Hotel Laguna brings the reality of women’s choices for employment after WWII ended to the forefront. Not wanting to return home, Helen finds herself in Laguna Beach with no job, no housing and no friends. Taking daring chances of safety, Helen applies for a job at the home of a stranger while sleeping on a lounge chair. What awaits her is an unkept, vulgar, old man whose suggestion has her running back to the safety of the hotel. After deciding to take a chance with the elderly artist anyway, many opportunities arrive but all is not sunshine and roses.

I switched between the book and audio while reading this book. I preferred the audio, as Carlotta Brenton did an excellent job in making the words come to life. I could picture this beach town and its residents perfectly even though I have never been there. The characters were full of depth and their layers were peeled back gradually as the story progressed.

I definitely recommend this book. It is easy to read and/or a great listen. I suggest it to all readers that like historical novels, women’s literature, fun and engrossing novels and, well, everyone else too.


I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

I love historical fiction- especially around WWII. I enjoyed listening to this book- it’s always interesting to hear how things might have been after the war- especially for women who had worked during the war and lost their jobs as the men came home from it. The narrator did a great job!

In 1942, Hazel Francis leaves Kansas for California determined to do her part for the war effort. She quickly falls in love with her job at the Airplane Factory helping to construct bombers for the US military. But after the war she is quickly dismissed so that the men returning home can reclaim their jobs. After this taste of freedom, Hazel can’t imagine conforming to the traditional role of wife and mother. She soon finds herself in Laguna Beach where she accepts a job as an assistant to Hanson Radcliffe, a reclusive famous artist. Hazel has to work hard to stay on Hanson’s good side but he eventually comes to rely on her and she becomes his caretaker when he falls ill. Through it all she is also able to rely on her new friend Jimmy, the handsome bartender at the Hotel Laguna. She didn’t expect to find love or a home in Laguna Beach but she just might find both!

I really enjoyed this feel good story! The beautiful beach setting and endearing characters make it a perfect summer read!

Hazel is a smart capable female lead and I was rooting for her the whole time. I also enjoyed the side characters. Hanson and Jimmy were both endearing and I liked the other members of the town.

I would say that this is a coming of age story with a small mystery element and a sweet romance. The story wraps up neatly and it has a satisfying ending similar to a cozy mystery.

Carlotta Brenton does a great job narrating the story. I really enjoyed her portrayal of Hazel.

Hotel Laguna is a great book to relax on the beach or poolside with!

I love when historical fiction novels focus on periods that we don't necessarily get an intimate glimpse into from history class.

"Hotel Laguna" rocked. I loved that we a glimpse into life following WWII with a huge focus on the sexism that women experienced when the men returned home to the United States.

It broke my heart reading that after all the efforts women did during the war they were expected to go back to staying at home and taking care of the family. Hazel, our main character, wanted to explore a different path than the "expected" during the forties. Her time working for the war effort opened her eyes to her true passion. She wanted to make a difference on the world.

We get a past and present point of view of Hazel's life which I absolutely adored. It was so cool experiencing the very contrasting paths her life took. My heart hurt for her begging and consistently being denied work following the war. I was shocked that a large handful of men were so blinded by "societies" view of women that even though they clearly saw masses of females putting all "hands-on deck" doing "male" jobs that the world continued to move forward that when the soldiers came back from war it was immediately expect that they were to go back to their past lives in their homes.

That's a hard no from Hazel. This book shows her journey paving her path to changing the world all starting with a job with a precariously grumpy artist in Laguna Beach.

Hotel Laguna does cover a major historical impact on women following WWII but it has so much more to offer including a flare of mystery and a flame of romance.

One of my favorite things about this book was the deep look into the history of art. Hanson Radcliff's storyline was addicting to read. It was extremely difficult to put this book down because I was constantly wanting to learn more about the recluse and rich artists past that is rumored all around Laguna. It's really refreshing when an author appreciates art that they make it a huge part of their story. Nicola Harrison notes in her author note that she did extensive research on the Festival of the Arts and the art world in Los Angeles.

Historical fiction isn't normally my favorite genre but "Hotel Laguna" was the perfect pick for a summer read. It has a powerful female main character, follows an extremely pivotal point in history for women, explores the spectacular world of artists and drops in a mystery to keep your turning pages deep into the night.

I highly recommend the audio of this story. Being a person who doesn't normally gravitate to books surrounding history, listening to Carlotta Brentan narrate "Hotel Laguna" is the S Tier way to experience this story. Her voice just works for this story. Put this on audiobook wish list now.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader edition of this book and MacMillan Audio for the #alc of this story! Get your copy on June 20th!

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I’m new to the historical fiction genre so I only have about 10 books under my belt to compare this to.
I loved Hazel so much, she was a wonderful character that I rooted for the entire time.
I enjoyed all of the side characters and stories and thought they all tied together nicely in the end.

