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Monarch Beach
Anita Hughes' Monarch Beach is an absorbing debut novel about one woman's journey back to happiness after an affair splinters her perfect marriage and life—what it means to be loved, betrayed and to love again.
When Amanda Blick, a young mother and kindhearted San Francisco heiress, finds her gorgeous French chef husband wrapped around his sous-chef, she knows she must flee her life in order to rebuild it. The opportunity falls into her lap when her (very lovable) mother suggests Amanda and her young son, Max, spend the summer with her at the St. Regis Resort in Laguna Beach. With the waves right outside her windows and nothing more to worry about than finding the next relaxing thing to do, Amanda should be having the time of her life—and escaping the drama. But instead, she finds herself faced with a kind, older divorcee who showers her with attention… and she discovers that the road to healing is never simple. This is the sometimes funny, sometimes bitter, but always moving story about the mistakes and discoveries a woman makes when her perfect world is turned upside down.
When Amanda Blick, a young mother and kindhearted San Francisco heiress, finds her gorgeous French chef husband wrapped around his sous-chef, she knows she must flee her life in order to rebuild it. The opportunity falls into her lap when her (very lovable) mother suggests Amanda and her young son, Max, spend the summer with her at the St. Regis Resort in Laguna Beach. With the waves right outside her windows and nothing more to worry about than finding the next relaxing thing to do, Amanda should be having the time of her life—and escaping the drama. But instead, she finds herself faced with a kind, older divorcee who showers her with attention… and she discovers that the road to healing is never simple. This is the sometimes funny, sometimes bitter, but always moving story about the mistakes and discoveries a woman makes when her perfect world is turned upside down.
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2012
About the author
Anita Hughes
26 books1,032 followersAnita Hughes was born in Sydney, Australia. She attended UC Berkeley's Masters in Creative Writing program. She is the author of MONARCH BEACH, MARKET STREET, LAKE COMO, FRENCH COAST, ROME IN LOVE, ISLAND IN THE SEA, SANTORINI SUNSETS, CHRISTMAS IN PARIS, WHITE SAND, BLUE SEA, EMERALD COAST, CHRISTMAS IN LONDON and CALIFORNIA SUMMER, and CHRISTMAS IN VERMONT published by St. Martin's Press. ROME IN LOVE is coming to the HALLMARK channel in July, 2019!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
March 15, 2020
She learned nothing. NOTHING.
May 19, 2012
Written in first person, Monarch Beach is chick-lit rather than romance fiction; thus, no one should be surprised that conventions of the romance genre are ignored here. Readers who consider adultery taboo may be turned off by Amanda’s affair with Edward while she is still legally the wife of Andre Blick. Frankly, I was less bothered by her unfaithfulness than by her shallowness. I quickly grew weary of the endless details of couture and cuisine, and I found nothing to admire or like in Amanda’s immaturity and passivity. Andre has made all the decisions in their marriage, and after she leaves him, her mother takes over. Amanda seems to revert to adolescence in the games she plays hiding her activities from her mother.
See full review at The Romance Dish:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2012/05...
See full review at The Romance Dish:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2012/05...
April 11, 2013
This book was just odd to me. I get why Amanda left Andre because of the cheating. Then, when she met Edward ......can't put my finger on it, but, he was just weird. Too good to be true and somewhat fake. Then , she finds out he cheated on her too. Amanda confides in her mother and she convinces her to follow her dreams of going to Parsons School of Design in NYC. Now, on the last day, Amanda is having a cocktail at the hotel bar and Edward pops in to join her. He tells her how sorry he is about his cheating and asks if he can visit her in NY for Thanksgiving. Amanda says yes.......what?? I would have told him where to go personally. Her son runs into the hotel with a butterfly and he tells her to hold it and make a wish. She makes a wish (didn't mention what the wish was) and releases the butterfly. The story ends. Huh? Not sure if there is a sequel or not but it just seemed like so much was missing from this story...almost like it was a general outline written down but was missing so much that could have made it sooooo much better. Ok, I'm done :)
May 31, 2013
Story Description:
St. Martin’s Press|June 19, 2012|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-312-64304-1
Anita Hughes’ Monarch Beach is an absorbing debut novel about one woman’s journey back to happiness after an affair splinters her perfect marriage and life – what it means to be loved, betrayed and to love again.
