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shesalwaysreading's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Enjoyable overall but my mind wandered in parts. I’m not a huge historical fiction reader but hadn’t read this author before. I won’t read again but did like it.
lolalu's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
gabizago's review
5.0
I love how this book depicts life before and after WWII, with a girl trying to find her purpose in life after women were no longer needed on factory jobs anymore at the end of the war. She eventually finds a job as an assistant to an eccentric painter and gets to learn about her life in Laguna Beach, and around the Hotel Laguna.
1neverendingtbr's review
5.0
I’m not much of a review writer, however, I received this ARC from Goodreads and it’s only fair I do my part as a thank you. I’m not much of a historical fiction fan, although, I do read a few here and there. Hotel Laguna was so good. I had a hard time putting it down. The characters are all likable, even Hanson who I picture as Harrison Ford. I’m exited to read more from this author.
scottonreads's review
3.0
I am a big historical fiction fan, and was looking forward to reading Hotel Laguna. Big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for the ARC to read and review.
Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me. I enjoyed it, but wanted more from it: particularly more character development, more nuance, and more surprises in the plot. I liked our leading lady Hazel, but I feel like we really only went surface level with her.
There was a lot of potential, and while it was perfectly enjoyable, I wish it had been more robust.
Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me. I enjoyed it, but wanted more from it: particularly more character development, more nuance, and more surprises in the plot. I liked our leading lady Hazel, but I feel like we really only went surface level with her.
There was a lot of potential, and while it was perfectly enjoyable, I wish it had been more robust.
thebookjunkee's review
5.0
I am typically not a HF fan, but this book kept me engaged the whole time. I absolutely loved the mental picture that Harrison paints of SoCo and the struggles that women faced during the war. She captured the WWII aspect in such a beautiful way that it was interesting. It was the perfect balance of love, struggle, and the pain that women faced under male scrutiny. Hazel's love for planes pushed her to take no crap. Her willpower and strength throughout the entirety of the book was welcomed and I loved how she wouldn't take NO for an answer.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
A captivating historical fiction novel about a young Kansas woman who goes West for work during WWII and later finds herself immersed in the California art scene in the post-war years.
I really enjoyed the live art plot line of the book and the emphasis on women finding their place in a male-dominated post-war America.
Great on audio narrated by Carlotta Brenton and definitely recommended for fans of authors like Kristin Hannah or Kelly Rimmer.
I really enjoyed the live art plot line of the book and the emphasis on women finding their place in a male-dominated post-war America.
Great on audio narrated by Carlotta Brenton and definitely recommended for fans of authors like Kristin Hannah or Kelly Rimmer.
bookswritingandmore's review
4.0
Hazel left Wichita Kansas in 1942 because she wanted to do her part for the war effort. She became 1 of the Rosie the riveters and ends up really enjoying her work However when the war was over they wanted her to go and get married and live a normal life as a woman should.Hazel had no desire to conform so she heads to the beach town of Laguna. Although she has no experience she ends up becoming the assistant to a very popular artist who has a secret in his past. The town of Laguna ends up growing on Hazel and she is very happy with where she's at. However she's not sure she wants to give up her dream of working on planes.
This is an incredible Historical Fiction choice for summer reading. I really love the fact that we got to see Hazel and 2 different timelines as well as get some information of how people lived after the war. This is a time that is not usually written about. The characters were captured excellently of how life was post war for many women. I adored Hazel, she was so beyond her time in her decisions and what she was yearning for.
This is an incredible Historical Fiction choice for summer reading. I really love the fact that we got to see Hazel and 2 different timelines as well as get some information of how people lived after the war. This is a time that is not usually written about. The characters were captured excellently of how life was post war for many women. I adored Hazel, she was so beyond her time in her decisions and what she was yearning for.
jbarr5's review
5.0
Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison
1942 and we find Hazel leaving her Kansas town and heading to CA. She not only saw her boyfriend off to fight in the war but she's looking for a job that will aide them getting back to the states.
She finds a job as riveter in the airplane factories and she feels a great part of all that happens. When the boys do return the women are out of jobs and she heads to Laguna where she is able to get a job as an artist assistant.
She becomes more than an assistant and learns so much of the industry. Appreciate the work done at the shows and getting ready for the artists displays. So many celebratities and like how she falls into the sea to find peace.
Medical issues occur and she heads back to the factory and knows she's made a mistake. She returns in time for the contribute to the artist and all he meant to the community and knows where she's at is really home.
So emotional as she becomes a young woman and then heads west to contribute to the war efforts. She seems so carefree and a wandering spirit...
Like the descriptions and there are not many characters. Easy to keep track of them all as their lives mesh together.
Received this review copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#HotelLaguna #NetGalley.
1942 and we find Hazel leaving her Kansas town and heading to CA. She not only saw her boyfriend off to fight in the war but she's looking for a job that will aide them getting back to the states.
