The Beautiful Strangers

The Beautiful Strangers is as delightful as a warm chocolate chip cookie

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SUMMARY
The luxury beachfront Hotel Del Coronado becomes the mecca for two women sixty years apart. In 1928, a woman died tragically on the hotel steps leading to the beach and she still haunts the hotel today. Not many know her story. In 1958, Kate Morgan works in her family’s failing San Francisco restaurant and she’s looking for a way out. Kate’s grandfather, suffering from dementia, begs his granddaughter to go to San Diego and find “the beautiful stranger.” Kate, risking her family’s wrath makes the perilous and expensive journey. The search takes her to the hotel were filming is underway for the movie Some Like it Hot. For Kate, a movie lover, this is a dream come true. She is offered a position at the hotel and even finds romance along the way. Remembering her grandfather’s plea, Kate searches for the beautiful stranger and finds much more than she ever imagined.

REVIEW
A beautiful historical fiction story with a beautiful setting at the glamorous Hotel Del Coronado. The story was as delightful as a warm chocolate chip cookie. THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS is a just perfect blend of characters, setting and story. Everything fits.

I particularly loved the overlay of the stories of the two women at the hotel and the unique way author Camille Di Maio told the story. The portion of the story told by the beautiful stranger added great depth and value to the book. Di Maio’s writing was smooth and her descriptions were vivid. One of my favorite parts was when Kate first met Sean at the Coronado ferry. I think fell in love with Sean when he grabbed Kate’s hand on the ferry and took her to feed the seagulls. Just what she needed, what a guy!

Camille Di Maio lives in San Antonio, Texas and her other books include The Memory of Us (2016), Before the Rain Falls (2017) and The Way of Beauty (2018) Thanks to Netgalley, Camille Di Maio and Lake Union Publishing for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


Publisher Lake Union Publishing
Published March 5, 2019
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

“The Beautiful Strangers”, by Camille Di Maio, was a fantastic read. I enjoyed all of the different components of the novel and how well they were able to be entwined into the finished product. Part historical fiction, part mystery, and part romance, but not too much of either,- gave the book a perfect balance. I was so enthralled by the mystery, that I was able to read this for hours on end. I enjoyed the main characters, Kate and Sean, and the author was able to create someone that I could root for and could invest in emotionally.
Also, Ms Di Maio’s ability to describe the location surroundings, truly made me feel as if I was right there with them, and because it was such a great book, I also wanted to be there with them.
This is a great book and should be added at the top of everyone’s to be read list.

The Beautiful Strangers was indeed BEAUTIFUL!! I really enjoyed this book. Captivating and heartfelt historical fiction, set mostly in Hotel del Coronado, California in the 1950's. A brave granddaughter follows the mysterious story of her ailing beloved grandfather, finding love, independence, and closure along the way. Uniquely peppered with a gentle ghost, as well as famous actors of the 50', particularly Marilyn Monroe. Just amazing, I highly recommend! I received an early edition copy for my review. All opinions are my own.

The Beautiful Strangers by Camille De Maio is a story of family and love for each other as well as resolving the past.
The prologue starts with a look at the past beginning on November 28, 1892. Kate Morgan’s husband has abandoned her on a train. She continues on he the Hotel del Coronado and vows to never leave. She convinces the front desk that she can wire for the funds to be sent so they check her in. Chapter one begins in San Francisco in 1958. Another Kate Morgan works in the family fish restaurant but yearns for more. Her grandfather, who has dementia, seems to share her dreams convinces Kate to take her grandmother’s ring and sell it to get the funds to travel to the Hotel del Coronado where they are hiring extra kitchen staff while a movie is being filmed onsite. He tells her to find the beautiful stranger. She doesn’t understand exactly what he wants but she does as he says. She and her grandfather have shared a love of movies and she has always wanted to work in the background of one. Upon her arrival she meets Sean who befriends her and is hired at the hotel. She also learns the hotel is said to be haunted by the ghost of Kate Morgan who died there in 1892. Will she find out who the beautiful stranger is that her grandfather talks about or will her search only lead to more questions? She must return to San Francisco when filming is finished but will she leave her heart at Hotel del Coronado?
I loved this story! The chapters are divided between the present time and the 1892 with the story being told in third person for the present and by the ghost for the past. When the ghost is speaking the words are in italics. I think this helps with reader focus on who is speaking. There is a lot going on in this story and Kate is assisted in various ways by unexpected allies. Some create more questions but by the end they are all wrapped up very nicely. I give this book 5 of 5 stars and will definitely read more by this author.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS by Camille Di Maio is yet another 2019 novel where the author has outdone themselves and it’s only JANUARY! I have read all of Camille’s novels and have enjoyed seeing her storytelling style mature as she has in her writing career. This is her fourth novel and the best so far. Though the dual narrators both have the same name, you never get lost in who is talking and when. The threading of the two women is done at the perfect pace for this story. The forbidden romances are beautifully captured with all the butterflies. I have not read much historical fiction centered around the 1950s and the entertainment industry so it also intrigued me enough to look up some of the key players like Marilyn Monroe and learn more about their lives. All in all, a fast paced read that tells a good story.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