When Amanda Blick, a young mother and kind-hearted San Francisco heiress, finds her gorgeous French chef husband wrapped around his sous-chef, she knows she must flee her life in order to rebuilt it. The opportunity falls into her lap when her (very lovable) mother suggests Amanda and her young son, Max spend the summer with her at the St. Regis Resort in Laguna Beach. With the waves right outside her windows and nothing more to worry about than finding the next relaxing thing to do, Amanda should be having the time of her life and escaping the drama. But instead, she finds herself faced with a kind, older divorcee who showers her with attention…and she discovers that the road to healing is never simple. This is the sometimes funny, sometimes bitter, but always moving story about the mistakes and discoveries a woman makes when her perfect world is turn upside down.
My Review:
Amanda Blick finished yoga class and headed to her husband, Andre’s restaurant to get a strawberry muffin. What she found wasn’t a muffin but instead Andre making love to his new sous chef, Ursula! This was a Tuesday that Amanda would never forget. She hopped into her car, drove to the post office and parked, then walked to the lake. She was still in her yoga clothes so didn’t look out of place.
Sitting on the bench, Amanda just sobbed. She and Andre had been married for ten years and had an eight-year-old son, Max. Now Amanda understood what Andre was really doing on Tuesdays when he told her he was going to the restaurant to “do the books” and she felt so let down. She thought back to just a few nights ago when she was happily ensconced on his arm as they headed into the restaurant for their date night. She couldn’t even blame, Ursula for this, the blame belonged to Andre.
Amanda had met Andre in July just after she graduated from Berkley and they were engaged by the end of the summer. She couldn’t believe she was going to marry a sexy Frenchman who’d only been in American for ten months. Amanda was twenty-two-years-old and Andre was twenty-four.
Stephanie was one of Amanda’s best friends and partner with Andre in their own French restaurant, La Petite Maison. She headed over to Stephanie’s house for a chat. Talking with Stephanie, Amanda hoped to gain some insight into what was going on with Andre. Amanda didn’t expect Stephanie to confess to her that, Ursula was NOT the first woman he had been unfaithful with over the past eight years. After a few shots of tequila, a borrowed dress, shoes, and her make-up and hair done, Stephanie shoved Amanda out her front door to go home and confront Andre.
After the confrontation with Andre and his apologies and promises to Amanda that he’d never do it again, she left and went to see her mother. Mom called the family lawyer to arrange a meeting so Amanda could begin divorce proceedings. However, Andre was adamant that they were not going to divorce.
Amanda’s Mom, Grace talked Amanda into spending the summer at Laguna Beach in California. They would stay the St. Regis Resort in the Presidential Suite! Grace was rich beyond rich and could afford a 5-star hotel for the summer. When Amanda told Max where they were going to spend their summer and that he could swim, learn how to surf and then surf every day, he was ecstatic.
The St. Regis was simply gorgeous and Amanda began to think this was perhaps the best way for her to get over and forget Andre. There was so much to do at St. Regis that you could literally keep yourself busy and entertained twenty-four-hours-a-day and still not run out of things to do. But even having money and living in a 5-star hotel can’t always buy you happiness.
When Amanda meets Edward, an older man who has been divorced for five years, she thinks she’s finally found someone she can rely on and trust but sometimes we don’t always know people the way we think we do.
Monarch Beach was a fast-paced, racy, roller-coaster ride of a read. It’s a book about love, divorce, hope, loss, and finding ones way back to some sort of normal that you can live with. I was so glued that I read it in one sitting. I can’t wait to read ‘Market Street.’
St. Martin’s Press|June 19, 2012|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-312-64304-1
Anita Hughes’ Monarch Beach is an absorbing debut novel about one woman’s journey back to happiness after an affair splinters her perfect marriage and life – what it means to be loved, betrayed and to love again.
