The Beautiful Strangers
The Beautiful Strangers by Camille Di Maio
Print and e-book, 320 pages
Expected publication: March 5th 2019 by Lake Union Publishing
A legendary hotel on the Pacific becomes a haven where dreams, love, and a beguiling mystery come alive.
1958. Kate Morgan, tethered to her family’s failing San Francisco restaurant, is looking for an escape. She gets her chance by honoring a cryptic plea from her grandfather: find the beautiful stranger. The search takes her to Hotel del Coronado, the beachfront landmark on the Southern California coast where filming is underway on the movie Some Like It Hot.
For a movie lover like Kate, it’s a fantasy come true. So is the offer of a position at the glamorous hotel. And a new romance is making her heart beat just as fast. But as sure as she is that the Coronado is her future, Kate discovers it’s also where the ghosts of the past have come to stay. Sixty years ago a guest died tragically, and she still haunts the hotel’s halls.
As the lives of two women—generations apart—intertwine, Kate’s courageous journey could change more than she ever imagined. And with the Coronado wending its way through her soul, she must follow her dreams…wherever they may lead.
My thoughts about The Beautiful Strangers ~~
(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)
First line—"November 28, 1892 Tom disappeared several stations before we arrived in San Diego, which is just as well, since I have papers in my bag that will begin the process of me leaving him for good."
'Find the beautiful stranger.' These are the words that Kate keeps hearing from her grandfather. His memory is fading so she has no more information than that to go one, along with the push that she is getting from him to go to Southern California and live her dream.
This is a beautifully written story of two women who lived decades apart, as Kate digs to discover the story behind the beautiful stranger. As she finds out more about this woman, she feels a deep connection to her. As secrets are revealed, she learns about her grandfather's life and first love, while also finding out what it means for her to live her life and discover her first love.
I found myself totally wrapped up in this wonderful story and can't stop thinking about it. The time periods and the settings that the author set the story-lines in seem to be magical. Who doesn't like stories revolving around Hollywood and it's stars? This is a story of love, loss, heartbreak, and discovery. Such a beautiful, beautiful story.
About the author
Camille studied political science in college, but found working on actual campaigns much more fun. She overdoses on goodies at farmers markets (justifying them by her support for local bakeries), and belts out Broadway tunes whenever the moment strikes. There's almost nothing she wouldn't try, so long as it does't involve heights, roller skates, or anything illegal.
The Memory of Us is Camille's debut novel, her second book Before the Rain Falls released in 2017, and her third, The Way of Beauty, came out in 2018. Her next book, The Beautiful Strangers will be available spring 2019.
She appreciates you stopping by, and welcomes you to reach out and share a love of books! ~ Goodreads
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