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alidottie's review
4.0
3 and 3/4th stars
I have not been a fan of historical fiction lately as all the book have had so much tragedy and sadness. So I was thrilled to read this little story about a young girl and a ghost at the Hotel Del Coronado during the filming of Some Like it Hot. It certainly had sad parts, but it was written so that most of that happened "off-stage" so to speak--we knew about it, but didn't have to read the details of the past and experienced instead a hopeful mystery that was being unfolded to us. I liked it more than I expected to when I started it.
I have not been a fan of historical fiction lately as all the book have had so much tragedy and sadness. So I was thrilled to read this little story about a young girl and a ghost at the Hotel Del Coronado during the filming of Some Like it Hot. It certainly had sad parts, but it was written so that most of that happened "off-stage" so to speak--we knew about it, but didn't have to read the details of the past and experienced instead a hopeful mystery that was being unfolded to us. I liked it more than I expected to when I started it.
noelkendy's review
5.0
Really, REALLY enjoyed this book! I loved the perspective of the ghost - and I felt like I was there in Coronado! Beautiful story!
cariefairy's review
4.0
A few parts were slow and it was a tad confusing at times but the end gave me goosebumps!!!
judithdcollins's review
5.0
Check out my Q&A Elevator Ride with Camille and learn the inspiration behind this fascinating novel and fun facts about the author!
One of my favorite authors, Camille Di Maio returns following The Way of Beauty with her latest "THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS". Set in the legendary iconic Hotel Del Coronado in Southern California between the timeline of 1892 and 1958, the author masterfully blends fact and fiction.
From the real-life Kate Morton (a resident ghost and a real woman whose body was found on the steps of the Hotel del Coronado 1892) to Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and the movie set of Some Like it Hot. I Loved this book!
Kate Morgan helps her family at their struggling restaurant. Her granddad, George is suffering from Dementia. Times are tough and little time for big dreams. She and her grandfather share a love of movies.
He has requested she sell her grandmother’s ring and travel to the San Diego hotel and find THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGER. He wants her to get a job at the hotel and the movie set. He discloses no other information.
With limited money and a family desperate for her assistance, she risks it all to follow her dream and her granddads. Her family does not approve. However, things soon go south, and she is guilt-ridden from letting her family down. However, she is desperately trying to honor her grandfather’s wishes. She must earn enough to buy back the ring she left at the pawn shop.
There is something from her granddad’s past, and she must find a way to connect the dots. At the same time, she meets someone on the ferry who helps guide her, and she befriends the enigma surrounding Marilyn Monroe and slowly unravels the secrets of the past.
Switching back and forth, we meet another Kate Morgan who died at the hotel years ago. Her death was not as it appeared. She still lives at the hotel watching and waiting. Searching. How are these two women connected to her grandfather?
From a mysterious death, and a determined young girl with love for a better life and a promise to her granddad, she will stop at nothing until she has her answers.
A timeless classic with—history, intriguing setting, well-drawn characters, mystery, suspense, and romance, making this a Top Books of 2019! It has it all! Filled with humor and emotion, family and loyalty - Camille di Maio adds her own signature style to make this a "must-read" book for the spring and summer. (what a great beach read).
What is not to LOVE?
One of my favorite authors, Camille Di Maio returns following The Way of Beauty with her latest "THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS". Set in the legendary iconic Hotel Del Coronado in Southern California between the timeline of 1892 and 1958, the author masterfully blends fact and fiction.
From the real-life Kate Morton (a resident ghost and a real woman whose body was found on the steps of the Hotel del Coronado 1892) to Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and the movie set of Some Like it Hot. I Loved this book!
Kate Morgan helps her family at their struggling restaurant. Her granddad, George is suffering from Dementia. Times are tough and little time for big dreams. She and her grandfather share a love of movies.
He has requested she sell her grandmother’s ring and travel to the San Diego hotel and find THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGER. He wants her to get a job at the hotel and the movie set. He discloses no other information.
