Mini Reviews: Summer Reads with a Twist

 

I love a beach read that is unique and offers something a little extra. That is the case with both of these books today. One will remind you of the lavish world of Jay Gatsby and the other is a cowboy romance that will transport you to remote West Texas. 

 

Mansion Beach by Meg Mitchell Moore

Pages: 336

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: May 27, 2025

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Islanders,

Summer Stage, Two Truths and a Lie, Vacationland

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "It’s the beginning of the summer, and Nicola Carr has just arrived on Block Island, RI, eager for a fresh start and some R&R. But her plans for a tranquil summer are derailed as the extravagant parties from the grand home next door pique her curiosity. She soon discovers the home belongs to Juliana George, an enigmatic entrepreneur with a past shrouded in mystery.

Juliana George, CEO and founder of a hot fashion-tech company, is at the top of her game. She’s spending the summer on Block Island preparing for a major IPO. But she’s chasing her dreams in more ways than one. This summer she hopes to rekindle a flame with a man from her past—a man who has a surprising connection to her neighbor Nicola.

Taylor Buchanan, the wife of Nicola’s cousin, is second-in-command of a real estate empire. Her life is exactly the way she planned it: she has the wealth, the family, the prestige, and the power. And there’s nothing she’ll let get in her way of Having It All. But when everything suddenly verges on the edge of collapse, she has no choice but to take matters into her own hands.

As Nicola, Juliana, and Taylor’s summers unfold, the three women are set on a collision course that leads to inevitable self-discovery, unforgivable betrayal, an unavoidable love triangle—and, most unexpectedly, a dead body.

A sophisticated escapist novel filled with light humor and surprising observations, Mansion Beach explores the depth of human relationships, our cruelly classist society, and the price of secrets that refuse to stay buried."

Nicola Carr is leaving her stressful job behind in Boston for life on Block Island. She is taking a marine biology internship and staying at her cousin David's cottage. David has married into the wealthy Buchanan family, and her life is vastly different than his. David and his wife, Taylor, are hosting Jack Baker, a pro golfer, in their guest house this summer. As Nicola spends more time with David and their group of friends, she realizes that Juliana George, a fashion CEO, is living next door to her cottage and is responsible for all of those lavish parties. Juliana appears to have it all, but the story dives into her point of view, and readers realize that isn't the case. Throw in excerpts from a podcast about the events from that summer and hints at a mysterious murder, and readers have themselves a lavish beach read in Mansion Beach by Meg Mitchell Moore that is reminiscent of The Great Gatsby.

Moore does a phenomenal job with a modern take on The Great Gatsby. I enjoyed all of her Easter Eggs and allusions to the classic novel. She tackles some of the same themes from The Great Gatsby in Mansion Beach, especially focusing on the upper class, and it makes this beach novel more than just a fluffy read. While I loved being wrapped up in Nicola's world on Block Island, I will say I wasn't connected to the characters like I was hoping and usually am when it comes to Moore's beach reads. Nonetheless, it was a wonderful way to pass a summer weekend.

Ransom Canyon by Jodi Thomas

Pages: 304

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: August 25, 2015

Publisher: Harlequin

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Rancher Staten Kirkland, the last descendant of Ransom Canyon’s founding father, is rugged and practical to the last. No one knows that when his troubling memories threaten to overwhelm him, he runs to lovely, reclusive Quinn O’Grady…or that she has her own secret that no one living knows.

Young Lucas Reyes has his eye on the prize—college and the chance to become something more than a ranch hand's son. But one night, one wrong decision, will set his life on a course even he hadn't imagined.

Yancy Grey is running hard from his troubled past. He doesn’t plan to stick around Ransom Canyon, just stay long enough to learn the town’s weaknesses and how to use them for personal gain. Only Yancy, a common criminal since he was old enough to reach a car’s pedals, isn’t prepared for what he encounters.

In this dramatic series, the lives, loves and ambitions of four families will converge, set against a landscape that can be as unforgiving as it is beautiful, where passion, property and pride are worth fighting—and even dying—for."

Staten Kirkland is a rugged rancher from West Texas who is often haunted by his memories. He finds himself in Quinn O'Grady's open arms more often than not. Quinn, who has lately been reclusive, was his deceased wife's best friend and his childhood friend. She has been there for him during some difficult times. Then there's Lucas Reyes, a young ranch hand, who wants to leave his small Texas town for college and doesn't want to end up working at the ranch like his family. But one fateful night as his friends explore an abandoned house, the events changed the course of his future forever. Then there's newcomer Yancy Grey, who has arrived in town with a dark past and is ready to stir things up. Jodi Thomas's Ransom Canyon is the start to a charming series filled with lots of cowboy drama, romance, loss, and forgiveness.

I started reading Ransom Canyon before watching Netflix's adaptation, and I'm glad I did. The book provides a much deeper exploration of the characters' backgrounds and motivations. As expected, there are significant differences between the book and the show, so keep that in mind. I'm hoping the show will incorporate some events from this book in its second season, as I believe they are crucial, especially regarding Staten and Quinn's relationship. One of the best aspects of Ransom Canyon is Thomas's vivid descriptions of Texas life, the landscape, and its people. This immersive experience enhanced my enjoyment of the TV show.

Have you read Mansion Beach or Ransom Canyon this summer? Are you a fan of the TV show on Netflix? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.