Quick & Dirty
-family drama
-dual timeline
-coming-of-age & first love
-feels like a Beach Boys song

After reading (and loving) her previous book, Lady Sunshine, Amy Mason Doan became an auto-read author for me. She’s got a knack for coming-of-age stories that feel fresh while also tugging at all the heartstrings. Her latest may not have moved me quite the same way, but it’s definitely worth a read if you’re looking for a glimpse into van life or 1980s California surf culture. And, unlike me, you should realize it’s based on a true story, something I totally overlooked in the synopsis. 🤦🏻‍♀️

One thing is certain about this book: it’s got a strong sense of place (you can practically feel the California sunshine). Ann Marie Gideon’s audiobook narration makes you feel like your sitting with the Merrick kids in the back of the van or fireside on the beach. The relationships at the heart of the story are strong and highly relatable, especially if you have a complicated relationship with your siblings. At times, it leaned a little too YA, but the adult timeline (which has some heavy themes) helped to balance the book.

Amy’s writing is as vibrant and engaging as ever, and this story has that breezy, summery vibe you want from a summer read. Readers looking for a youthful, sun-soaked story will find a lot to love here. Perfect for your beach bag! ☀️📚

I enjoyed this. I think it will be a good companion to Taylor Jenkins Reid's Malibu Rising. Just as captivating and full of imagery of surf culture.

I found this story so compelling. It had “Running on Empty” (movie) vibes so I kept going to find out how the parents came to go off-grid. The truth wasn’t anything dramatic but it didn’t detract from the central story of a family living apart from humanity while trying to be one with nature. You can’t help but feel equal parts intrigued and horrified at times. It was reminiscent of “Educated” (book) where the mental illness was never an explicit part of the story because it was marbled so deeply that you didn’t know how to process it, just like the children themselves didn’t know how to process their lives. I wish we’d learned more about the 17yr interval between events in this story, as well as more about what happened after, but the central storyline kept me engaged from start to finish.

Sorry to say this was definite ‘miss’ for me…

Revolves around a family of ‘wanderers’ in the idyllic 1980’s who grow up in a van…traveling up and down the California coastline.

Sketchy at times as to ‘why’ they never settled down, went to school, etc…and a VERY SSSLLLOOOOOOWW start… but I was hoping that it would pick up and GRAB my attention at some point. Sadly for me, I did not find this so…

The big question carries on for most of the book (maybe up to the 80-85% mark)… and for me, it was not that great of a find in the long run… but I’ll leave that up to you… and end it 5ere.

I believe this is the first I’ve read of this author, so I’m not sure if this is how she usually operates, or if this was a single episode. I guess we’ll see…

2 1/2 ⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 3.

Being as I’m not giving this a glowing review, I’ll limit my posts to Goodreads and NetGalley.

California Dreamers by Amy Mason Doan and narrated by Ann Marie Gideon.

*** This has already been released, so look for it on shelves now!!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

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Unfortunately, I ended up DNF’ing this one at about 20%. The synopsis really intrigued me, and I went in thinking it had a lot of potential—but it just couldn’t hold my attention. That said, I’m not ruling it out completely. I still feel like it could be a good story, and I might circle back and give it another try when I’m in a different mood. For now, though, it just wasn’t clicking with me.

I had as an audiobook, it was an easy listen because of the narrators voice. You learn more and more about the family and the big secret, that didn't seem so big in the end, but maybe I misunderstood the purpose. Good read!

I loved this book as I read it physically; and I think I fell even more in love as I listened. Ann Marie Gideon truly brought this book to life - I felt like I was living with this family on the coast for years

The Merrick family was not your standard family - sure, it was a mom, father, 3 boys & a daughter but instead of living in a home they lived in the Gull; an old van that became their home. They lived by the ocean and seriously embraced that lifestyle - surfing, exploring (or going on rambles), and just learning by what they see and can explore. It sounds magical, and I'm sure that in so many ways it was, but it also sounds lonely - especially for the daughter.

When a photographer is caught taking their photo and their father reacts - pretty badly, well, a lot of things seem to change. Later on a photograph is released of the family going out to surf and the family goes through a lot as they're forced to become "celebrities" and their nomad ways draw a lot of attention. The daughter ends up leaving, at the age of 17, and sets to make her own path in this world.

