deadly.
** This title is a reissue of a 2007 release.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2005
About the author
Jennifer Apodaca
17 books370 followersAlso writes paranormal romance under the pseudonym Jennifer Lyon.
I went back to college after my three sons, Matt, Gary and Paul, were born. Beginning with a vague idea of earning a marketing degree, I ended up pursuing a writing career with the full support of my husband, Dan.
First I tried to tame my naturally edgy voice into writing romance, but dead bodies and quirky humor turned up with alarming regularity. So did rejection letters in my mailbox! Dan nagged me to write something contemporary and funny. My mother dropped a hint about trying something modern. My sister mentioned how good I'd be at writing a comedy, maybe even a mystery. Dan agreed with them.
Finally, frustration drove me to murder, fictionally speaking, of course. And so, I have been forced to admit that my husband, mother and sister were right. Not entirely humbled, these days I am busy plotting future adventures for Samantha Shaw!
I went back to college after my three sons, Matt, Gary and Paul, were born. Beginning with a vague idea of earning a marketing degree, I ended up pursuing a writing career with the full support of my husband, Dan.
First I tried to tame my naturally edgy voice into writing romance, but dead bodies and quirky humor turned up with alarming regularity. So did rejection letters in my mailbox! Dan nagged me to write something contemporary and funny. My mother dropped a hint about trying something modern. My sister mentioned how good I'd be at writing a comedy, maybe even a mystery. Dan agreed with them.
Finally, frustration drove me to murder, fictionally speaking, of course. And so, I have been forced to admit that my husband, mother and sister were right. Not entirely humbled, these days I am busy plotting future adventures for Samantha Shaw!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 21, 2017
This book is so much more than a simple romance! It surprised me in a very good way. It's a medium length romantic PI story about a prickly female PI and a very HOT bookstore owner. I am looking forward to her next rom/susp story because this was way better than the stories we get on TV. In fact I would love to see it made into a TV movie for sure. It kept me guessing, took sideways turns and kept the action up while developing the characters into a very hot team. LOVED IT!
Holly Hillbay is a female PI who used to work on the police force, from a family of cops. She was raised from the age of 7 by her Dad and brothers, all cops. She has an ex, "Brad the Cad" who believe me earned his title. She's determined to make her PI business successful alone. She doesn't do partners. She's working on a cheating spouse case when we meet her at the beach bookstore's book club. Wes Brockman is the gorgeous bookstore owner who is in charge of the book club that Holly thinks her client's wife is cheating with. She quickly figures out it's not him but Cullen who's messing with all the ladies at the club. The story begins when Cullen is murdered in the locked bookstore that night. Wes hires Holly to figure out who killed Cullen while keeping his past life a secret from everyone. Holly is too good a PI to leave any stone unturned. Wes finds in Holly a reason to want to live again and Holly finds Wes too much of an understanding loyal man to resist. I loved the peeling of the layers of each one of them as love wins over defenses and fear.
Excellent job Jennifer! Thank you for the opportunity to read your NetGalley ARC of this book. Please keep me in mind again!
Holly Hillbay is a female PI who used to work on the police force, from a family of cops. She was raised from the age of 7 by her Dad and brothers, all cops. She has an ex, "Brad the Cad" who believe me earned his title. She's determined to make her PI business successful alone. She doesn't do partners. She's working on a cheating spouse case when we meet her at the beach bookstore's book club. Wes Brockman is the gorgeous bookstore owner who is in charge of the book club that Holly thinks her client's wife is cheating with. She quickly figures out it's not him but Cullen who's messing with all the ladies at the club. The story begins when Cullen is murdered in the locked bookstore that night. Wes hires Holly to figure out who killed Cullen while keeping his past life a secret from everyone. Holly is too good a PI to leave any stone unturned. Wes finds in Holly a reason to want to live again and Holly finds Wes too much of an understanding loyal man to resist. I loved the peeling of the layers of each one of them as love wins over defenses and fear.
Excellent job Jennifer! Thank you for the opportunity to read your NetGalley ARC of this book. Please keep me in mind again!
March 23, 2017
I absolutely fell in love with Holly right from the beginning of this book! Don't get me wrong, I'm also very partial to Wes, he's a whole lotta yum and alpha. But Holly steals the show in The Sex on the Beach Book Club by Jennifer Lyon.
Holly is a snarky, smarta$$, hard-a$$ed PI. She was a police officer for 5 and half years before striking out on her own. She was better following her gut than taking orders. She is a freaking fire cracker and I loved her inner dialogs, especially when considering the murder of her brothers and the body dump after. Wes is more than just a bookstore owner. Holly knows he's hiding secrets and will get to the bottom of them.
