Great book. With so many WWII books on the market at this time, it was refreshing to read a post-war novel. I loved that it showed the female contribution to the war effort. The art angle was a powerful storyline for me. I really enjoyed this novel.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book.

I enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator was fantastic. I loved learning about the history -- women working in the airplane factory and the artist community. I like Francis, the main character, and Hanson. Nicola Harrison made me want to visit Laguana-during that time period and stay at the Hotel Laguna and get to know the characters personally-like Francis did. This isn't a good fit for a High school library, but I do highly recommend it for historical fiction lovers.

I am sure this is a good story. I loved the premise of it but I couldn’t really get into it. I did try. But it wasn’t my style. Thanks for letting me listen though.

I want to start off by saying I received complimentary audiobook. In return for my honest thoughts and my review.
I do want to apologize for my late review for this audiobook. This is the first audiobook that I have listened to from this author. I can not believe I haven’t read or listen to anything from this author before. I will definitely will be reading more books from this author.
I really enjoyed this book. Being a Kansas native that drew me in when asking to listen to this book. Also anything with WW2 I love reading. Really wanted to take my time listening to this audiobook. I love the world and the characters the author created. The narrator does amazing job.
Hazel is a powerful young woman just trying to find herself after the war moving to California leaving her home Wichita Kansas.
I love how Hazel feels about her new boss Hansen Radcliff a famous painter who has a dark past. Hazel wanting to uncover her new boss past.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to netgalley and the author for this opportunity to listen to such amazing story.
My review will be posted on goodreads, Amazon, bookbub

I enjoyed listening to Hotel Laguna and hearing all the local sites from Laguna Beach. The ending made me smile - love a happy ending and was excited it all worked out for Hazel.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for the early listen!
What a great historical fiction story. Character development was spot on.
Highly recommend!
Narrator did a fab job with telling the story!

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!

HOTEL LAGUNA by Nicola Harrison is an awesome historical fiction novel that delves into the lives of women after World War II and immerses readers in the vibrant world of Laguna Beach. Set in 1940s California, the story revolves around Hazel Francis, a former "Rosie the Riveter" who defies societal expectations and finds herself in the bohemian town of Laguna Beach. Working as an assistant to the enigmatic artist Hanson Radcliff, Hazel becomes entwined in the local art scene while navigating her own desires and dreams. Harrison expertly weaves together multiple storylines, including a mysterious scandal from Radcliff's past, to create an engaging and immersive narrative. The author's deep appreciation for art shines through, as she seamlessly integrates the history of art and the Festival of the Arts into the story. The book's exploration of the challenges faced by women during this pivotal era is both upsetting and enlightening. One of the book's strengths lies in the well-developed characters, particularly Hazel, who serves as a strong and relatable protagonist. Her struggle between following her passion for aviation and embracing the life she has found in Laguna is portrayed with authenticity and depth. The chemistry and budding romance between Hazel and Jimmy, the hotel bartender, add another layer of charm and warmth to the narrative. HOTEL LAGUNA is a perfect summer read that combines historical significance, art appreciation, and a touch of mystery.

Nicola Harrison has done it again with an excellent new read, Hotel Laguna. The character development in this book is so good. Set in 1946 California, Hazel Francis lands in the town of Laguna Beach. Out of work after the war is over and the men serving need their jobs back, Hazel decides to venture out on her own. Unsure of her future she begins working as an assistant to renowned artist Hanson Radcliff. Hanson is not without his own quirky issues but Hazel perseveres with his moods and drinking. Together they form an unbreakable bond.

I love the way Nicola Harrison weaves an eccentric cast of characters into a delicately layered plot. Definitely one to pack in your beach bag!

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advance listener copy.

Hotel Laguna, written by Nicola Harrison and narrated by Carlotta Brentan, is a wonderfully immersive audiobook that transported me back in time to Laguna Beach in the 1940s. Hazel Francis worked for Douglas Aviation during WWII but like so many "Rosie the Riveter" jobs, was told she was unnecessary once the men returned home. She fled Kansas for the West Coast and worked hard to make a new life for herself. Highly recommend!

What a beautiful story!
It’s WWII and Hazel Francis is working for a major aircraft company building fighter planes. Because, of course, the men are away fighting for their country. Once the war is over, Hazel finds herself unemployed and without direction. She heads West and finds herself in a the small town of Laguna Beach. She is desperate for work and finds herself trying to get a job from an eccentric old time artist named Hanson Radcliffe. She travels through several seasons by his side, as his trusted assistant…once they get over some initial rough patches. She begins to make a name for herself in this town too…surprising even herself.
Along the way she meets many people…Jimmy being the first. He is kind to her as no one else has been…and she immediately finds a soft spot in her heart for him…BUT, he is attached. He has a girlfriend back home. They remain friends, but it’s not the same.
She begins to get involved in town happenings and forms many bonds. She is loved!
And then the unthinkable happens…Hanson gets sick. AND…they have a fight. It looks like life as she knows it is over…
The way the author pieces this together, builds the characters, and gets you involved/invested…is just incredible!
I laughed. I cried. I cursed. And then I was at peace with the way she ended it. What a beautiful story!! If you haven’t read this one, please look for it!
Thanks to Net Galley for an ARC of the Audiobook!
4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Fascinating piece of historical fiction. Loved learning about Laguna beach and the beginning of the Pageant of the Masters.
The story follows Hazel as she leaves her home in Kansas and tries to forge her own path of independence in California at a time when women were expected to marry young and defer to their husbands.
I loved this unique bright and beautiful story and would recommend to anyone looking for a 'summer' read that includes a meaty historical story along with some romance.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