I loved the weaving of the past with the present. The loss of their father, and the questions they had for their mother were so poignant and I was so curious of why they had lived the way that they had. It was very thought provoking and the authors note just made it all come together and be explained.

All in all this was a wonderful read that I hope many people will pick up and read when it's published next week. It's a read that would be great to discuss with others as it brings up so many questions, so many things to discuss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this alc-copy for my review!

Maybe because I live in the Midwest and it has been a brutal winter but put California in the title and I want to read/listen to the book right NOW. Throw in a messy, complicated family and descriptions of the 1980’s surfing and carefree nomadic life and I am hooked.

But all is not as easy as it first appears. Told in dual timelines, we learn that there is a death in the family, and the estranged family members gather. We slowly learn more about the family and feel the family connections of warmth and heartache. This all makes for a compelling listen for that summer beach read.

Ann Marie Gideon, as narrator, was terrific at bringing each character to life, allowing listeners to easily comprehend the characters.
This is a new author to me, and I have already started on her backlist!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin.

Oh how I love a fictional family drama! THE CALIFORNIA DREAMERS by Amy Mason Doan didn’t disappoint.

This dual timeline novel is told from the perspective of Ronan. She and her three brothers were raised by their nomadic parents, traveling up and down the west coast in a modified van. Ronan tells the story of their lives in the 1980s - how they spent their days surfing and exploring, always treading lightly on the land - up until her 17th birthday when she left them.

Interspersed is the present day narrative. Ronan has reunited with her family for her father’s memorial. This is the first time she’s seen them since she left, and she’s weighted down with an overwhelming amount of guilt.

This was such a well-balanced portrait of a family in all their messy glory. Each of the six family members is a fully developed character. Their nomadic lifestyle was portrayed just picturesque enough for the reader to envy parts of it, while also casting a critical eye on some of their choices and the consequences. And I appreciated the philosophical questions around freedom.

There’s one character who becomes much more significant at the very end of the book, and I wish she was given a little more time. For narrative reasons, she is very elusive. But because of that, it’s a little challenging to understand her motives and concerns once the curtain is pulled away. I managed to piece together most of it, but remain slightly confused.

(This is where I struggle with audiobooks! I want to be able to quickly flip back to earlier paragraphs for better understanding.)

THE CALIFORNIA DREAMERS was excellent on audiobook. (Truly. My confusion at the end is not a knock on the audio itself.) I loved the expressiveness of the narrator, Ann Marie Gideon, who did a great job bringing all the characters to life.

This would make a great summer bookclub pick. It’s light enough to read by the pool with enough substance for a fun discussion.

This was a great listen. A fascinating book about a very complicated family that comes back together after one passes away. I always love books that give insight into the lifestyle of California and surfers.
Lots of complicated family relationships that made this one very interesting.
Great narration as well.

I have read all of Amy's books and I am never disappointed. California Dreamers is no exception and I was immersed into the Cali surf life along with these characters. Amy's storytelling draws you in and leads you along slowly while divulging little secrets along the way. I love how this story unfolds and while the secrets may not be all that surprising the journey is filled with nostalgia, messed up family dynamics and a small side of romance.

I enjoyed the narration by Ann Marie Gideon on this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Amy Mason Doan’s The California Dreamers is an absolute gem that transports you straight into the sun-soaked, free-spirited world of 1980s California. From the very first page, I was immersed in the lives of the Merrick siblings—children of the open road, surfing, swimming, and living out the dreamy California fantasy. The story begins with a stunning photograph that captures more than just a family moment; it encapsulates their entire existence, and once that image gains notoriety, everything changes. Doan masterfully weaves between the past and present, revealing the depths of the Merrick family’s bonds, secrets, and heartaches. The journey to the island reunion decades later is poignant, filled with moments of warmth, tension, and revelations that kept me hooked. What I loved most was how Doan explores the idea of identity—not just through the lens of the famous photo but within the complexities of family and memory. The characters are richly developed, each carrying their own weight of joy and grief, and their interactions feel authentic and emotionally charged. This novel is a beautifully written meditation on the stories we tell ourselves and others, and whether sometimes, living their truth might be the ultimate act of freedom. It’s nostalgic, heartfelt, and utterly compelling—a perfect read for anyone who loves stories about family, secrets, and the magic of summer that lingers long after the season ends. Highly recommend for fans of character-driven stories with a touch of mystery and a whole lot of heart. Five stars all the way!

