This gripping family saga masterfully weaves drama, mystery, and suspense into a story that transports readers straight to the sun-soaked beaches of California.
With a richly atmospheric setting and complex characters, it’s a powerful tale that keeps you turning the pages.
Emotional, layered, and utterly engrossing—this is the perfect summer read.

Incredibly atmospheric and full of interesting, unique, and complicated family dynamics. There are some frustrating and heartbreaking moments that make this a story I felt invested in. The narrator was okay- I did not find that they really enhanced or detracted from the story, but they were not distracting.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and to NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook.

I love historical fiction books, and the cover of this one drew me in. I really enjoyed the narrator, but over all this book just fell flat for me. It took a long time to get to the point of the story, For me this book missed the mark. I really wanted to enjoy it, but found myself just wishing it was over most of the time. This is the first book that I read by this author, but I probably wouldn't read another one.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I was intrigued by the idea of a family living permanently in a van, moving up and down the coast, surfing and living an unconventional life. And, this book does capture that lifestyle exceptionally well. I was also interested in the idea that a single photograph could affect their lives so significantly. But, this is where I felt that the book fell short. The idea of this photograph seemed overblown as the book progressed, and when the truth was revealed it just made me sad. For better or worse, the family dynamic is the central plot; it is fascinating but does not make for an overly happy ending. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook.

The Merrick siblings, this idyllic vision is their reality, as they travel up and down the coast with their parents in a van year-round, surfing and swimming their days away. But when a photographer secretly snaps a stunning photo of the family with their boards in the sand, and the image ripples across the country, the only life they’ve ever known is put at risk.

This is truly a unique family with some crazy rules. I love how they seem separate…but cause them some problems and they circle around each other in protection.

This is told in two different time periods. I wanted a bit more distinction between the two. But, this could have been because of the format. The audiobook might have caused part of this issue for me.

But y’all…the setting of the different California beaches and riding the waves…freedom at its best.

The narrator, Ann Marie Gideon, is pretty good. She was not as emotional in some areas as I felt the story needed.

Need a family drama with a great setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

An emotional, dual timeline, family drama based on real life about 1980s counterculture, surfing and family secrets. I really enjoyed this story about four adult siblings reunited when their father dies who look back nostalgically about their time growing up in California in the 80s unhindered by the strictures of society and free to embrace their surfer lifestyles. Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Malibu rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid or California golden by Melanie Benjamin. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

The Merrick family are nomads. They live out of a van and stay out of public eye as much as possible. They have rules about not being photographed or talking to strangers about their personal lives. One day a photo of the family surfing is published, causing a rift in the family dynamic. Ronan left home at 17 and now has a family of her own. Her brother shows up, letting her know that their father died and they want her home to send him off. Ronan is hesitant, but decides to go back to her family and face her past.
Really good novel and a cool premise.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*

4.5 rounded up. There was a lot to love about this book including the vivid imagery and tight knit family. The bond was deeply evident with supporting details throughout the book. Enjoyable but I truly didn’t get the secrecy and wide chasm in the family.

Advanced listener copy provided by Harlequin Audio but all opinions are my own.

1980s California and the Merrick family is living off the grid - they surf all day, live in a van and get sporadic schooling from theIr mother. Their father has warned them not to allow any photographs of them, they need to stay below the radar so no surf competitions, no formal school etc. Then one day someone shoots a photo of them without their knowledge and the photo goes as viral as anything can in the 1980s - it becomes a poster, shows up on towels and mugs. Decades later the siblings and their mother come back together to honor their deceased father, even Ronan who ran away when she was 17. Only together as a family unit for a few days, a journalist is set on finding out who the photographer was, and during the search, family secrets come out and old wounds are reopened.

I loved the beach vibes as well as the underlying story but I found this one to be a bit slow. I started by listening to this but there were a few too many characters and I couldn't quite map all the relationships so I was glad I had the book to go back to for clarification - and I then ended up reading about 1/3 of it. I liked the narrator but I was definitely confused at times between the time jumps and the multiple characters (I was not at all confused once I picked up the book though). So this was a really like but not love one - although I will try others by the author because I liked her writing and the underlying story.

3.75 Stars

Thank you t Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the ALC to review

Set in 1980s California, this novel follows a family leading an unconventional life, living in an RV while trying to escape the unwanted fame that follows them. Despite their best efforts to remain anonymous, the world refuses to leave them alone. Their journey unfolds gradually, exploring themes of freedom, privacy, and the challenges of living outside societal norms.

The novel’s slow, deliberate pacing allows the story to unfold naturally, though at times it may feel sluggish. The atmospheric writing captures the tension between the family's desire for solitude and the relentless pull of public attention. While this unconventional lifestyle is often romanticized, the book also hints at its struggles—though not always in a way that feels fully grounded.

One of the biggest challenges for me was the disconnect between the novel’s beginning and its ending. While the journey is engaging and thought-provoking, the conclusion feels somewhat detached from the story’s initial setup. Additionally, the portrayal of the family's nomadic existence sometimes leans too heavily into idealization, glossing over its harsher realities in a way that felt unsettling.

