The story is about Hazel, young woman who is strong, smart, clever, patient , brave and kind. Hazel Francis leaves her midwestern home town to go to Laguna Beach, California. It is there she works building airplanes for the war effort. When the war ends, all the women are told to go home to their husbands and raise a family. The men are back and they need the jobs. With no job and very little money she strikes out for Laguna Beach. Through the kindness of a local bartender and a bit of karma she finds work with a temperamental ‘famous’ local painter. He hires Hazel as his assistant and gives her a place to call home.

.The author did an excellent job with the time period and exploring Hazel’s complex thoughts about her place in life. Should she marry and have children or pursue some sort of career?

This timeline was an interesting snapshot of life during that time in Laguna Beach. The author did a great job
making you picture in your mind what Laguna Beach was like as a community. I have been to Laguna Beach ten years ago, and could easily remember in my mind and smell the sea air.

If you love strong female characters, historical fiction, and scenic settings, you will enjoy Hotel Laguna.

Welcome to Hotel Laguna. I love beach reads and this one is a fast, fun read. This book had me turning the pages so fast to see what would happen. You will definitely enjoy this summer story. Many thanks to the author, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is my third five star rated book by this Author. While this and her other books are very far from my typical go to genre of Psych thrillers, I absolutely loved and devoured it in two sittings This book is so well written that even though it is set in 1942, I was able to picture in my mind everything described in it. I absolutely loved the main protagonist. Hazel, she could have been my spirit animal. I loved her drive, determination and her moxie. I got a big kick out of the women's salaries quoted for the time and another small thrill for me was a character named Doreen, described as "A Blowsy older woman" This was a truly wonderful read.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martins Press and the Author, Nicola Harrison for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Nicola Harrison and was totally captivated by her latest release. I thought the setting and story were highly enjoyable! A perfect Summer read for historical fiction fans.

Here's the thing: I loved Montauk. I thought it was a really strong book. I adored The Show Girl. But Hotel Laguna is my first Harrison novel that I just never could really sink into. There was something about the dialogue of the time that grated on me, I didn't like Hazel that much, I didn't particularly care about the painter or the mystery around him. I liked Jimmy, I was rooting for him and Hazel, but that was such a small part of the plot it wasn't enough to keep me engaged. I ended up sitting the book aside about halfway through for over a week before coming back to finish it.

I still can't totally pinpoint why, some books just don't work out for me and that's fine. I'm glad to see it has good ratings from others though because I really enjoy Harrison's work and hope to read more of it in the future.

Note: I received a free electronic edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank them, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to do so.

I loved this author’s previous book, The Showgirl. I felt like this book was more light and bent toward YA. It tries to invoke feminism themes - and it did, but the main character was just a little too immature in her thoughts and reasoning for me. The book was enjoyable and I read it all the way through, but I don’t see these characters sticking with me too long. It was very light on the historical fiction. I would consider it a sweet and nicely wrapped up story.

Hazel left Kansas for a job in California at Douglas Aircraft to help the war effort. She was a good worker and very talented at this traditionally male job. When the war ended, she was dismissed from her job in favor of the returning servicemen. She is desperate to find a job and finds herself in an artist’s conclave in Laguna. She takes a position as an assistant to a famous artist who has a mysterious past. No one is willing to tell Hazel what happened as the town is very protective of him. She finds a good friend in Jimmy, a bartender at the hotel. She soon becomes a valued member of the community, but her passion still lies with building airplanes. I was captivated by this book from beginning to end!

Also reviewed on B&N as 1IrishEyes430 and Kobo as IrishEyes430

DNF at 40%

This book wasn't a good fit for me. I can see why it has some great reviews, but I just found myself bored, even though there was a lot going on. There are a lot of storylines here and just when we get focused on one, something else comes along.