With limited money and a family desperate for her assistance, she risks it all to follow her dream and her granddads. Her family does not approve. However, things soon go south, and she is guilt-ridden from letting her family down. However, she is desperately trying to honor her grandfather’s wishes. She must earn enough to buy back the ring she left at the pawn shop.
There is something from her granddad’s past, and she must find a way to connect the dots. At the same time, she meets someone on the ferry who helps guide her, and she befriends the enigma surrounding Marilyn Monroe and slowly unravels the secrets of the past.
Switching back and forth, we meet another Kate Morgan who died at the hotel years ago. Her death was not as it appeared. She still lives at the hotel watching and waiting. Searching. How are these two women connected to her grandfather?
From a mysterious death, and a determined young girl with love for a better life and a promise to her granddad, she will stop at nothing until she has her answers.
A timeless classic with—history, intriguing setting, well-drawn characters, mystery, suspense, and romance, making this a Top Books of 2019! It has it all! Filled with humor and emotion, family and loyalty - Camille di Maio adds her own signature style to make this a "must-read" book for the spring and summer. (what a great beach read).
What is not to LOVE?
melohpa's review
4.0
See my review at https://topplingbookpile.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-beautiful-strangers-by-camille-di.html
kdurham2's review
3.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A book that takes you behind the scenes of filmmaking which has been done before, but this one feels unique and fresh. Kate Morgan decides to take the biggest risk and leave her family in San Francisco to follow her grandfather's words to go find the beautiful stranger; these words take her to the Hotel del Coronado and in the middle of a film set.
I will always love books that take you behind the scenes of any profession, but something gets me about reading about being on a film set. Of course, a film set that has Marilyn Monroe on it makes it even more special and reading (yes fiction) about how she was on set and how the public and her cast and crew reacted to her was so fascinating. It made it feel even more special that it was a famous actress that we were following behind the scenes.
A book that takes you behind the scenes of filmmaking which has been done before, but this one feels unique and fresh. Kate Morgan decides to take the biggest risk and leave her family in San Francisco to follow her grandfather's words to go find the beautiful stranger; these words take her to the Hotel del Coronado and in the middle of a film set.
I will always love books that take you behind the scenes of any profession, but something gets me about reading about being on a film set. Of course, a film set that has Marilyn Monroe on it makes it even more special and reading (yes fiction) about how she was on set and how the public and her cast and crew reacted to her was so fascinating. It made it feel even more special that it was a famous actress that we were following behind the scenes.
guylou's review
3.0
☕QOTD: What hotel do you recommend and why? Where is it located?
This is the story of a young lady who honours her grandfather's plea to go to a hotel in southern California to find the beautiful stranger. Little does Kate know that the hotel has a ghost who is also named Kate Morgan. Through her investigation, Kate will find out that she did not know her grandfather's past at all and that the ghost is closely related to her.
This was a wonderful story. I enjoyed the different interactions between the characters and the book has a fantastic ending.
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susanthebookbag's review
5.0
'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.
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.
jamiestwocents's review
3.0
Lackluster read
This book has a decent premise, but lacks excitement. The story is about a young woman named Kate Morgan who goes to Coronado, CA to understand her history. There, she learns the truth about her grandfather and where she comes from.
There is no sex in this book, so if you’re looking for that type of romance book, you won’t find it here. The most you will get is a few kisses.
The book has lots of historical facts, which were neat to read about and imagine. However, I found myself skipping entire pages of boring imagery and internal ramblings.
The human end was nice and brought everything together, but the ghost end was just sad. I was hoping for a different ghostly ending.
I would skip this book. Happy reading y’all!
This book has a decent premise, but lacks excitement. The story is about a young woman named Kate Morgan who goes to Coronado, CA to understand her history. There, she learns the truth about her grandfather and where she comes from.
There is no sex in this book, so if you’re looking for that type of romance book, you won’t find it here. The most you will get is a few kisses.
The book has lots of historical facts, which were neat to read about and imagine. However, I found myself skipping entire pages of boring imagery and internal ramblings.
The human end was nice and brought everything together, but the ghost end was just sad. I was hoping for a different ghostly ending.
I would skip this book. Happy reading y’all!