A contemplative, atmospheric read that explores the complexities of fame and solitude, but its slow pacing and disjointed ending may not work for all readers. While it offers moments of depth and intrigue, the romanticized portrayal of an unconventional lifestyle left me with mixed feelings. Enjoyable, but not entirely satisfying.

A dual timeline story set in the 1980s and 2002, this is a beautiful and atmospheric family drama about an unconventional family living a nomadic surf lifestyle. I enjoyed the leisurely pacing, the author’s obvious love of nature and that my favorite children’s book, The Island of the Blue Dolphins, played a big part in this gorgeous novel.

Ann Marie Gideon narrated this story beautifully and brought me right back to being a teenager living at the beach.

I plan on devouring all of Amy Mason Doan’s backlist as well as all of her future books.

By the 10th chapter I gave up on this book. The storyline fell flat. There was no excitement or drive to finish it.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC. I was really excited to start this because the premise sounded great. I actually went into it wondering if it would have Malibu Rising vibes. For awhile I was enjoying the story and wondering where it would lead. But at some point I found myself bored of the slow moving plot and wasn’t really looking forward to listening anymore. I wasn’t attached to any of the characters and the family drama felt too forced. Hopefully this will work for others, but this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the alc and arc.
This book was ok. I thought it was kind of hard to keep track of all the characters. Therefore, the audiobook would've been much better if it had multiple narrators. I did enjoy Anne Marie Gideon though. I may try more books by this author in the future.

I found this compelling and sun soaked.

In the 1980s the Merrick siblings and their parents lived a life of nomads, traveling from place to place at their leisure, surfing the days away. The siblings grow up not knowing anything different, basking in their picturesque life, but there are carefully crafted rules and ways they must live by to sustain their lifestyle. When a photograph of the entire family appears in the news, and further on a bigger scale, that life they crafted seems like it could disappear.

In present day, not all of the siblings have remained close, but they all reunite in celebration of their beloved father. Coming to terms with their upbringing, the ways in which they parted, and long buried secrets are all things that they must confront. I enjoyed the dynamic of this family. I found their story and their lifestyle to be so intriguing. There is a little of everything in here. You get adventure, strong family connection, some romance, and an interesting coming of age story against sunbaked ocean backdrop.

The audiobook narration was great and complimented the story well.

Amy Mason Doan’s The California Dreamers is a beautifully written, nostalgic journey through the sun-soaked beaches of 1980s California and the complexities of family, identity, and the price of freedom.

The novel follows Ronan (Ro) Merrick, the only daughter in a family of surfers living off the grid in a van, moving from beach to beach in search of the perfect wave. Their unconventional existence is upended when a photographer’s candid shot of them goes viral, exposing their private world to the public and setting off a chain of events that ultimately fractures the family. Decades later, Ro—now living under a different name—must confront her past when she reunites with her estranged brothers to honor their late father. As secrets unravel and long-buried tensions resurface, the Merricks must decide whether to heal or remain divided.

Doan masterfully captures the allure of California’s coastline, making the ocean feel like a character in itself. The dual timelines—Ro’s coming-of-age in the 80s and her present-day reckoning in 2002—add depth and suspense, revealing family secrets at a tantalizing pace. The relationships, especially Ro’s bonds with her brothers Charlie and Dyl, are richly drawn and deeply moving.

Inspired by a real-life nomadic family, The California Dreamers is a poignant meditation on what it means to belong. It’s perfect for fans of atmospheric, character-driven stories about love, loss, and the unbreakable ties of family.

#TheCaliforniaDreamers #AmyMasonDoan #HistoricalFiction #FamilyDrama #CaliforniaVibes #SurfCulture #ComingOfAge #BookReview #BohemianLife

I enjoyed this book! The family dynamics with the van life and nomadic mom/family made for an interesting storyline, but the California vibes are what I enjoyed the most! The narrator did a great job and this was a very enjoyable audiobook to listen to!

This book is a must for your beach bag this summer!! A family with four children traveling the coast of California spending the days surfing the various beaches. They are a nomadic family living in their van completely off grid. The story is told in past and present timelines. The atmospheric description really set the setting for the book and this family. I just felt like I was living with these kids in the van as they experienced life. This had a little bit of mystery, family dynamics, and secrets.

The audiobook was narrated by Ann Marie Gideon. She did such a great job telling this story and I just found myself living with this family and spending my summer at the beach.

I loved the narration on this book. I listen to audiobooks at a faster speed & even with that, the pauses between chapters are so long, I thought something was wrong, it had cut off or something happened.
The story of the Merrick family was interesting but I feel like so many holes were left out, so many unanswered questions on this nomads daily lifestyle. I found parts of this book exciting but others very boring. It was hard to connect to each character because there was never evough info on them. We don’t even know much info on the main character Roman. What about her husband and kids. That was just glossed over so fast and this is a very long book. I also don’t love books that go back and forth in time. Some do it better than others, this one left lots of confusion.