I spent the day at the beach in MA today, where Hotel Laguna was the perfect beach complement! I switched back and forth between the audio and my eARC - thanks to St Martin's Press for sharing NetGalley access with me in exchange for my honest opinion!
This was my first book by the author but it won’t be my last. I’ve been enjoying HF reads lately, and this book was right up my alley with strong women’s fiction vibes. After working at an airplane factory during WWII, Hazel is determined to stay in California, instead of returning to her Kansas hometown. She ends up in Laguna Beach, working as an artist’s assistant. She establishes herself in the small town, where in addition to working for the artist she volunteers for the town’s Pageant of the Masters, a festival where townspeople recreate various works of art. This is an actual festival that was fascinating to read about. If you’re interested in art, in particular, I think this would be a great book to check out, especially if you need a book to read at the beach like I did!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book drew me in but once I started reading it, I just couldn’t get into it at all.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

Thank you to Net galley for a free e - copy of Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison in exchange for a honest review..Hazel Francis is a Rosie the Riveter working in an airplane manufacturing plant during WW2.All her family is deceased and after the war she is told there is no place for her at the plant when the men return home from war.She travels to Laguna Beach where she becomes a muse/assistant for famous local artist Hanson Radcliffe and befriends local bartender Jimmy.Can she finally find the family she is missing.?Lots of action and drama including the hunt for a missing painting..This book shines a spotlight on a time n our country’s history where women lost their place in society after the end of WW2 and how one woman fights to stay front and center.

Every once in a while, the perfect summer beach read shows up. Enter Hotel Laguna, but that’s really not at all surprising, given that it’s written by the fabulous Nicola Harrison. I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, but I always make an exception for Nicola. Her ability to craft relatable and believable characters doing interesting things keeps me completely enthralled, and I’m always a little sad when they’re over. Thanks for the opportunity to review!

It’s 1942 and Hazel Francis is one of the American women ready and willing to pitch in while the men are away fighting World War II. When she gets to California, she is hired by Douglas Aircraft, praised early on for her attention to detail and quick speed. Then the war ends and the men return, a bittersweet time for women like Hazel who have to provide for themselves with little to no opportunities to do so.

But after getting a taste of financial independence, Hazel is now certain of what she always suspected, a traditional woman she is not. Rooted in this knowledge, Hazel decides to stay in California, settling in the town of Laguna Beach. There she stumbles upon an opportunity to work with the controversial, yet famous artist, Hanson Radcliff. Pleasing the difficult Radcliff is easier said than done, but in time, the two develop a rhythm, and even a mutual respect. So when Hanson needs Hazel’s help, she has a decision to make. Should she choose to believe the rumors or choose to believe in new beginnings?

This is the second book I’ve read by author @nicolaharrisonauthor, both stories strong, female driven accounts of historical fiction. It’s clear Harrison has a penchant for writing strong females that are ahead of their time. While romanticizing this time period is nothing new, it’s also a part of history that proved to be crucial to the woman’s movement, thus making it the perfect backdrop to depict such progression. Interwoven in Hotel Laguna was also a touch of mystery along with a dash of love. A well rounded blend, Hotel Laguna is one hotel worth checking into this summer.

I loved Nicola Harrison's previous books, especially her debut, Montauk, and was excited to pick up Hotel Laguna. It's a rather satisfying historical fiction book with a fascinating post-WW2 setting and interesting characters. I loved the relationship between Hazel and her grouchy employer, Hanson. I enjoyed the mystery of the missing painting and Hazel's attempts to solve it. I thought that the romance subplot was weak. And the ending was a little rushed. Overall I enjoyed the book but didn't love it as much as Montauk.

Book Summary:

The year is 1942, and Hazel Francis has set out on her own, determined to find a way to help in the war. What she found was an opportunity to become one of the "Rosie the Riveters" crew. Unfortunately, this life wasn't to last, as it all fell apart when the war ended.

Many women, Hazel included, don't want to go back to the way things were before. They don't want to fall back into their gender roles. As such, Hazel jumps at the opportunity to take on a new job that will hopefully let her choose her path in life.

My Review:

If you're looking for an inspirational historical fiction novel that will resonate with your soul, Hotel Laguna is the book for you. At least, that was certainly the case for me. Hazel's journey may be set in the past, but so much of it was easy to connect to.

Her story is an extreme form of what many of us go through – fighting against the world to find our place. Likewise, her story may be a work of fiction, but it portrays the real struggles and battles women of her time fought. So I really appreciated reading this tale, even if it sometimes gave me a heavy heart.

I should mention that Hazel is one of the most endearing protagonists I've read about in some time, and I'd like to think that is saying something. She's strong and stubborn and in the best of ways. It'll make you want to hug, protect, and cheer for her. Sometimes all at the same time.