When Amanda Blick, a young mother and kind-hearted San Francisco heiress, finds her gorgeous French chef husband wrapped around his sous-chef, she knows she must flee her life in order to rebuilt it. The opportunity falls into her lap when her (very lovable) mother suggests Amanda and her young son, Max spend the summer with her at the St. Regis Resort in Laguna Beach. With the waves right outside her windows and nothing more to worry about than finding the next relaxing thing to do, Amanda should be having the time of her life and escaping the drama. But instead, she finds herself faced with a kind, older divorcee who showers her with attention…and she discovers that the road to healing is never simple. This is the sometimes funny, sometimes bitter, but always moving story about the mistakes and discoveries a woman makes when her perfect world is turn upside down.
My Review:
Amanda Blick finished yoga class and headed to her husband, Andre’s restaurant to get a strawberry muffin. What she found wasn’t a muffin but instead Andre making love to his new sous chef, Ursula! This was a Tuesday that Amanda would never forget. She hopped into her car, drove to the post office and parked, then walked to the lake. She was still in her yoga clothes so didn’t look out of place.
Sitting on the bench, Amanda just sobbed. She and Andre had been married for ten years and had an eight-year-old son, Max. Now Amanda understood what Andre was really doing on Tuesdays when he told her he was going to the restaurant to “do the books” and she felt so let down. She thought back to just a few nights ago when she was happily ensconced on his arm as they headed into the restaurant for their date night. She couldn’t even blame, Ursula for this, the blame belonged to Andre.
Amanda had met Andre in July just after she graduated from Berkley and they were engaged by the end of the summer. She couldn’t believe she was going to marry a sexy Frenchman who’d only been in American for ten months. Amanda was twenty-two-years-old and Andre was twenty-four.
Stephanie was one of Amanda’s best friends and partner with Andre in their own French restaurant, La Petite Maison. She headed over to Stephanie’s house for a chat. Talking with Stephanie, Amanda hoped to gain some insight into what was going on with Andre. Amanda didn’t expect Stephanie to confess to her that, Ursula was NOT the first woman he had been unfaithful with over the past eight years. After a few shots of tequila, a borrowed dress, shoes, and her make-up and hair done, Stephanie shoved Amanda out her front door to go home and confront Andre.
After the confrontation with Andre and his apologies and promises to Amanda that he’d never do it again, she left and went to see her mother. Mom called the family lawyer to arrange a meeting so Amanda could begin divorce proceedings. However, Andre was adamant that they were not going to divorce.
Amanda’s Mom, Grace talked Amanda into spending the summer at Laguna Beach in California. They would stay the St. Regis Resort in the Presidential Suite! Grace was rich beyond rich and could afford a 5-star hotel for the summer. When Amanda told Max where they were going to spend their summer and that he could swim, learn how to surf and then surf every day, he was ecstatic.
The St. Regis was simply gorgeous and Amanda began to think this was perhaps the best way for her to get over and forget Andre. There was so much to do at St. Regis that you could literally keep yourself busy and entertained twenty-four-hours-a-day and still not run out of things to do. But even having money and living in a 5-star hotel can’t always buy you happiness.
When Amanda meets Edward, an older man who has been divorced for five years, she thinks she’s finally found someone she can rely on and trust but sometimes we don’t always know people the way we think we do.
Monarch Beach was a fast-paced, racy, roller-coaster ride of a read. It’s a book about love, divorce, hope, loss, and finding ones way back to some sort of normal that you can live with. I was so glued that I read it in one sitting. I can’t wait to read ‘Market Street.’
July 22, 2012
For those of you looking for a riveting, sassy, sexy beach read, look no further than MONARCH BEACH. I previewed the book by reading chapter one, and couldn't put it down for three days. Unfaithful husbands, mothers and daughters, mothers and sons, friendship, and new love are explored in MONARCH BEACH. It is a delicious debut in women's fiction.
June 18, 2012
Monarch Beach is the perfect beach read of the summer. I spent my Saturday laying out in the sun just enjoying this book. Enjoying the story, enjoying the characters and enjoying the writing. It's just one of those books you read, it's a great diversion for an afternoon yet you still think about it when it's over. Amanda is a character I will remember as well as her mother and her son.
