In a bit of irony last year I requested Ten Beach Road by Ms. Wax, but the package was ripped apart in shipping and I never received the book. So this year when I saw her name on the review list, I immediately requested her. I wish I had known that these books were part of a series because I never would have started with the second book. The building blocks of the characters’ relationship are laid out in the first book and, even though there is recapping, I felt like an outsider looking in.

Madeline Singer, executive wife and mother, Nicole Grant, former dating guru and matchmaker, and architect Avery Lawford forged a strong friendship in desperation after being swindled out of their life savings in a Ponzi scheme contrived by Nicole’s brother. They renovated their only asset, Bella Flora – a Mediterranean Revival home, and while the results are fabulous the market is not. Luckily they have one more chance for financial success. The transformation of Bella Flora was captured on film by Madeline’s daughter Kyra and it has been turned into a pilot for a new television show on Lifetime called Do-Over. Now the network has provided them another dilapidated home on South Beach in Miami.

Madeline enjoys the sense of autonomy and feeling of achievement she gets at actually having a job after spending twenty-six years of being her husband Steve’s helpmate. Except now that his career seems back on track, he wants to slot her back into her former role. Avery finally see a chance to gain respect after years of being dismissed as a Vanna White place holder on Hammer and Nail, the television show she co-hosted with her ex-husband. And while the others visualize the new television program as a new career path, Nicole is still working to revive her matchmaking business. Still, at least it will be money coming in.

Once they arrive at the house they are in for a big revelation. The network, not content with film on the actual overhaul, put in place their own videographers, changing the program focus from the actual restoration to an invasive reality show, hoping for high ratings, histrionics, and fireworks as the women struggle to revitalize the home. The women vow to keep their personal disagreements private, but it is not easy to thwart the cameramen from catching them in an unflattering light.

The women immediately bond with the elderly owner of the house. While fixing up his beloved home seems motivation enough to consent to the deal, there is another more vital reason the owner has chosen to act now.

The biggest problems that I have with the book seem all to be related to the fact that it is the second, or transition, book. Most of the relationships are anti-climactic since they have already advanced from adversarial to the next level. In the first book Nicole had to deal with Special Agent Joe Giraldi shadowing her every step in hopes of capturing her brother. But once that happens there is little animosity between the two, leaving them free to act on their attraction. Avery and contractor Chase Hardin butted heads during their work together on Bella Flora but now they have transitioned to lovers. Avery’s mother – an interior decorator to Hollywood’s rich and famous – forces her re-entry into her daughter’s life. And while their relationship still is problematic (Avery can’t forgive her Mother for abandoning her for a career), they’ve reached a point where they are able to work together. Madeline’s husband would prefer that she not take the job but he doesn’t press the issue.

The characters’ growth is also in transition with the potential for a happy ending in sight but still somewhat elusive, leaving me to suspect there is a third book in the series.

The advantage of the book is that it very readable. There is also a sweet sub-plot about a missing family member.

If you have read the first book in the series then I suspect you will be more enthusiastic about seeing the progression in Madeline, Nicole, and Avery’s lives.