It’s beach season, and there’s no better beach read than a book that takes place at the beach. There’s something special when that book is set in the town where you’re vacationing; it’s even more special if you’re lucky enough to live in that beach town. Wendy Wax is a St. Petersburg, Florida native; her popular Ten Beach Road series is set on Pass-A-Grille (part of St. Pete Beach). I live in St. Petersburg and was married on Pass-A-Grille. Naturally, when she released her latest beach read, Just Beachy, I scooped it up. Just Beachy isn’t part of the Ten Beach Road series, but some of the series’ characters pop up.

When actress Sydney Ryan’s police officer character is written off her show in an embarrassing way, she decides to leave Hollywood and join her grandmother on Treasure Island, Florida. Right away, there’s romance in the air for both women—Grand starts dating her neighbor Brian, and Sydney hooks up with police officer Luke, her old crush from grade school. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house, Sydney’s grandmother admits to involvement in an art scandal. Could Brian be involved? Can Sydney use her TV detective skills to find out the truth?

Despite its mystery spine, Just Beachy is written in a breezy, humorous tone that plays down conflict. Constantly stymied by people who think she’s her TV character, Sydney goes on embarrassing auditions and spends a lot of time helping Grand’s friend Myra open a bookstore on Pass-A-Grille. The relationship with Luke happens quickly, so it’s missing a lot of the tension and build-up that romance fans expect, while including several clinically descriptive sex scenes. The climax is unsurprising, and the denouement is almost a fairy tale.



For me, the highlight of Just Beachy was Wax’s frequent name-dropping of popular St. Petersburg spots—the Don Cesar Hotel; Paradise Grille and Hurricane’s on Pass-A-Grille; Larry’s Ice Cream shop on St. Pete Beach; Central Avenue; Gulf Boulevard. As Wax mentions in her author’s note, the book takes place in an alternate timeline in which two hurricanes did not decimate this area. In the real world, Paradise Grille was closed for several months; thousands of homes along the beaches and in St. Petersburg flooded, and many businesses were destroyed. The Don reopened at the end of March. I was lucky enough that my home didn’t flood, but many of my immediate neighbors did, along with friends and my real estate brokerage.
I can’t blame Wax for wanting to ignore the disaster, and I hope Just Beachy inspires people to visit the Gulf Beaches. There’s nothing better than spending the afternoon reading a book on St. Pete Beach, watching the sunset at Paradise Grille, eating a cheeseburger, and ringing the sunset bell.

Wendy Wax knows how to take a girl away from all of her problems and go to the beach. I love how her books keep you so intrigued from start to finish.

I was so excited when I seen this book. I absolutely love the series Ten Beach Road. I was excited to see a few of the characters in this book. I really enjoyed the mystery and characters of Just Beachy. Just loved Sydney's grandmother. Loved the idea of the bookstore. Loved Luke. All in all I just loved it. If you were a fan of Ten Beach Road this is for you!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for a gifted copy in exchange for a honest review.

Sydney is at a crossroads in her career, so she leaves LA to join her grandmother in Casas de Flores while she regroups. With her friend Kyra and the other ladies of Ten Beach Rd, she has her hands full. Her grandmother is keeping something from her, her old high school crush is now a police officer, and she has to decide if her life is back in LA, or is that part of her life over?


Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for the ARC!

The powers that be of the television show that Sydney has starred in for years writes her character out of the series. Not only is she struggling to find another role, she has been pressured into heading to Florida to talk reason into her grandmother’s decision to move there.

As Sydney navigates the new surroundings of Florida, her bond with her grandmother is strengthened. She soon becomes entangled in a web of suspenseful twists and turns. The story is connected to Wendy Wax’s Ten Beach Reads series. Although I haven’t read that series yet, it was easy to become connected to Sydney and her grandmother.

I’ve always been a fan of stories that explore the theme of a new beginning. With its captivating characters and suspenseful plot, Just Beachy is a must-read for anyone seeking a good summer read. However, I must admit that it was rather tiresome with everyone connecting Sydney to the flaws and consequences of her television persona, resulting in constant criticism and judgment. Despite this minor setback, the overall experience is enjoyable and leaves a lasting impression.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Sydney Ryan left Hollywood, where she was on a popular show called Murder 101, and returns to Treasure Island, Florida. Her grandmother has also recently arrived there and is refusing to leave. Sydney decides to stay with her grandmother as she plans what to do next with her life. She becomes involved in a mysterious missing painting that somehow involves her beloved Grand, and she also reunites with her childhood crush, who is now a local police officer.

I wanted to read Just Beachy because I love beach reads! The Florida setting and mystery made this one very appealing.

