An engaging story about friendships and starting over.

After ten years together, Rosie Keller leaves her cheating boyfriend, film career and the rat race of Hollywood behind. She starts her life over in the Montecito guest house of her best friend Angelica’s parents where she is inspired by Angelica’s mother, Estelle, to find a new dream and to go for it. Rosie has the best recipe for fish tacos and guacamole and is encouraged to open her own restaurant. Rosie’s Fish Tacos is born and becomes a huge success.

Rosie also finds a new love interest, Josh, a surfer and car enthusiast. But after the way her last relationship ended, Rosie is afraid to get too close. Josh fears Rosie will miss her old life and leave at any time. Josh has his own reasons for disliking the whole Hollywood scene. Lots of things get in the way of Rosie and Josh’s new romance, including Angelica who spews a secret without knowing all of the facts which sends Josh running once again.

I really enjoyed this book. The story was addictive, like reading a gossip magazine, not knowing what is fact or fiction because the characters have so many secrets. Along with Rosie and Josh, I also felt drawn to Estelle and the butler Morris, who became more of a best friend to Rosie than Angelica was. This is one of those books that you will want to read again and again. It’s a perfect book to take on vacation and read on the beach.

California Summer is a decent read. I liked the description of the California beach town and the dreamy estate the main character gets to live at. I found Rosie somewhat wishy washy at first and either she or her main love interest were always running away from conflict. That was a tad tiresome. My favorite character was Estelle who doted on her roses and handed out sage advice. Ultimately, the story wraps up nicely and neatly. A good book to read at the beach.

An engaging romance with pleasant and interesting characters. The setting is beautiful, and the theme of overcoming heartache is one we can all relate to. A good beach read with a good strong plot and characters you care about. My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a slightly different romance. Rosie is trying to find herself after trying several changes of careers that will allow her to be more independent in Southern California. She’s been an assistant producer and is now trying out being a businesswoman and a cook. She has decided to open a fish taco shop, which to us Texans seems a little strange in that our taquerias serve a variety of tacos, but Rosie has settled into one variety: fish. By the way, there are some delicious sounding recipes at the end of the book.
Rosie’s first love is Ben but when he settles on another love, Rosie has to let him go. She meets surfer Josh on the beach and their companionship is on and off again. Josh is a good guy and eventually he becomes faithful to Rosie without looking elsewhere. Both Rosie and Josh and Josh find that they grow into a relationship that both are satisfied with.
This is a beachy read that is satisfying when read on the beach or in any environment. It covers young people who are maturing into the people they really want to be. The story is a little bit confusing, but that is the way of all love affairs and friendships. I enjoy Anita Hughes’s way with words, character development, and plot formation. This is a good one.

California Summer
Anita Hughes
Available: June 19, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Montecito is a magical place in California where building permits, lease agreements, and health inspections can all be completed within 30 days. That’s what makes it the ideal place to lick your wounds after a broken heart and reinvent yourself. Seriously though – I am so excited that Ms. Hughes has returned Stateside with a book in California. Inch by Inch, mile by mile she’s slowly coming down to Orange County where I always hope the next book is based.
What I loved: While still in a breathtaking location like previous books..this heroine doesn’t seem to be as wealthy, or accustomed to expensive things as the ones before. While still not as flawed as I would love her to be – Rosie is way down to earth and very likable. She givs off a vibe that she is still trying to find her own way in life too – with a peanut butter sandwich in hand.
What I didn’t love: I think this book is an older story that has been finally released. There’s nothing wrong with that at all – but if that’s going to happen then it should be re-read prior to print and outdated references should be removed. Unfortunately, there is no mention of the devastating fires and floods that ripped through Southern California in October 2017. Matt Laurer on the Today Show? Woody Allen still as a revered Hollywood director? Really touchy topics that scream dated.

What I learned: I’m not a fish taco girl – but I will be trying that guacamole recipe!
Overall Grade: B

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Enjoyable read. Fast paced, perfect for the lazy days of summer. I’m glad I gave this author another try, thoroughly enjoyed this love story.

Very good. Easy to read, the characters were well written and the story was well thought out..

THE summer beach read for 2018. This book by Anita Hughes left me hoping for a sequel. She did a wonderful job creating characters that were likable and incredibly relatable, right down to the childish reactions in stressful situations. We've all been there! The story is about young Rosie who has it all. A great career, a smart and savvy boyfriend, and a dream life in Beverly Hills. When the walls start caving in around her she escapes to Santa Barbara. Living on the edge of uncertainty in her best friends childhood guest house, Rosie has no choice but to make a decision: Get her life back or start a new one.

