Ghosts, movie stars oh my! Atmosphere and the history of memories and the losing of memories makes this a very interesting read!

Five huge 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I knew I had to read Camille Di Maio's new book, The Beautiful Strangers. I have loved everything she has written and this by far is her very best. An absolutely captivating book with a beautiful setting in the Hotel Del Coronado in the 1950's, Hollywood glamour, lovable, well-written characters and a mystery with twists that blew me away. A very unique way of telling a story that I loved. This is a book that readers will not want to put down until they are done. It is truly one that should not be missed.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Make room on our bookshelf for The Beautiful Strangers! This book is Epic! I was totally blown away!! I didn’t even realize that I have a penchant for ghost stories and old Hollywood, so I was definitely entranced with this story. I don’t want to give anything away.
I walked away wanting to know more about the main character of the book, and I am sure you will too. Or, at least a trip to Coronado!
Camille Di Maio wrote a story that I absolutely fell in love with. It was unlike any other book I’ve read. She took timelines sixty years apart and wrapped them up like a gift!
You already know the summary, so let me say that Camille really left me breathless.
Until the very last line.
5 Stars Plus.

I absolutely loved this stunning story set at the glamorous Hotel del Coronado. Written with a dual timeline, told by characters about sixty years apart, Camille Di Maio weaves a tale that is hauntingly beautiful. Kate Morgan has come to the Hotel del Coronado in search of not only her way into Hollywood, but also answers to her grandfather’s insistence she find “The Beautiful Stranger.” She takes a chance, and, in doing so, sets in motion a series of events that can change the course of her life. On top of this, what is her connection to the “other” Kate Morgan at the hotel…or is it just coincidence?
Di Maio has created a story with well-written characters and a storyline that deftly blends historical fact and fiction to immerse you in the era. I loved the behind-the-scenes action in 1950’s Hollywood and Kate’s reaction to it. I love the way Di Maio
This is definitely one for the “keeper” shelf, and I can’t wait to see where she takes us next.
#TheBeautifulStrangers #CamilleDiMaio #LakeUnionPublishers

I loved this book! It was my first Camille Di Maio book, but it won't be my last. The writing and the story were both beautiful, and I loved the main character, Kate, and her love interest, Sean. I hadn't known that Kate Morgan was a "real" person, and to tie her into a story that took place on a Hollywood movie set was very clever. The author's note at the end of the novel was very informative. From the cover this book looks like a "beachy" read, but this story has substance. I recommend this one. Thank you, Netgalley, for this arc.

When I first read the premise of this book, I thought it sounded good. But, I had no idea how good it would really be. I was up late at night and reading at times that I normally should have been doing other things. Who needs a clean house anyway? I just couldn’t put this book down.

I love anything to do with the glamorous 50s era of Hollywood and a huge fan of Marilyn Monroe and ghost stories. So, those parts caught my attention first. But, Kate’s story is what really hooked me. She runs away from home after her grandfather hands her an ad for a job working in the restaurant at the Hotel Del Coronado while a movie is being filmed there. Then, he tells her to find the beautiful stranger. Kate has no idea who she is looking for or why.

The story takes Kate on a journey she never could have expected. She finds herself meeting and working with movie stars and learning about a ghost in the hotel that shares her name. Then, Kate finds a picture of her grandfather with a woman she doesn’t know and this woman is wearing her grandmother’s wedding ring. This takes the story in a different direction. Kate sets out to learn more about her grandfather and why he never spoke of this woman or his life in Coronado. And, of course Kate finding love at the hotel just wraps this story up perfectly. This is one of the most memorable books I have read in a while. It’s one of those that you can easily picture on the big screen.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A true beauty of a book! Not only is there a heartbreaking family saga, but also a mystery combined with an inside look at Old Hollywood. Very few books capture the luster of Hollywood of this time, at least for me, it this book grabbed me in from page one. Kate’s quest, encouraged by her sick grandfather, was so sweet and heartbreaking at the same time. The imagery in the writing is some of the best I’ve read in a long time. This is not one to be missed!

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I’ve got a bone to pick with some of you readers out there- WHY did you not tell me that Camille Di Maio’s books were THIS good? WHY? I’m not talking to you people for at least 2 minutes!

