July Reads

 I honestly didn't intend to read books from the same author all month, but I unknowingly started a book that was #1 in a series of 4 so I just went ahead and read them all right away. So if you like Mary Kay Andrews OR love something light and fun, read on......

Sunset Beach

I got this copy from my local used bookstore. Drue is down on her luck with no job and her mother just passing. Her estranged father shows up at the funeral and offers Drue a job at his busy law firm. She really doesn't want to take the job - what with her father's young new wife (her 8th grade frenemy) being the office manager she will report to - but the perk of inheriting her Grandparents run down cottage on the beach is something she can't pass up. Soon, she is up to her ears in renovating her new home, a possible office romance, and finding a part of her new job that she is really passionate about. I am rating this 3 stars. Enjoyable, but also not raving about it.

The High Tide Club

I got this copy from my local used bookstore. Brooke is a single Mom lawyer, who is summoned to a mostly private island owned an eccentric 99 year old heiress. Mrs. Warrick wants to ensure a trust to protect her land from developers that are chomping at the bit for her to pass. As the past unwinds, Brooke hears of old friendships, secret love, and even an unsolved murder. She is also torn between the father of her child, and a possible new relationship with a guy who turns out to be not what he seems. This gave me Great Expectations vibes, complete with a mansion lost in time. I give this one 5 stars.

Savannah Blues

  This was the book that I learned was #1 in a series once I started reading it - I got it at my local thrift store. The main character - Weezie - is an antiques picker whose goal is to open her own store. She thought she had the perfect marriage and life after lovingly restoring her historic dream home. But she's been banished to the carriage house after divorcing her husband once his affair comes out. Soon we are in the depths of a once in a lifetime estate sale, and trying to save the historic home the sale is hosted at from demolition. Weezie thinks there is foul play here in the business dealings, especially after the woman her ex left her for is found dead. It was so interesting to learn about the network of antique dealers if you are in this business...... from camping overnight at a sale, to forgery/copies, to the ruthless competition. Since I love furnishing my home with vintage finds, I absolutely loved everything about this book which is why I decided to dive into the other 3 right away!

Savannah Breeze

I borrowed the 2nd book from the library. This book focuses more on Weezie's best friend, BeBe. BeBe is a self made millionaire who has been divorced 3 times. She quickly falls for a guy who seems too good to be true - and he is. He scams her out of her fortune. Left with only a run down motel on Tybee Island to her name, she has no choice but to visit the property and decide to fix it up to make money. Along the way, she falls for the motel's groundskeeper, who couldn't be more opposite of her "type". Together, with Weezie, they track down the scam artist and use his own tricks against him to get her money back. Once her fortune is restored, she realizes she likes her new life running the motel better. Definitely Schitt's Creek vibes here, so I completely loved this book as well.

Blue Christmas

I borrowed the 3rd book from the library, and who doesn't love a little Christmas in July! This was the smallest of the 4 books, so it was a fast read. Weezie's antique shop is a success, and she's regained ownership of her historic home from her ex. She even has a great boyfriend - a chef from her friend BeBe's restaurant - and she's hoping for a ring with the upcoming holidays. As she busies herself with the window decorating competition, she finds out that her boyfriend dislikes the season and a series of odd events turn up some of his estranged family. Really enjoyed the ongoing ride with these characters!

Christmas Bliss

I borrowed the final book from the library, and we are now at the following years holiday season. Weezie and Daniel are planning their Christmas wedding, and BeBe is happily pregnant and running the motel with her partner Harry. Last minute wrenches are thrown into these best friends plans, as Daniel is offered a chef job in New York, and a secret from BeBe's past comes to light. A great end to the series, but of course would welcome more if the author ever chooses to revisit!