I do hate to say this but I was not a fan of the narrator. I think had I read this one with my eyes I would have enjoyed the story more.
I was given an advanced copy of the audiobook to review so I will need to take the narration into consideration with my rating.
I might revisit this someday with my eyes because I truly did love Hazel.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I found this to be an incredible story with solid characters and storyline.

Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison is a story of historical fiction at the end of the 1940s and after WWII, and it was full of excitement, friendship, mystery, romance and fun little anecdotal parts of Laguna Beach history that were really fun to read.

We meet Hazel Francis who was such a great character in this book. She left Kansas to find her way in California to work for Douglas Aircraft. But after losing her riveter job once the war ended, she didn't want to go back to Kansas. She ends up in Laguna Beach, where she meets a local respected artist named Hanson Radcliff. It's not the employment she has aspired to do, but it's money. She also meets a local bartender named Jimmy, who introduces her to the world of Laguna Beach and explains who 'The Greeter' is.. and yes, 'The Greeter' was a real person originally from Denmark, who made Laguna Beach his home and was a self-assigned man that stood on the streets of Laguna Beach and welcomed everyone to their sleepy little beach town. There is a statue of him along Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. I loved that this was in the story.

As Hazel's relationship with Hanson evolves and the trust between them becomes apparent, you can see their friendship blossoming and Hazel's determination to help him once she learns his secret and becomes instrumental in clearing his name.

Hotel Laguna is full of rich history of Laguna Beach and events of the time. The characters grew on me and especially Hazel. She would learn and grow into a beautiful woman in an immensely magical place. A place that she would call home.

Anyone who loves historical fiction will really enjoy this book. All of Nicola Harrison's historical fiction books are very intriguing. She weaves the story and the history together so beautifully.

I was fortunate to receive the audiobook in advance. The narrator, Carlotta Brentan, did a fantastic job with the voices and kept the story flowing. She was fantastic.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an advanced audio version in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this peak into live in So Cal right after WWII. It’s the perfect background for this tale of renewal and hope. That’s what this story is all about - Hope. The author gives a great feel for the era while bringing in the unique culture of the area. Mix in a fantastic storyline filled with adventure and romance and it is a brilliant book escape. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early read. Add it to you TBR list asap!

The audio version of this book was well done. The narrator pulls you into the story and makes it feel as if you are part of the story!

I live in Southern California and have actually been a hotel in Laguna that reminded her of this book. Harrison captured Southern California perfectly. This story is about Hazel Francis, is a young woman from Wichita, Kansas who heads to California during WWII to work on airplanes at the Douglas Aircraft. But once the men return from the war Hazel along with all the other women lose their jobs building planes and are excepted to go back home and marry. Hazel ends up in a cute little town called Laguna were she strikes up a friends with a man named Harrison. This story was amazing and ended perfectly.

This book needs to be on your summer reading TBR!

Eager to find her place in the world and make a difference, Hazel Francis leaves her Midwestern home for sunny California to become one of the many Rosie, the riveter‘s . She finds success and purpose constructing aircraft for the war effort, but seem finals that piece of broad wreaks havoc in her own life, and she needs to find something new.

Not willing to go back home, she finds herself in touristy Laguna Beach and takes up the position as an assistant for a local artist. He will find that the role of assistant is much more varied, and she becomes her artist’s model, friend, and caretaker.

Full of found family, finding your purpose, with a dash of romance and mystery all within beautiful Laguna Beach, Hotel Laguna is perfect summer time reading!

I listened to the audiobook and found myself completely immersed in the story. Carlotta Brentan beautifully narrated the entire cast of characters. Her pacing and accent work creates a very enjoyable, listening experience. This is definitely one of those audiobooks did you start and you don’t want to put down until the end.

Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison and narrated by Carlotta Brentan is available June 20th, 2023.

Thanks to McMillan audio for the advanced listening copy.

Started out strong. I was interested and intrigued. I liked that the time period was almost like its own character in the story. I really liked Hazel and her strong personality, but actually found there were things that happened throughout the book that made me dislike her. I found that she almost became weak and boring and indecisive. Good narration. I enjoyed her tone. I like that at 2x speed and 3x I could still understand clearly. Wasn't a fan of her male voice interpretation. Overall good read and would recommend.

Absolutely enjoyed this book! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. The book was written very well. I imagined myself being in Laguna Beach during 1942. You get a glimpse of how women worked during the war, but how they also wanted more for themselves. I loved the eccentric cast of characters as well. This book grabbed my attention and kept it. This book is one of the best books I’ve read this year.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. I was really looking forward to reading this novel. I love the cover. But it was just okay. Kind of a slow book and not much happens.