She finds a job as riveter in the airplane factories and she feels a great part of all that happens. When the boys do return the women are out of jobs and she heads to Laguna where she is able to get a job as an artist assistant.
She becomes more than an assistant and learns so much of the industry. Appreciate the work done at the shows and getting ready for the artists displays. So many celebratities and like how she falls into the sea to find peace.
Medical issues occur and she heads back to the factory and knows she's made a mistake. She returns in time for the contribute to the artist and all he meant to the community and knows where she's at is really home.
So emotional as she becomes a young woman and then heads west to contribute to the war efforts. She seems so carefree and a wandering spirit...
Like the descriptions and there are not many characters. Easy to keep track of them all as their lives mesh together.
Received this review copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#HotelLaguna #NetGalley.
marilynw's review
4.0
Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison
Hazel Francis has had some hard times. At nineteen, with both parents dead, she gets herself in a bind, gets herself out of the bind by fleeing, but has deep regrets for her words and actions. Her good luck is that she finds a job at Douglas Aircraft as one of the many “Rosie the Riveters”. Hazel excels at this work and is rewarded for her hard work by getting more aircraft work that challenges and satisfies her. While most of the women she works with look forward to getting back to their men, their families and their more traditional pre war lives, Hazel would love to keep on doing what she is doing and learning more skills. Alas, once the men come home, all the woman are told to go home and leave the men's work to the men. Now twenty four years old, about all Hazel can find is cleaning jobs or other "women's work", she has no where to go since she's a pariah in her hometown, and her money is running out fast.
By a stroke of good luck, Hazel ends up in Laguna Beach and is hired as an assistant by a famous grumpy artist, a man who is demanding one moment yet generous and entertaining the next. Walking on eggshells around this man seems like good idea but Hazel seems to put her foot in it constantly while working for this man. Often she goes home (a small room that comes with the job) wondering is she still has a job. Part of Hazel's job is helping with the Pageant of Arts and I spent a lot of time reading about the real thing and looking at amazing photographs of past festivals.
Hazel spends her spare time with handsome bartender, Jimmy. She even thinks there might be a future there until she finds out that isn't so. Having that friendship turn precarious and never knowing for sure if she's going to lose her assistant job, Hazel longs for her days in the aviation industry. She's determined not to be forced into a traditional women's mold but she's not sure what she can really do in the future.
Personally, I kept longing for the story to have spent most of its time during the days when Hazel was employed at Douglas Aircraft but that is all in the past by the time the book starts. What the women did during the war, taking of the industrial, high precision jobs of men, is so interesting to me. When it comes to art, the artworld, and artists, I can't help my mind wandering and that's what happened here for me. Hazel is so determined and persistent and I liked her a lot, she is a very admirable character. Jimmy is a catch if he was available to be caught and he makes for a great friend if feelings can get over being hurt. I'm very happy with how the story ends.
Pub Jun 20, 2023
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Hazel Francis has had some hard times. At nineteen, with both parents dead, she gets herself in a bind, gets herself out of the bind by fleeing, but has deep regrets for her words and actions. Her good luck is that she finds a job at Douglas Aircraft as one of the many “Rosie the Riveters”. Hazel excels at this work and is rewarded for her hard work by getting more aircraft work that challenges and satisfies her. While most of the women she works with look forward to getting back to their men, their families and their more traditional pre war lives, Hazel would love to keep on doing what she is doing and learning more skills. Alas, once the men come home, all the woman are told to go home and leave the men's work to the men. Now twenty four years old, about all Hazel can find is cleaning jobs or other "women's work", she has no where to go since she's a pariah in her hometown, and her money is running out fast.
By a stroke of good luck, Hazel ends up in Laguna Beach and is hired as an assistant by a famous grumpy artist, a man who is demanding one moment yet generous and entertaining the next. Walking on eggshells around this man seems like good idea but Hazel seems to put her foot in it constantly while working for this man. Often she goes home (a small room that comes with the job) wondering is she still has a job. Part of Hazel's job is helping with the Pageant of Arts and I spent a lot of time reading about the real thing and looking at amazing photographs of past festivals.
Hazel spends her spare time with handsome bartender, Jimmy. She even thinks there might be a future there until she finds out that isn't so. Having that friendship turn precarious and never knowing for sure if she's going to lose her assistant job, Hazel longs for her days in the aviation industry. She's determined not to be forced into a traditional women's mold but she's not sure what she can really do in the future.
Personally, I kept longing for the story to have spent most of its time during the days when Hazel was employed at Douglas Aircraft but that is all in the past by the time the book starts. What the women did during the war, taking of the industrial, high precision jobs of men, is so interesting to me. When it comes to art, the artworld, and artists, I can't help my mind wandering and that's what happened here for me. Hazel is so determined and persistent and I liked her a lot, she is a very admirable character. Jimmy is a catch if he was available to be caught and he makes for a great friend if feelings can get over being hurt. I'm very happy with how the story ends.
Pub Jun 20, 2023
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.