Santa Monica

A Novel

By: Cassidy Lucas

Narrated by: Alma Cuervo

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

A debut novel in the vein of Liane Moriarty and Tom Perrotta, about dark secrets brought to life after the mysterious death of a handsome and charismatic trainer to the elite women in Santa Monica.

On the western edge of Los Angeles is the gorgeous beachside city of Santa Monica, where the sun-kissed, wealthy residents seem to inhabit real-life California dreams. When movie-star-handsome heartthrob fitness coach Zack Doheny, is found dead on the floor of his gym, the tragedy shocks the elite community, especially those who’d spent many hours each week exercising with the charismatic trainer.

As the narrative flashes back to the months leading up to Zack’s death, it quickly becomes clear that things in this coastal paradise are not as glittering as they seem. Lettie—Zack’s secret half-sister and an undocumented housekeeper for the toned, entitled women of Santa Monica—holds her brother responsible for a horrific family accident, and desperately needs his money to prevent her deportation. Regina, type-A exercise addict and entrepreneur, will do anything to get out of debt and to claim Zack for herself. And Mel—a New York City transplant who finds herself forty pounds heavier and far more cynical than the lithe women of Santa Monica—discovers an electric attraction to Zack that threatens to disrupt his bond with Regina and upend Mel’s own marriage. As these residents of Santa Monica begin to crack under the stress of their secrets, one question hangs above it all: what really happened to Zack Doheny?

As addictively suspenseful as it is sharply observed, hilarious, and compassionate, Santa Monica is the rare novel that captures listeners with propulsive storytelling alongside emotional urgency, irresistible characters, ambitious themes, and a vivid sense of place.

©2020 Cassidy Lucas (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Not comparable to Little Big Lies

The story was just okay to begin with but really struggled with all the political references that didn’t have any bearing on the story. With 8 hours left to listen, just no interest in finishing. I love audiobooks, in part to get away from the political strife that consumes everything right now - both sides are ridiculous, taking a side today is just ignorant. It’s unfortunate to think you are getting a good “read” when, in fact you are unexpectedly bombarded with idiotic political commentary and childish name calling (isn’t that what “The Cheeto” does to everyone who disagrees with him?). If I wanted to listen to political views there are plenty of books that will play to both sides and when I do purposely choose political reads, I enjoy BOTH views, neither being better, neither all good or all bad - just very different beliefs and characters. We all deserve better.