This was a fun read, absolutely perfect for summer! I liked Sydney as a character, with her acting past, her disastrous auditions, and her determination to turn things around. Grand is a wonderful character and the scenes with Sydney and Grand were the best. I also liked Sydney's relationship with Luke.

The mystery aspect of this book was fun to unravel and there were some surprises as it went along!

I enthusiastically recommend Just Beachy as a beach read. It's light, fast moving, and perfect for a weekend read.

The length of this book and cover are perfect for a beach read. It also has several elements that someone might want in a beach bag book - beach setting, romance, family (grandma), and a mystery. I felt like all these elements were represented equally, though the mystery of the break ins intrigued me the most. Being a short book, the romance was cute but a little rushed, but there was a decent amount of steam in this short book. Though nothing was really mind blowing, this is just a perfect length and pace for someone looking for a quick book to read in a weekend or on a vacation.

This is a standalone but I have read where the characters are in other books I did not miss anything by reading this first. Its not mentioned in the tags but this has a bit of mystery in it and I liked that part.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.


Synopsis
After losing her long-time acting gig on the hit show Murder 101, Sydney Ryan decides she needs a break from Hollywood politics. She heads to Treasure Island, Florida where her grandmother has been visiting and now refuses to leave. Sydney’s plan to lay low for a bit quickly goes awry though, as she is swept up in her grandmother’s now flourishing social life—Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, she’s also helping her neighbor Myra open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house repeatedly Sydney realizes her grandmother is keeping something from her.

Determined to ferret out the truth and protect her grandmother, Sydney enlists the help of the Ten Beach Road ladies and Luke, a local police officer who was once her high school crush. While Sydney puts her television crime solving skills to the test, she decides to act on the sizzling chemistry between her and Luke. And as Sydney spends more sunsets toasting to true friends and new romance, she begins to wonder if the sun is setting on her time in Hollywood and if this town could be the dawn of a new chapter.

This cozy second-chance, open-door romance and mystery story is a fun summer-themed read, complete with family, friendships, a bookstore renovation, and long-kept secrets.

The lifelong friendship between the characters Grand + Myra was my favourite part of the story.

This book can be read as a stand-alone, however I feel that the reader would benefit by reading this author's work in order.

This story is ideal for those looking for a quick, entertaining read that feels very Hollywoodesque.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Just Beachy by Wendy Wax.

A long awaited reunion with the 10 Beach Road crew!

Sydney loses her acting job and decides to leave Hollywood and head to Florida to visit her Grand. Now if she can just convince people she's not her character, but Sydney, her life would be easier. Grand's having the time of her life, she's bought a new condo and is helping her friend start a bookstore - and she's met a man, who's too good to believe. But then crazy things start happening and Sydney soon needs the help of her high school crush-turned local cop. It's a fun, short beachy mystery. Another great story from Wendy Wax! And I loved the pop ups of the 10 Beach Road ladies.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Just Beachy
Sydney Ryan, a suddenly out-of-work actress has come for a temporary stay with her artist grandma in Treasure Island, FL while she looks for a new acting gig. The local residents whom Sydney encounters seem to think that she really is the ex-character she played on TV - a kick a@@ crime solver, who was recently released from rehab. This causes comedic frustration for Sydney.

While staying with Grand, they encounter a couple of mystery break-ins and vandalism - the intruders are clearly looking for something specific. Luke, the police officer investigating the case was Sydney’s old high school crush and she’s still incredibly attracted to him.. Luke tries his best to help with only 1/2 the facts - Grand is not being entirely truthful about the whereabouts of a missing painting.

I have enjoyed Wendy Wax books in the past (Ten Beach Road series) and enjoyed this one as well.

A great beach read. A grandmother, an old boyfriend, a mystery., and a group of friends, returned from another story by this author. I took this book on vacation and was so glad I did!

A fun quick beach read. Love the spunk of Grandmother and how everyone confuses an actress with the character she played!

Welcome back, Wendy and the Ten Beach Road Gang in JUST BEACHY!

Talented Wendy Wax is a long-time favorite GA/FL author, and Ten Beach Road is one of my favorite beach read series. I was delighted to catch up with my favorite ladies and attend the nightly sunset cocktails and traditions, where the women share their 'one good thing' of the day, a practice that helps them stay positive and grateful.

“DAZZLING! A perfect beach read. Long-time Wendy Wax and Ten Beach Road FANS (like me) will devour JUST BEACHY! New characters, a new bookstore, a new house, a hot cop, a spunky Grand, celebrities, reno, art, mystery, romance, the Ten Beach Road ladies/cast, and best of all— the SETTING: Treasure Island, Pass-a-Grille, Florida!” (a favorite)

About...