I really enjoyed this book. I switched between e-book and audiobook and both were fabulous. I loved learning about the challenges women faced after WWII - their strength, resilience and desire to make a change. The many different personalities and relationships in the book were incredible. I really felt that I got to know many different characters, their strengths and weaknesses. The romance and mystery parts of the book only added to my joy of this book. A really well done historical fiction book - with some romance and even a little mystery thrown in.
Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader (and audio!) copies.

I don't usually read historical fiction about WW2 - usually, the mention of WW2 turns me off. But Hotel Laguna is the exception.

1. I grew up in Orange County, California. I love finding books that take place where I grew up and currently live.

2. I loved the main character trying to find her place in the world after building planes for the war and how the women were treated when the men returned from the war.

Hotel Laguna was a quick read and something I would recommend to Historical Fiction fans to read on vacation.

Hotel Laguna
A Novel
by Nicola Harrison
Narrated by Carlotta Brentan
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.
Pub date June 20


“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.”

Hotel Laguna is a charming coming-of-age novel that explores the life of Hazel, a young girl who finds herself a bit lost in a time when women were beginning to explore news roles outside the home. This book follows Hazel as she explores the challenges that come with female personal growth during a time when society dictated women’s roles.

References to WWII seem to fizzle after the first part of the book causing me to forget the essence of the historical setting. BUT as the story focuses mostly on character development, the references to the female expectations did pull me back into the Rosie Riveter time. Many societal role inequities mentioned still resonate today.

Throughout her personal quest for identity and purpose, the reader is drawn into Hazel’s internal debates and subsequent bold choices. I found myself cheering for her triumph.

It is a recommended read for anyone seeking a story that explores the struggles and triumphs of a girl finding her way during this period of history.

I liked this dual timeline book set in post WWII! I thought the storyline and details were true to the time period and it was an interesting premise. The relationships in the book were meaningful and sweet!

Shirt synopsis: During the war Hazel worked on planes, now the war is over she’s trying to find her way. She end up working as an assistant to the famous artist Hanson Radcliff in the beautiful city of Laguna Beach.

My thoughts: This is my first by this author, and I really enjoyed the characters, setting, and overall storyline.

This was very character driven, and while I enjoyed the storyline overall I expected a bit more action. That being said, it was interesting to get a glimpse into the life women faced while the men were at war, and how as soon as the war was over they were expected to resume their regular roles as homemakers. I bet Hazel wasn’t alone I’m enjoying the manual labor and wishing to keep doing “men’s work,” and it was such a fun addition to the historical novel.

I especially enjoyed the art in the story, and the Pageant of the Masters at the end of the book!

Read if you love:
- Historical stories set during WWII
- The war effort
- Fine art and artists
- Character driven stories
- Beautiful settings
- Small towns

An easy, fun beach read that I thoroughly recommend. Set in 40's California in an art scene, we find the main character Hazel struggling to find herself in post-war America. Often fantastical and outside the scope of reality, Hazel constantly lands on her feet with a stroke of pure luck and finds herself surrounded by well-off members of Los Angeles' art realm. As a character, she is impulsive, naive, and foolish, but also endearing, with a big heart. Overall, it was a good read and perfect for the beach!

This novel piqued my interest for a number of reasons. First, from a feminist historical standpoint, I love the exploration of post-WWII Rosie the Riveters and their lives and careers after the men came home. The cover is also gorgeous with it’s late ‘40s pinup beach vibe. Women on the West Coast had the rare experience of somewhat exploring sexuality in dress and bathing suit attire that was not at all mainstream. With this in mind I absolutely adored about two-thirds of the novel. Sadly, from here the protagonist’s lack of sophistication became increasingly prevalent as she fell into the ubiquitous love affair trap better suited for a romance novel.

Hazel Francis has a mind of her own and with the forthright belief in herself she ditches Kansas and the trap of marriage to make her own way west to work at Douglas Aircraft. Hazel works hard as a Riveter helping to construct bombers for the U.S. military and this begins to shape her in grit and determination. There are various moments of naivety in Hazel’s story that seem obtuse today, but her inexperience and unwillingness to accept the status quo were mostly refreshing. Upon the end of the war the women working across America found themselves without jobs. Many took what society offered and became housewives in the growing suburban sprawl. Hazel could not envision her life this way and upon finding all aircraft opportunities had dried up, she landed in Laguna Beach, California.

This small beach town will change the course of Hazel’s life forever. Through a few misunderstandings and early set backs she becomes an assistant/model for the famous artist Hanson Radcliff. She also forms various friendships with artists in town and becomes a large part of putting on a town wide living art project. Her relationship status is a bit all over the place as she meets and forms an early friendship with Jimmy, the bartender at the Laguna Beach Hotel. Jimmy is unfortunately already tied down and this leads Hazel into what I believe is her highly unlikeable period.

The novel ends on a high note with old disputes and rumors having been settled for the better. Hazel redeems herself as a heroine and life in Laguna Beach is better for it. My review is of the audio production which is narrated fabulously by Carlotta Brentan.