Impossible to listen to

I quit six hours in... it's probably a good story. I like the idea. But the narrator makes no distinction between the three young women's voices, and trying to figure out who is talking at any one time is absolutely impossible. Beyond that, she runs from one character's story to another's with no break whatever -- it's way beyond confusing. I got tired of backtracking.

So many (new) narrators do this -- run separate story segments together without a break, as if there weren't even a paragraph marking, Once again, I ask: what do they read from? Why can't they at least pause between different character's stories? Is it that they're reading from something that doesn't show paragraphs?

I keep telling myself I'll get back to this one, but honestly, I doubt it...

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Enjoyable, Easy Listen

STORY (chick lit) - First off, the cover art is misleading (one of my pet peeves). The story takes place in South Beach, Florida, but there's no time spent leisurely laying in hammocks at the beach. To the contrary, it's about two mother/daughter duos and a single woman who work their butts off. They previously were successful in renovating a home together where they became dear friends. Now they've been offered a chance to renovate the historic Millicent as a pilot for a possible new TV series called "Do-Over." The women are all financially strapped and jump at the chance but, as things progress, they realize the producers are more interested in making a reality show revolving around their personal baggage than in the renovation of the home itself.

You will enjoy hearing about their daily work and progress with the renovation, which is interspersed with conversations and events happening in their personal lives. They try to preserve their privacy and talk in secret, but the cameramen are relentless. There is marital discord, mother/daughter issues, custody issues, new romance and the search for a missing child. The ending ties everything up neatly so the book stands alone, but not all issues are completely and happily resolved.

PERFORMANCE - Amy Rubinate does a good job, but she doesn't do much in the way of distinguishing between characters other than a Southern accent she gives to Maddie and Kiera.

OVERALL (actual rating 3.5) - There's references to sleeping together and a couple short, non-explicit sex scenes. There's very little cursing EXCEPT one really obnoxious character drops like 15 F-bombs in as many seconds each time she appears in the story. (Luckily, that's only about three times.) I'd recommend Ocean Beach for mature females who are looking for an easy listen. You won't have to concentrate to keep up with the story, and you're not going to have your emotions wrenched.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Loved this book!

I didn't want it to end! Enjoying this series and the characters so much can't wait to read the next one. Loved all of the Wendy Wax novels, she's one of my favorite authors.

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Enjoyed

enjoyed the story and liked the characters, I do wish there was a little bit more in the romance department

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Why waste my time?

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Not for anyone.

What was most disappointing about Wendy Wax’s story?

The performance of Amy Rubinate. She read the book like she dead. It was worse than monotone.

Would you be willing to try another one of Amy Rubinate’s performances?

No

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Ocean Beach?

I couldn't even finish the book.

Any additional comments?

There aren't too many books I don't stick with until the end--even if I'm not totally enjoying it. After all, there is something that can be learned or enjoyed from every book, right? Well, not this one. This is one of the few books that I can't continue reading after only 10 chapters. I could drift off while listening to this audible version and not miss a thing!!

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fun and entertaining

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

wendy wax did an amazing job of portraying each woman's point of view and made it very easy to relate to their struggles. when they experience a win, i felt like i somehow experienced it, too.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ocean Beach?

i don't want to give anything away, but the scene in the mansion when max risks everything for kyra's son. we also see how different nicole is now in comparison to the first book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listen to audio books when I walk the dog and do chores around the house. I cleaned the garage so that I could keep listening...

Any additional comments?

The women in this book are all so different. They grow to love one another and it is really fun seeing their relationship evolve.

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