𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 is a moving and emotional story about love, loss and second chances with a touch of magic that will capture your heart.

I think is her best book yet, I loved every page.

This captivating story released June 11, 2024, so go and get your copy!

SUMMER READING REC

A huge thank you to @kerrylonsdale for sending me an ARC. 💕 And thanks to #partner @brilliancepublishing for the accompanying audiobook 🎧 #gifted

Find Me in California
Kerry Lonsdale

📖 "An achingly romantic novel about chance meetings, buried secrets, and the multiple facets of love and family bonds."

💭 Find Me in California ticks all the boxes, blending historical fiction, family drama, and mystery, with romance and a touch of magic. Lonsdale delivers a deeply emotional novel of love, loss, family, and forgiveness. This heartrending story perfectly balances the heavier themes with lighter ones. 💕 There are many moving parts here — multiple stories within the main story — but I found it easy to follow along.

🎧 I listened along with the audiobook, wonderfully narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb. Her performance pulled me in from the first chapter! I highly recommend Find Me in California in whatever format works best for you. ☺️

📌 Out now!
📌 Available as an ebook and audiobook on Kindle Unlimited!
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Find Me In California is the perfect summer read/listen. The story follows Julia and Matt who both have grandmothers that raised them living in the same assisted living facility in California. Unbeknownst to them, their grandmothers have kept a lot of life altering secrets from them that gradually unfold throughout the story. The ending gave me great joy!

When separate lives all interweave to bring the past and present together, you get a delightful story by author Kerry Lonsdale. I listened to this book on audio form. The narrator did a wonderful job. The characters history, the setting, I could definitely see this book becoming a television series.

This is only the second book that I have read by Kerry Lonsdale and I am so happy she reached out to me to receive an arc if her latest release.

Find Me in California is a magical book about friendship, mistakes, and words left unsaid. It's about forgiveness, kindness, loving others and most importantly loving ourselves.

This is an emotionally moving story told in multi POV and multiple timelines. It's a special book that I hope I never forget.

I love Kerry Lonsdale and her books, so I was extremely excited going into Find Me in California. The gorgeous cover caught my attention immediately and I still can't look at the title without thinking of the song Gone to California by P!nk. The secrets revealed through the various viewpoints in the book were shocking, and I couldn't believe how wild this story actually was. I normally love magical realism which this book has a dash of, but it wasn't an element I loved here due to it feeling weird and awkward to me. Other than that, I couldn't get enough of this complex plot, and I was especially engrossed in Magnolia Blu's dairy POV.

Amanda Leigh Cobb narrates the audiobook and I thought she did a lovely job, especially when it came to differentiating her voice between Julia and Magnolia Blu in the dairy. I would have liked to see a male narrator for Matt's POV for a bit more diversity, but I absolutely enjoyed the audio overall and would recommend it. There is a little bit of everything in Find Me in California when it comes to themes and genres, and it would make an excellent beach read! Heartbreaking secrets and tragedy got me in my emotions, and Lonsdale created a touching romance and family story with a trace of humor to take the edge off.

Thank you Brilliance Publishing, Lake Union Publishing, and Kerry Lonsdale for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.

Julia and Matt begin their relationship over the phone. Both of their grandmothers live in the same retirement community. They begin chatting because Julia who volunteers at the community, shipped his grandmother’s items to his home as she’s being evicted. They begin to chat as Matt makes his way to California where they’re located.

This is where it got a little weird for me. Matt encounters a woman while tripping. He stays in communication with Julia as he seems to stay with this woman he just met.

I really enjoyed seeing Julia and Matt discover their grandmother’s relationship and the truth about their shared past. The narration by Amanda Leigh Cobb was really enjoyable. I would have liked a little more depth of Julia and Matt’s relationship. It felt very surface level to me and was hard to believe their connection.

Overall I enjoyed this one and will always be excited for books from Kerry Lonsdale!

Thank you, author @kerrylonsdale, for this gifted copy.

Thank you @brillancepublishing for the gifted audiobook.


𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔.

Matt and Julia have never met; in fact, they are 1,000 miles apart. But they are both losing their grandmothers. Life is about to set them on a collision course, crashing their worlds together in a unique, heartwarming, and slightly mystical way.

