I’ve been a Mary Kay Andrews fan since the early ’90s when she was writing mysteries under the name Kathy Hogan Trocheck. And, as much as I liked those books, and have enjoyed some of her standalones written under Andrews, she’s moved up a notch with Beach Town. It’s already on lists of the hottest summer reads for 2015, and it deserves to be. The engrossing story has drama, humor, romance, and an explosive ending. In other words, Beach Town is a captivating story with a charming setting and the type of delightful characters Andrews writes so well.

After the fire on her last job, movie location scout Greer Hennessy has one last chance to get it right, or she’ll be blacklisted in Hollywood. Director Bryce Levy is looking for the perfect Florida location for his movie, Beach Town. He wants an old time, sleepy Florida town, the kind that’s hard to find anymore. But, when Greer arrives in Cypress Key to discover small motels, closed-down shops, and a deserted casino, she knows she’s found her movie location. And, she might even have an ally in the casino’s owner, Vanessa Littrell. But, she’ll have to make peace with the mayor first, Eben Thibadeaux. And, Eb isn’t about to turn the town over to outsiders without a fight.

Beach Town. It appears to be just another summer read with a film crew arriving in a small Florida town, doesn’t it? But, Andrews succeeds beautifully in writing an entertaining story with depth. She juggles the film business with stories of dysfunctional families, and a realistic story of a town destroyed by industry, first polluted, and then left behind to die economically. And, it’s the story of one man fighting for the town he loves. But, most of all, Beach Town is a story of relationships, unhealthy ones, family ones, and romantic ones.

If you’re looking for an engaging romance, a big novel for your summer vacation, you might want to start your escape with Mary Kay Andrews’ Beach Town.

Note: And, the publicist will give one lucky reader the chance to enjoy that summer escape. I’m giving away one copy of Beach Town. Email me at Lesa.Holstine@gmail.com. Your subject line should read “Win Beach Town.” Please include your name and mailing address. Entries from the U.S. only, please. The giveaway ends Thursday, May 21 at 6 PM CT.

Mary Kay Andrews’ website is www.marykayandrews.com, and she’s on Facebook at Facebook.com/marykayandrewsauthor.

Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews. St. Martin’s Press. 2015. ISBN 9781250065933 (hardcover), 448p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – The publicist sent me a copy of the book, hoping I would review it.