What’s not to love about this book?! Romance...mystery...Marilyn Monroe and a ghost! Such a fun/light entertaining read! We can’t wait to share this with our subscribers.

Enjoyed the book, but it took me a little while to get into it. I really liked reading about Kate and finding out the truth about her family. On the downside, I wasn't a big fan of all the Marilyn Monroe scenes. Those were my least favorite parts of the book. I loved finding out that Kate Morgan was a real woman, who is thought to haunt the Hotel del Coronado. The description of the hotel and the surrounding area sounded so beautiful.

Kate works at her uncle's fish restaurant in San Francisco with the rest of her family. Her grandfather, who suffers from dementia, urges Kate to head down to San Diego to find the Beautiful Stranger. Kate pawns a family heirloom to have enough money for her journey. She ends up working at the Hotel del Coronado where a movie is being filmed. Kate gets to meet several movie stars, finds a love interest, learns about her family and of course finds the Beautiful Stranger.

I enjoyed the characters, story and writing style. My favorite parts were about Kate's family. I couldn't believe she made 50 cents an hour working at her uncle's restaurant. Loved the atmosphere of the hotel and the interactions Kate had with the actors while they were filming, especially when she bumps into Jack Lemmon.

Definitely recommend the book. There was a bit of mystery with Kate finding out the identity of the Beautiful Stranger and discovering the truth about her family. The book also had quite a bit about Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, since they were filming Some Like It Hot, at the hotel Kate was working at. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author, Camille Di Maio, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

I loved Camille’s first book. The second, I couldn’t get into and didn’t finish. I was so hopeful I would be hooked again like the first one, but I am debating whether or not to finish again. I’m half way through and find the pacing slow, the plot a bit unbelievable, and the ghost aspect boring... I never write poor reviews and will not be posting to Goodreads, but I wanted to be honest with my feedback. The cover is great, and the writing itself vivid. The plot just isn’t grabbing me. I

Kate Morgan, at the request of her grandfather, travels to the Hotel del Coronado to find the beautiful stranger. The year is 1958 and the movie Some Like It Hot is being filmed at the hotel. Kate gets a job there and finds she shares the same name as the ghost haunting the hotel. As the story unfolds told in the voices of both Kate Morgans, you find out their connection. With characters Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and the hotel itself, the story comes alive. This is an amazing dual story line that has mystery, family drama and secrets, sadness and joy. I thoroughly enjoyed this story as the characters were so real and the I could see myself in the hotel and on the beach. I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing. All opinions are my own.

The Beautiful Strangers is a solid read. Kate dreams of something more than just living in San Francisco. At the urging of her grandfather, who is slowing losing touch with reality, she pawns her grandmother's ring and travels to San Diego. She works at a famous hotel, serves on a movie set and also solves the mystery of her family history. She also finds a new love and life for herself. I liked the cover of the book, the beach setting, and glamour of old Hollywood. The parts about the ghost I just couldn't reconcile with, although I appreciate the author's after note that the character was based on actual events.

A captivating story that truly captures the era. I think its Camille DeMaio's best book yet and I have loved each one.
This story intertwines different eras, history and the traditions of a different time. A strong, wonderful heroine in Kate who makes her way, takes risks, and the story will take you to some fabulous and interesting places! 5 stars. I loved it.