Lyon has created some special characters in this world. They are funny, snarky and real. She takes you on a thrill ride and an emotional roller coaster. Holly Hillbay doesn't fall in love, she is dragged kicking and screaming the whole way!
Holly is a snarky, smarta$$, hard-a$$ed PI. She was a police officer for 5 and half years before striking out on her own. She was better following her gut than taking orders. She is a freaking fire cracker and I loved her inner dialogs, especially when considering the murder of her brothers and the body dump after. Wes is more than just a bookstore owner. Holly knows he's hiding secrets and will get to the bottom of them.
Lyon has created some special characters in this world. They are funny, snarky and real. She takes you on a thrill ride and an emotional roller coaster. Holly Hillbay doesn't fall in love, she is dragged kicking and screaming the whole way!
April 1, 2017
I read this book in its original incarnation. It's even better now. I loved Holly and Wes. Separately and together. I loved the backstory and the romance. I loved the suspense running through it all. I really wanted Brad the Cad to get more of what he deserved, though, but that's the evil in me. ;o)
If you've read this before when it was published under Jennifer Apodaca, read it now. It's worth it. If you haven't read it before, get yourself a copy. I inhaled it today.
If you've read this before when it was published under Jennifer Apodaca, read it now. It's worth it. If you haven't read it before, get yourself a copy. I inhaled it today.
March 29, 2017
I love Jennifer Lyon/Apodaca, when I get one of her books I always know I am in for a great read and The Sex On The Beach Book Club is no exception. I loved this romantic suspense, from the character dynamics to the sass and sexiness I can’t wait to see what she brings us next.
July 4, 2014
Okay, because some government agency says I have to, let me begin by saying I didn't pay for this book. I won it through a Facebook contest the author held. There was no expectation of a good review. Heck, there were no expectations of a review period. Anyway, there it is. Take it for what you think it's worth. At any rate, I don't give good reviews in exchange for free books. It's not how I roll.
Having said all that, let me start out by saying I love everything Jennifer Apodaca (or her other name Jennifer Lyon) has ever written. I just haven't gotten to all of her backlist yet. Hence my joy at finding out I'd won this early published work of hers. It was AWESOME. And from reading her more current works, I could totally see how she's grown as an author while still finding all the things I love about her work. The hot hero with his own demons, the gutsy but damaged heroine. She even peppered the story with loveable secondary characters and a cuter than cute pup. Add in the intrigue and the mystery, and she had me from the get-go.
Definitely a five-star read in my opinion.
Having said all that, let me start out by saying I love everything Jennifer Apodaca (or her other name Jennifer Lyon) has ever written. I just haven't gotten to all of her backlist yet. Hence my joy at finding out I'd won this early published work of hers. It was AWESOME. And from reading her more current works, I could totally see how she's grown as an author while still finding all the things I love about her work. The hot hero with his own demons, the gutsy but damaged heroine. She even peppered the story with loveable secondary characters and a cuter than cute pup. Add in the intrigue and the mystery, and she had me from the get-go.
Definitely a five-star read in my opinion.
April 15, 2013
I liked it, strong woman, sexy man, murder mystery and a cute dog...what more could you want?
Read
July 20, 2015“If you like Stephanie Plum you’ll like P.I. Holly Hillbay.”
—Loretta at KDL’s Wyoming Branch
—Loretta at KDL’s Wyoming Branch
July 29, 2019
The story and characters were very interesting but were interrupted constantly by the sex scenes which hit over the head like a sledgehammer and which seemed to be thrown in gratuitously. I don't mind if they flow with the story but these just interrupted the story line and were very crudely presented.
June 11, 2022
never read this author, was pleasantly surprised. very good story, well written, interesting, held my interest. a little too much sex for my taste, but even that was very well written, amazing details! fun story, good summer read.
March 24, 2017
I loved this book and i adored Holly and Wes.This was a fantastic read it had a super storyline and held my interest all the way through.A well written book with super characters just loved it.
March 19, 2017
The title didn't have me expecting much but I went with this book because I had hope with the description. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised as it was much better than I expected. It was go go go most of the time. A real mix of characters and a great storyline that kept twisting and turning and had me wondering what the outcome was going to be. A real good suspenseful book with a touch of romance and some sizzling sex, totally entertaining read.
March 14, 2017
netgalley
an ok read. like the new cover.
an ok read. like the new cover.
January 13, 2011
Holly Hillbay, PI and ex-cop from a family of cops has joined a book club at at store owned by Wes Brockman. She is there because a client says his wife is having an affair the Wes but Holly soon finds out that it is not Wes she is having the affair with.
