SAVANNAH BREEZE

Andrews brings back characters from Savannah Blues (2002) for a new set of misadventures.

BeBe Loudermilk is a member of Savannah’s glitterati, a successful restaurateur and, thanks to some real-estate serendipity, a budding Donald Trump. While BeBe is a whiz at spotting a business opportunity, she is a washout when it comes to picking men. At 35, she has three divorces under her belt. Yet BeBe can’t seem to help herself when a gorgeous man, Reddy Millbanks III, pours on the charm. Blinded by his physical prowess and distracted by other developments in her disorganized personal life, BeBe fails to catch wind of his schemes. She wakes up one morning to find that Reddy has stolen her small fortune; virtually penniless, BeBe learns the only thing left in her portfolio is a beat-up beach motel on Tybee Island. It’s a painful fall from her lofty society-girl perch. BeBe is forced to scrub toilets and sweep floors in order to salvage her finances—if she can quickly rehab this property and turn it over for a profit, she might be back in business. While making cheap improvements at the motel, BeBe butts heads with taciturn manager Harry. Though Harry bristles at BeBe’s bossiness and acquisitiveness, the two find common ground as they commiserate about the cards they’ve been dealt. Predictably, sparks fly when the uptown girl and salty dog get together. Meanwhile, BeBe and her best pal, Weezie, drum up a kooky scheme worthy of Lucy and Ethel to hunt down Reddy and out-swindle him—zany costumes and numerous cocktails are involved.

A successful combination of romance and action make this sunny novel a beach-ready treat.