I enjoyed this mix of family drama, romance, and magical realism (or was it the drugs?)😜. The characters are complex and are dealing with a lot, from alcohol and drug use to caring for loved ones with dementia.

The added journal entries from Julia’s grandmother gave the story another dimension and illuminated many questions and secrets. Just don’t get confused because there is another character named Matt in her writings.

I loved having both the audiobook and the physical copy. It was a great listening experience, as the story has a dreamlike and transitory feel.

Thank you, author @kerrylonsdale, for this gifted copy.

Thank you @brillancepublishing for the gifted audiobook.

Find Me in California is the newest novel from one of my favorite authors, Kerry Lonsdale. I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook and found the book to be a fantastic story.

At first the narrator’s (Amanda Leigh Cobb) voice didn’t resonate well with me, so it took me a couple of chapters to really get into the story. After the slow start, however, I couldn’t stop listening.

Kerry is a very talented writer. While this isn’t my favorite book of hers, it’s a great summer read, with just enough mystery to keep you guessing. Not to give any spoilers, but the reason for the lower rating is because of an experience the Matt has about a quarter of the way through. Maybe it’s because I was listening to the book and not actually reading it, but I found myself questioning and not really understanding what was happening. Answers are eventually revealed, but I didn’t enjoy the section nonetheless.

Overall, the book is very entertaining and well written. The story is unique and unpredictable, which is always a plus.

Overall, I’d rate the book a 3.5.

Find Me in California was a divergence for this author, and although this definitely had romantic elements, it was not as "romancy" as previous books. Although I did like this book, I didn't love the characters that were written. The characters were not as likable as past books-- Especially Matt-- and it was hard to read, at times. Although you find the reasons why in the end, (and they're legit), the drug use and self-medication of Matt really was sad. I hate to think about how his life would have imploded if he had not crossed paths with Julia.

Although this wasn't a light read, I really enjoyed the dual time lines, and the uncovering of the plot and twists slowly. The setting of the Memory Care/Nursing Home was a great setting, and I definitely felt like I enjoyed the story. I liked Julia, and her fierce loyalty to her grandmother and her family. Overall, this story was great and I would recommend it, especially to a book club or people who enjoy a bit of romance along with their mystery!

I also really enjoyed the narrator of this book, and it pushed me along to complete the book more quickly. I would highly recommend this book-- but especailly the audio book-- for those who enjoy their books by listening.

Thank you to the author, publisher, narrator and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

FIND ME IN CALIFORNIA was a great story. I liked the dual timelines, the secrets, and the romance. If you enjoy stories of this nature, you will certainly enjoy this one. My favorite part of the story was the past timeline. I liked learning about Julia's and Matt's grandmothers and what happened during their friendship. I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this unique story, you won't be disappointed.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Brillance Audio and Kerry Lonsdale for my gifted copy

This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) on publication day.

This was the first Kerry Lonsdale book for me and it was a very interesting and intriguing novel. The movies runs the gamet of emotions,
Each Character has their own story past and present and they all come together at this nursing home. The authors weaves all these characters together magnificently along with all of their up and downs. There are topics such as dementia, drugs, alchoholism, family, betrayal, love and hate along with friendships and second chances that will take the reader on an emotional read but is well worth it.

Julia and Matt both have elderly grandmothers living at an assisted facility that Julia also happens to work at. Julia adores her grandmother who was the one that raiser her. Matt’s grandmother on the other has really never been part of his life. Matt and Julia end up meeting each other at the facility and they have no idea that their grandmothers also happen to know each other. Julia is a massage therapist at the facility and Matt ended up with some boxes of his grandmothers belongings that he starts to go through. Both Juli and Matt need to find a new place for the two grandmother’s as the facility is under new ownership.. As the story unfolds it is great. The ending has a bit of surprise but it is so worth the read. This book surprised me on how much I enjoyed it. Thant you Netgalley and Brillance Audio for the Audio ARC>

Ignoring it, is storing it.”
Sometimes there's just things you need to unpack- Kerry Lonsdale gives us ALOT to unpack in Find me in California… so much emotion.. sadness, grief, anxiety, loss, guilt… but this novel is also about finding your way out from underneath that all and into love, and forgiveness, hope and rememberence.

