Rounding up from 3.5 for California Summer. I loved all the luscious descriptions Anita Hughes includes in this novel. She is so very good at that. I enjoyed the premise of the book, long relationship blows up and woman who was done wrong searches for a new beginning.

What I didn't like? Many of the characters. Rosie was just asking to be walked on and instead of standing on her own two feet she moved in with very wealthy friends where she had everything handed to her. I guess I was looking for her to actually make her own luck and come out the other side a better, stronger person.

Maybe I expected too much from a summer read? If you like beach reads, gorgeous settings and wonderful descriptions of everything, including delicious sounding food, this is your book. Don't allow my opinion to sway you because not every book is for everyone. Thanks to Netgalley for honoring my request for an ARC.

California Summer is the first book I've read by Anita Hughes. I enjoyed it! I love the scenery painted in each chapter, about Montecito, the butterfly garden, the estate Rosie stays in. The characters are mostly enjoyable, though Rosie is a bit annoying with all the running away. I think the plot was drug out a little bit. Every time I thought we had reached the climax, I realized it was just another point of mini drama. This happens several times, and then the story keeps moving. Overall, though, I enjoyed this and read it over a period of 24 hours.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was a nice light read, perfect for summer. It seemed slightly too convenient that Rosie just happens to have a friend who is mega-rich and is able to provide her with a place to go and stay while dealing with her breakup with Ben. Imagine breaking up with your long time boyfriend and being able to go away, not work, and not have to worry about paying rent or other bills? So for that alone, this book lost points with me as it was just a little too convenient. However, that didn't takeaway from the lightheartedness of the story. Rosie seemed to mourn her relationship with Ben in a realistic way - going through the emotions that one would after ending a 10 year relationship.

Not always an uplifting story, but it was an easy read.

Rosie may have left Ben physically but he's still constantly on her mind- which is the flaw in this otherwise enjoyable beach read. Ben cheated on her. She's trying to start over in Montecito, a beautiful place, with a lot of legs up. This is heart healing among the 10 percent but that doesn't make it any less entertaining. Hughes writes well and the characters are well done. Thanks to Nertgalley for the ARC (and the recipes!).

Anita Hughes knows how to make you want to either vacation or move the locations of her novels. She captures the small town feel of Montecito, California as Rosie stays in her best friend's parents' guesthouse while recovering from her 10 year break-up. Rosie learns to stand on her own two feet and navigate through the uncertainty of young love. This love story was a quick read perfect for a day curled up on the couch.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All Opinions are my Own.

"California Summer" by Anita Hughes
A clean contemporary romance you will be glad you took the time to read. Hint... pay attention to what Estelle says when she imparts advise... We all need an Estelle in our lives. Loved the story, can you tell? and what a lovely surprise I found at the end of the story... recipes, yum-yum. Oh, I was gifted an ARC via NetGalley for the promise of an honest review. and honestly... I really loved this book.

After a rough breakup, Rosie heads to Montecito for the summer. After escaping Hollywood, Rosie discovers what truly makes her happy.

I enjoyed Rosie’s story. It was a little predictable at times but you couldn’t help but pull for Rosie.

Cute read. Thanks to Anita Hughes, St. Martin’s Press & Netgalley for the advanced copy.

To start let me say that I have a history with Anita Hughes books. I either absolutely love them or really dislike them, there is no middle with me and her books. I read the synopsis really close before I accept a Anita Hughes book for review and this synopsis sounded so so good. I was so excited to read this, but my experience went downhill with each page.

I loved the premise of Rosie escaping Hollywood and the fallout of a relationship for a small California town and trying to rebuild herself. And the bits of the book that centered around Rosie working on herself and rebuilding her life were so fantastic.

It is the bits that were around Rosie and Josh that were beyond frustrating. Maybe it is my own personal preference in men, but reading a man that runs after ever disagreement bothered the heck out of me. I just couldn't see him as this manly man that Rosie could fall in love with AND with that they went from chatting and getting to know each other to in love and Rosie talking marriage WAY too fast for me. The term instalove is used in YA fiction and I would have used it with this book, it was like relationship whiplash!

