Cocoa Beach

A Novel

De: Beatriz Williams

Narrado por: Eva Kaminsky, Alex Wyndham

The New York Times best-selling author of A Certain Age transports listeners to sunny Florida in this lush and enthralling historical novel - an enchanting blend of love, suspense, betrayal, and redemption set among the rumrunners and scoundrels of Prohibition-era Cocoa Beach.

Burdened by a dark family secret, Virginia Fortescue flees her oppressive home in New York City for the battlefields of World War I France. While an ambulance driver for the Red Cross, she meets a charismatic British army surgeon whose persistent charm opens her heart to the possibility of love. As the war rages, Virginia falls into a passionate affair with the dashing Captain Simon Fitzwilliam, only to discover that his past has its own dark secrets - secrets that will damage their eventual marriage and propel her back across the Atlantic to the sister and father she left behind.

Five years later, in the early days of Prohibition, the newly widowed Virginia Fitzwilliam arrives in the tropical boomtown of Cocoa Beach, Florida, to settle her husband's estate. Despite the evidence, Virginia does not believe Simon perished in the fire that destroyed the seaside home he built for her and their young daughter. Separated from her husband since the early days of their marriage, the headstrong Virginia plans to uncover the truth, for the sake of the daughter Simon never met.

Simon's brother and sister welcome her with open arms and introduce her to a dazzling new world of citrus groves, white beaches, bootleggers, and Prohibition agents. But Virginia senses a predatory presence lurking beneath the irresistible, hedonistic surface of this coastal oasis. The more she learns about Simon and his mysterious business interests, the more she fears that the dangers that surrounded Simon now threaten her and their daughter's life as well.

©2017 Beatriz Williams (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Can’t figure out the epilogue

I enjoyed Beatriz Williams other books more. I just never really got to like Virginia. Plus, I’m completely boggled by the ending of the epilogue. I wish someone could explain it to me.

Take me away for the summer

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

I could feel the humidity of Florida and smell the salt of the Atlantic ocean. It made me homesick.

Would you be willing to try another book from Beatriz Williams? Why or why not?

I've read all her books to date and love the time period and women who represent the time period so well with strength and courage. Gentle writing for summer or when you need to read something to get you back into the groove for more challenging works.

Which character – as performed by Eva Kaminsky and Alex Wyndham – was your favorite?

Eva.

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

Yes with great food in the fridge.

Great Book

I really enjoyed the plot twists and historical details. The narrator for this book is excellent. I will definitely listen to this one a second time.

unexpected surprise

I normally listen to mysteries and science fiction, very rarely dramatic novels. I honestly chose the book because of the time period and the cover. however, I found myself so engulfed in the story that i finished it over the weekend. The characters are interesting and there are just enough surprises to be exciting. I'll be starting another book by this author next weekend.

Good except for the voices

Unfortunately the voice of Virginia was a bit difficult to listen to, as it was to pristine and perfect. I have not liked this series near as much as Beatriz Williams other books. The characters are not very likeable. I miss the witty characters from her previous books. I still wanted to know what happened in the end. I feel like there are a few loose ends that were tied up.

A lot to like and a lot to dislike

I think my main issue with this was the narrator. She did a good job with the European accents but her main voice was supposed to be American, but was clearly not. Maybe I'm nitpicky but listening to her voice for 14 hours was just a bit much.

Another thing that drove me crazy was how Virginia was portrayed, in that every time she had a conversation with someone all she did was repeat back the other person's words. Constantly. Coupled with the narrator's voice, I started to get annoyed pretty early on.

However, it's an interesting enough story. I absolutely love the Florida setting. There was enough mystery to keep me coming back. I did want to know how the story ended up.

Great story

So many twists and turns. So far I love all of her books. Great narration.

Whelp. I dunno.

Excellent narration but I admit to being lost at times by the story (I employed the back button A LOT). And I have no clue about the ending. So ... yeah. Entertaining, yes; a good mystery, yes; interesting characters, yes. But I'm left with so.many.questions that I cannot say I enjoyed it. Your mileage may vary.

Disappointing

First I didn't like the female narrator of this audible. Her voice was a bit annoying. While I love most of Beatriz Williams books this one was too much of a thriller and too violent. The author dragged this story out with too many words and for far too long.

Loved the characters

Intriguing and enjoyable story. One of my favorite audiobooks. Wish the author had explained the father aspect.