This book was not, but it also did not hold my interest. I felt like she was too descriptive in everything. It had me skipping too much that I finally had to put down.

Kate Morgan lives and works with her family in San Francisco. Money is tight and getting worse as Granddad George’s dementia worsens and the bills are beginning to pile up. She and her family work in her uncle’s restaurant and her future seems to be predetermined. Kate is a dreamer and loves her family dearly, but she wants more. She is tired of doing the same thing day in and day out. She has Hollywood dreams and stars in her eyes. When an opportunity arises to live out her dream, work at the Hotel Del Coronado, and be amongst movie stars, she simply cannot resist.

I found Kate’s drive and spirit infectious. She is determined to see her dream through no matter what obstacles get in her way and face her fears head on.

I love the use of the iconic Hotel Del Coronado as a backdrop to this story! I have always wanted to visit this hotel, but have never had the opportunity. After reading this book and the beautifully vivid description of it and the surrounding area I plan on making a point to visit it someday.

I loved the budding romance and the mystery that is woven throughout this book. I did feel that it was a bit too “Hollywood” at times, but appreciated learning about what goes into making a movie on location and the amount of work that goes on behind the scene to help make everything run smoothly.

Torn between the love of her family in San Francisco and the life she has always dreamed of in Southern California – Kate has some tough decisions to make and only six weeks to do so!

This book has it all! Romance, mystery, a beautiful setting, Hollywood glitz and glamour and more.

This is a very good historical romance story. Kate Morgan is the heroine of the story but there are several other female characters that play an important role in the book. Even a brief description of the story would not do it justice. It’s a little complex but it works- it really works. The book has a little intrigue, suspense, and a lot of love - different kinds of love. Kate loves her family but has a special love for her grandfather who’s suffering from dementia. Kate also meets a man who she grows to love. I will recommend this book to family and friends. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

There is so much that I loved about this story. The hotel ghost, location, beach, time period and a love story that comes full circle. It was beautifully written. I highly recommend this book.

The Beautiful Strangers is aimed towards historical fiction fans.. There is a large group of characters, told by 2 people 60 years apart. The book weaves together pieces of a puzzle involving the 2 people from 60 years apart. A ghost and a young woman honoring her grandfather's wish to find the beautiful stranger, before he is totally lost in his dementia. It has a good blend of romance, history, and mystery. I highly recommend it!

*Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this story.

The Beautiful Strangers is a book yours truly highly anticipated- Camille Di Maio has very quickly made it to my top 10 fave authors list ( ever since Memory of Us!)
The blurb for TBS immediately pulled me in and left me in that “I need it now” trance that you know will deliver something amazing.

Deliver, it did. It’s an absolutely lovely story of family, a mother’s love that extends to eternity, and the ties that bind humankind together. Hollywood glitz and star power served as the icing on the cake, and left me wanting to know more about The Hotel Del and Kate Morgan... I had no idea that this was in fact, based loosely on a very true moment in history. How awesome!!

This is most definitely a book to add to your TBR list of 2019!

The Hotel del Coronado is a unique hotel, a jewel set on San Diego's beachfront and its legend of the ghost in room 302 couldn't be a better backdrop for Camille Di Maio's latest book "The Beautiful Strangers". The dual timeline was perfect as we keep up with the current Kate Morgan in the 1950's and the ghost of Kate Morgan at the end of the 19th Century beginning of the 20th. Told from two perspectives, the current Kate working at the hotel while they are filming "Some Like It Hot" is full of delicious stories that make Hollywood headlines while Kate is on a quest to find out about the "beautiful stranger" at the insistence of her aging grandfather. Then there is the ghost of Kate Morgan who gives us her perspective of what actually happened to her and what took place.

Ms. Di Maio has given us another book to enjoy, one that was a pleasure to read. Of course, adding the cast of "Some Like It Hot" with its gossipy edge, whether real or imagined was fun in itself. Don't miss this one.

My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Camille De Maio is a master at weaving an unknown historical event in to a story that readers fall in love with the characters. This is a story told from two different periods in time from two different women's perspectives.

The author did a superb job of slowing building this story so that I was anxious to find out how the two women's stories were related and how their lives played out.

Once again, De Mayo did not disappoint.

It's an okay read. Kind of typical dreamy romantic feel to it. I prefer stories that are truly unique.