Had a hard time connecting with this novel. Told from the pov of Rowan, I couldn’t tell if she longed for the life she left or resented it. Her parents picked this nomadic lifestyle for their family and instilled a fear of “citizens” in them and eschewed conventional life. The twin boys, now adult men, seemed lost and confused and angry while the youngest seemed coddled and a bit off.

The narrator didn’t do anything to endear me to the characters either. Her reading felt very flat.

It took me a while to get through this one, and I think I was just expecting something a bit different.

I was expecting a fast-paced historical and family saga / mystery similar to "Malibu Rising," but it proved to be more atmospheric and winding. Not necessarily a bad thing, just expect a slower pace.

I enjoyed the dreamy descriptions of 1980s California and the surf culture, and the narrator did a great job with the chapters switching between years; which I often find to be difficult to follow in an audiobook.

The 'mystery' of the novel didn't build as much as I had expected, and when it was revealed, it seemed like something of much smaller consequence than the actions the characters took. I think it just needed a bit more suspense-building or a bigger reveal.

The author built the characters well and the writing was excellent.

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved it. It's the perfect summer read with all the feels. I kind of knew where it was going from early on, but I wanted to get caught up in that iconic photo of the Merrick family dreamers like everyone else did.

Anne Marie Gideon's narration was perfect for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Having spent my teenage years in the 80's I really enjoyed the past and present timelines in this story. Life was a lot different then and I love the reflections of the characters on their lifestyle and growing up in that decade. The ending was incredibly poignant to me and once again showed me the emotional skills of Amy's writing. I listened to the audiobook and was completely caught up in the beauty of this novel and the nostalgia of a unique childhood spent in an era that can never be again.

The California Dreamers by Amy Mason Doan

Set in 1980s California, The California Dreamers follows the Merrick siblings, who grow up traveling the coast in a van with their free-spirited parents. Their unconventional upbringing emphasizes learning through exploration, with no formal schooling—only the guidance of their mother and father. Life on the road is idyllic until a candid photo of the family captures national attention, throwing them into an unwanted spotlight and changing their lives forever.

The siblings later reunite on a secluded island to honor their late father. What begins as a memorial turns into a reckoning, as long-buried secrets and unresolved tensions resurface. The arrival of a journalist seeking the truth behind the now-iconic photo forces the family to confront their past and make difficult choices to protect one another.

As the story unfolds, we learn what motivated the parents to live off the grid and what they were running from all those years ago. The revelations are emotional and thought-provoking, adding depth to the story’s themes of identity, freedom, and family loyalty.

I had the joy of reading this book while on vacation along the California coast, which made the experience even more immersive and special. The vivid setting and emotional resonance of the story stayed with me long after I finished the final page.

It sounds like the most idyllic of childhoods - infinite freedom and an endless summer - traveling up and down the California coast in the family van, surfing and swimming all day with your siblings - without a care in the world.⁣
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Until one day a photo is taken of your family and suddenly everything changes. ⁣
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Alternating between their sunny childhood and decades later when they are all grown up - does it still feel as magical? ⁣
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I can’t imagine what a dreamy time the 80s in California must have been and this story puts you right there. You can almost smell the salty air, feel the sun on your face, and your toes dipping in the sand. While it may seem like a magical way to grow up - there is always room for family drama and long buried secrets when the outside world threatens to expose a unique little life. ⁣
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It’s such a beautiful story of love for family, living simply in a complicated world, and how being truly free can mean something different to everyone.⁣

Narration was wonderful and I look forward to listening to these voices again soon!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This is the perfect beach read. It gives off the California and surfing vibes. And has a great family in the middle. I loved every minute.

This was such a great family drama that has a family living a van life in the 1980s before it was trendy. The book also has a 2002 timeline as the family reunites to honor the wishes of the deceased patriarch.

The book has a bit of mystery, lots of great California beach settings, family drama in both timelines, and additional details such as the chapter headings and a field journal that kept me engaged from start to finish.

We even get a “Behind The Book” at the end which got me doing a bit of internet searching.