Sydney Ryan plays Cassie Everheart, a heroic LAPD detective on Murder 101 who lives in Hollywood Hills. However, the producers decide to have her on-screen love interest, Jason, dump her for the new cookie cop and send her to rehab as an alcoholic. She thinks it may be temporary, but they canned her for good! Her last episode. Her career as a detective is over.

Only age thirty, now what? Maybe she can visit her family in Atlanta. What a disaster. Soon, she learns the public thinks she is her screen character, Cassie, and no one will serve her alcohol, which is desperately needed at the moment.

However, her mother says she needs her to go to Treasure Island, FL, to see what her 83-year-old grandmother (known as Grand), Lillian Louise Wilde, is up to, who has been a widow for six years and refuses to return to Atlanta.

She had come to visit a friend at Treasure Island and had not returned home. Now she wants to live in Florida full-time, and Sydney's mom wants her back in Atlanta, in a senior living facility, so she doesn't worry. Trust me, Grand is not ready for the old folks' home.

Sydney thinks that since she has no career and no life, she can also visit her friend, Kara, her mother, Maddie, and the ladies of Ten Beach Road in Treasure Island at Bella Flora while she is there. (the perfect place for do-overs).

Grand is a spunky live wire and has a more social life than Sydney, dating someone, and spends the night with Brian. Can he be trusted?

When her condo gets broken into several times, they are worried. But appears they are looking for something. A stolen painting? Grand is a successful artist, and she knows all too well what they are looking for, but it is not stolen. It is hers, and someone stole it, and no one is taking it. She has her secrets.

Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, a charming neighborhood in Treasure Island, but she’s also helping her neighbor, Myra, open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille, a personal favorite area of mine. The bookstore, named Sandcastle Books and Arts (We're Just Beachy), will be a cozy space after renovations, filled with the latest bestsellers, artwork, and possibly art and acting classes. All the ladies are helping out.

Determined to get to the truth and solve the mystery of the break-ins, with, of course, the help of the resilient Ten Beach Road ladies (Kara, Maddie, Nicole, Avery, and Bitsy).

And of course, to make things more interesting, there is Luke the hot cop who was once Sydney's high school crush to spice things up.

As Sydney delves deeper into the mystery, she finds herself in increasingly dangerous situations. But with a few tricks up her sleeve, learned from her onscreen character, Detective Cassie, she might make it out alive and save her Grand.

Let the fun games begin, and new chapters will be written!

My thoughts...

To new beginnings! Oh, how I loved JUST BEACHY! I am so glad Wendy Wax is back and delighted to meet some new characters and cameo appearances from the Ten Beach Road ladies (one of my favorite series). Please let this series continue!

Wax always knows how to entice and charm readers from architecture, renovations, TV stars, vintage fashion, nostaglia, art, and now a book shop on the beach, plus do not forget these strong women, Cheese Doodles, and cocktails on the beach at sunset with one good thing they are grateful for.

This is what I call a BEACH READ! From charm, romance, wisdom, humor, female friendship, family, mystery, suspense and highly relatable well developed characters with heartwarming stories and courageous witty women all set in the perfect idea spot of Treasure Island, FL and Pass-A-Grille (my favorite places) as you can see from all my past reviews below of Ten Beach Road series.

I hope we see more of Sydney, Luke, Grand, and the Ten Beach ladies in the future, and always the daily sunset traditions, margaritas, and good conversation. I love catching up with everyone.

The only thing I would have liked to see (perhaps in the mass paperback edition) is the cover. I realize the author has little choice in the matter, but this cover does not fit the sophistication, flair, and glamour of the book (as the sensational usual covers from Berkley and the Ten Beach Road series). I would have liked to see some architecture, watercolor sketches, a cozy beach bookstore, art classes, or colorful Adirondack chairs lined up on the beach with cocktails and cheese doodles to draw you in. This is so much more than a beach read with a woman on a float (more depth). This book needs to be in front of the right readers.

However, this does not change my opinion of the book. 5 STARS as always! I love how the author portrays intelligent women, friendship, and sisterhood that find themselves in horrific situations, but ultimately, when they come together, they emerge stronger than ever. And they never give themselves up for a man. Perfect pick for book clubs! You will fall in love with these characters.

See all my reviews below of the Ten Beach Road Series. Although this one can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend starting from the beginning and reading them all in sequence. Thank me later. Do not leave for the beach without this series.

Recs...

JUST BEACHY is for fans of the author and those who enjoy books by Southern authors, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Mary Kay Andrews, and Karen White. Also for fans of Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan Series, as well as the shows, Virgin River, and Chesapeake Shores. I would love to see this one and the Ten Beach Road in a Hallmark movie series or an ongoing TV series, please.

Thank you, Berkley and NetGalley, for a gifted advanced reading in exchange for an honest review. (Love the new author photo.)

