The Beautiful Strangers by Camile Di Maio

Kate Morgan didn’t want to spend her entire life frying fish in her family’s restaurant so with her grandfather’s insistence, she sold her grandmother’s ring, took the money, and went to the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, California, to work in the kitchen on a set for the movie SOME LIKE IT HOT.

Kate was anxious as she left and especially as she continued on her journey that none of her family knew she had taken.  As she traveled, her suitcase was stolen, she was hungry, and she was not very presentable when she arrived.

When Kate arrived she is told there is a ghost that lived at Hotel Del Coronado in 1892 with the exact same name.  When I heard this, the connection between the two Kates and the connection her grandfather was trying to remember must have had something to do with the Kate from 1892 and made THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS even more intriguing.

We find out as Kate Morgan from today and Kate Morgan from the past tell their story in alternating chapters and time periods as the story of who the beautiful stranger is becomes unraveled.

Camille Di Maio has written another beautiful, fantastic book with marvelous research.  

Her beautiful prose and story line pull you in and keep you anxious for the characters and for information about the history of Kate's grandfather and his connection to San Diego and the Hotel Del Coronado.  

Ms. Di Maio's descriptions of buildings, colors, landscapes, and simply everything made me feel as though I were there and wanting to be there. 

I just loved the characters and both time periods....well...most of the characters.  If you read the book or have read the book, you will know which character is very unlikable.

The story line is absolutely marvelous.  We get taken onto a movie set, meet Marilyn Monroe and other actors, follow Kate on her journey and quest for information, and best of all enjoy another award-winning read by Camille Di Maio.

THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS has a marvelous dual-time story line as well as what historical fiction fans, movie buffs, and California fans are looking for.

DO NOT MISS reading this book.  It is heartwarming, amazing, and an all-around gem.  5/5

This book was given to me by the author and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.