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Ten Beach Road #1
Ten Beach Road
Another perfect beach read from the author of The Accidental Bestseller.
Madeline, Avery, and Nikki are strangers to each other, but they have one thing in common. They each wake up one morning to discover their life savings have vanished, along with their trusted financial manager- leaving them with nothing but co-ownership of a ramshackle beachfront house.
Throwing their lots in together, they take on the challenge of restoring the historic property. But just as they begin to reinvent themselves and discover the power of friendship, secrets threaten to tear down their trust-and destroy their lives a second time.
Madeline, Avery, and Nikki are strangers to each other, but they have one thing in common. They each wake up one morning to discover their life savings have vanished, along with their trusted financial manager- leaving them with nothing but co-ownership of a ramshackle beachfront house.
Throwing their lots in together, they take on the challenge of restoring the historic property. But just as they begin to reinvent themselves and discover the power of friendship, secrets threaten to tear down their trust-and destroy their lives a second time.
432 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2011
1195 people are currently reading
12395 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Wax
22 books1,580 followersI write novels that explore friendship, self-discovery and the challenges life brings us, leavened with a touch of humor. I'm proud of all my books and perhaps best known for my "Ten Beach Road" titles including the USA Today bestsellers, Ten Beach Road and The House on Mermaid Point, and for While We Were Watching Downton Abbey.
I was born in St.Petersburg, Florida and grew up on St. Pete Beach within spitting distance of the Gulf of Mexico. I went, appropriately enough, to Sunshine Elementary School where recess and art class sometimes took place on the beach, and the highlight of every school year was the annual fish broil.
It’s hard to be a type-A personality when you grow up in such a laid back environment, but I managed. Convinced that you were expected to know how to read BEFORE you showed up for school, I forced a neighbor friend to teach me to read at the age of five. I’ve been reading ever since.
Books, in all forms, are one of my greatest pleasures and best forms of escape. And they’ve had a major impact on my life.
I went to the University of Georgia after reading Gone with the Wind one too many times. For a while I re-read Margaret Mitchell’s classic yearly, saw the movie whenever it played within twenty miles, and could quote large passages from memory. Today I have a growing GWTW collection, and the time I spoke at he Margaret Mitchell House was an incredible thrill.last
After college I worked in radio, television, and film. Like Olivia in 7 DAYS AND SEVEN NIGHTS, I’ve done live talk radio. I hosted a show in the eighties called Desperate & Dateless, and while I was never locked in an apartment for a week with a webcam rolling as she was, I did fall in love. Happily, the man who swept me off my feet consults with financial types and understands the bottom line. Unlike Olivia’s nemesis, Matt Ransom, my husband has never, to my knowledge, advised anyone to ‘love the one they’re with.’ We live in Atlanta with our two sons.
I was born in St.Petersburg, Florida and grew up on St. Pete Beach within spitting distance of the Gulf of Mexico. I went, appropriately enough, to Sunshine Elementary School where recess and art class sometimes took place on the beach, and the highlight of every school year was the annual fish broil.
It’s hard to be a type-A personality when you grow up in such a laid back environment, but I managed. Convinced that you were expected to know how to read BEFORE you showed up for school, I forced a neighbor friend to teach me to read at the age of five. I’ve been reading ever since.
Books, in all forms, are one of my greatest pleasures and best forms of escape. And they’ve had a major impact on my life.
I went to the University of Georgia after reading Gone with the Wind one too many times. For a while I re-read Margaret Mitchell’s classic yearly, saw the movie whenever it played within twenty miles, and could quote large passages from memory. Today I have a growing GWTW collection, and the time I spoke at he Margaret Mitchell House was an incredible thrill.last
After college I worked in radio, television, and film. Like Olivia in 7 DAYS AND SEVEN NIGHTS, I’ve done live talk radio. I hosted a show in the eighties called Desperate & Dateless, and while I was never locked in an apartment for a week with a webcam rolling as she was, I did fall in love. Happily, the man who swept me off my feet consults with financial types and understands the bottom line. Unlike Olivia’s nemesis, Matt Ransom, my husband has never, to my knowledge, advised anyone to ‘love the one they’re with.’ We live in Atlanta with our two sons.
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July 3, 2021
Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax
Contemporary women’s fiction. 1st in the Ten Beach Road series.
Three women, each having lost their life savings to a Ponzi scheme, inherit a portion of a beach house. Together, they decide to repair and renovate the house while dealing with life issues as a result of the changes in their lives.
Managing life issues is no easy task. This book is at times heartbreaking, disquieting, and life affirming. The women are strong survivors and determined and that’s what makes this story worth reading.
3.5
Contemporary women’s fiction. 1st in the Ten Beach Road series.
Three women, each having lost their life savings to a Ponzi scheme, inherit a portion of a beach house. Together, they decide to repair and renovate the house while dealing with life issues as a result of the changes in their lives.
Managing life issues is no easy task. This book is at times heartbreaking, disquieting, and life affirming. The women are strong survivors and determined and that’s what makes this story worth reading.
3.5
February 29, 2020
“What defines us isn’t how we behave when things are good, Andrew, but how we respond when they aren’t.”
― Wendy Wax, Ten Beach Road
I read this on vacation. It was perfect for me because I wanted something light and fun with a beach setting. So along came Ten Beach Road! It was a very enjoyable read.
I will reiterate I wish Goodreads had .star ratings. I think this is a 3.5 and if it was a one to ten, I'd give it a 7. It has the whole chick buddy thing going on which can be nice, especially w he n the characters are well developed as they were here. I did misplace the book at one point but happily found it again and was able to finish.
If you are seeking a light and uncomplicated beach read, this is a good one to go with. I enjoyed it.
― Wendy Wax, Ten Beach Road
I read this on vacation. It was perfect for me because I wanted something light and fun with a beach setting. So along came Ten Beach Road! It was a very enjoyable read.