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JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 3, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
June 2025 Must-Read Books
June Newsletter

My Reviews of the Ten Beach Road Series
Ten Beach Road #1
Ocean Beach #2
Christmas at the Beach #2.5
The House on Mermaid Point #3
Sunshine Beach #4
One Good Thing #5
A Bella Flora Christmas #5.5
Beach Beach Ever #6

I forgot about much I enjoy Wendy Wax stories! Her 10 Beach Road series was such a calming, fun, enjoyable read when I needed it the most, and this book found me at a similar moment in my life.

Sydney, at a crossroads in her life, finds herself living with grandmother on the gulf coast. The anticipation of reconnecting with her Grand and her BFF Kyra, while only temporarily, is a nice break from her recent life upheaval.

But when everyone in town cannot separate her from her ex-TV character, shenanigans ensue as expected. But with Wendy Wax's usual cast of characters, it fits smoothly within this enjoyable and relatable tale of stolen artwork, finding your place in a new life, aging without letting that stop you from living, and finding love when you aren't looking.

A perfect summer spend a day reading book!

Sitting down for a table read for the new season of <i>Murder 101</i>, Sydney Ryan is expecting another fantastic storyline. Instead, she finds out they intend to write her off when she loses herself after a breakup and ends up in rehab. Broken and lost, Sydney is ready for a break from Hollywood and she decides to go to Treasure Island, Florida where her grandmother has been visiting and refuses to leave. Once she arrives, Sydney's plan gets tossed around and she realizes just how much Grand is thriving in the environment, including reconnecting with an old friend who is opening a bookstore.

Shortly after Sydney arrives, her grandmother's house is broken into and she knows that there are secrets her Grand is hiding from her. In an effort to protect Grand and figure out the truth, Sydney is reconnected with her childhood crush, Luke, who is now a local police officer. The pair are determined to figure out what is happening and who is after Grand, all while the spark turns into flames. Is this where Sydney needs to be to be truly happy?

4 out of 5 stars.

After losing her long-time acting gig on the hit show Murder 101, Sydney Ryan decides she needs a break from Hollywood politics. She heads to Treasure Island, Florida where her grandmother has been visiting and now refuses to leave. Sydney’s plan to lie low for a bit quickly goes awry though, as she is swept up in her grandmother’s now flourishing social life.

I loved Sydney’s grandmother. She is in her 80s and she takes no prisoners. And when she spends the night with her boyfriend…this made the whole book for me. And don’t think Sydney doesn’t have her own chemistry going with Luke! These two are perfect on the pages!

I love this author, but this book is just a bit disjointed and the writing seems a bit rushed…even though the characters are great. It is a quick read. I read it in one day. So, it will be perfect for sitting on a beach!

Need a quick, fun read…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Synopsis: After being fired from her long-term acting role on a police drama, Sydney Ryan spends the summer in the Florida keys with her grandmother hoping for a break, but instead ends up solving a real life mystery.

Thoughts: This is a fun beachy read! If you like cozy mysteries, this one should definitely be on your summer TBR. There are lots of funny moments, some romance, and a pretty surprising mystery aspect. Overall just a great choice for a summer binge read!

Read this if you like:
🏝️ beach
🏝️ cozy mystery
🏝️ romance
🏝️ friendship
🏝️ family

When I started reading this, I wasn't sure if I would like it but I am glad I kept reading. This turned into a fairly lighthearted romp of a mystery. Sydney Ryan, an actress who loses her job when a newer model comes along, goes to look after her grandma, a neat old woman who is a hoot, in her new home in Florida. Everywhere Sydney goes, people confuse her with the character she plays, much to Sydney's chagrin; the character left for rehab and no one wants Sydney to drink. Grandma has some secrets involving a painting, which makes her the subject of break ins and Sydney and her new boyfriend, Luke, who is a cop (and apparently a very good lover) are worried. Grandma doesn't want to tell Sydney too much because she knows why the break ins are occurring and doesn't want her involved but, of course, Sydney wants to solve the problem and protect her grandmother.
While I wouldn't say this is exactly plausible, it is a fun, fast read, perfect for the start of summer.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Four and 1/4 stars.

Sydney Ryan is full of surprises of what she is capable of, and as she moves to Florida to help her grandmother, she tries many things, and does many jobs, but she knows she isn't doing what she is meant to be doing. As her life moves forward, she seems to be as surprised as I was at what she can do, and does it well.
Just Beachy is a breath of fresh air, with people of different ages, and a community that comes together for one another. Even reading a book that is written about the ocean, and hearing the waves through the author's words, made me sigh and nourished my soul.
I received an ARC from Berkley through NetGalley and this story, on a dark, rainy day, made me feel I was on the beach in Florida.