Amanda has found her husband cheating on her and has no idea how to proceed. Her life has fallen apart in the span of just a few minutes. I can't even imagine what that would be like. Now unfortunately I don't have a wealthy mother to take me away for the summer, but just as well I got to escape with Amanda in this book. Ms. Hughes does a wonderful job making the reader feel the emotions that Amanda feels and empathizing with her. Everything she felt I felt. It was really great writing on the author's part. And I didn't even feel jealousy or disbelief that she got to go away for the summer. These things do happen and Amanda and her mother were so likable, that I was pulling for them so it didn't matter that they could escape in this way that most people can't. I wanted them to and I wanted to see what would happen. The characters were amazing. Mostly we see Amanda since the book is about how she deals with this situation. But I also enjoyed her mother, her son, her best friend and the others that were brought into the plot. All were interesting and kept the plot moving.
The plot never waned from the opening scene where Amanda's life breaks in two. At the start she goes back in time, remembering and that really helped in getting to know Amanda and how she got to where she is and how she will get to where she will be as well. Everything that is in the book really has a point and you understand it by the end. I read quickly through the book while enjoying the sun on Saturday afternoon. It seemed the perfect place to enjoy the book. And enjoy it I did. Once I finally could put the time into reading it without interruptions I could not put Monarch Beach down. I wanted to know what would happen next and how Amanda would handle things. I was almost sad when it was over because I was done with Amanda, yet the book came to a very satisfying conclusion for me. But I had been around Amanda for several hours and I was not ready to let her go yet. That to me is a hallmark of a wonderful character and book.
Ms. Hughes has crafted a book that while it seems simple in plot, it's not and the meaning creeps up on you at the end. You feel very satisfied once you have finished it. But the beauty is to get to that satisfaction you have just read a wonderful light, yet not light beach read if that makes sense. While the subject matter is tough, I never felt down. Ms. Hughes manages to handle the subject matter in a way that never belittles it but never makes it completely depressing. How she did that I'm really not sure, but I loved it. It never felt like it was playing down Amanda's troubles but it wasn't playing them to the hilt either. It's really hard to explain without giving away the book. The simplest thing to say is to read it when it comes out tomorrow. It's a fabulous book that can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys general fiction or women's fiction. It's a must for your beach bag, pool bag, lake bag or any vacation bag this summer.
Amanda has found her husband cheating on her and has no idea how to proceed. Her life has fallen apart in the span of just a few minutes. I can't even imagine what that would be like. Now unfortunately I don't have a wealthy mother to take me away for the summer, but just as well I got to escape with Amanda in this book. Ms. Hughes does a wonderful job making the reader feel the emotions that Amanda feels and empathizing with her. Everything she felt I felt. It was really great writing on the author's part. And I didn't even feel jealousy or disbelief that she got to go away for the summer. These things do happen and Amanda and her mother were so likable, that I was pulling for them so it didn't matter that they could escape in this way that most people can't. I wanted them to and I wanted to see what would happen. The characters were amazing. Mostly we see Amanda since the book is about how she deals with this situation. But I also enjoyed her mother, her son, her best friend and the others that were brought into the plot. All were interesting and kept the plot moving.
The plot never waned from the opening scene where Amanda's life breaks in two. At the start she goes back in time, remembering and that really helped in getting to know Amanda and how she got to where she is and how she will get to where she will be as well. Everything that is in the book really has a point and you understand it by the end. I read quickly through the book while enjoying the sun on Saturday afternoon. It seemed the perfect place to enjoy the book. And enjoy it I did. Once I finally could put the time into reading it without interruptions I could not put Monarch Beach down. I wanted to know what would happen next and how Amanda would handle things. I was almost sad when it was over because I was done with Amanda, yet the book came to a very satisfying conclusion for me. But I had been around Amanda for several hours and I was not ready to let her go yet. That to me is a hallmark of a wonderful character and book.
