Fun City Heist by Micahel Kardos is one of the books that you have to sit back and enjoy the ride. Set against the backdrop of the Jersey Shore, this book is filled with unpredictable twists and turns, with characters that you want to side eye but simultaneously root for. Despite the heist being the heart of the story, it’s less about that and more about the loyalty, identity and ways people try to reinvent themselves.

Mo Melnick, a former drummer who once had it all, is renting beach umbrellas on the Jersey Shore at Fun City amusement park. When his ex band mate Johnny Clay shows up with news of his imminent death, he has one request to reunite all the guys for his last dying wish. After how things ended, Mo expects things to be awkward with unresolved grudges. What he didn’t expect is the real reason Johnny wants them back together. A plan to rob the very amusement park where everything took off for them.

From that moment on, the book takes you on a ride that is messy but charming. This group of middle aged men that were former rockers attempt to pull this off is funny but has some good takeaways underneath. The story parallels Mo’s own journey where he has longed for redemption and a relationship with the daughter that he didn’t get a chance to thoroughly know.

As someone who grew up along the Jersey shore, I appreciate and envision the setting coming to life with characters that bring their own individual charm to the mix. Humor blended with tension, you can’t help but feel sucked into their drama but enjoy a little detour into their chaotic decision. Underneath the surface is a story that explores friendship, found family, and second chances.

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