In this novel, we meet the Donnelly family - Carol, Mindy & Ginger. Carol has eschewed the norms of a 1960s housewife and she surfs competitively. Mindy and Ginger grow up on the beach with their mom. Their lives are turbulent and their mom is barely able to care for them. Flash forward, Ginger finds herself pregnant, in an abusive relationship with a drug dealer, living in a commune of sorts.

This was an interesting look at California surf culture in the 1960s. We are able to see many sides of this including heavy drug use and unstable cult living conditions, not just fun and surfing. This is not a pretty beach book, it goes much deeper into the relationship between the sisters and their mother. An interesting look at how trauma is passed on through generations.

Another good historical fiction from Melanie Benjamin. I didn’t find it to be nearly as good as “The Children’s Blizzard” (5 star read), but I did enjoy it. It starts off pretty slow and at times I felt like there were historical “events” thrown in unnecessarily, but overall, it was a good story and I learned a little about surfing. And if you enjoy books about dysfunctional people and/or families, this one is for you. It is full of them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for gifting me with an advanced copy to read and provide an honest review. (Finished just in time for publication day today)

Peace, Love, and Rock n' Roll
3.5 stars
I am a big fan of Melanie Benjamin and have read all of her books, so I was very excited to read her newest one. Unfortunately, this did not end up being ranked as one of my favorites.

If you're a historical fiction lover, but you need a break from WWII, then this might be a book to try. This is not one of those cookie cutter stories that you have read before. This is a new perspective on a mother/daughter drama set in the California surfing community in the 1960s. It is about betrayal, loss, need and neglect, but also about love and devotion.

In 1957, surfing became all the rage and Mindy and Ginger's mother, Carol, loved nothing or no one as much as she loved surfing. From the time they were small, all the two sisters did was try to do the things that would please their mother and get her to notice them. So, they take up surfing. At a very young age they are on their own. Mindy becomes enveloped in the L.A. party scene with surfers and movie people. Ginger takes a different path with surfing, drugs and a cult-like commune.

I've never lived in California, but I have been to the beach. The author does a superb job of setting the reader onto the beaches of California and Hawaii. You can almost feel the heat of the sun and the grit of the sand on your skin, as well as see the blue of the ocean and the colors of the sunsets. I was transported into the time and place of this story.

The only negative for me was the layout of the story. Book One is about the two sisters, from the time they are little until the time they are adults. Carol, the mother, plays a small part and then disappears from the narrative, leaving many questions unanswered. Book Two drops back in time and is about Carol and her obsession with the ocean from the time she was a teenager who never wanted to get married or have children. I think that the storyline would have been better served if it had been presented in a more linear timeline, but that's just my personal choice.

My sincere thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the DRC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love 60’s culture and that’s what drew me to this book. This story follows a family of three women living the life of surfing in California and Hawaii. The mother-daughters-sister relationships were complicated at best. It was more character driven than plot driven, so the story read a bit slow. The dynamics of this family were messy and it was not sugarcoated. I loved the 60’s culture scenes and the surfing scenes. Although the part about Vietnam was interesting, I didn’t find it necessary and it seemed a bit contrived and disconnected from the rest of the book. It seemed all too convenient (and near impossible) that Mindy would happen to “bump” into Jimmy in Vietnam and reconnect. This book touches on themes of family, regrets, relationships, and domestic abuse. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but not the most engrossing.