Ms. Hughes has crafted a book that while it seems simple in plot, it's not and the meaning creeps up on you at the end. You feel very satisfied once you have finished it. But the beauty is to get to that satisfaction you have just read a wonderful light, yet not light beach read if that makes sense. While the subject matter is tough, I never felt down. Ms. Hughes manages to handle the subject matter in a way that never belittles it but never makes it completely depressing. How she did that I'm really not sure, but I loved it. It never felt like it was playing down Amanda's troubles but it wasn't playing them to the hilt either. It's really hard to explain without giving away the book. The simplest thing to say is to read it when it comes out tomorrow. It's a fabulous book that can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys general fiction or women's fiction. It's a must for your beach bag, pool bag, lake bag or any vacation bag this summer.
June 26, 2012
http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/2012...
Monarch Beach is the debut book from author Anita Hughes. Amanda Blick is a middle aged wife and mom who has a great life--until one Tuesday morning. Tuesday morning she finds her gorgeous husband, "enjoying" the restaurants sous chef.
Now, what you need to know about Amanda is she is loaded! So after finding another woman's legs wrapped around her husband, her mother suggests a getaway. A getaway for the super wealthy, complete with pool waiters-a stay in the lap of luxury at the St. Regis Resort in Laguna Beach. While enjoying their time in the sun she meets a new guy, making her realize she is more than a wife and mother. She soon realizes the world is still full of possibilities.
I really enjoyed, Monarch Beach! it was light reading with touches of seriousness. It was a different from other books I've read in the sense Amanda was so rich she could escape more easily than anyone I know. There is lots of name brands listed, in someways I thought it made Amanda shallow--however I was reminded near the end of the book Amanda was really into fashion.
I would say I never overly liked or disliked Amanda. But that's ok, because I really enjoyed the book. This is a fantastic book to take to the beach! And I'll tell you what if you can't hit the beach this summer just grab yourself a copy of Monarch Beach, a fruity drink and stick your feet in the kiddie pool because Anita is gonna bring the beach to you!
I'm definitely recommending Monarch Beach for your beach bag!
Monarch Beach is the debut book from author Anita Hughes. Amanda Blick is a middle aged wife and mom who has a great life--until one Tuesday morning. Tuesday morning she finds her gorgeous husband, "enjoying" the restaurants sous chef.
Now, what you need to know about Amanda is she is loaded! So after finding another woman's legs wrapped around her husband, her mother suggests a getaway. A getaway for the super wealthy, complete with pool waiters-a stay in the lap of luxury at the St. Regis Resort in Laguna Beach. While enjoying their time in the sun she meets a new guy, making her realize she is more than a wife and mother. She soon realizes the world is still full of possibilities.
I really enjoyed, Monarch Beach! it was light reading with touches of seriousness. It was a different from other books I've read in the sense Amanda was so rich she could escape more easily than anyone I know. There is lots of name brands listed, in someways I thought it made Amanda shallow--however I was reminded near the end of the book Amanda was really into fashion.
I would say I never overly liked or disliked Amanda. But that's ok, because I really enjoyed the book. This is a fantastic book to take to the beach! And I'll tell you what if you can't hit the beach this summer just grab yourself a copy of Monarch Beach, a fruity drink and stick your feet in the kiddie pool because Anita is gonna bring the beach to you!
I'm definitely recommending Monarch Beach for your beach bag!
December 7, 2012
I really wanted to like this book and it started out very promising. But somehow, as the story progressed I couldn't wait to be finished. Why? Well here goes:
(WARNING: SPOILERS TO FOLLOW)
1. Amanda Blick - the main character - flat out annoyed the living daylights out of me. Naive, spoiled, confused, lazy...she highlights everything that I am and don't want to be (Joke. Kind of). She isn't the first person to be cheated on and won't be the last. She isn't the first person who has to pull it together to take care of a her child either - which she doesn't. In any case, Amanda's mother picked up the pieces for her and still Amanda complained and wallowed. I'm not sure who Amanda's character appeals to but she didn't appeal to me in the least.
2. The plot was too predictable. Shady rebound fling? Check. Rich mom whisking her away to a beautiful place where she doesn't have to worry about anything? Check. Neat, happy little ending? Check. I'm all for a tidy beach read but this one just didn't work.