I will reiterate I wish Goodreads had .star ratings. I think this is a 3.5 and if it was a one to ten, I'd give it a 7. It has the whole chick buddy thing going on which can be nice, especially w he n the characters are well developed as they were here. I did misplace the book at one point but happily found it again and was able to finish.
If you are seeking a light and uncomplicated beach read, this is a good one to go with. I enjoyed it.
June 8, 2025
A great read! Loved Wendy Wax's Ten Beach Road. (a great new series).
Wow, where do I begin? First and foremost the characters were divine!
Loved the rags to riches and back to being homeless; struggles and challenges…can relate is so many ways, as have been involved with corporate America in whistleblowing and other SEC investment firm scams with companies I have worked for in Atlanta and Florida. Have been defrauded by Atlanta company, and lost everything at one point, so there is always a tough climb back!
Love Wendy Wax and a great new series. The story was so realistic and loved the humor, and the good times – dynamite strong women!
In addition, being a former interior designer have been involved with many showcase designer homes and all the work which it entails and the highs and low; the Mediterranean Revival and Art Deco periods – involved with properties in West Palm Beach from 1920s-1948 in restoring these in downtown historic area for luxury inn and cottages and marketing them, so enjoyed this part.
Loved the Palm Beach, FL parts since I live in the area, as well as spent many vacations in St Pete, Clearwater, Indian Rock Beach, Johns Pass, Treasure Island, Don Ce Sars, office in Tampa, and have cycled up and down Gulf Blvd…quaint area and lots of memories with some great beach cottages like Colonial Court Inn.
Lots of good laughs and humor, and some strong and resilient women. A perfect beach read. Looking forward to reading Ocean Beach (setting in South Beach), which I love!
Wow, where do I begin? First and foremost the characters were divine!
Loved the rags to riches and back to being homeless; struggles and challenges…can relate is so many ways, as have been involved with corporate America in whistleblowing and other SEC investment firm scams with companies I have worked for in Atlanta and Florida. Have been defrauded by Atlanta company, and lost everything at one point, so there is always a tough climb back!
Love Wendy Wax and a great new series. The story was so realistic and loved the humor, and the good times – dynamite strong women!
In addition, being a former interior designer have been involved with many showcase designer homes and all the work which it entails and the highs and low; the Mediterranean Revival and Art Deco periods – involved with properties in West Palm Beach from 1920s-1948 in restoring these in downtown historic area for luxury inn and cottages and marketing them, so enjoyed this part.
Loved the Palm Beach, FL parts since I live in the area, as well as spent many vacations in St Pete, Clearwater, Indian Rock Beach, Johns Pass, Treasure Island, Don Ce Sars, office in Tampa, and have cycled up and down Gulf Blvd…quaint area and lots of memories with some great beach cottages like Colonial Court Inn.
Lots of good laughs and humor, and some strong and resilient women. A perfect beach read. Looking forward to reading Ocean Beach (setting in South Beach), which I love!
February 14, 2013
Wendy Wax understands the most difficult of dilemmas regarding family, secrets, undying passion, and inner turmoil, and that makes her stand out as a writer. Carefully, she identifies three women with three different concerns and takes readers on a journey that highlights not only on how their problems are solved, but also the struggles the three women go through, in order to get there.
A headlining Ponzi scheme involving Malcom Dyer leaves Maddie, Avery, and Nikki (among hundreds of others) abruptly penniless; they each now only have a beach house—actually not even, since they each own a third of the beach house—to their name. Bella Flora was once a majestic mansion overlooking the shore and the sunset, but today, its grounds are nothing short of ancient ruins.
To destroy the house, or to rebuild it are the only options the three women have, so they decide to take the risk and spend one summer making Bella Flora beautiful again.
Maddie needs to hang on, or else the rest of her family will fall apart. She's got an unemployed and quite depressed husband, an unmarried pregnant daughter, a college dropout son, and a ruthless mother-in-law on her hands. She needs to prevail with Bella Flora; it may be her last chance.
Avery is famous for her looks as a Vanna White on her ex-husband's home improvement television show—but she's the one with the architecture degree. Every cent her late father left her is gone, thanks to Dyer's theft, and having been abandoned by her biological mother as a young child, she's not sure where to turn. But suddenly, her mom and a childhood crush are both back in her life to offer help with Bella Flora, though Avery is certain she doesn't need it. Determined to fix the house and fight on her own, just the way she's been her whole life, Avery learns the lessons of forgiveness and honest love, both strong parts of her that could either lift her up or bring her down.
Nikki's taking the loss the hardest, not only because no money means no more designer dresses and pretty car, but because Malcom Dyer is her brother. How can the man she's raised from a little boy (since their parents' deaths) commit such a monstrous act against her? Her fortune is gone and she is torn, but more importantly, she doesn't know how she'll cope with this ultimate betrayal.
Ten Beach Road is the perfect summer beach read, but not because it's fluffy and romantic. Ten Beach Road weaves a complicated story that brings the lives of three prominent women together, and changes them forever as well. In each of the characters, Wax depicts expert emotion; she everything, from an adoring mother, to a frightened lover, to a self-conscious "power woman" who knows exactly how to personalize each of her characters.
Relationships between mother and daughter, old acquaintances, and siblings brings sentiments of the breathtaking human life together, in Wax's novel. While reading, you feel like each of the characters are your own mother, your own sister, your own best friend. And by the end, you wish they actually were.
Stephanie Loves: "The words settled over her. [Madeline] hadn't thought in those terms, she'd just been plowing ahead trying to hang on. But Kyra's recognition was like a balm to her soul; one she hadn't realized she needed.
'[I didn't realize how strong I was, either],' Maddie said. 'You don't really know what you're made of until things fall apart.' "
Where Stephanie Got It: Directly from publicist via Romancing the Book for review.
Radical Rating: 8 hearts—Would recommend to lots of really good friends. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
REVISIT : It's been more than a year since my original review, and Joan Schulhafer was kind enough to send me a finished copy to revisit at Books à la Mode, so here are my thoughts after my second read:
I was surprised that even after a year, Ten Beach Road's characters flowed back to me as smoothly and wonderfully as they did the first time around. I guess that's the magic of such lovable characters—no matter how, when, or where you read them, they'll always feel like family. Coming back to this book was both nostalgic and illuminating. Picking up its pages once again made me feel like I was home, as strange and delightful of an experience that is, and I noticed small sentiments I hadn't before.
Wendy Wax's writing is vivid and brimming with sensory images. I absolutely love her style and found it to be one of the best aspects of this book. That, and her true-to-life characters.
Maybe I just noticed this because I also read Ocean Beach, but Ten Beach Road is heavy on the emotional pain and physical labor of Bella Flora's reconstruction—the grueling efforts and teeth-gritting vexations are what fuel the plot and heal the hearts of each of the involved characters. Ocean Beach, on the other hand, focuses mainly on the emotional dilemmas and situational complications. Both techniques appeal to me in different ways, which made my reading of the two books dynamic and varietal, rather than boring. The two books are similar in mood, but individual in flesh, and that's what I love about the saga as a whole.
A headlining Ponzi scheme involving Malcom Dyer leaves Maddie, Avery, and Nikki (among hundreds of others) abruptly penniless; they each now only have a beach house—actually not even, since they each own a third of the beach house—to their name. Bella Flora was once a majestic mansion overlooking the shore and the sunset, but today, its grounds are nothing short of ancient ruins.
To destroy the house, or to rebuild it are the only options the three women have, so they decide to take the risk and spend one summer making Bella Flora beautiful again.
Maddie needs to hang on, or else the rest of her family will fall apart. She's got an unemployed and quite depressed husband, an unmarried pregnant daughter, a college dropout son, and a ruthless mother-in-law on her hands. She needs to prevail with Bella Flora; it may be her last chance.
Avery is famous for her looks as a Vanna White on her ex-husband's home improvement television show—but she's the one with the architecture degree. Every cent her late father left her is gone, thanks to Dyer's theft, and having been abandoned by her biological mother as a young child, she's not sure where to turn. But suddenly, her mom and a childhood crush are both back in her life to offer help with Bella Flora, though Avery is certain she doesn't need it. Determined to fix the house and fight on her own, just the way she's been her whole life, Avery learns the lessons of forgiveness and honest love, both strong parts of her that could either lift her up or bring her down.
Nikki's taking the loss the hardest, not only because no money means no more designer dresses and pretty car, but because Malcom Dyer is her brother. How can the man she's raised from a little boy (since their parents' deaths) commit such a monstrous act against her? Her fortune is gone and she is torn, but more importantly, she doesn't know how she'll cope with this ultimate betrayal.
Ten Beach Road is the perfect summer beach read, but not because it's fluffy and romantic. Ten Beach Road weaves a complicated story that brings the lives of three prominent women together, and changes them forever as well. In each of the characters, Wax depicts expert emotion; she everything, from an adoring mother, to a frightened lover, to a self-conscious "power woman" who knows exactly how to personalize each of her characters.
Relationships between mother and daughter, old acquaintances, and siblings brings sentiments of the breathtaking human life together, in Wax's novel. While reading, you feel like each of the characters are your own mother, your own sister, your own best friend. And by the end, you wish they actually were.
Stephanie Loves: "The words settled over her. [Madeline] hadn't thought in those terms, she'd just been plowing ahead trying to hang on. But Kyra's recognition was like a balm to her soul; one she hadn't realized she needed.
'[I didn't realize how strong I was, either],' Maddie said. 'You don't really know what you're made of until things fall apart.' "
Where Stephanie Got It: Directly from publicist via Romancing the Book for review.
Radical Rating: 8 hearts—Would recommend to lots of really good friends. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
REVISIT : It's been more than a year since my original review, and Joan Schulhafer was kind enough to send me a finished copy to revisit at Books à la Mode, so here are my thoughts after my second read:
I was surprised that even after a year, Ten Beach Road's characters flowed back to me as smoothly and wonderfully as they did the first time around. I guess that's the magic of such lovable characters—no matter how, when, or where you read them, they'll always feel like family. Coming back to this book was both nostalgic and illuminating. Picking up its pages once again made me feel like I was home, as strange and delightful of an experience that is, and I noticed small sentiments I hadn't before.
Wendy Wax's writing is vivid and brimming with sensory images. I absolutely love her style and found it to be one of the best aspects of this book. That, and her true-to-life characters.
Maybe I just noticed this because I also read Ocean Beach, but Ten Beach Road is heavy on the emotional pain and physical labor of Bella Flora's reconstruction—the grueling efforts and teeth-gritting vexations are what fuel the plot and heal the hearts of each of the involved characters. Ocean Beach, on the other hand, focuses mainly on the emotional dilemmas and situational complications. Both techniques appeal to me in different ways, which made my reading of the two books dynamic and varietal, rather than boring. The two books are similar in mood, but individual in flesh, and that's what I love about the saga as a whole.
April 22, 2011
Three women. One house. Lots of money down the drain. What's a girl--or three--to do? Renovate!!!
This is a delightful read. The characters are vivid and feel like they could be my friends. The writing flows well and grabbed my attention right away. I read this book in one sitting and with over four hundred pages, that's quite an undertaking. As soon as I started the tale, I had to know what would happen next. Ms. Wax kept me guessing throughout. Every time I thought one thing would happen, the book took a different course I didn't expect but loved. This book, while cute, is complex as well. There are a couple interwoven storylines that are both gutwrenching and sweet. Really, it's a must read.
There's quite a bit of character in this book as well as a lot of characters. Nikki is the princess, but she was relatable. I could see why she acted the way she did and even when I wasn't terribly fond of her, I still respected her. Avery was a tough nut to crack. I enjoyed reading about her, but there were moments I wanted her to just come out and say what she felt. Then again, her reluctance was what really made her believeable. Then there's Maddie. Of the three, she was my favorite and the one I wanted to smack. I got the most emotionally involved with her portion of the story. I loved her strength. Give the woman kudos for finding and displaying her backbone. I also really got into the emotional play between her and Steve as well as her and Kyra. I could totally see myself in her shoes and reacting in the same manner. Oh, and give her additional props for doing all that window glazing...tought stuff she handled with grace.
If you want a great beach read, this book should do the trick. It's got warm and fuzzy moments, moments to make you laugh, and moments of introspection. All in all a great read.
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
This is a delightful read. The characters are vivid and feel like they could be my friends. The writing flows well and grabbed my attention right away. I read this book in one sitting and with over four hundred pages, that's quite an undertaking. As soon as I started the tale, I had to know what would happen next. Ms. Wax kept me guessing throughout. Every time I thought one thing would happen, the book took a different course I didn't expect but loved. This book, while cute, is complex as well. There are a couple interwoven storylines that are both gutwrenching and sweet. Really, it's a must read.
There's quite a bit of character in this book as well as a lot of characters. Nikki is the princess, but she was relatable. I could see why she acted the way she did and even when I wasn't terribly fond of her, I still respected her. Avery was a tough nut to crack. I enjoyed reading about her, but there were moments I wanted her to just come out and say what she felt. Then again, her reluctance was what really made her believeable. Then there's Maddie. Of the three, she was my favorite and the one I wanted to smack. I got the most emotionally involved with her portion of the story. I loved her strength. Give the woman kudos for finding and displaying her backbone. I also really got into the emotional play between her and Steve as well as her and Kyra. I could totally see myself in her shoes and reacting in the same manner. Oh, and give her additional props for doing all that window glazing...tought stuff she handled with grace.
If you want a great beach read, this book should do the trick. It's got warm and fuzzy moments, moments to make you laugh, and moments of introspection. All in all a great read.
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
May 2, 2018
I'll happily accept a few unbelievable notions for the sake of a good story - but this book was filled with improbabilities, and frankly the storyline wasn't all that exciting.
- A house given as a random payout for those affected by a Ponzi scheme, rather than being sold off and the proceeds going into a fund
- One of the recipients is related to the person at the heart of the scheme, even if the FBI has yet to determine whether she's truly an innocent bystander (and the press has yet to pick up the sensational fact that the aforementioned schemer bilked even his sister out of funds)
and that's just the beginning
Those are just a few of the things that stuck out in my mind. I will definitely NOT be reading about these ladies' further adventures.
-
- A house given as a random payout for those affected by a Ponzi scheme, rather than being sold off and the proceeds going into a fund
- One of the recipients is related to the person at the heart of the scheme, even if the FBI has yet to determine whether she's truly an innocent bystander (and the press has yet to pick up the sensational fact that the aforementioned schemer bilked even his sister out of funds)
and that's just the beginning
Those are just a few of the things that stuck out in my mind. I will definitely NOT be reading about these ladies' further adventures.
-
July 20, 2011
Hmmmm, funny thing. Ponzi scheme is the theme of the culprit in this book and also in the last book I read, Silver Girl. Weird how that happens. Madoff inspired beach reads???
October 11, 2017
I can't handle books with a grown woman who refuses to ride in a minivan or shop at Costco because someone might see her and it will tarnish her image. So ridiculous.
March 18, 2012
http://charlotteswebofbooks.blogspot....
Overall, Ten Beach Road, was the perfect book to go with my "Spring Fever" mentality. Once I got past the whole, "Could that really happen" aspect of these three women getting possession of Ten Beach Road when there were hundreds of others still waiting for their money. The descriptions of the historical mansion was enough to satisfy my daily cravings for house porn and the relationship between the three different women was interesting and unique. I especially loved Maddie and how the Stay-At-Home-Mom had to step up to the plate when her husband's world fell apart. But each of the three women came out of this experience learning something about themselves. And I always enjoy those kind of books.
Bottom line, the unseasonably warm weather throughout the country has us all pulling out our flip-flops and margarita glasses. Ten Beach Road is the perfect book to help you get in that warm weather mentality.
Overall, Ten Beach Road, was the perfect book to go with my "Spring Fever" mentality. Once I got past the whole, "Could that really happen" aspect of these three women getting possession of Ten Beach Road when there were hundreds of others still waiting for their money. The descriptions of the historical mansion was enough to satisfy my daily cravings for house porn and the relationship between the three different women was interesting and unique. I especially loved Maddie and how the Stay-At-Home-Mom had to step up to the plate when her husband's world fell apart. But each of the three women came out of this experience learning something about themselves. And I always enjoy those kind of books.
Bottom line, the unseasonably warm weather throughout the country has us all pulling out our flip-flops and margarita glasses. Ten Beach Road is the perfect book to help you get in that warm weather mentality.
July 23, 2011
This was ok. Another summer read. Not bad. I didn't put it down. I found some characters irritating. Book was lengthy enough, however, that each main character did get sufficient time. Two characters that had irritation with each other was the most annoying part. It's tiresome to read about a guy demeaning a woman over and over again for an immature reason. The book also includes the new popular plot point of the summer (aside from a house where either distant family, friends, or strangers come together). Can't say because it's not worth it to hide for spoilers. Anyway, someone take my Kindle and prevent me from downloading any more like this. :)
November 6, 2020
More like a 3.5 star. I really enjoyed the story of how the women ended up with the house and the whole remodel. None of the characters were very likable though and it just kinda kept dragging on. The end of it was good though and I feel like I will continue the series at some point
May 8, 2018
Madeline, Avery and Nikki are down and out. All three are victims of a Ponzi scam, and they have lost everything. Everything that is except for a third share each to an old beachfront property in Florida. In it’s heyday, Bella Flora was the height of glamour and luxury, but now, the house is run down, ramshackle and perhaps best torn down. The three women are ready to cut their losses, tear down the old house and sell the land, but then a realtor and contractor talk them in to doing the impossible. The three women will spend the summer renovating the house themselves. What happens when three women from three different walks of lives decide to live and work together? Will the become friends?
What I Liked:
*Ten Beach Road is the perfect beach book. This is a book about friendship, family, new beginnings, and discovering your true self. I loved the relationships, the revelations and the restoration. This is definitely the perfect summer read.
*I loved all the parts of the book that pertained to the renovation and restoration of the glamorous old house. It was back breaking work, but you could feel the sense of pride each woman felt as she worked on the house. It reads a bit like one of those shows you see on tv where they work to flip a home. I thought it was fascinating.
*I liked that the book featured three women from different backgrounds. Maddie, at fifty five, is a housewife who has raised her children and was now looking forward to spending some time on herself. Her world collapses when she finds her husband had lost his job, didn’t tell her, and all their money is gone. Everything goes wrong for her, but she doesn’t wallow, she puts on her big girl panties and gets to work. She is the heart of the group. Avery is an architect who lost her tv show and her husband all in one fell swoop. She struggles with issues of abandonment. However, she is smart when it comes to building restoration. Nikki, is a tougher sell then the others. She is a matchmaker who lost everything like the others, but the worst thing is that it was her own brother who did this to her and the other women. Nikki is glamorous and she struggles with the idea of manual labor, which makes for some funny scenes. When these three women come together and get to know one another, that’s when the magic happens.
*Surprisingly, there is little romance in this. Each woman has romantic interests, but the romance never plays a big role in the story, and I loved that. I liked that it was all about girl power and learning to stand on your own feet instead of having a man come in and save the day. If you are a romance lover, you might be disappointed, but for me, it was a win.
*There is also a focus on mother daughter relationships. None of the mother daughter dynamics are perfect, and at times, they are at odds, but in the end, they figure it out.
*I loved that this book was about digging deep and finding inner strength. Each woman pursues her own personal journey. Along the way, they all learn plenty of new things about themselves. I liked that this was all about girl power.
*The book ends in a good spot, but there are plenty of story lines left open for the next installment. I am more than ready to read the next installment.
And The Not So Much:
*I wish that I liked Nikki more. She comes a long way, but I never felt the connection to her like I did the other two. I want her to drop the phony rich girl facade and show her true colors.
*I have to admit I was a little disappointed about what happened after all the restorations. Sure it was real life, but it took the wind out of the sails after all the work and the positivity.
*I was not a fan of the relationship between Avery and Chase. I didn’t like the hostility and the demeaning parts of it.
*After everything, Steve still ended up a disappointment for me. I don’t think he redeemed himself.
Ten Beach Road is a wonderful summer read. I loved that this book was about relationships, renovations and restoration. This is not only about restoring a house, but restoring each woman as they were forced to put back the pieces of their lives while working on the old house. This is a book that is all about girl power and digging deep. Throw this in your suitcase or beach bag for summer reading.
I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
What I Liked:
*Ten Beach Road is the perfect beach book. This is a book about friendship, family, new beginnings, and discovering your true self. I loved the relationships, the revelations and the restoration. This is definitely the perfect summer read.
*I loved all the parts of the book that pertained to the renovation and restoration of the glamorous old house. It was back breaking work, but you could feel the sense of pride each woman felt as she worked on the house. It reads a bit like one of those shows you see on tv where they work to flip a home. I thought it was fascinating.
*I liked that the book featured three women from different backgrounds. Maddie, at fifty five, is a housewife who has raised her children and was now looking forward to spending some time on herself. Her world collapses when she finds her husband had lost his job, didn’t tell her, and all their money is gone. Everything goes wrong for her, but she doesn’t wallow, she puts on her big girl panties and gets to work. She is the heart of the group. Avery is an architect who lost her tv show and her husband all in one fell swoop. She struggles with issues of abandonment. However, she is smart when it comes to building restoration. Nikki, is a tougher sell then the others. She is a matchmaker who lost everything like the others, but the worst thing is that it was her own brother who did this to her and the other women. Nikki is glamorous and she struggles with the idea of manual labor, which makes for some funny scenes. When these three women come together and get to know one another, that’s when the magic happens.
*Surprisingly, there is little romance in this. Each woman has romantic interests, but the romance never plays a big role in the story, and I loved that. I liked that it was all about girl power and learning to stand on your own feet instead of having a man come in and save the day. If you are a romance lover, you might be disappointed, but for me, it was a win.
*There is also a focus on mother daughter relationships. None of the mother daughter dynamics are perfect, and at times, they are at odds, but in the end, they figure it out.
*I loved that this book was about digging deep and finding inner strength. Each woman pursues her own personal journey. Along the way, they all learn plenty of new things about themselves. I liked that this was all about girl power.
*The book ends in a good spot, but there are plenty of story lines left open for the next installment. I am more than ready to read the next installment.
And The Not So Much:
*I wish that I liked Nikki more. She comes a long way, but I never felt the connection to her like I did the other two. I want her to drop the phony rich girl facade and show her true colors.
*I have to admit I was a little disappointed about what happened after all the restorations. Sure it was real life, but it took the wind out of the sails after all the work and the positivity.
*I was not a fan of the relationship between Avery and Chase. I didn’t like the hostility and the demeaning parts of it.
*After everything, Steve still ended up a disappointment for me. I don’t think he redeemed himself.
Ten Beach Road is a wonderful summer read. I loved that this book was about relationships, renovations and restoration. This is not only about restoring a house, but restoring each woman as they were forced to put back the pieces of their lives while working on the old house. This is a book that is all about girl power and digging deep. Throw this in your suitcase or beach bag for summer reading.
I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
June 14, 2018
Madeline Singer has mixed feelings about her youngest going off to college. With both children out of the house, she should be feeling the depression of having an empty nest. However, she’s looking forward to the opportunity of doing things she didn’t have time to do before. Things don’t quite work out that way when her mother-in-law unexpectedly moves in and her husband loses all their money in a Ponzi scheme. Now, they have nothing left and her husband seems to have no interest in making things right. It’s up to her to save her family.
Avery Lawford, an experienced architect, stars in a home improvement TV show with her ex-husband, Trent. Unfortunately, the producers don’t care about her experience and prefer her ex’s inexperience, but good looks instead. After making Avery look like nothing more than Trent’s pretty assistant, she’s dropped from the show. To add insult to injury, Avery learns that all the money her father left in his will was invested with Malcom Dyer, which turned out to be a Ponzi scheme. Avery is now left with nothing.
Nicole Grant is founder of a successful dating service. Everything is going very well until her company is suddenly shut down. The bank informs her all her funds are gone. Nicole had invested everything with Malcom Dyer, but discovers it was all a Ponzi scheme. Her bank account is now empty.
The three women are informed the only thing they have is a co-ownership of an abandoned, dilapidated beach house. They can’t sell it in its current condition, but they don’t have the money to renovate it either. It’s a challenging task for three strangers to come together for one goal. Somehow they manage to work together despite their own personal heartaches.
This is the story of betrayal, faith, and hope. There are times I wanted to shake some sense into each woman, but overall, I admired their strength and determination. I have wanted to start this series for a long time. It was well worth the wait. Ten Beach Road is the perfect book to read at this time of year. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
Avery Lawford, an experienced architect, stars in a home improvement TV show with her ex-husband, Trent. Unfortunately, the producers don’t care about her experience and prefer her ex’s inexperience, but good looks instead. After making Avery look like nothing more than Trent’s pretty assistant, she’s dropped from the show. To add insult to injury, Avery learns that all the money her father left in his will was invested with Malcom Dyer, which turned out to be a Ponzi scheme. Avery is now left with nothing.
Nicole Grant is founder of a successful dating service. Everything is going very well until her company is suddenly shut down. The bank informs her all her funds are gone. Nicole had invested everything with Malcom Dyer, but discovers it was all a Ponzi scheme. Her bank account is now empty.
The three women are informed the only thing they have is a co-ownership of an abandoned, dilapidated beach house. They can’t sell it in its current condition, but they don’t have the money to renovate it either. It’s a challenging task for three strangers to come together for one goal. Somehow they manage to work together despite their own personal heartaches.
This is the story of betrayal, faith, and hope. There are times I wanted to shake some sense into each woman, but overall, I admired their strength and determination. I have wanted to start this series for a long time. It was well worth the wait. Ten Beach Road is the perfect book to read at this time of year. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
August 3, 2012
I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I found the first half to drag on endlessly. The last half, on the other hand, was where the relationships between the characters came together. I enjoyed that part. All in all, it was worth the reading and I'll read some other books by this author.
August 22, 2011
Loved it!
April 15, 2015
Yummy chick lit - for the over 30 crowd or even older. Lots of fun.
March 3, 2023
3.5 stars
dnf
March 25, 2020It's a well written book but too slow for me right now. I'll try to pick it up again in a couple of months.
April 23, 2022
Maddie, Avery und Nikki sind von einem Anlagebetrüger um ihr Geld gebracht worden. Alles was ihnen bleibt ist jeweils ein Drittel eines alten Hauses in Florida. Die drei beschließen das Haus gemeinsam zu renovieren und dann zu verkaufen, da sie so eher die Chance haben aus ihren Schulden wieder herauszukommen. Doch diverse Geheimisse machen das miteinander immer wieder schwierig.
Mir hat das Buch gut gefallen. Die drei Frauen werden mit ihren Eigenheiten schön geschildert und sind sehr unterschiedlich. Maddie ist die klassische Mama, die sich ihr Leben lang um die Familie gekümmert hat. Das hilft jetzt auch, da sie genau weiß, woher man günstig Lebensmittel und sonstiges zum Leben herbekommt. Avery ist handwerklich begabt und studierte Architektin. Allerdings steht ihr ein wenig die Beziehung zu Chase im Weg, mit dem sie groß wurde und der ihr Bauleiter bei dem Projekt ist. Die beiden sind wie Hund und Katze und eigentlich andauernd am Streiten. Nikki wiederum ist von ihrem Bruder hintergangen worden. Dieser ist genau der Anlagebetrüger, der auch die anderen um ihr Geld gebracht hat. Ihre familiäre Loyalität wird schwer auf die Probe gestellt.
Die Fortschritte am Haus sind schön beschrieben und wäre nicht das Ende wäre das Buch ein reines Feel-Good-Buch. Allerdings schlägt das Schicksal am Ende noch einmal zu und damit wird dann der Weg zum zweiten Band der Reihe hin geebnet. Die Florida Beach Reihe besteht aus 5 Bänden, von denen aber nur 3 bisher ins Deutsche übersetzt wurden.
Ich kann das Buch empfehlen, es liest sich flüssig und es macht Spaß den drei Frauen bei der Renovierung des Hauses über die Schulter zu schauen.
Mir hat das Buch gut gefallen. Die drei Frauen werden mit ihren Eigenheiten schön geschildert und sind sehr unterschiedlich. Maddie ist die klassische Mama, die sich ihr Leben lang um die Familie gekümmert hat. Das hilft jetzt auch, da sie genau weiß, woher man günstig Lebensmittel und sonstiges zum Leben herbekommt. Avery ist handwerklich begabt und studierte Architektin. Allerdings steht ihr ein wenig die Beziehung zu Chase im Weg, mit dem sie groß wurde und der ihr Bauleiter bei dem Projekt ist. Die beiden sind wie Hund und Katze und eigentlich andauernd am Streiten. Nikki wiederum ist von ihrem Bruder hintergangen worden. Dieser ist genau der Anlagebetrüger, der auch die anderen um ihr Geld gebracht hat. Ihre familiäre Loyalität wird schwer auf die Probe gestellt.
Die Fortschritte am Haus sind schön beschrieben und wäre nicht das Ende wäre das Buch ein reines Feel-Good-Buch. Allerdings schlägt das Schicksal am Ende noch einmal zu und damit wird dann der Weg zum zweiten Band der Reihe hin geebnet. Die Florida Beach Reihe besteht aus 5 Bänden, von denen aber nur 3 bisher ins Deutsche übersetzt wurden.
Ich kann das Buch empfehlen, es liest sich flüssig und es macht Spaß den drei Frauen bei der Renovierung des Hauses über die Schulter zu schauen.
July 16, 2014
If you can accept the premise of three strangers working together on a dilapidated mansion in an attempt to get their lives back on track and make enough money for them to live on, then you should enjoy this novel. It is a novel about how circumstances do not always turn out as we would like and how friendships spring from unlikely beginnings. I loved how Madeline, the one who had been a stay at home mum for years was the one who proved to be most practical in getting the three woman and the renovations organised. I really liked her as a character and also Avery. Nicole I didn’t warm to near as much. In fact I found her downright annoying most of the time. While I enjoyed it I felt at times it seemed a little disjointed and the negative banter between Chase and Avery got a bit wearing. That said, overall this is a fun read.
September 8, 2016
I honestly feel like my review is more like a 3.5 or 3.75 stars but of course I can't choose either of those, and I definitely don't think this book deserves only a 3. It feels like the book took forever to read but it only took 2 days. There is just so much in this book. There was absolutely nothing that annoyed me about this book and I thought the plot was very interesting. The characters were relatable and the book surprised me a couple of times. I can't wait to read the next book!
July 6, 2018
I really thought I would like this book. The setting is a lovely beach on the Florida Gulf Coast, which was the best thing about this book. I liked the idea of a home restoration, but I didn't like the way it was done in this book. I didn't like the characters either. Some of them were quite childish; the others were quite obnoxious.
December 31, 2018
This book definitely isn't as deep as some of the others I have given 5 stars to, but I absolutely loved it. My mom offered it to me and since it takes place at a beach, I thought it would be a good one to read on my own beach vacation so I took it. It didn't work out for me to read it on the beach, but I started reading it on the plane ride home and immediately fell in love.
Maddie Singer is looking forward to having an empty nest and starting the next phase of her life by doing all the things she's ever wanted to do for herself but couldn't while raising a family. And then she finds out her husband lost his job six months ago and the family is broke.
Avery Lawford is the brains - and the beauty - behind a popular HGTV home improvement show with her now ex-husband. Reduced to not much more than tight sweaters and smiling and pointing while her ex becomes the star, Avery learns her contract is not being renewed. Not sure what to do next, she doesn't panic because her dad left her a sizable sum of money, so she has time to figure out her next move. Except there is no money.
Nicole Grant is matchmaker to the rich and famous. However, her life in the fast lane comes to a screeching halt when she too finds out she is broke. A victim, along with Maddie's husband, Avery's father and many others of a Bernie Madoff-type ponzi scheme. However, in this case, it was Nicole's own brother who ripped them all off.
Three vastly different women who have nothing in common: except the three of them are left with equal ownership of a run down mansion on the tip of Florida's coast. The three women agree to meet and assess the house and evaluate their options: try to renovate and sell it or demolish the house and sell the land - though doing so would require approval from the city council which the ladies are told would be hard to come by. When a financial backer comes forward in the form of Avery's childhood friend, Chase, the women decide to spend the summer renovating the house with the goal of putting it on the market Labor Day weekend.
I loved getting to know these characters and their strengths and their flaws. I loved Nicole being hounded by an FBI agent while she struggled whether or not to try to help them find her brother - and if she should confess to Maddie and Avery that her brother was the one who swindled them all. I loved Maddie being "mom" in Florida while she struggled to keep her actual family together from afar. I loved Avery's visions for the house and her constantly butting heads with Chase, who felt she had all the advantages growing up and allowed herself to throw them all away. I loved how Maddie insisted they toast the sunset every night and each come up with one good thing that happened that day, no matter how hard of a task that was.
This book just has so much heart to it. Yes, there are parts that were predictable, like the growing attraction between Avery and Chase. There were aspects that seemed fairy tale but there was also tragedy along the way too. But even still, this is a book that some may find wrapped up too neatly, but I was rooting for it to have a happy ending, which it does - but this is the first in a series so while this could be read stand alone, the story isn't over yet.
I can't wait to read the next book and see where it takes these ladies. I found myself thinking more than once "Why isn't this my new favorite TV show?!" as I envisioned the house coming back to life on the pages and how that would translate to the screen. Happily, there are six books in this series so I will get plenty more of these ladies!
Maddie Singer is looking forward to having an empty nest and starting the next phase of her life by doing all the things she's ever wanted to do for herself but couldn't while raising a family. And then she finds out her husband lost his job six months ago and the family is broke.
Avery Lawford is the brains - and the beauty - behind a popular HGTV home improvement show with her now ex-husband. Reduced to not much more than tight sweaters and smiling and pointing while her ex becomes the star, Avery learns her contract is not being renewed. Not sure what to do next, she doesn't panic because her dad left her a sizable sum of money, so she has time to figure out her next move. Except there is no money.
Nicole Grant is matchmaker to the rich and famous. However, her life in the fast lane comes to a screeching halt when she too finds out she is broke. A victim, along with Maddie's husband, Avery's father and many others of a Bernie Madoff-type ponzi scheme. However, in this case, it was Nicole's own brother who ripped them all off.
Three vastly different women who have nothing in common: except the three of them are left with equal ownership of a run down mansion on the tip of Florida's coast. The three women agree to meet and assess the house and evaluate their options: try to renovate and sell it or demolish the house and sell the land - though doing so would require approval from the city council which the ladies are told would be hard to come by. When a financial backer comes forward in the form of Avery's childhood friend, Chase, the women decide to spend the summer renovating the house with the goal of putting it on the market Labor Day weekend.
I loved getting to know these characters and their strengths and their flaws. I loved Nicole being hounded by an FBI agent while she struggled whether or not to try to help them find her brother - and if she should confess to Maddie and Avery that her brother was the one who swindled them all. I loved Maddie being "mom" in Florida while she struggled to keep her actual family together from afar. I loved Avery's visions for the house and her constantly butting heads with Chase, who felt she had all the advantages growing up and allowed herself to throw them all away. I loved how Maddie insisted they toast the sunset every night and each come up with one good thing that happened that day, no matter how hard of a task that was.
This book just has so much heart to it. Yes, there are parts that were predictable, like the growing attraction between Avery and Chase. There were aspects that seemed fairy tale but there was also tragedy along the way too. But even still, this is a book that some may find wrapped up too neatly, but I was rooting for it to have a happy ending, which it does - but this is the first in a series so while this could be read stand alone, the story isn't over yet.
I can't wait to read the next book and see where it takes these ladies. I found myself thinking more than once "Why isn't this my new favorite TV show?!" as I envisioned the house coming back to life on the pages and how that would translate to the screen. Happily, there are six books in this series so I will get plenty more of these ladies!
May 26, 2022
Ten Beach Road is my first Wendy Wax book and I loved it. The characters are so genuine, their emotions, struggles, frustrations and desire to survive are so appealing and real.
Madeline, the stay at home mom on the verge of finding independence in her empty nest instead hits rock bottom. Savings, spouse's job and his desire to fight are gone, her daughter is coming home pregnant and her son wants money.
Avery an architect that seized an opportunity and created a TV show is minimized by her network and husband. When fired she decides to move on with her father's inheritance only to find all the money gone.
Nikki, a well known wealthy matchmaker finds herself destitute. She knows the investor that stole her money and she needs to find him. His deed has cut too deep.
These 3 unlikely partners and friends come together in a last effort to come back financially. They weave their destiny together and in doing so, they each find pieces of themselves that they have lost and a friendship formed by hard knocks.
The story has ups and downs, twists and turns and eventually ends with them surviving. The ending isn't all rosy which I liked, it was more realistic that way. I liked the added humor and the honest reflection of the misery.
If you want an easy read, a page turner and a fast read, take a chance on this book.
Madeline, the stay at home mom on the verge of finding independence in her empty nest instead hits rock bottom. Savings, spouse's job and his desire to fight are gone, her daughter is coming home pregnant and her son wants money.
Avery an architect that seized an opportunity and created a TV show is minimized by her network and husband. When fired she decides to move on with her father's inheritance only to find all the money gone.
Nikki, a well known wealthy matchmaker finds herself destitute. She knows the investor that stole her money and she needs to find him. His deed has cut too deep.
These 3 unlikely partners and friends come together in a last effort to come back financially. They weave their destiny together and in doing so, they each find pieces of themselves that they have lost and a friendship formed by hard knocks.
The story has ups and downs, twists and turns and eventually ends with them surviving. The ending isn't all rosy which I liked, it was more realistic that way. I liked the added humor and the honest reflection of the misery.
If you want an easy read, a page turner and a fast read, take a chance on this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2020
My husband and I took a day down the shore (Ocean City NJ), this past weekend, which gave me a desire for a "beach" read. Wendy Wax filled the bill perfectly. This first book in the series is set in the Gulf coast of Florida, only an hour drive from where I once lived in Sarasota. Three women (strangers from each other) wake up to find that all of their money that was poured into an investment scheme, which turned out to be a ponzi scheme is completely gone. The only thing they have left is a house in Florida.
Suspension of belief is definitely necessary with this book, but it was the light read that I needed.
Suspension of belief is definitely necessary with this book, but it was the light read that I needed.
March 9, 2022
Ugh, glad that’s over. Wish I hadn’t bought the audiobook - if I’d had an ebook, I could’ve skimmed through some of it. This book has numerous cringeworthy moments, in which the very privileged white women are allegedly “suffering” (for example, they have to wait in line for the single bathroom available in the mansion they are restoring, a situation that’s compared in the text to being imprisoned at Guantanamo). Blech. I’m not a romance fan anyway, and I thought this one might be a little different with all the construction and power tools, but nope. At least I got the romance on the Read Harder 2022 challenge done early this year.
September 26, 2017
I think Wendy Wax is fast becoming a favorite author. Her characters are believable and every book has one person that each of us can relate to. Her scenarios are not too far-fetched and her stories make for compelling reading. I could hardly put this book down and can't wait to start book 2 and see what happens to my favorites. She has certainly left me guessing.
September 18, 2018
First time reading this author, but it won't be the last!
Read
October 29, 2019I really liked this one. Pure women's fiction with a hint of romance. At first I found the narration a bit distant, but it quickly grew on me.
November 9, 2022
A fluff book.🥴
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