What I liked:

Well… the cover. Obviously. It combined a whole lot of things that I love in book covers and it did it in a beautiful way.

The mystery. Hotel del Coronado has some secrets and I loved finding out about them.

The old Hollywood glamour. Loved that.



Bottom line: This was my first Camille book, but will not be my last. Loved how she weaved 2 storylines together to make 1 great story. Also, the end? LOVED.



*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

A Beautiful Stranger by Camille Di Maio is a beautifully written story about a young woman who just wants to get away. Her grandfather convinces her to go to Southern California to the Hotel del Coronado and look for The Beautiful Stranger. The era is the 50s and during a time when many films are shot in this hotel. Kate gets a part time job working on the set of a movie and meets several famous stars of that time period. She also meets Sean who she falls in love with. The only problem is he is engaged to another. Kate is trying to save money to help her family back in San Francisco who are working for her uncle in his restaurant. She’s very good at saving too. She’s good at holding in her feelings for Sean also.

This book was so well written and will definitely keep you turning the pages. It’s filled with love, losses, laughter and a bit of the paranormal that will surely make you feel sad for The Beautiful Stranger. I absolutely, positively, completely, overwhelmingly, loved this book.

I’ve read books by Camille Di Maio and was not disappointed at all. So I really looked forward to this one. It’s told from two very different times. The 50s by Kate Morgan who left her family to work on the movie set and save money and from the late 1800s to the mid to late 50s by Kate Morgan. Two different women related by blood. I thought this was one of the best books I have read so far this year. I’m not usually a paranormal reader but, I LOVED this book. It’s just told in a way that will make you shed tears. Laugh out loud. Want to know more and it will leave you with a good feeling. I did feel so bad for the older Kate. She went through so much in her life. She paid the ultimate price for love. One that most would never do.

I highly, very highly recommend this book. You won’t be sorry you read it I promise.

Thank you to NetGalley, Camille Di Maio, and Lake Union Publishers for an ARC of this book for my completely unbiased opinion. This review is mine and mine alone.

A HUGE 5 star review for me. 5+ stars to be honest. It is so well worth reading.

Thanks to #NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing for a free copy of #TheBeautifulStrangers by #CamilleDiMaio in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The legendary Hotel Del Coronado off the coast of San Diego, California is the picturesque and glamorous setting for this story of a ghost, movie stars, mystery, chasing a dream, and romance.

In 1958, Kate Morton, a teenager living in San Francisco, seizes her chance to escape from the demands of working in her family's struggling restaurant to impulsively travel alone to Coronado in response to her ailing grandfather's plea to find "the beautiful stranger" and to also search for a job at the hotel which will enable her to dream of a new life. A few surprises await her: the true identify of the beautiful stranger, a family mystery, celebrity encounters, and romance.

Although ghost stories and romances are not my usual genre choices, this story quickly engaged and intrigued me. In fact, I was ecstatic to read a story set at the historic Hotel Del Coronado in sunny Southern California. Growing up in Southern California, I've had occasion to visit this magnificent landmark. One of my fondest memories is a few glorious summer days spent there during my high school years enjoying time with my BFF's family at their rented beach house. Of course, my friend and I hung out at the Hotel Del's public beach and loved sneaking into the back entrance of the famous hotel to walk the halls and sneak peeks at various aspects of the hotel. In those days, we could walk right in the back door, but I imagine that has changed with the invention of keyed and gated access and private beaches. It was great fun to read this book and reminisce about one high school summer hanging out near the hotel and on the beach and the surrounding beach community......ahhhh..... summer memories.

In addition to the setting and my memories, the characters are well drawn and the story is engaging and well paced. Even though the story is told from two time periods, it is straightforward and the transitions are smooth.

I recommend The Beautiful Strangers for fans of historical fiction, for readers of paranormal, mystery, and romance, for fans of Camille Di Maio (The Way of Beauty and The Memory of Us), and for those who are in search of an engaging and light read with a unique premise. Also? #coverlove

Bookstagramers appreciate the author's kind shout out to the Bookstagram community in her acknowledgments!

Blog review posted 3/1/19

Thank you Netgalley for providing this read in exchange for my honest review.