But even after not loving this Anita Hughes, I still have hope for the next book with this author.

I just finished this awesome and wonderful book and I wish that I could give five bazzillion stars. Honestly it started out a little sappy for me and I was finding Rosie more than a little dependent but as I read more and more my opinion changed because this book has amazing depth and I just loved all of the characters. I love her writing madly and so will you so pre order this new book so it's waiting for you on release day. Clear the decks and prepare to loose yourself in this beautiful story. Happy reading!

Oh, boy! The one thing I liked about California Summer is the gorgeous location the story is set in. It made me want to visit Montecito. But other than that, I didn't enjoy this book. I found so many problems with it, I don't know where to start. Many characters, including Rosie, the main heroine, are not very likeable. I am sorry to say but Rosie has the personality of a doormat. After she finds out that her boyfriend, Ben, cheated on her, she escapes to Montecito. Although, she is upset about his affair, she starts contemplating how to win him back. She thinks she should have given up her job and "keep house and throw parties and make sure we're friends with beautiful people." WTAF? What young, modern, accomplished woman thinks that? She does move on from Ben when she develops a friendship with Josh, a cute surfer she meets in Montecito. But Josh's character is not that great either. He is immature, he storms off without talking every time they have a fight or a misunderstanding.

I could go on and on about other things I didn't love about California Summer: a rushed ending, zero chemistry between Rosie and Josh, predictable story line, and use of too many clichés. But I don't want to spend any more of my time on this book.

Anita Hughes seems to be an author that can be a bit hit or miss for me. I have read several of her books and loved a couple, thought some were just OK and now with California Summer I really didn’t care for the relationship in here much at all.

In this story Rosie finds that her long time partner Ben has cheated on her so she packs up and moves to Montecito to the luxurious home of a friend’s family to stay in the guest house. At this point I’m cheering wildly you go girl, leave the jerk.

However, one Rosie is away she does nothing really but obsess and fantasize over the ex and getting back together even though all signs point to him moving forward with someone else. Frustration with Rosie begins to set in.

Cue another handsome man entering Rosie’s life that she sort of notices but still hooked on the ex until the ex does the unthinkable after which Rosie runs to new man. Really? Rebound anyone? This was not a good start for me to root on forgetting that Rosie was teetering on unlikable already. But things did not get better in my mind with more and more angst.

So needless to say this was not a favorite Anita Hughes novel for me at all and I’ll avoid being any more specific to the events after that rough start. I will however say that the one thing I will always praise her for in her books was still here in spades and that is her beautiful settings and bringing these places to life. I really do feel as if I am right there with the characters in every book I’ve read so I will continue to be a fan if for nothing else than the lovely virtual traveling within the pages.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

California Summer is this summer’s offering from author Anita Hughes. Rosie Keller and Ben Ford met in college and have been together ever since, over ten years. They had dreams of creating movies and when they achieved some success at Sundance it looked like they were on their way, together. But all that comes to a halt when Rosie returns from a location scouting trip to discover Ben is sleeping with executive producer Mary Beth Chase.

Lost, Rosie’s friend Angelica suggests Rosie get away for the summer and offers Rosie her parents’ guest house in Montecito , just a short distance north of Los Angeles. Rosie arrives, feeling sad and dejected. Stopping in town on her way to the estate. Rosie meets the first of her new friends, candy store owner Rachel Gold and deli owner Patrick. Both make her feel very welcome. Before arriving at the estate, she makes one more stop at Butterfly Beach to watch the sunset finding a peaceful respite if it weren’t for running over the surfboard belonging to Josh Fellows.

Arriving at the estate, Rosie is warmly welcomed by Angelica’s parents, Estelle and Oscar, a music producer. She is also befriended by butler and former rocker, Morris. Initially, Rosie is terribly distraught, but the interaction she has with this lovely cast of characters and the things she learns from and about them, help her to grow in ways she never would have imagined in the course of this special summer.

This story was well woven with beautiful description and unexpected twists. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it!