🍓 Hotel Laguna 🍓
By: Nicola Harrison

Historical fiction. It isn't my favorite genre or my second. I definitely have to be in the mood, but this novel drew me in from the start. I loved it all!

Hazel, a small town girl from Kansas, becomes orphaned during WWII. She has dreams bigger than just becoming a wife and mother, so she rides a train to California where she works on airplanes.

Flash forward to 1946. The war has ended. The boys are back, and Hazel no longer has a job. It is by luck that she hears about an artist in Laguna needing an assistant.

I loved Hazel and how bold and brave she was, even when she didn't feel like it. I couldn't imagine living in that time as a woman alone in the world. Yes, she made some crazy moves that made me cringe, but it worked for her. Her bravery paid off.

Thank you @stmartinspress & @netgalley for an ARC & the audio. The narrator was perfect!

I used the same review for the print and audio edition of the book. Both were very well done.

This novel has an unusual approach to its take on WWII because we only see it from the home front with women working and what happens to those women after the war ends and they no longer have the job that made them fulfilled. Catching up with our main character at the Hotel Laguna, it only unravels slowly that this young woman was orphaned and came west with no real plan except to get a job at the Douglas Aircraft Factory.

Without a home to return to, Hazel wants to create a life in California instead of returning to Witchita. She quickly finds a job with an aging but well-known painter who has a secret from his past he doesn't want to talk about. Along the way Hazel makes friends with Jimmy, one of the hotel bartenders, a starlet, another artist and other people from the community.

The community folks are involved with an annual festival, put on hiatus during the war, which depicts great works of art in a type of tableau.

This definitely kept me reading. I wanted to learn how Hazel would deal with her changing future and the story really paid off!

Hazel has worked for Douglas Aircraft since she has left Kansas. Now that the war is over, she has lost her job. She takes a leap of faith and ends up in a town of Laguna Beach. She is going to be the assistant to a famous artist there, Hanson Radcliff. But, work for Hanson is a bit precarious. He is cantankerous and unpredictable and has a shadow of a scandal following him around.

Hazel is such a fabulous character and so is Hanson! I adored both. But, Hazel is my favorite. She is tough but naïve. And that is what makes her capture your heart. She really struggles to make a go with her new world and she is not afraid to learn or try new things.

I adored how this story unfolded. And don’t let Hanson fool you, he has great talent but he also has a big heart beneath that gruff exterior.

I have been a fan of this author every since I read The Show Girl. And this book rates right up there with it. This author knows how to weave a tale!

The narrator, Carlotta Brentan, is fantastic. She has the perfect tone for these characters, especially Hanson.

Need an all consuming tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

4.5 glimmering stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Two things that I really enjoy in a good historical fiction novel are a strong female protagonist and a will to succeed. Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison provided both of those elements for me. During World War II, women were sought out to do their part for the war effort. A vast majority of women were recruited to do the factory jobs that were vacated by the men that were called up to fight or enlisted. These women became skilled and responsible workers but as soon as the war was over and the men returned they were easily dismissed. Even if their skills were equal to or better than the men they had replaced, their contributions were no longer needed. End of story. Women were expected to marry and have children. When the men returned they were given their jobs back no matter what. The women who had been doing these jobs were expected to go home to their husbands and have lots of children. These women would once again be expected to live their lives according to what society dictated. What if you were a woman who would rather work than live the kind of life everyone expected you to live? What would you do? That was the dilemma that Hazel Francis found herself in.

Hazel grew up in the Midwest, in Wichita, Kansas. After her mother died, Hazel found herself in a very compromising situation. She gave a boy who she had grown up with her whole life the wrong message. Hazel suddenly found herself engaged to a man who she did not love. He had been called up to serve his country. Hazel felt herself being forced into a situation that she couldn’t uphold. She had to escape. Having left a note of explanation, Hazel made her way from Kansas to California. Hazel was hired to work at Douglas Aircraft. She became quite skilled at assembling rivets that were used to build bombers for the U.S. military. As good as Hazel was at her job, she was out of a job as soon as the war was over and the men returned. No amount of pleading would change her circumstances.