The Beautiful Stranger, by Camille Di Maio, is a story meant for dreamers.. It's a historical fiction, with some mystery, a bit of love and loss, a little family drama, plenty of twisting secrets, has a movie-star, and even a ghost. This book takes place at the Hotel Del Coronado, on the island of Coronado, CA. The author describes this landmark exquisitely. What a beautiful background with sunny days, the sand, the beach, and the starry sky. Coronado is now on my bucket list!
Camille does a wonderful job creating her characters. I actually feel as though I know them personally. Her abilities to create a beautiful and colorful existence leads the mind to such imagery. The Beautiful Strangers is a breath of fresh air. ⭐⭐⭐⭐+/5.
#Thebeautifulstrangers #camilleddimaio #netgalley

Even though Kate's grandfather, George, suffers from dementia, he remains adamant she follow her dream of leaving San Francisco and trying her luck in Southern California. While there, Granddad George sends her on a quest to find "the beautiful stranger." Upon her arrival in 1958 San Diego, she secures a job at the iconic Hotel del Coronado, meets Sean (a very interesting man), and begins her search. Who is the beautiful stranger, and what happens when she finds her? How does Sean play into the story?

I enjoyed the setting and historical aspects of this book, especially since I'd never heard of the ghost that haunts the Hotel del Coronado. Speaking of the ghost, I found her perspective unique and liked how it helped move the plot along.

Overall, I'd recommend Strangers for fans of historical romance and/or ghost stories. In addition, fans of old Hollywood will appreciate the cameos by stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, and Jack Lemmon. I personally was the most excited when L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz series, made an appearance because I recently read and and loved Finding Dorothy (4 stars) by Elizabeth Letts.

If you enjoyed this book, I would highly recommend The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (4 stars) by Taylor Jenkins Reid since it also features the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood.

3.5 stars

Location: California (San Francisco and San Diego)

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Set at the historic Hotel Del Coronado. A ghost. A star-struck young girl working in the kitchen of the Hotel Del. Is it a coincidence that she has the same name as the ghost?

The book opens in 1892 with a young woman fleeing her abusive husband. However he finds her, murders her, and leaves the scene. Authorities rule her death a suicide.

Fast forward to 1958 where, day after day, Kate Morgan works in her family’s fish restaurant in San Francisco while dreaming of a life in the movie industry. One day her grandfather, suffering from dementia, insists that Kate take her grandmother’s wedding ring and sell it so Kate can go to San Diego to find “the beautiful stranger”. Unable to deny him anything, she secretly pawns the ring and takes off to San Diego.

Now the mystery begins. Who is the beautiful stranger Kate must find? And why does she share the same name with a ghost that is believed to reside at the Hotel Del? But along with mystery comes romance. Her first day on the island Kate meets Sean O’Donnell who gets her a job in the kitchen at the Hotel Del Coronado where they just happen to be filming the movie SOME LIKE IT HOT.

I was hooked as soon as I read that the two protagonists shared the same name. I knew there had to be a connection, but what was it? It was a delightful journey finding the answer. Through Di Maio’s lush descriptions, I could spell the ocean waves, feel the sand under my feet and the cool breeze, and hear the sea gulls overhead. The emotional depth of her writing presents a beautiful story of love and family.

Camille Di Maio once again gives her readers a stunning story they won’t soon forget. She masterfully weaves the dual storyline of 1892 Kate and 1958 Kate bringing it to a climatic and satisfying conclusion. A truly heartwarming story.

This book was given to me by the author and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Kate Morgan is in a humdrum life in San Francisco working in her uncles restaurant. She has dreams of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and the movies but, until a cryptic plea from her beloved and dementia suffering grandad, George, is she able to even imagine the possibility of following that dream. He wants her to find the Beautiful Stranger. What can that mean? This is where this fantastic story begins.
I loved taking the journey with Kate to the iconic Hotel Del Coronado in southern California. Ms. Di Maio wrote a story that spanned generations that had missing pieces that needed to be found. I loved the way she wrote the past into the present at the end of each chapter. It began to tie the pieces together until the end when the pieces all fall into place.
This story is filled with so much family love and devotion. It's a storyline that has layers that build upon each one and drew me in. There is mystery and love. I fell into the story and wanted to stay there. I turned the pages and fell in love with the characters, the setting, and the history behind the book. I enjoyed this book immensely.