CALIFONRIA GOLDEN by Melanie Benjamin is a gripping and emotional coming-of-age story set in sunny Southern California in the 1950s and 1960s. It is about two sisters, Mindy and Ginger Donnelly, and their mother, Carol, and their lives navigating the early days of California booming surf culture, where male surfers dominated the sport and disregarded the talents of early female surfers. Carol Donnelly became a legendary female surfer in Hawaii and California, but her two daughters suffered from her absence, both physical and emotional. As they grow up, the only way they can get any attention from Carol is to surf. Mindy is a natural at it, but Ginger never feels comfortable in the ocean. The sisters have always been inseparable, but Mindy soon gets swept up in the celebrity beach scene, with movie appearances and wild Hollywood parties while Ginger finds community in the seedy underbelly of the surf culture, lured by a toxic relationship, drug use and cult living. The first parts of the book alternate between the points of view of the sisters. The last part also has Carol’s point of view. This emotional story touched on topics such motherhood and sisterhood, but also hard issues such as racism, drug abuse, poverty and cults. The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was there. I enjoyed this well-written and unique story set during relatively recent history and look forward to whatever Melanie Benjamin writes next. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

I have been a huge fan of Melanie Benjamin ever since The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb and what I love about her historical fiction novels is that she captures the life and time period of people who have been sidelined in history. It is always refreshing to read one of her novels and California Holden was not an exception.

Based on the California surf culture in the 1960s, Benjamin’s newest novel focuses on the lives of a mother and her two daughters, all determined to live the life that they have envisioned for themselves. For Carol, it’s the ocean and a life of surfing, far from the drudgery of being a wife and mother. For Ginger, it is following around Tom Riley, Surf God and having a sense of purpose devoting herself entirely to his needs. For Mindy, it’s a life of fame with clean clothes and financial security.

California Golden seamlessly blends the stories of these three women as they navigate a time when women were trying desperately to break out of the traditional lives they were born into and follow their passions. It is a story about motherhood, sisterhood, and about individuality.

As someone who had zero previous knowledge about surfing or the surf bum lifestyle, I was fascinated to learn about that part of American culture that is generally overlooked in historical novels. Benjamin’s writing always places the reader right into the midst of her story and it’s hard not to read the book without smelling the salty sea in the air and the sounds of The Beach Boys carried in the wind.

Highly recommended for fans of Melanie Benjamin and anyone who loves stories set in the Vietnam war era.

Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Melanie Benjamin for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sisters Mindy and Ginger have grown up on the beach where their mother, Carol, spent her time surfing. Carol wasn’t cut out for motherhood and just wanted to continue competing in surfing contests, not spend her time as a mother and a housewife. But she ended up married with 2 young daughters at barely past 20 years and tried to make the best of it. That meant Ginger and Mindy were on their own, with Mindy watching after Ginger. Mindy fell into her mother’s footsteps and continued surfing which led her to a life of movies and fame. Ginger, who was not as athletic, found comfort in the dangerous world of drugs and cults. The novel takes us through the tumultuous lives of these sisters as they stumble along, looking for love and belonging.

This novel incorporates themes such as motherhood, familial bonds, belonging, identity, discrimination, all set amidst the 1960’s and 1970’s. There was a lot going on in this book and it aggravated me how all 3 women made such poor choices. Although I enjoyed The Children’s Blizzard so much more, this was an interesting glimpse into the challenges of the status quo of the time.

Thank you to @netgalley and @delacortepress for an early digital review copy of this novel

Carol Donnelly is a surfing star but not such a great mother. Her two young daughters, Mindy and Ginger, are practically raising themselves after dad walked out. Mindy's plan to keep mom's attention is to love surfing too.

Set in the 1960s, Melanie Benjamin's latest book of historical fiction takes a look at the California culture during those days--surfing, yes, but also racism, misogyny, drugs, war, cults, feminism. She even touches on relationship abuse when Ginger attaches herself to the wrong guy in a desperate quest to feel loved. At the heart of the story is a pretty messed up, dysfunctional family with the mother asking the question, Why can't a woman be allowed to follow her dreams?

Did I like these characters? Not really. But with Benjamin's skillful writing, I came to understand why they did the things they did. She also does an excellent job of depicting the culture of the tumultuous 60s. Gnarly, dude!

