Can you give examples of opening lines of beach set novels that draw readers in?

One could be 'The sun blazed down on the sandy shore as she stepped out of the car, the smell of the ocean hitting her like a wave.'

Well, from 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte, 'There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.' This unassuming opening is actually quite effective. It creates a sense of confinement and the start of a story that will likely involve the main character breaking free from some sort of restriction, whether it be physical or emotional.

Another good one is 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' from Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. This line not only gives an insight into the society of the time where marriage was a big deal for financial and social reasons but also makes the reader interested in seeing how this idea will play out in the story.

The opening of 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens - 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' is a classic. It sets up the contrast that is going to be central to the story, which is set during the French Revolution. It's a very powerful and thought - provoking start that gives a sense of the complex and chaotic times in which the story unfolds.

Sure. Consider the opening of 'The Magicians' by Lev Grossman: 'Quentin did a magic trick. Nobody noticed.' This line is interesting as it sets up the character Quentin and his ability to do magic in a world where it seems unnoticed. It makes you wonder why his magic goes unnoticed and what kind of world he lives in.

The opening of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald: 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' This line creates a sense of reflection and mystery. We wonder what the advice was and why it has stayed with the narrator for so long. It also gives a bit of a personal touch to the story from the very beginning.

Another example is from 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' This opening makes the reader curious about what that advice was. It also gives an impression of the narrator reflecting on his past, which is central to the story of Jay Gatsby and the narrator's relationship with him. The line has a certain elegance and a touch of mystery.

An example could be 'The old mansion loomed at the end of the overgrown driveway, its broken windows like empty eyes staring into the night.' This opening gives a vivid image of a spooky location. The comparison of the broken windows to empty eyes gives the mansion a menacing and haunted feel. It invites the reader to explore further, to find out what secrets the mansion holds.

Here's another one: 'She found the letter in the attic, yellowed with age and filled with secrets she never knew existed.' This opening line starts with an object (the letter) that is likely to be central to the story. The fact that it's old and has secrets makes the reader want to know more about it and how it will impact the character.

Sure. The opening of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald: 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."' This line gives us an insight into the narrator's character and sets up the themes of class and judgment.