3. The writing quality was not good. As the story progressed the author seemed hell bent on name dropping instead of actually making sure the story had structure and the characters had personality. I think I learned more about fashion in this book then I did in the last issue of InStyle!
Sorry to be so harsh with this review. As I said I really wanted to like this book, especially since I love the Monarch Beach resort and think living there would be heavenly. But this just didn't work for me.
(WARNING: SPOILERS TO FOLLOW)
1. Amanda Blick - the main character - flat out annoyed the living daylights out of me. Naive, spoiled, confused, lazy...she highlights everything that I am and don't want to be (Joke. Kind of). She isn't the first person to be cheated on and won't be the last. She isn't the first person who has to pull it together to take care of a her child either - which she doesn't. In any case, Amanda's mother picked up the pieces for her and still Amanda complained and wallowed. I'm not sure who Amanda's character appeals to but she didn't appeal to me in the least.
2. The plot was too predictable. Shady rebound fling? Check. Rich mom whisking her away to a beautiful place where she doesn't have to worry about anything? Check. Neat, happy little ending? Check. I'm all for a tidy beach read but this one just didn't work.
3. The writing quality was not good. As the story progressed the author seemed hell bent on name dropping instead of actually making sure the story had structure and the characters had personality. I think I learned more about fashion in this book then I did in the last issue of InStyle!
Sorry to be so harsh with this review. As I said I really wanted to like this book, especially since I love the Monarch Beach resort and think living there would be heavenly. But this just didn't work for me.
August 6, 2012
This is the worst chick lit I have read...ever. I'm not kidding. I only read the entire book because I was stuck on a long flight.
March 11, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. After reading several deep and thought provoking books, I needed a change of pace. This was a light, quick read and exactly what I needed.
September 8, 2023
A woman trying to understand herself after leaving her husband when she found him with another woman. The story is set in California. The book was an easy read.
June 17, 2012
This book is definitely chick lit, but it was good, surprisingly good since I don't read too many romance, beachy novels. But I was hooked within the first few pages. The writer does a great job making her characters likeable and very real.
The book is mainly about Amanda Blick. She is a young, 30 something mother who also happens to be a rich California heiress. One day she walks into her husbands restaurant to find him literally wrapped around his sous chef in the kitchen. He's French and tries to win Amanda back by telling her it is normal for Frenchmen to take a lover and it means nothing, but Amanda is having none of it. She takes her son Max and escapes to the St. Regis Resort in So. Cal to recuperate and decide her future. However, she soon meets a kind, older divorcee who starts to shower her with attention.
But don't be surprised if this novel catches you off guard. The ending was a different one than I anticipated. This was a great book to escape too. I loved how rich and extravagant Amanda and her mom's lifestyle was. Fun, fun book to read! I will put this author on my too read list for sure! I received this book as part of the Goodreads Firstreads program.
The book is mainly about Amanda Blick. She is a young, 30 something mother who also happens to be a rich California heiress. One day she walks into her husbands restaurant to find him literally wrapped around his sous chef in the kitchen. He's French and tries to win Amanda back by telling her it is normal for Frenchmen to take a lover and it means nothing, but Amanda is having none of it. She takes her son Max and escapes to the St. Regis Resort in So. Cal to recuperate and decide her future. However, she soon meets a kind, older divorcee who starts to shower her with attention.
But don't be surprised if this novel catches you off guard. The ending was a different one than I anticipated. This was a great book to escape too. I loved how rich and extravagant Amanda and her mom's lifestyle was. Fun, fun book to read! I will put this author on my too read list for sure! I received this book as part of the Goodreads Firstreads program.
February 25, 2013
What a wonderful debut novel by Anita Hughes. I am looking forward to her next book. I thought Anita did a wonderful job of describing everything, I could truly picture it all. I want to go live at the St Regis and do the butterfly releases. The story was wonderfully done showing that everything isn't always black and white or what it seems to be. When Amanda catches her husband cheating on her and the actions she takes to make sure that her son Max is not hurt in the process. Even though Amanda is wealthy and goes to live at the St Regis with her mother and son, you don't feel like she is a snob, and you want to cheer her on to rebuilding her life. The book was unpredictable, which I liked, not everything went the way you thought it would. A great read.