Hazel overheard some people mention a town called Laguna Beach. She decided to try her luck there. Laguna Beach was an artsy town where a lot of artists lived. Hazel knew that she did not have unlimited funds so she needed to find a job quickly. She overheard some women discussing an artist who was looking for an assistant. They mentioned that he was looking for a woman who was thin and had a lot of energy. Hazel was willing to give it a try. Even though Hazel was not completely comfortable with everything her role as Mr. Radcliff’s assistant would entail she was willing to take a chance. Hazel would soon learn that Hanson Radcliff was not an easy man to work with. He could be quite the recluse and was often very moody. Hazel never knew what would set off one his moods and he would often dismiss her and possibly not to talk to her for several days. She did know that he was harboring a secret. Hazel had heard rumors about Hanson Radcliff being a suspect in an actress’s death. Hanson Radcliff had been the actress’s personal artist. Mr. Radcliff was offering Hazel a generous salary, though, and she needed the job. Hazel decided to take the job. Thus, began Hazel’s evolving relationship with artist, Hanson Radcliff. Mr. Radcliff generously put Hazel up at Hotel Laguna that first night. Hazel found her way to Hotel Laguna’s bar where she met Jimmy, the bartender. In no time at all Hazel found herself immersed in the close knit community of Laguna Beach. Her relationship with both Hanson Radcliff and with Jimmy would evolve into something that Hazel could not have predicted. The influence these two men had on Hazel’s life would allow her to go on and do things she probably wouldn’t have thought of doing or had had the courage to do before meeting them. They both impacted her life as she did theirs. Her relationship with both of these men was quite special.

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison. It was well narrated by Carlotta Brentan. Women during this time in our history had a difficult time if they chose to go against the norms. I admired the courage of some women who chose to stand up for themselves and fight for what they believed were their rights. Hazel Francis was one of those women. Her character transformed over the course of this book. She gathered courage, determination and a stronger sense of self confidence as she was able to overcome some of her fears. Some of the underlying themes that were prevalent in Hotel Laguna were letting go of regrets, long buried secrets, a scandal that was yet to be resolved, friendships, love, generosity, trust, loyalty and the realization of one’s own dreams. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Quick and Dirty⁣
-WWII-era historical fiction ⁣
-loaded with SoCal references ⁣
-great audio narration⁣
-a touch of romance⁣
⁣
thoughts⁣
I love historical fiction, particularly WWII novels. So it's no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed the latest from Nicola Harrison, an author whose backlist titles have been on my TBR for far too long. Not only is she a gifted author, but she's also super sweet! She mailed me copies of her first two novels last year, and I promise I will read them both soon! Now, back to her latest. Hotel Laguna is the perfect summer read for any histfic lover. There's a little of everything: female empowerment, beach vibes, mystery, budding romance, and much more. I loved how Harrison featured SoCal so prominently in this book. Locals and those familiar with Orange County will appreciate all the shoutouts to locations, attractions, and the general way of life. Hazel is the perfect protagonist in my opinion. She's learned a lot over the past few years, and now she's struggling to find her place in this world. If that's not relatable then I don't know what is! Overall, this great new title is highly entertaining and perfect for vacation reading.

I cannot wait to see HOTEL LAGUNA sprinkled all over the sandy beach shores over the new few weeks once it releases on June 20th, because you guys, this book just screams *summer* 🏝 🌊 ☀️ 😍

HOTEL LAGUNA is set a majority in the time period directly following World War II after Hazel Francis has left her small hometown in Kansas to work in "the men's world" as a Rosie The Riveter while the men are at war, but finds herself dismissed and out of work in 1946 and finds a position as an "assistant" to an aging famous artist in Languna Beach, CA with a curious past! Nicola Harrison's work falls in a rather unique category of historical beach reads; they're a touch light, there's an element of romance, there's a hint of mystery, there's a coming of age storyline, but the time period is historical, and full of lush details and complicated characters facing inner dilemmas.

HOTEL LAGUNA belongs in everyone's beach bag this summer; it will transport and sweep you away! I loved it!

Hazel left Kansas during WWII for California, to do her part in the war by becoming a riveter. After the war is over, she finds a job working for an artist with a past.

This is a fun historical fiction read. There are plenty of interesting characters and events and Hazel is a force to be reckoned with.

I really enjoy reading historical fiction books. And I especially like those involving WWII. While this book fits, it’s a different focus. The main character, Hazel Francis, ends up leaving her home in Kansas to work on airplanes while the men are off to war. But as happened for most of the women, they found themselves pushed aside to return to a life expected of women when the men returned. I loved seeing how Hazel demanded more from life and how she was determined to be more than a housewife. The characters were well developed and the story provided a view into the artistic community at Laguna Beach, CA. I can imagine Hazel looking around and thinking, “We’re not in Kansas any more!” This was an entertaining read and I will definitely search out more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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