California Summer is an okay summer read. It's light, predictable, and doesn't demand anything of the reader.
Rosie and Ben have been together for ten years. The couple met in college, were best friends as well as lovers, knew each other so well they could finish each other's sentences, and worked towards the same dream - making it big in Hollywood. Now that Rosie has produced and Ben has directed an independent film that made it big at the Sundance Festival, the couple is on its way toward to the big time. Ben wants to grab his chance to do blockbuster movies while Rosie would like to continue with small, independent films. Surely they can work that out.
But when Rosie comes home from a trip scouting locations for their next film, she discovers that Ben has been unfaithful. And not just unfaithful, he thinks they need a break, to figure out what each of them really wants. Rosie knows one thing, Ben doesn't appear to want her anymore, and she is devastated. She thought they had a forever love, and doesn't understand how Ben can turn his back on their relationship.
Her best friend comes to her rescue, suggesting that Rosie spends the summer up the coast at Montecito in her parents summer cottage. Tearfully, not knowing what else to do, Rosie agrees. The summer cottage, in reality is a small house on the grounds of a huge estate. The couple who own the estate, Estelle and Oscar, and very welcoming and nice people who want Rosie to feel at home while she heals her broken heart and decides what she wants to do next. Their butler, Morris, is a great character, who befriends her and helps her find her way.
Ultimately, Rosie decides her dream is to open a fish taco shop (Eh?) and quickly opens it to great success. She also finds herself in a new relationship with Josh, a surfer who takes care of Oscar's classic cars, has rebuilt a classic car himself and wants to own a classic car shop someday.
Light, fluffy, perfect, except for the characters. Rosie is a big doormat, giving her all for Ben's dream, even though it wasn't hers. When he dumps her, she imagines all would be perfect again if only she wouldn't work, and be the stay-at-home lover (no marriage), who meets his every need and provides wonderful social gatherings so that he can continue to climb his ladder of success. Then you have Josh, who continually jumps to wrong conclusions and literally runs away when anything unexpected is said or happens. And Rosie fumbles and cries and wonders what to do to get him back. Come on - these people are supposed to be adults!?!? AUGHHHHH!!!!!! REALLY??? I just wanted to smack both of them upside their heads!
Montecito does sound lovely though.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's/Griffin for allowing me the opportunity to read this light summer read.