I received an arc of this novel from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Sisters. Sometimes unbelievably close, sometimes just angry and resentful. The story begins on the beaches of Southern California in the 1960s. The days may be endlessly sunny but the lives of the Donnelly sisters, Mindy and Ginger, aren’t always that way. Their mother, Carol, is a competitive surfer and breaks into a male-dominated world. Successfully. Her unconventional lifestyle doesn’t fit the ‘60s suburban housewife mold, however. She’s caught up in her sport and not really there for her daughters, physically or emotionally. So the girls are often left to fend for themselves, which they do together, as a unit. Until they don’t. Their interests diverge and their relationship suffers. Their lives take radically different paths. But they are sisters, and that’s a strong connection that’s hard to break.

Often frustrating and infuriating, at times sweet and satisfying, but always entertaining, California Golden is a compelling story of other times, other lifestyles, conflicting definitions of what constitutes success and will bring happiness. But at the core is that tie to your sister that may get you through the difficult times, may save you. Thanks to Ballantine Bantam Dell | Random House Group for providing an advance copy of California Golden via NetGalley. A compelling, emotional read. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

Moving Coming Of Age For Two Sisters During Surfing's Golden Years. Another dive into the 1960s, with stops in the 1950s and 1980s as well, this is one of those books that takes that period and adds a flavor not always seen as readily. Yes, even when we eventually go to Vietnam with a couple of characters here, the book manages to show-without-showing the horrors there while focusing on its own spin on the story and era - in this case, how to move on from insta-fame and transition back to "normal" life while still in love with the surf. There is a lot going on in this book, as there was in the era, and the book manages to treat all of it in the same faded golden tones of the current (release day) cover. Note that if you have personal problems with reading about any of the common problems of the era - racism, cults, abuse, the Vietnam war, neglect, unhealthy doses of narcissism, etc... eh, maybe this book isn't for you. But for the clean/ sweet romance crowd (and yes, this book meets every qualification I'm aware of for that genre), know that there isn't much if any sex shown "on screen", and even the worst of the domestic violence is actually off-screen. Overall a fairly realistic while still clearly fictional take on the era, and one fans of surfing's Golden Age on the untamed shores of Southern California in the early 1960s and Hawaii in the mid 1950s will absolutely love. Very much recommended.

Thank you Net Galley for providing this book and allowing me to read it in advance. I was unable to personally get into this book but that is the power of reading. There’s books for everyone. I know someone else will adore it!

As much as I have loved all of Melanie Benjamin’s previous books, this one was a bit different. I think that’s because it is fairly modern for a historical novel. It covers the surfing era of the 60s/70s. The book is loosely based on a true story — A phenomenal female surfer and her two daughters. It was a good story and the mother/daughter relationship was intriguing. The beginning was a bit slow but overall I enjoyed the book. I spent my teen years in California and lived on the northern coast. Surprisingly it was not a surfer community so I learned a lot reading this book. I think most readers will enjoy California Golden, and will be a bit surprised at the misogyny of the era. Looking forward to the author’s next book!

DNF 16%
Just not for me. I will not post on Goodreads since I didn’t finish. The surfing scene just did not appeal to me.

I am a big fan of Melanie Benjamin, and this book did not disappoint!

What I loved:
1. They historical fiction about surfing and the women that were pioneers....Had no idea!!
2. The California vibe from the 60-70s - so well done - I felt like I was there!
3. The relationships were so well done - sister to sister, moms to children, friends, lovers - all with history and some with angst!
What I wished was different:
1. I wanted to hear more in-depth stories from Carol and from Ginger! There was more to be told about these characters and I felt they were a little short changed.
2. It was choppy in the way the story was told - could have been divided differently to make it smoother.
3. Somewhat predictable but I was totally ok with it!!

Many thanks to the author, Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced copy of the book.

