In 1942, Hazel Francis left Wichita, Kansas, determined to contribute to the war effort. She became one of the iconic “Rosie the Riveters,” helping construct bombers for the U.S. military at Douglas Aircraft. But when the war ends, men return to their factory jobs, and women like Hazel are expected to become wives and mothers. Unwilling to conform to traditional roles, 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 the famous artist Hanson Radcliff. Despite his cantankerous demeanor, Hazel becomes a valued member of the community. Unexpectedly, she falls in love with the rhythms of life in Laguna and forms a deep connection with Jimmy, the hotel bartender. But Hazel still dreams of working with airplanes and maybe even learning to fly one someday. Torn between her aspirations and the life she’s been granted, she grapples with what her heart truly desires.

“Hotel Laguna” is an easygoing historical fiction novel with romance, secrets, and mystery. It brings the dramatic 1940s to life, portraying strong women navigating love, duty, and loss in a man’s world. Nicola Harrison’s storytelling paints a vivid picture of Laguna Beach, California, making the pages come alive with amazing characters. Hazel, our independent and determined heroine, will capture your heart as she navigates her path.

If you’re intrigued by historical fiction set against the backdrop of post-war California, this book is definitely worth a read! 🌊🌟

I found this historical fiction novel very enjoyable. I loved the characters and the setting. I also enjoyed the romance aspect of it too. I thought it added to the plot well without it turning into a purely romance novel.

The only reason why this wasn't a 4 star read was because it was rather slow in places for me and dragged on at times.

I enjoyed the narrator, she was great! I think she saved it at times when it was dragging.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this one! It felt a fresh historical fiction because the setting was so different than we normally get. I enjoyed it on audio a lot!

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction story that takes place during the 1940s, along the California coast town of Laguna Beach.

The audiobook narration was such a great choice and truly added to the story for me.

*many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted copy

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Nicola Harrison for an audio ARC of this book. Hazel Francis is eager to leave her home in Wichita, Kansas and broaden her horizons. She is one of the many young women hired during World War II by Douglas Aircraft in Southern California to help build planes for the military. Hazel enjoys her part in helping with the war effort and is very disappointed when her job ends when the war is over. Not wanting to return to Kansas, she finds a job down the coast in the bohemian artist colony of Laguna Beach. She is hired to work for a famous artist with a scandal in his past. This is well written and very much captures the setting and feel of Laguna Beach during the post WW II years. The narrator has a pleasant voice and the narration flows very smoothly.
Beautiful cover which is very evocative of Laguna during the time period. Readers who are familiar with Laguna Beach will enjoy this book as well as those interested in SoCal history.

Hazel thrived I being a Riveter girl making airplanes during WWII after leaving her Midwest home, the pressures of a pre-deployment engagement she didnt want, and the loneliness of being an orphan. The only problem is that she's not so comfortable and having issues thriving in a lost war world that wants her to go back to being a quiet housewife.
Hazel finds Laguna Beach, an artist community and one of its main patrons, Hanson Radcliff. The story unfolds through solving the mystery that is Hanson Radcliff, the coming of age of Hazel, and the unlikely family she finds in this cobbled together community.

#arc
#netgalley
#hotellaguna

I loved every second of "Hotel Laguna." It is a contemporary fiction about Hazel Francis, a former riveter who found herself out of a job and out of a home once WWII came to an end. She landed in Laguna Beach and starts a new life as an assistant to a world famous artist. But her old life is still following her around. This is a perfect beach read, rainy day read, or any other time where you can sit and immerse yourself in the story.

During WWII, Hazel became one of the many “Rosie the Riveters.” But now, with the war over, Hazel wants nothing to do with being a traditional housewife and longs for the sense of purpose her job provides. So she heads west and lands in the bohemian town of Laguna Beach. Here, she accepts an unconventional job as a model from a famous artist, Hanson Radcliffe.

Hotel Laguna is perfect for readers who like to dabble in historical fiction. While the story takes place in the 1940s, none of the historical details weigh down the story. The strength of this novel lies in Hazel’s character; she’s independent, strong-willed, and ahead of her time. I love the relationship she develops with her mentor, Hanson Radcliffe. Hazel discovers that a famous portrait painted by her mentor has been missing for decades, which adds some mystery to the story.

Strong female MC + mystery + vivid setting of Laguna Beach make this a perfect end-of-the-summer read! Highly recommend the audiobook version; I binged the audiobook over a couple of days.

My late grandmother, who was originally from the Midwest, was a "Rosie the Riveter" in California during WWII, where she worked at an aircraft manufacturer (and had a young toddler to boot!) So I was excited to listen to this audiobook about a woman named Hazel who leaves Wichita to go help with the war effort out West.

After not too long, Hazel finds herself unemployed because the soldiers returned to work. So she had to earn money and make ends meet, which required her to be extra creative with her choices of how to spend her time, whom she chose to work for, and even where she slept!

Of course, there was a romance involved... and there was a lot about art 🎨 as Hazel became an assistant to a rogue artisan in her community.

Overall, I was expecting more historical fiction about Hazel-turned-Rosie, and less about a laid-back beach community/artist colony.

That said, it was a simple beach read/listen.

Carlotta Brentan did a fine job narrating this book produced by Macmillan Audio, which I listened to on the NetGalley app.

Hazel made it through the war on the home front making planes. The work left her fulfilled but the war left scars on everyone. Not jobless she meets a reclusive artist in Laguba who might just help her see a future she never could have imagined. Wonderful story, engaging characters, delightful local flavor and a superb narrator make this a must read!

𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨!

Where do I start? I loved everything about this story, beautiful setting, fantastic characters, rich in history, a strong female heorine, vivid descriptions. A perfect summer read.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours and St. Martin's Press for this tour invite and gifted copy.

𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗮 by @Nicola Harrison released June 20, 2023.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

I have seen so many good reviews for this one, but honestly it was a little slow for my taste. It was good but I don’t understand the hype.

𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐚
𝐁𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐒𝐭.𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟔.𝟐𝟎.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours @StMartinspress and @nicolaharrisonauthor for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for a complimentary audiobook.

Travel to sunny Laguna Beach, California in the late 1940s!

Hazel Francis, a former “Rosie the Riveter” during the war, has no ties to a home or man. So she lands in the artist town of Laguna Beach when she answers an ad to be an assistant to famous artist Hanson Radcliff.

As Hazel models for Hanson, she also begins to befriend the old artist. But she’s very curious about the scandal that surrounds this man that gives so much to the community. Hazel also befriends Jimmy, the bartender at the Hotel Laguna near Hanson's apartment. And just when she thinks it's time to move on from Laguna Beach - her heart tells her to stay.

This story made me long to live in a beachside community! Nicola Harrison succeeded in displaying how difficult it was for women who worked through the war to find jobs afterward and get respect. The thread of the art world added depth and even a bit of mystery; I’d say it was one of my favorite parts.

𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐚 would make a perfect beach read or at least it will transport you there.

4.5/5⭐️This is the most bingeable historical fiction novel I have ever read. Set primarily after World War Two, the story focuses on a young artist struggling to build a life for herself after losing her job to returning soldiers. I loved the relationship that develops between Hazel and her mentor Hanson, and the fatherly role he eventually takes on. And the romance was chef’s kiss.

A really fun read, perfect for summer and fans of historical fiction who don’t like reading about war. Also excellent on audio.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies.

A tenacious young woman seeks her place in a rapidly changing world in the aftermath of World War II. Having left her Kansas town to serve her country during World War II, Hazel now struggles to find meaningful work in post-war California. After landing a job with enigmatic artist Hanson Radcliff, she gets sucked into Laguna Beach's creative community.

Although Hazel's wartime experiences are discussed in the book, it is primarily about her post-war journey, including grappling with her employer's eccentricities and uncovering a scandal from his past. As she strives to help Hanson confront his demons, Hazel's life becomes entwined with a cast of various local characters and an annual art festival, known as the Pageant of the Masters. Readers may find Hazel's tenacity and determination inspiring and relatable as she makes her way through her new life.

With themes of friendship, love, creativity, and community, "Hollywood Laguna" is a heartwarming read. By blending historical details with fiction, the author transports readers back to a transformative period in American history. Laguna Beach's vivid setting immerses readers in the beauty of the coastal town and its artistic community.

While heartwarming at times, I didn't love this story. The characters weren't well fleshed out, and the storyline itself felt choppy and predictable. Though there's a lot of mystery and intrigue in the plot, some readers may find the pacing a little slow. Several of the characters' relationships didn't seem real to me. Additionally, I was irritated by the sexism depicted in this book. Although I recognize it was a reflection of the times, Hazel's inner dialogue often had me rolling my eyes. My interest in the characters or the story waned as the book ended.

Overall, "Hotel Laguna" is an enjoyable historical fiction novel with an element of mystery, offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of women navigating a world in transition after the war. While some aspects of the story may not resonate with all readers, it provides an engaging glimpse into post-war life and the pursuit of one's dreams amidst uncertainty.

The majority of this character-driven story happens after World War II has finished and the MC finds herself in Laguna Beach California trying to make her way in a world that no longer needs “women to do the men’s jobs.”

This one actually started a bit slow for me and I had a tough time connecting to the main character until she found herself in Laguna beach. There were alternating timelines at the beginning that really didn’t add to the story but once it switch to just one timeline and we got to know more characters, I enjoyed the story immensely.

I think my favorite part was the end where the small town of Laguna puts on the Pageant of the Masters, an event staging live representations of famous paintings.
If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, like I am, you will definitely be thinking of the Festival of Living Pictures!

Thank you MacMillan Audio for the alc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A fun and interesting read. I loved reading about a woman who wanted a life out of the home in this time period! The narration was really good!

I don’t tend to go for historical fiction a lot anymore but once in a while there’s one that catches my eye and that’s happened with Hotel Laguna! And I am so glad I have it a chance, because I really loved it! This takes place after the war is over and Hazel out FMC is struggling to find her place in the world. During the war she worked in an airplane factory but when the war was over the women where told they where no longer needed to go back and be a mother and wife but Hazel had no one to go back to, she was engaged but he sadly passed during the war and she is not willing to go back to her hometown. She loved her job and working and just feels lost on what she is going to do, that’s when she answers an add in the newspaper to be an assistant for an old artist. And as she goes on her journey of this new life she really finds her self and comes into her own and I loved this story, I loved the old Hollywood vibes of this, I loved the little bit of mystery of the plot and just really enjoyed this one! The narrator was really good and I really embraced my self in this story!

I thoroughly enjoyed Hotel Laguna. I really liked the protagonist, Hazel. She was a strong-willed woman in a time when women were not expected to do much with their lives. Great character development and the storyline was high interest.

Loved this historical fiction. I could feel the ocean air and see the art! I’ve been to see the Paegant of the Masters and this book captures it and the wonders of Laguna so well. Another great book by Ms Harrison. Perfect summer read.