October 1, 2012
I'm not normally a sucker for chick-lit fiction but I do enjoy a story set on a beach. While this could easily have been a cliche novel -- main character discovers her gorgeous hubby, a French chef, is having an affair and promptly leaves him -- instead, Amanda (main character) shows a lot of grace and strength to the point where you truly feel empathetic. There were a few minor flaws but nothing that distracted from the plot (such as, Amanda's mother vowing to give up chain-smoking but we never see her fight the nicotine addiction). Really strong character development and a glimpse into a tiny world (that of people who live in a hotel) make this a fun read.
April 15, 2012
On 2/29/12 Goodreads First Reads notified me that I had won Monarch Beach by Anita Hughes. Six weeks later on 4/11/12, and I just received the book today.
Even though I had to wait six weeks for the book, let me just say it was worth the wait. This book and author are great, be careful starting it you will not want to put it down. When reading this book, I can so imagine myself at the St. Regis, the way this writer just brings everything to life is amazing. I love the characters of Amanda, her mother, Stephanie, and Max. I am so looking forward to future books.
Even though I had to wait six weeks for the book, let me just say it was worth the wait. This book and author are great, be careful starting it you will not want to put it down. When reading this book, I can so imagine myself at the St. Regis, the way this writer just brings everything to life is amazing. I love the characters of Amanda, her mother, Stephanie, and Max. I am so looking forward to future books.
February 25, 2013
I loved this book because it's written very well and a great escape to another lifestyle that I will never know and lots of fabulous scenery too. Amanda finds her chef husband has been having an affair and struggles with what to do with her life. Not knowing what to do next, she decided to take off for the summer to St Regis Resort in Laguna with her mother and her son. She meets Edward, a divorced man who helps her through her tough days. This is one of those must read books. I can't wait to read Market Street when it comes out.
September 22, 2013
I learned from Anita Hughes that divorce is easy when you're a multi million dollar heiress. You can stuff your kid with milkshakes and get alone time by leaving him in the care of hotel staff, mope between spa sessions, and be grotesquely indulged by your mom and best friends unquestioning support. Cutting off all and any ties to your spouse is a breeze and avoiding any emotional exploration or analysis of your relationship is the method prescribed too move forward.
I was disappointed at this surface treatment of divorce and life of a 99 percenter.
I was disappointed at this surface treatment of divorce and life of a 99 percenter.
June 25, 2012
What a great job Anita Hughes did on her first novel. I really enjoyed reading a book where the setting was on the west coast. I am from the east coast and have never been to California. While reading this book I felt like I was actually there. Now, I'm going to add visit St. Regis Monarch Beach resort to my bucket list. Thnak you, Anita for creating such a wonderful story with great ambiance, and a surprise ending.
April 11, 2018
No surprises here. I didn't connect, really, with any of the characters. I felt that Amanda was weak and too ignorant of life; and everyone encouraged it. Her husband sucked, and she was too easily fooled by him, especially being college educated. The new guy was no better. He jumped right into bed with someone else, just because she wouldn't listen to his "orders" about not seeing the father of her son.
Just couldn't relate to any of them.
Just couldn't relate to any of them.
May 31, 2012
I think Anita Hughes is a good Chick Lit writer. However, I did not care for this book. It took a nose dive about half way through. I couldn't get into the main character, Amanda. I thought she was very shallow.
December 6, 2012
Wonderful novel that transports the reader into a fantastic world of caviar and Bentleys, the Pacific Coast and The St. Regis Hotel. A perfect book to tuck into your tote when you're headed to the beach.
October 9, 2012
4.5/5 Loved it! A great debut. My only regret is that I didn't actually get to read this til now it's a perfect beach read. And I can't wait til next year when Anita's new book comes out.
August 14, 2012
This was such a wonderful book. I had a hard time putting it down. I read it in my spare time and was done in 2 1/2 days!!! Highly recommended.