I found another beach read to add to your summer TBR! This was a very lighthearted, easy read that I breezed through in a few hours. It’s uncomplicated and one that you can get lost in, really simple but charming and fun.

I always think that when an author makes me want to visit the location they’re writing about then they’ve done a fantastic job at bringing a setting to life and I’m absolutely dying to go to Montecito after reading this. It sounds absolutely gorgeous and if you’re not craving fish tacos after reading about Rosie’s adventures then there may be something wrong with you! Hughes even included the recipe for fish tacos at the end, I love when authors do this, so fun.

This had a cute message about following what makes you happy and discovering your true passion and Rosie was a character I could easily get behind. There’s plenty of playful and sexy romance and a little Hollywood glitz and glam thrown in for good measure, it was just a really undemanding read that I would recommend for pure entertainment alone.

California Summer in three words: Romantic, Enchanting and Sweet.

I've read other Anita Hughes books and enjoyed them, and this book started out strong. By the end the main character, Rosie, annoyed me so much I almost didn't finish it. She and her boyfriend Ben work in the film industry. When he has affair, Rosie leaves him to spend the summer in a friend's guesthouse in Montecito.

Unfortunately, she spends her time spinning unrealistic fantasies - they'll get back together and he'll be driving a Porsche and she'll be wearing Chanel!!! Ack! Then she meets another guy and they both behave like high schoolers with a crush instead of adults in a relationship. He was mean, run away! Etcetera, etcetera.

The guacamole recipe looked great though!

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ben and Rosie have been together for 10 years. Rosie, sending something was off, let’s call it womrhs intuition is correct. She escapes to Montecito to re-evaluate her life.
I love the Hollywood type stories. Wonderful beach read!

As always thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Super fun summer read transported me to Montecito California and made me want to live there. Rosie faces a terrible heartbreak when her boyfriend of 10 years decides to end things. Luckily her best friends parents are willing to let her spend the summer in their guest home. She meets a lovely cast of characters and a surfer who loves cars who may just be exactly what she was looking for. This story is a great summer escape book and I enjoyed reading it. I have been a fan of Hughes for a while and glad to have the chance to read another one of her books. Thank you netgalley!

I love a happily ever after, so California Summer by Anita Hughes was right up my alley. I almost stopped reading in the first few chapters because I was afraid it would be too sad for me, but continued because I liked Rosie and wanted to see how things turned out for her. The vivid descriptions of the beautiful coastal town were also appealing. Great beach read.

“California Summer” by Anita Hughes is a captivating, enjoyable and entertaining read. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Romance. Goodreads has a blurb that says. “”California Summer “is a touching and romantic story about following your dreams but not letting them get in the way of love.” The story takes place mostly in the present, and goes to the past only if it pertains to the characters or events. I like the way the author describes the scenic landscape with beaches and flowers, from Hollywood to a small town Montecito.

Anita Hughes describes her colorful cast of characters as complex, and complicated. Some characters are quirky. There are betrayals and lack of communication. Some of the characters are loyal friends. Rosie and Ben are friends, lovers, producer/director in Hollywood, until Rosie discovers that Ben has been unfaithful. Rosie leaves Hollywood and goes to Montecito, to stay with her friend’s parents. Rosie feels betrayed and hurt, and is nursing her wounds in the extra cottage on the premises.

In the small town, Rosie is able to meet some new friends, and reflect upon her life. Rosie finds she is happy preparing and cooking in the kitchen. Everyone seems to love Rosie’s fish tacos. Rosie does have major decisions to make. What are Rosie’s goals?

I like the way the author describes the importance, of family, friendship, emotional support, communication loyalty, love and hope. The author also compares being extremely wealthy and being able to have material things, and prestige, or being comfortable financially and being happy. I would highly recommend this novel to those readers that enjoy Women’s Fiction. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Wasn't sure what to make of it when I got started reading but I must say as I got into it I just couldn't put it down.
This is the perfect summery fun read. If you like a bit of romance with a some hollywood thrown in then this is the perfect book for you!

California Summer is a well written romance with a good plot. I enjoyed the story, characters and the author's writing.