This story about passion and dreams was exactly what I needed to get me out of the funk that I was in. Rosie reawakened my spirit through her emotional rollercoaster and courage. Plus this book oozes girl power moments. Between the dreamy Santa Barbara beach descriptions and the man candy, you won't know what to drool over more

Cute beach read! Fairly predictable, but enjoyable book. I'm an Anita Hughes fan, so knew what to expect o knew what to expect, but this one wasn't as good as some of her others.

Loved the description of Montecito (and now would love to go there!) The main character Rosie comes off as likeable, but a few times I just wanted to yell at her -- her method of coping is hiding in bed for days but at the end she has a great message of find something you love and do it, don't just follow what the man in your life loves.

Overall cute and fun book!

This is a great read for the beach. It is quick and enjoyable. The characters were well written as well.

I would like to thank netgalley, and the author and publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

This was a cute summer read. It was not my favorite of her books, however, I did find myself enjoying the characters and the storyline. Perfect for a beach read!

Rosie and Ben have been together for ten years, all of Rosie’s dreams are wrapped up in Ben’s plans. When she finds out Ben has cheated on her, life changes overnight.
She quickly moves out and finds herself living in a guest cottage at her best friend’s parents’ home in Montecito.

She is trying to find herself again, at first trying to figure out how to win Ben back. But soon, trying to make a new life for herself.

Her hostess Estelle encourages Rosie to find her own passion in life. She says the only way to guarantee Rosie’s happiness is if she finds and pursues her own passion in life. She can’t make all her decisions around who she’s in a relationship with.

Rosie finds herself again, practically creating herself over again. She finds a new passion in cooking, a new set of friends and makeshift family and even a new love.

Of course the setting is beautiful too. You can always count on this author to give you a story about a beautiful setting, delicious food and a strong female character.

I got to read an early e book edition of this book through NetGalley.

There are so many elements to this novel that I enjoyed. First, there are the characters-consistent, quirky at times, complicated at others. Second, there is the plot of a young woman (Rosie) thrown for a complete loop by her long time boyfriend who dumps her and she has to reinvent her life completely. Lastly, there are the relationships that support and encourage Rosie all along her journey over the course of the summer.
These elements all come together to form an enjoyable read for everyone.

Although my life if very different from the characters in this book, i felt a connection to them. Everyone was well developed and entertaining, and this was an easy book to read. After reading this, I plan to read others by thugs author. Very enjoyable book.

California Summer by Anita Hughes is not a typical formula romance. The author presents a believable story of today's young woman and the pitfalls of a long-term relationship that doesn't work out. It is refreshing to see the main character discover the importance of finding her own passion and ability to lead an independent life. That brings her to the point where she can enter into a healthier relationship where she doesn't lose herself. Besides a good mix of characters and an interesting storyline, I was most enamored with the California setting. It is always a plus when a book transports me to another place as this one managed to do.

I received this arc from Netgalley for an honest review.
Ben and Rosie met at college where they shared a love of movies. Ten years later he is a successful Hollywood director and Rosie is scouting locations and other assistant producer jobs. When Rosie discovers that Ben is having an affair with a woman who can escalate his career she is devastated. Ben suggests that they take a break and Rosie escaped to Montecito to figure out her next move. It's Montecito where she discovers who she really is and where her passions lie.
I liked Rosie and hated Ben as you would with anyone with that inflated of an ego. I loved all of the amazing people that Rosie came into contact with in Montecito and how their stories developed around hers. This is my first read by author Anita Hughes and I would love to read more.

I will start by saying that I am an avid reader of her books and have read all of them multiple times. I applaud Rosie and her quest for reinvention. Business wise, super strong. Romantically, super weak. She tries to change herself according to a man and the phrase "eyes filled with tears" appeared multiple times. She also ran away from conflict. It ended well and I will still keep reading her novels; however, Rosie should have recognized her self worth more.

Fun, family and romance all bundled up in one book.

All their hard work has paid off and Rosie and Ben have a hit on their hands. The filmmakers have been a hit at the Sundance Film Festival, but it turns out success means something different to Ben than it does to Rosie. While she’s content to keep making small, meaningful films, Ben wants the Hollywood dream. Big budgets, big actors, a big house and a big car. He’s also easily seduced by the beautiful women that come with the territory. Hurt and humiliated, Rosie decides to spend the summer with a friend in Montecito, which is nothing like Hollywood. Here, she makes new friends and learns to regain her confidence and belief in herself. This is an empowering novel about a woman taking control of her own life with a little help from her friends