The Beautiful Strangers

In her fourth historical novel, the empathetic Camille DiMaio interweaves romance and a ghost story set at the luxurious Hotel Del Coronado in California during the time Marilyn Monroe was shooting one of the greatest comedies of all time “Some Like it Hot.” Kindness, curiosity, honesty and an eye for telling detail are DiMaio’s hallmarks — and this page-turner displays her many talents, as well as hard-won insights into human relationships. Can’t wait for her next book!

I wanted to read today’s book – The Beautiful Strangers by Camille Di Maio – primarily because I thought the cover of the book was very pretty and it drew me in. I hadn’t even read the synopsis of the book when I requested the opportunity to read and review it on NetGalley, so it was a fun surprise to read when I was approved!

The luxury beachfront Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, California is the mecca for two women many years apart from each other. Many years ago, a woman died tragically on the steps of the hotel leading toward the beach and still haunts the hotel to this day. Then, in 1958, Kate Morgan is working in her family’s failing restaurant in San Francisco and is looking for a way out. Thanks to her grandfather’s insistence, Kate sells her grandmother’s ring, takes the money and goes to the Hotel Del Coronado to work in the kitchen on a set for a movie called “Some Like It Hot”. The storyline is cool because readers are placed onto a movie set, they meet Marilyn Monroe and other actors while following Kate on her journey.

Kate is anxious in her journey and tragically, as she is traveling, her suitcase is stolen, she is without food and hungry and isn’t very presentable upon her arrival. She learns the story about the ghost who lived at the Hotel Del Coronado with the same name as her. Readers learn about Kate Morgan from today and the Kate Morgan from the past as they tell their stories each in alternating chapters and time periods which allows the story of who the beautiful stranger is becomes apparent.

The Beautiful Strangers is told with two points of view – the ghost Kate Morgan and the young Kate Morgan, which really ties together the stories of the two generations. I read this book cover to cover in one sitting. The characters were well written, the story line flowed well, and it was a very enjoyable afternoon spent reading a great book!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my review. A positive review was not required and my views are my own.

The Beautiful Strangers is the love story of Sean and Katie, intermingled with Katie’s adventure of discovering her grandfather’s past. Katie Morgan is a young waitress, working at her family’s restaurant in San Fransisco when her aging, ill grandfather, George, urges her to go to Coronado Island in Southern California to find “the Beautiful Stranger.” Katie travels by train with nothing but the clothes on her back and meets Sean on the ferry to the island. They form an instant bond, but Sean is engaged to marry Cynthia, a childhood friend. Sean gets Katie a job at the Hotel Del Coronado, and Katie begins her search and discovers many intriguing things she didn’t know about her grandfather, along with the fact that she shares the name of the ghost that haunts the hotel. Katie’s journey is also one of self discovery, learning who she wants to be and how she can accomplish it. But she still needs to find out who was the Beautiful Stranger? And with her feelings for Sean growing deeper each day, what will she do when he marries?

Beautifully written and engaging, I enjoyed this book and its historical angles. I thought the narration between Katie and the ghost Katie was interesting and introduced details to the story that helped add suspense to the mystery of the Beautiful Stranger and George’s past.

If you enjoy a good historical romance, do yourself a favor and read this novel.

I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I love the way author Camille Di Maio can take us back to a time that seems so long ago and show us how life is life, regardless of the year, and the challenges we face are the same for all of us. In THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS we meet among others Kate Morgan, a woman searching for something of meaning and ends up discovering herself and all that is important.

The journey she is on reminds us that life is not always as glamorous as it appears, and that sometimes the important thing can be right in front of us. Along her way Kate meets someone who is on the same path of searching and together the two get to see what really matters.

Combining her love of history with telling an engaging story Camille Di Maio has once again gifted readers with a book that is entertaining and thoughtful. That’s what makes her a storyteller to watch and her readers eager for the next adventure.

4.5 stars

This is the last book of Camille Di Maio’s that I needed to read to have read ALL of her books. So from that statement, you can assume that I am a big fan AND you would be right!! I have loved all of her books and this is no exception.

For me, the setting in California (my home state) plus San Francisco, Los Angeles (Hollywood), and San Diego was perfect for me in this COVID pandemic. I needed to see and feel beauty and visualizing all of these gorgeous places while I read was SO cathartic!! The best part was weaving the filming of a Hollywood filming, movie stars, beaches, a ghost, and The Del seamlessly!!

The characters were great! All were totally developed and I really liked them all. Sometimes. characters are not relatable or not nice, but this was not the case! It made the book even more fun.

The storyline was told in two different timelines, but they really worked together. I love historical fiction and some mystery so this was so fun for me to read.

HIGHLY recommend!! Thank you Camille Di Maio for writing such a beautiful book. I LOVED it!!

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