4.5⭐️

As the story begins we meet our protagonist, Hazel Francis in 1946 as she lands up in the coastal town of Laguna Beach, California, out of work after being laid off from a job at Douglas Aircraft, (one of many “Rosie the Riveters”) helping build fighter planes. Hazel is a small-town girl from Wichita, Kansas, having left her hometown in 1942 to do her bit contributing to the war effort in a job she truly enjoyed. Now that WWII is over and the men have returned from the front and reclaimed their spot in the workforce, Hazel finds it difficult to secure employment in the kind of work she enjoys and is good at. With no family left to go back to she ventures out on her own hoping to find her place in the world. She ends up taking a job as an Assistant to renowned artist Hanson Radcliff, whose eccentric personality takes a while to get used to. Hazel’s job description includes everything from modeling for her employer to running errands and helping out with the local art festival (Laguna Beach’s Pageant of the Masters, an actual event that was started in 1933, in which famous works of art are depicted through on-stage performances). Radcliffe is well respected in the art scene in the area and though their association is off to a bumpy start, Hazel develops a fondness for her elderly employer. With the help of Jimmy, the kind bartender at Hotel Laguna who befriends her and Hanson who eventually arranges for her to stay in an apartment behind the local art gallery in addition to her pay, Hazel begins to feel at home in Laguna Beach. As the narrative progresses we follow Hazel as she contends with her temperamental employer, comes to know of a scandal from Hanson's past that adversely impacted his reputation and continues to haunt him and tries to help Hanson cope with his past trauma and searches for a missing painting coveted by several individuals. Hazel has a lot on her plate, with the pageant coming up soon and her feelings for Jimmy complicating matters further.

I thoroughly enjoyed Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison. Hazel is an endearing protagonist. Strong and willful, she does make questionable choices and does get into a fair share of trouble but you can’t help rooting for her as tries to find her way in a world where opportunities for women were limited. The author does a wonderful job of crafting a story that gives us a sense of both time and place. I would have liked it if the segment on Hazel’s life during her stint at Douglas Aircraft would have been covered in more detail but given that the story revolves around Hazel and Hanson’s friendship, I understand why the emphasis was on Hazel’s life after the war ends. I loved the vibrant setting of Laguna Beach and the interesting cast of characters who made up the community (even the unlikeable ones). The pacing and the plot development were well executed and the ending. though bittersweet, was satisfying. Overall, this is an emotional, feel-good read with an element of mystery that touches upon themes of friendship, love, creativity and community.

I paired my reading with the superb audio narration by Carlotta Brentan which made for an entertaining immersion reading experience.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the digital review copy of this novel. I would also like to thank Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. ( )

Thanks to #NetGalley, the publisher and the author.

3.5 stars.

This is my first book by her and I have her others on my to read.

I enjoyed this book set in the 1940s in Laguna Beach, CA, where Kitty Francis was looking for a job and ended up as an assistant to a famous artist Hanson Radcliff. She becomes very attached to him and the people there. When she finds out that he was "shunned" years ago about a painting and it's model and her demise, he started painting seascapes and landscapes. She falls for Jimmy, the bartender at the Hotel Laguna bar where she ends up staying on her first night when Hanson hired her.

It was good historical fiction. ( )

3.5 raised to a 4.

Post WWII, California. Story follows Hazel, who worked in an airplane factory to help the cause while the men were away. After the war ended, she and all the women were told to go home to their husbands. Hazel was at a crossroads; no job, no husband, no family. She finds herself in the artist community of Laguna Beach.

While I enjoyed the storyline of the women left at home and trying to find their new normal, I never really connected with Hazel or any of the characters. The mystery of the artist was interesting, and was brought to a satisfying ending. Enjoyable, slow burn but not riveting. Stellar writing. Looking forward to the authors next book.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone. ( )

Hazel has worked for Douglas Aircraft since she has left Kansas. Now that the war is over, she has lost her job. She takes a leap of faith and ends up in a town of Laguna Beach. She is going to be the assistant to a famous artist there, Hanson Radcliff. But, work for Hanson is a bit precarious. He is cantankerous and unpredictable and has a shadow of a scandal following him around.

Hazel is such a fabulous character and so is Hanson! I adored both. But, Hazel is my favorite. She is tough but naïve. And that is what makes her capture your heart. She really struggles to make a go with her new world and she is not afraid to learn or try new things.

I adored how this story unfolded. And don’t let Hanson fool you, he has great talent but he also has a big heart beneath that gruff exterior.

I have been a fan of this author every since I read The Show Girl. And this book rates right up there with it. This author knows how to weave a tale!

The narrator, Carlotta Brentan, is fantastic. She has the perfect tone for these characters, especially Hanson.

Need an all consuming tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review. ( )

An immersive historical fiction novel with great character development. As WWII comes to an end and the soliders are returning home, Hazel Francis is no longer needed to help construct war planes. She moves west to find herself and bucks society's idea of what a woman's role is supposed to be in 1942. I enjoyed this novel immensely. Found myself rooting for Hazel and the other supporting characters. I would have liked for the hotel to play a bigger part in the narrative. The direction of the plot was pretty predictable but the journey to get to the end was fabulous.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy. ( )