The Merchant Of Venice Beach

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE BEACH               CELIA BONADUCE
Posted: July 20, 2013

The Rollicking Bun—Home of the Epic Scone—is the center of Suzanna Wolf’s life. Part tea shop, part bookstore, part home, it’s everything she’s ever wanted right on the Venice Beach boardwalk, including partnership with her two best friends from high school, Eric and Fernando. But with thirty-three just around the corner, suddenly Suzanna wants something more—something strictly her own. Salsa lessons, especially with a gorgeous instructor, seem like a good start—a harmless secret, and just maybe the start of a fling. But before she knows it, Suzanna is learning steps she never imagined—and dancing her way into confusion.

MY REVIEW:

I truly enjoyed this trio of friends. It’s set in California in towns that I have been in before made it all that much more real to me. The characters were very believable and so fun that you totally became invested in them and what was happening to them. This was mainly centered on the life of Suzanna Wolfe, who met her friend Carla when she was five. The families were best friends since Suzanna’s family moved into the Napa Valley. At the age of fifteen Eric came into the girls’ lives. It was k...moreI truly enjoyed this trio of friends. It’s set in California in towns that I have been in before made it all that much more real to me. The characters were very believable and so fun that you totally became invested in them and what was happening to them. This was mainly centered on the life of Suzanna Wolfe, who met her friend Carla when she was five. The families were best friends since Suzanna’s family moved into the Napa Valley. At the age of fifteen Eric came into the girls’ lives. It was known to Carla that he was the object of Suzanna’s desire but that did not stop them from hooking up in their junior year. Which crushed Suzanna but they were still her best friends just not every day best friends. When a new boy came to their school who took a fashion interest in her for good reason she had none and he was her new gay boyfriend. They became the new fabulous four but with discord. College was looming and Eric and Carla had their eye on the ball as Suzanne should have her two professor parents thought she should but she just didn’t know what she wanted to do. Well, Fernando came from a poor family and had to work to save the money and the school he had applied to did not accept him, which was Berkley, like Eric. At least that is where they thought Eric was going. A week before the prom Eric came to Suzanna and said he was going to Boston where he got accepted and Carla told her she got accepted Harvard so you know what she thought. Then, he asks her to the prom. After the prom Fernando and Suzanna decide that they are moving to L.A. to make a fresh start and find themselves. Her parents are not happy but they help them both out and so does his dad. Carla decides she wants to ride with them to help them unpack and will fly home since there is two weeks before she leaves. Fernando is not happy he and Carla have always had a love hate relationship. Carla ask to stop for gum that morning so they do before she gets back in the car Eric jumps in. Says he wants to go on the road trip too. What can they say Hello gangs all there? When they get to the hotel at the mid-point Eric pools Suzanna aside and tells her I’ve decided I want to move in with you and Fernando I don’t want to go to Boston after all. There is so much I am missing and so much to tell of all these fours relationship. This has an excerpt and I can tell you I can’t wait to read it already because it has her quirky sister and her renter in it sounds fun already. Really enjoyed. Courtesy of NetGalley.com.