Item: Hotel Laguna
Rating: 4.00
Author: quirkycat

by Nicola Harrison

In 1942, Hazel Francis left Wichita, Kansas for California, determined to do her part for the war effort. At Douglas Aircraft, she became one of many “Rosie the Riveters,” helping construct bombers for the U. S. military. But now the war is over, men have returned to their factory jobs, and women like Hazel have been dismissed, expected to return home to become wives and mothers.

Unwilling to be forced into a traditional woman’s role in the Midwest, Hazel remains on the west coast, and finds herself in the bohemian town of Laguna Beach. Desperate for work, she accepts a job as an assistant to famous artist Hanson Radcliff. Beloved by the locals for his contributions to the art scene and respected by the critics, Radcliff lives under the shadow of a decades old scandal that haunts him.

Working hard to stay on her cantankerous employer’s good side, Hazel becomes a valued member of the community. She never expected to fall in love with the rhythms of life in Laguna, nor did she expect to find a kindred spirit in Jimmy, the hotel bartender whose friendship promises something more. But Hazel still wants to work with airplanes—maybe even learn to fly one someday. Torn between pursuing her dream and the dream life she has been granted, she is unsure if giving herself over to Laguna is what her heart truly wants.

Book Summary:

The year is 1942, and Hazel Francis has set out on her own, determined to find a way to help in the war. What she found was an opportunity to become one of the "Rosie the Riveters" crew. Unfortunately, this life wasn't to last, as it all fell apart when the war ended.

Many women, Hazel included, don't want to go back to the way things were before. They don't want to fall back into their gender roles. As such, Hazel jumps at the opportunity to take on a new job that will hopefully let her choose her path in life.

My Review:

If you're looking for an inspirational historical fiction novel that will resonate with your soul, Hotel Laguna is the book for you. At least, that was certainly the case for me. Hazel's journey may be set in the past, but so much of it was easy to connect to.

Her story is an extreme form of what many of us go through – fighting against the world to find our place. Likewise, her story may be a work of fiction, but it portrays the real struggles and battles women of her time fought. So I really appreciated reading this tale, even if it sometimes gave me a heavy heart.

I should mention that Hazel is one of the most endearing protagonists I've read about in some time, and I'd like to think that is saying something. She's strong and stubborn and in the best of ways. It'll make you want to hug, protect, and cheer for her. Sometimes all at the same time.

Highlights:
Historical Romance
Battling Traditional Gender Roles

Thanks to StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Hotel Laguna

by Nicola Harrison

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on Jul 3, 2023

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