Highlights:
Historical Romance
Battling Traditional Gender Roles

What an absolutely delightful summer read! This historical novel gives us a strong sense of place as Hazel, a young 20-something from the Midwest, tries to find a place for herself in Bohemian beach town, Laguna Beach after leaving her job building airplanes as men return home at the end of WWII.

This book is set around WWII but if that’s not usually your jam or you’re tired of WWII stories, don’t let that dissuade you. The war serves as a backdrop but it’s really a story self-discovery, unlikely friendship, and young love set amid the art scene in the 1940s. The historical setting gave the book great vibes without being heavy on the war story.

This book was entertaining, light enough for summer, but still held enough weight to give it substance. I loved the main character and was invested in what happened to her. I recommend this book if you’re looking for beachy historical fiction this summer. I’ll definitely be reading into Harrison’s backlist!

What a great book! I really fell for the main character Hazel. All of the characters were very distinct and I could feel the setting all around me. I’ve had the pleasure of attending the Pagent of the Masters which made the book and even more fun read.

Title: Hotel Laguna
Author: Nicola Harrison
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

In 1942, Hazel Francis left Wichita, Kansas for California, determined to do her part for the war effort. At Douglas Aircraft, she became one of many “Rosie the Riveters,” helping construct bombers for the U. S. military. But now the war is over, men have returned to their factory jobs, and women like Hazel have been dismissed, expected to return home to become wives and mothers.

Unwilling to be forced into a traditional woman’s role in the Midwest, Hazel remains on the west coast, and finds herself in the bohemian town of Laguna Beach. Desperate for work, she accepts a job as an assistant to famous artist Hanson Radcliff. Beloved by the locals for his contributions to the art scene and respected by the critics, Radcliff lives under the shadow of a decades old scandal that haunts him.

Working hard to stay on her cantankerous employer’s good side, Hazel becomes a valued member of the community. She never expected to fall in love with the rhythms of life in Laguna, nor did she expect to find a kindred spirit in Jimmy, the hotel bartender whose friendship promises something more. But Hazel still wants to work with airplanes—maybe even learn to fly one someday. Torn between pursuing her dream and the dream life she has been granted, she is unsure if giving herself over to Laguna is what her heart truly wants.

I enjoyed this read! Hazel was a fascinating character to read: she went from a small-town girl who went along with what everyone around her wanted (namely men) to making a live that she wanted and impacting those around her. I enjoyed her relationship with Radcliff and how it shaped her, and I loved seeing who she became.

Nicola Harrison is from England and grew up in California. Hotel Laguna is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

3.5 stars

I'm a history teacher, so you'd think I would be a sucker for historical fiction. However, there's something about it that pulls me out of the story - wondering if it's historically accurate and next thing you know, I'm on Google looking it up. So, for a normal person, this is a perfectly lovely WWII romance. For a weirdo like myself, it was a good read, but I struggled to stay in the story. It's me, not you. I swear.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC in return for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 Stars

Happy Pub Month to Nicola Harrison and The Bookshop by the Bay! Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Nicola Harrison for allowing me to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) for an honest review! This book was published on June 20, 2023.

Hotel Laguna is for fans of historical fiction that are looking for an intriguing but not so intense read. This book was hard for me to put down. I remained curious about what events and adventures were up next for the main character, Hazel Francis.

Hazel Francis, native of Wichita, Kansas, said goodbye to “her guy” as he was leaving for war. Surprisingly, he proposed. She said yes showing loyalty to their lifelong friendship. Hazel moved in with her fiancé’s mother while awaiting his return from the war but finds herself unhappy and unsettled.

In 1942, Hazel sees an ad describing how women can support men at war. In turn, she leaves everything in Kansas behind and travels to California determined to find meaning and make a difference. She lands a job with Douglas Aircraft constructing Bombers for the U.S. Military. She love the work and is quickly labeled a nimble and skilled laborer. A true Rosie the Riveter, indeed!

Hazel’s work contract ends and she is challenged with finding another form of employment. She accepts a job as an assistant to local artist Hanson Radcliff. In many ways, this job is the most adverse and rewarding she’s ever held.

In my opinion, the main theme of the book is love (and loyalty). Hazel’s love for the following is evident throughout: Laguna Beach, her independence, her ability to grow, her newfound confidence, Hanson & the artist community, friends, and history.

I highly recommend bumping this novel to the top of your TBR (which I’m sure is already too long). I promise you won’t regret it!