I really enjoyed this book! The main character, Kate Morgan, was very likeable and I found myself cheering her on in her quest to find the "beautiful stranger" as her grandfather wanted her to. Away from her family's restaurant, she sees more of the world and discovers a lot about herself - she also finds out a lot about her grandfather's life in the process. I thought this was a beautifully written story with a lot going on - murder, mystery, movie stars, love, and a ghost(!) to name a few. Camille Di Maio's description of the time and place made me feel like I was actually there! I also have to say that I really loved the ending! So very appropriate for this book.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.

It is 1958 and Kate Morgan wants more than serving fish in the family restaurant in San Francisco. She has dreams of Southern California and the movie business. Her grandfather, whose memory is shaky at best is adamant she must go to the famous Hotel Del Coronado and find the beautiful stranger.

Kate grabs her chance to get even a temporary job at the resort. And immediately finds out that she isn't the only Kate Morgan there. 

Told from the points of view of the ghostly Kate Morgan and the current day Kate Morgan, the former having never left, tethered to the place of her death.

Kate loves everything about the hotel including the stars filming Some Like It Hot. Kate has to pinch herself when she is asked to bring Miss Monroe her breakfast every day and get her to the set on time. And when she isn't coaxing Miss Monroe to eat or get to work, she's trying to find the beautiful stranger for her grandfather. Only then can she go home.

Ms. Di Maio has done a masterful job of seamlessly weaving the past with the present as well as the fiction with the truth. Yes Kate Morgan was a real woman who died a tragic death at the hotel. Guests claim to have seen her and she sees everything and everyone grow up and grow old as she remains as she was in life. But Kate has a secret too and the author has gathered all of the threads of this story and turned them into a compulsively readable tale.



Very Well Done!

Netgalley/March 5th 2019 by Lake Union Publishing

DiMaio wrote one of my favorite HF last year, The Way of Beauty so I’ve been eagerly awaiting her latest since then. When I read the blurb for this and realized it was set in the late fifties while a movie was being filmed I was even more excited and I’m thrilled to say that I loved this one just as much as TWOB!

This is told via dual perspectives, Kate as she sets out on her own for the first time in her life and the other POV is so unique and unexpected that I don’t want to say anything about it, except it was really cool and unusual. Kate was such a darling character, I was endeared to her immediately and following her to the Hotel del Coronado was a blast. DiMaio worked in cameos from Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis in an authentic and believable way, she truly brought this era to life and made it so effortlessly easy to envision the story.

Much like her last book this had a little something for everyone, a light romance, a stunning setting and even a light mystery that kept things exciting. Totally recommend for HF fans and even for those that like old Hollywood glitz and glam!

The Beautiful Strangers in three words: Glamorous, Dramatic and Classic.

Camille Di Maio is never a miss for me! She writes my favorite type of Historical Fiction, with the storyline having truth to it, and her own fun fiction around it. I love that she also writes about events or places that are maybe not as well known.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC

Lovely dual time line story set at the wonderful Hotel Coronado. Kate Morgan discovers that she's not the first woman to bear that name; there's a ghost by that name who haunts the halls. Set alternately in 1958 and the late 1890s-1928, it has a nice sense of time and place. There's a family secret, a deep appreciation for history, and good characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. DiMaio has written a nice one.

When I was a traveling nurse I took an assignment in San Diego and had the opportunity to visit Coronado Island. It is a beautiful place that seemed filled with history. When I came across The Beautiful Stranger and saw that it was set at the Coronado Hotel during the filming of Some Like it Hot I knew this was a read for me. Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Books for allowing me to go back to a time period that I don’t often visit in my reading adventures - 1958.

There are many aspects to this well thought out book that I enjoyed. From the rich descriptions of the setting, to the details of family relationships that define us, this book captured my imagination. As did Kate and her determination to find her own path in life. Her pluck, wit, and intelligence during a time that didn’t truly appreciate what women could bring to the table was delightful and had me rooting for her all the way.

I wasn’t sure, initially, how I felt about the partial telling of the mystery from a ghost. But in the end I came to appreciate ghost Kate’s insight, and her own story. And Sean, oh Sean, nothing warms my heart more then when a good honest man understands and loves a smart forthright woman.

This was a wonderful tale of love and sadness, family duty, and the healing ability of the human spirit. A four star read for me!

I received a free advanced copy for my honest review.