Life isn’t worth living if we don’t allow ourselves to love.
~Magnolia Blu
I LOVED this novel and half read half listened to the audio- the narrator was fantastic- I struggle to read on my tablet and was so grateful for this audio version! The narrators voice was so easy to listen to and the story flowed beautifully!

Find Me in California is a well-crafted novel that will captivate readers with its blend of mystery, drama, romance, and magic. The author’s ability to create vivid characters and an immersive world makes this book a delightful read.
Despite a brief moment in one characters story line that just didnt quite hit home, the overall narrative is engaging and memorable.

Highly recommended for fans of multifaceted stories with rich character development, a California backdrop, and just enough romance sprinkled throughout.

This story definitely gives a little "Somewhere in Time" type vibe...which is awesome 😎

The audiobook narration was absolutely perfect

This book was confusing and kind of hard to follow with the different storylines and side character POVs as well as flashbacks and journal entries. The narration was good but it would have been better if there was a male narrator for Matt’s chapters. I got pretty bored.

Julia was raised by her grandmother and always felt love around her but when her grandmother is living out her final days, Julia must face her fear of being alone.

Matt's grandmother is also living out her final days but he does not have a relationship with her. Now that she needs him, he is not sure how he feels about it all but packs up and goes to California to face his past.

By chance Julia and Matt will find their lives intertwined over the week they are helping their grandmothers. During this time they discover an old diary that reveals family secrets, including a long-lost love.

Was it a chance meeting that Julia and Matt were brought together, or was this meant to be? There are some triggers in this book (drugs, alcohol) and I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending, I would give it 4.5 stars but rounded up to 5. I really love a story that brings you back through time through letters or a diary.

Step into the world of this complex story, where every twist and turn reveals new secrets waiting to be uncovered. With each connection made, I found myself immersed in a labyrinth of emotions, occasionally losing track of time yet fully engrossed in the journey.

The heartfelt moments scattered throughout the narrative tug at the heartstrings, reminding me of the fragility and beauty of life. Despite the heartbreaking moments, there's an undeniable allure that keeps pulling me forward, urging me to explore further.

Indeed, within the narration of this story, the brevity of life adds a poignant depth to every experience, leaving a lasting impression that lingers long after the final chapter.

This would be the perfect read for someone who wants a little bit of everything because this has romance, some mystery, family drama, secrets and a dash of magic. Both Julia and Matt are complex characters with complicated pasts and the author did an excellent job at weaving their narratives together. The story itself is quite intricate as besides Julia and Matt both of their grandmothers stories are told over the course of the book. The familial relationships here are so heartbreaking and there are so many subjects explored here from dementia to drug abuse to abandonment issues and many more. It’s also about second chances and forgiveness and it’s highly emotional for both Julia and Matt. I always say the authors books are a perfect summer escape and this was no exception, it’s fresh and unique. The audio version is narrated solely by Amanda Leigh Cobb and she’s delightful. I’ve listened to her before but it’s been awhile and she has a very engaging style.

This is a novel that touches your heart in so many ways and brings on thoughts of how you would or have cared for your own family members. Julia and Matt had different experiences growing up, but their lives are joined together by the events of the past, a chemistry that builds between them, and a little magic. I loved both of these characters and the flaws that made them so relatable. I enjoyed the way the past was revealed with the help of magical realism and the interesting twist in the plot. Amanda Lee Cobb provides the narration for the audiobook and I thought she did an amazing job bringing the story to life.

4* Forgiveness Stars

I look forward to reading the latest release from Kerry Lonsdale as her books promise some mystery, suspense and family drama and Find Me in California had all these elements.

This story centers around four main characters, Ruby Rose and Liza who are the grandmothers to Julia and Matt. The story alternates between the past and the present where we get the back story of Ruby Rose and Liza, how their friendship was formed and their great falling out and the present where Julia and Matt meet because of circumstances involving their grandmothers.

This story was teeming with buried secrets from the past and for Matt and Julia to move forward they must confront these secrets and learn to forgive the cards that were dealt to them and give life a second chance.

I listened to the audio version which was brilliantly narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb. She did a wonderful job voicing each character. I highly recommend the audiobook.

It would have been a 5* Star read for me had it not been for Matts Road trip which I did not particularly enjoy and to me had no relevance to the story, it could have done without it.