The Beautiful Strangers

By: Camille Di Maio

Narrated by: Jess Nahikian, Sarah Naughton

A legendary hotel on the Pacific becomes a haven where dreams, love, and a beguiling mystery come alive.

1958. Kate Morgan, tethered to her family’s failing San Francisco restaurant, is looking for an escape. She gets her chance by honoring a cryptic plea from her grandfather: find the beautiful stranger. The search takes her to Hotel del Coronado, the beachfront landmark on the Southern California coast where filming is underway on the movie Some Like It Hot.

For a movie lover like Kate, it’s a fantasy come true. So is the offer of a position at the glamorous hotel. And a new romance is making her heart beat just as fast. But as sure as she is that Coronado is her future, Kate discovers it’s also where the ghosts of the past have come to stay. Sixty years ago a guest died tragically, and she still haunts the hotel’s halls.

As the lives of two women - generations apart - intertwine, Kate’s courageous journey could change more than she ever imagined. And with Coronado wending its way through her soul, she must follow her dreams...wherever they may lead.

©2019 Camille Di Maio (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Fans of classic Hollywood, historical fiction, and light romance will enjoy this tale of California sunshine, ghosts, and love.” (Booklist)

It was a fun, romantic read

I listened to it whenever I could as I spring-cleaned my house. And felt annoyed whenever I was interrupted so yes, I enjoyed it.

entertaining historical fiction

very enjoyable read. loved the time period in San Diego. now I want to read more by the same author.

Performance

I struggled to get through this book because of voice performance. Speaking parts were at a good speed but slowed down too much for descriptives. There is no way to adjust one without the other.

Bygone Movie Dreams

Interesting look at the golden age of Hollywood through the eyes of a girl who doesn’t want to be the star, but wants the experience of being around the filming. Add in a ghost for a twist & you get a different type of historical fiction.

Hollywood from an outsiders view

The book is a wonderful story from the other side of Hollywood workers. Seeing the world of film from those serving the film makers in the hospitality world. A tale of a girl finding her way in life and unraveling her families secrets and finding love along the way. Charming and heart warming and definitely makes you root for a happy ending.