Wes Brockman is living a pretend life, he left his other one under mysterious circumstances, he suspects there is more to Holly that she is letting on and when one of the book club members is murdered at the Book Store Wes hires Holly to find the murderer.
Along the way we find out that someone is after Wes and it is probably someone from his other life the question who it is and why are they after him? That's for Holly to find out.
There was times this story was good and at other times it was lacking, the mystery was a little iffy and didn't ring true all the way but it was a good read and I did like Wes and Holly.
Wes Brockman is living a pretend life, he left his other one under mysterious circumstances, he suspects there is more to Holly that she is letting on and when one of the book club members is murdered at the Book Store Wes hires Holly to find the murderer.
Along the way we find out that someone is after Wes and it is probably someone from his other life the question who it is and why are they after him? That's for Holly to find out.
There was times this story was good and at other times it was lacking, the mystery was a little iffy and didn't ring true all the way but it was a good read and I did like Wes and Holly.
July 5, 2011
A light and somewhat steamy read, this is a mystery and a romance. I liked the steamy part alot, but the dialogue felt just a little stilted at times. Also, the heroine and hero were both a little too good to be true.
Also, I really liked that writer included blogging and podcasts and such in the storyline, but sometimes I thought she was reaching beyond her true comfort level with the technology. I give her credit for including it and being creative with it.
Also, I really liked that writer included blogging and podcasts and such in the storyline, but sometimes I thought she was reaching beyond her true comfort level with the technology. I give her credit for including it and being creative with it.
December 24, 2012
There is no build-up when starting Sex on the Beach Club. The story plunged directly into action. Unfortunately, the story felt frenzied.
It was exhausting bouncing from one plot to the next even though everything was tied together. The story just moved a little too fast for me and it made me bewildered. I did like that Holly was frank and unapologetic. Wes' nickname for Holly did become annoying, though.
It was exhausting bouncing from one plot to the next even though everything was tied together. The story just moved a little too fast for me and it made me bewildered. I did like that Holly was frank and unapologetic. Wes' nickname for Holly did become annoying, though.
September 14, 2009
I would have given it a 4 or 5 stars if she hadn't had so much sex. The plot was well written, the important characters were well developed, the mystery kept you trying to figure it out. I think if she didn't put so much trash in the book it would have been on the best seller list. Instead, it just rates as a romance. too bad.
March 2, 2010
This was my second Jennifer Apodaca book. I didn't like this one quite as much as the first one I read but it was alright. It was pretty good with all it's twists and turns. She did say the phrase "hard-a$$" and "chip on your shoulder" waaaaay too often. Anyway...it was okay but I had no problem putting it down when something else was going on around me.
February 5, 2012
New authors are always intriguing as I learn their writing style and how they work through a story line. I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book, took a bit to get into, but before long I found that I didn't want to put it down! The characters are very down to earth and sexy! Good story line - will read more of her books in the future!
April 25, 2013
Good summer reading revolving around a murder of a book club member and the bookstore owner with the mysterious past. All the characters have pasts, including the private investigator, and the way the characters are integrated is enjoyable.
Warning: Explicit sexual content...
Warning: Explicit sexual content...
July 6, 2013
This is my first book by this author. I like the balance of sex, romance and mystery. Very predictable but I would put it in the beach book category, which is what beach books are. I would read her again.
November 11, 2007
read 06.06.07
July 27, 2008
Cute book, lots of sexual scenes and some bad language
June 29, 2010
Don't judge me! I needed a book with a beach scene on the cover for the summer reading challenge I'm doing, and......Fine! I wanted a trashy beach book to get in the mood for my cruise!
March 22, 2011
Couldn't get past a few pages...I was looking for something light but I just couldn't read this one!
June 18, 2012
What a hoot! Great premise, can't go wrong with murder on 1. a beach and 2. in a book club. LOL, pretty much like Evanovich, but I liked it a tad better. Of course I've only read 1 Evanovich ...
August 20, 2013
A fun read - light and perfect little mystery romance for the summer.
November 6, 2014
ewrw
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2008
JUST A FUN READ
March 27, 2017
Loved the tough as nails female heroine in this book. This is not your typical romance. The murder mystery side is a story onto itself with wonder twists and turns in the plot. It has nice character development allowing the Main female character to grow. Toss in the romance and sex scenes and it's a really good read.
March 29, 2017
I love Jennifer Lyon/Apodaca when I get one of her books I always know I am in for a great read and The Sex On The Beach Book Club is no exception. I loved this romantic suspense, from the character dynamics to the sass and sexiness I can’t wait to see what she brings us next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews