Ocean Beach

By: Wendy Wax

Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Unlikely friends Madeline, Avery, and Nicole have hit some speed bumps in their lives, but when they arrive in Miami's South Beach neighborhood, they are all hoping for a do-over. Literally. They've been hired to bring a once-grand historic house back to its former glory on a new television show called Do-Over. If they can just get this show off the ground, Nikki would get back on her feet financially, Avery could restart her ruined career, and Maddie would have a shot at keeping her family together.

At least, that's the plan - until the women realize that while having their work broadcast is one thing, having their personal lives play out on TV is another thing entirely. Soon they are struggling to hold themselves, and the project, together. With a decades-old mystery - and the hurricane season - looming, the women are forced to figure out just how they'll weather life's storms.

©2012 Wendy Wax (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Just the right amount of suspense and drama for a beach [listen]." ( Publishers Weekly)

Strong women-

The ladies friendship and their support of each other. Love Max. The ending was a bit a surprise, cuz I had caught that when max had giving the story of pat. It made me cry.

Characters you could relate to.

Enjoyed the story and the individual stories within. Leaves you wanting to know what happens next. Just sort of draws you in.

Love it!

Loved it can’t wait to listen to the next one! Not sure why anyone would not like it!

In the end, I liked these women and their story

The narrator was one of the things about this audible book that I found distracting. When she wasn't acting as a character, during the narrations, she sounded almost robotic, very much like Siri. When she was acting as the various characters, she was much more dynamic. It was a strange juxtaposition and oddly jarring. It was also be bit maddening that it took them so long to unravel the mystery. I knew immediately who the culprit was. Initially it was difficult to follow the story because there were so many characters and the story went into each of their point of views. For me, just okay...

A Great Book Loaded with Laughter!

Three women with diverse backgrounds attempt to renovate a old, historical mansion for a cable television show known as Do-Overs. It’s hot and hurricane season in Miami. But it’s hot in the lives of the show’s stars. A funny and enjoyable story!

Great Series

We are really enjoying the series, looking forward to the next book. Well worth it.

Hard to listen to.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narration. It took the narrator more than 1/2 of the book to change her inflection.

Would you be willing to try another book from Wendy Wax? Why or why not?

Not so sure.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Amy Rubinate?

Anyone.

Do you think Ocean Beach needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No.

Super Magnificent Read

What made the experience of listening to Ocean Beach the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the entire book after reading the first Ten Ocean Beach. The setting is in Florida surrounded by a beach. The way the characters entertained in good/ poor living conditions and how the grew in relationships made me never want to put this book down.

There is never a dull moment and it has many plots of interest. I became part of each character to me that's a sign of a very excellent writer. I read or listened to Ten Ocean Beach and I was THRILLED to find the second book and cannot wait for the next to come out. I had to purchase the Novella can't wait for the entire book in July.

My husband listened to this book on a drive and while his interests are usually different from mine he too enjoyed Ocean Beach. There are many laughing out loud scenes. I don't want to give away the book but if you want a book you can relate and love every character this is for you.

What did you like best about this story?

The connection between each of the characters and the setting in Florida. I enjoyed every part of this book.

What does Amy Rubinate bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Amy brings total life to the characters!! She is excellent!! I felt a part of each person in the book. The few speaking parts Dustin the baby had were touching, heartwarming especially with Max.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I would keep the Title of the first book "Ten Ocean Beach"

Any additional comments?

An absolutely magnificent read! The author is phenomenal and the narrator the same.

Really?

Would you consider the audio edition of Ocean Beach to be better than the print version?

I'm not sure

What did you like best about this story?

Love the details about the design elements.

Which character – as performed by Amy Rubinate – was your favorite?

Love Max and Dustin. Maddie is my favorite of the main characters -- she has her head screwed on the most straight IMHO.

If you could take any character from Ocean Beach out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Nicole -- would love to pick her brain about style.

Any additional comments?

Really? There was no suspect regarding the kidnapping? It was obvious to me from the first time the character was mentioned.

Bad Narrator

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator and possibly the sound engineer. The voice was so monotone that it started to sound robotic - almost as if I had slowed the sound down to half speed. And there was a little bit of an echo in spots. I had to check my iPhone to make sure I didn't slow down the speed by accident. I'm going to re-download it to make sure it wasn't corrupted.

If you’ve listened to books by Wendy Wax before, how does this one compare?

Haven't listened to her before... and really haven't yet.

How could the performance have been better?

Some intonation. Better sound quality. Don't the authors listen to the talent?

Could you see Ocean Beach being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

no

Any additional comments?

can't get through it.