November 19, 2025
First things first... I admittedly hate read this author because the characters in her books are so unhinged. I am also a male, which is probably not the primary demographic for this book. I'm visibly waving my arms in shock at some of the passages. Every one of her novels is a bunch of out of touch rich people with terrible personalities...and I can't stop myself. I did a spit take when the characters were making sand castles on the beach using the empty tins of caviar they had just consumed. That's the kind of relatable entertainment you can expect throughout.
After I had read another of her books set in St Barths, I ventured into Monarch Beach-- a classic story of a woman wronged by a cheating husband. It has the old cliché of moving into a two thousand dollar a night hotel for months on end as she "recovers" from this slight. We've all been there, right?
It's funny and entertaining in a way that I don't think the author intended. As other reviewers have said, much time is spent on listing fashion brands you've never heard of and routinely emphasizes the Bentley that chauffeurs her family around. God forbid you thought they were being driven around in a Cadillac! The characters are spoiled, but also unaware of it. They throw money at problems, and really don't solve any of them.
It's frankly not a good story. The characters are insufferable. And yet, I'm going to end up reading more of her books because they help keep me grounded and entertained.
After I had read another of her books set in St Barths, I ventured into Monarch Beach-- a classic story of a woman wronged by a cheating husband. It has the old cliché of moving into a two thousand dollar a night hotel for months on end as she "recovers" from this slight. We've all been there, right?
It's funny and entertaining in a way that I don't think the author intended. As other reviewers have said, much time is spent on listing fashion brands you've never heard of and routinely emphasizes the Bentley that chauffeurs her family around. God forbid you thought they were being driven around in a Cadillac! The characters are spoiled, but also unaware of it. They throw money at problems, and really don't solve any of them.
It's frankly not a good story. The characters are insufferable. And yet, I'm going to end up reading more of her books because they help keep me grounded and entertained.
May 10, 2024
This book was ok. It started out interesting, but then it started to lag. I just felt that the story was lacking substance. My main critique is that the author was a little bit *too detailed* about the character's wardrobe and other tangible items. For instance, there were a number of times where she stated that the car they were in was a Bentley. We as an audience already know that the car is a Bentley and in my opinion, it didn't have to be stated frequently... The same goes for her wardrobe. We know that she is wealthy. We don't always have to know the name brand of what she's wearing. We can know that she is wearing a sundress, sandals, etc. Knowing the name brand all of the time is unnecessary.
I was rooting for Edward, but then he did what he did. I like the fact that Amanda put herself first at the end of the novel and decided to go to fashion design school in New York. I believe it is implied that she gives Edward a second chance based on their conversation at the end.
I was rooting for Edward, but then he did what he did. I like the fact that Amanda put herself first at the end of the novel and decided to go to fashion design school in New York. I believe it is implied that she gives Edward a second chance based on their conversation at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2020
3.5 Amanda Blick has a happy life, married to a French chef husband and they have a young son, Max. Amanda decides to surprise her husband and visit him at his restaurant and finds him in the middle of an intimate position with his sous chef. Amanda finds out that this is not the first time by a long shot and he has had affairs with many women,. Amanda is a San Francisco heiress and goes to her society mother to get some advice. Now Amanda finds herself along with her mother and son in a luxurious hotel in Laguna Beach. The plan is to stay there for the summer and see what happens. Amanda needs to know for sure she is right in getting a divorce but she must think of her young son. New life begins at the beach in an encounter with an older man.
September 11, 2022
Monarch Beach Resort in Laguna Beach, CA is the setting for this story that focuses on a marriage betrayal and what steps to take next. Amanda Blick must decide whether she should reconcile, find a new love, or embark on an entirely different focus on her life. She also must consider her eight year old son. Exciting and luxurious descriptions add to the story.
June 25, 2019
The perfect summer beach read. There’s betrayal, badass females, an adorable family, steamy romance and a picturesque backdrop. Loved reading every page of this, just wished we could follow the main character on her next journey.
February 10, 2025
This was a light, easy enjoyable read. I didn’t like the cliff hanger and the way the characters treated each other annoyed me at points but I did like how Amanda gave life a second chance and didn’t just sit around and cry.
July 29, 2018
An easy to read chick lit. Not much substance but an enjoyable enough first novel by Anita Hughes.
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