This will be released on August 8th, 2023.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of Melanie Benjamin's newest historical novel. I LOVED " Swans of Fifth Avenue" and " The Aviators Wife' and was very excited to read this one. The story focuses on two sister, Mindy and Ginger, who grow up in the 60s with a mother who cares more about surfing than picking them up on time from school. Mindy decides to earn their mothers love, the sisters need to take up surfing and hopefully that will help them bond with her. Mindy excels instantly at surfing becoming semi famous, while Ginger becomes enamored with the self imposed " Surf God" who excels at nothing more than emotionally and physically. abusing her. We start to see that these sisters, while being attached at the hip growing up, are taking very different life paths and are left to wonder if they will ever fully attain the other thing they want more than anything.. their mothers love.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read this book! California Golden is set in 1960s California in the surfing community. Our FMCs Mindy and Ginger are the daughters of surfing legend, Carol. The sisters have tried to gain a relationship with their mother through surfing, however Ginger has a more difficult time taking up on the sport than her sister Mindy. This was an emotional read centered around family drama and heartbreak. At times, the plot was a bit slow which took me out of the story but I found myself rooting for the sisters throughout several points and for different reasons.

Mindy and Ginger are the daughters of surfing phenom Carol. The book will have you emersed in the big waves and the golden beaches of Southern California. One night, Mindy and Ginger make different decisions and their lives veer in vastly different directions.

The book leads us through three parts. The first is set from the period of their preteens through their early twenties. We then get the past and present point of views through the years, and from Mindy to Ginger and back again. The second part covers their mother Carol, and her struggle to be a mother and also to chase her own dreams and happiness. And finally, the third part, which moves to the 1970s.

In this one, readers learn about the sport of surfing while becoming immersed in a compelling family drama. I recommend reading "California Golden."

I had the honor of reading this ARC thanks to Netgalley! Thank you to the Author, Melanie Benjamin and the Publishers, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, Delacorte press.

California Golden takes on the surfing culture of 1960s California. Mindy and Ginger are the daughters of surfing phenom, Carol. In order to have any connection with their mother, they have both taken up surfing. Mindy is a natural and Ginger is not. One night, they make different decisions and their lives veer in vastly different directions.
The book is divided into three parts. The first covers the period from the girls' preteens through their early twenties. It flits back and forth through the years, and from Mindy to Ginger and back again. The second part covers their mother Carol, “the anti-Betty Crocker”. And finally, the third section, which moves to the 1970s. Not only does this book involve the sport of surfing, sunshine and swimsuits, it also tells a story of dedication, ambition and competition.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this e-arc.*

"California Golden" is the story of two sisters. Mindy and Ginger Donnelly, as they navigate the early days of California surf culture. The story begins in Southern California in the 1960s. The Donnelly sisters have grown up with an absent mother, Carol, a legendary female surfer who is rarely at home. After their father leaves, Mindy and Ginger concoct a plan to cut school so they can spend their days surfing with their mother. Mindy is a natural surfer, but her younger sister Ginger doesn't take to the surf as easily. As the sisters grow up, they go their separate ways. Mindy, "The Girl with the Curl," rises to stardom as a champion surfer, and Ginger, desperate to belong and be loved, goes down a dangerous path of drugs and cults.

Despite its sunny setting, this book is anything but a happy story. It is a gripping. emotional novel filled with family drama and heartbreak. Mindy and Ginger were captivating, complex characters, who you will find yourself frustrated with but also want to root for. I enjoyed that this book was told from multiple perspectives and had a non-linear timeline, but at times the story was confusing and a bit too slow-paced. If you enjoy stories about surfing, California, and 1960s/1970s historical fiction, then you will like this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

California Golden submerges readers into everything California in the late 50s and 60s when the surfing craze was all the rage.
Benjamin depicts all that is good and bad with the surf scene.
I had great disdain for Carol. I thought her character was utterly selfish and my opinion didn’t change.
I felt bad for Mindy and Ginger. Mindy found strength but Ginger was just a vacuous shell.
I felt bad for Bob and Jimmy, with Jimmy being the stronger man.
It’s a good read.