If You Come to California

by Nichole Naumann

Josie Foley, home-schooled loser, finds solace in one thing in her miserable life: music. When U.S.A Talent auditions hit the East Coast her geeky, only-friend urges her to leave their small hometown and attend the forbidden event.

Josie is suddenly hurled into L.A.'s underbelly, an unfamiliar world of drugs, parties and crime introduced to her by the bewitching and mysterious Vanessa. Along the way, she encounters an assortment of strange, dangerous new friends that accompany her on a once-in-a-lifetime journey. There's Dante, the unhinged drag queen; Christian, a hot Sunset Strip rocker; Mickey Solomon, Hollywood's favorite drug kingpin; and SNL, the spoiled little rich girl in pink.

But as Josie and Vanessa grow closer, terrible secrets start to surface—secrets that even the malleable Josie cannot ignore, threatening the friendship she always dreamed of. As the show comes to an intense climax, she begins to question what reflections are real—even her own—and discovers that nothing here is what it seems.

It takes a sour dose of reality for Josie to realize she never needed acceptance to be a star…but is it too late?

A shocking plunge into a raw and realistic Los Angeles, IF YOU COME TO CALIFORNIA is a fictional black market tourist’s guide for anybody who has ever had a Hollywood dream. An entertaining but painfully truthful coming-of-age set in a time when “soda pop is out and Four Lokos is in,” Josie guides us through a year in the turbulent life of a teenage Millennial.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Music

259 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2012

About the author

Nichole Naumann lives in a tiny, run-down apartment by the beach in Los Angeles, California with her cat and her much-older boyfriend. She won third place in Seventeen Magazine's annual fiction contest (2005) with a story she proudly called "A Curse In South Nestor." She's currently writing a pilot for a television show and working on her second book.

Check out IF YOU COME TO CALIFORNIA, her debut novel.

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Reviews

[Alexis *Reality Bites*]

ON HOLD FOR NOW..

[Ashlynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

REALLY liked this! Maybe because I reside in L.A. This is every person's story....like everyone who moves out here and is obsessed with being famous. I've known many fucked up people like Mickey Solomon and SNL, etc. The Vanessa character made me wanna hurl--what a c-word.

I like how this incorporated drugs, sex, and rock n roll but the story also follows her struggle on that reality show and you're wondering if she's going to win throughout the book.

[Mygel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book while making dinner and dragged it with me into the bathtub because I couldn't put it down.

Nichole Naumann transported me to different worlds, spellbinding me with details of rural hick towns, seedy strip clubs, glittering stage performances, and opulent shorelines of LA. I traveled with the main character across America and shared in her journey.

Josie, the main character, is lovable. She's a sheltered girl with a good head on her shoulders, and as the book unfolded, I bit my nails and cheered for her while she carved her path through a strange new world.

The people Josie meets are unforgettable. They are real people with strange tics and troubled pasts. (I felt a special love for Mickey Solomon.)

The evolution/unveiling of Josie's greatest obstacle to fame made for a fascinating and involving plot.

The clever twists and turns of the story, combined with a strong and lovable lead character, the myriad of quirky settings and memorable characters, spiced with excellent wit, make this book an excellent page-turner that is worth reading a second time.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live a little over an hour outside of LA, although I have never seen the mean streets of LA like Josie did I have definitely seen the drama and lifestyle that being in that area can bring. Josie had her fair share of ups and downs in “Tinseltown”, but she found out more about herself during her struggle on U.S.A. Talent, than she had in the first eighteen years of her life back in Jersey. There were parts of the book I was screaming at her and there were parts that I was cheering her on. I found it hilarious that Vanessa, the craziest person in the book was from the San Bernardino area, like a fifteen minute drive for me.

Overall it was a wonderful coming of age story that had quite a bit of twists and turns in it, some I saw coming, some I didn’t. I enjoyed reading this book and I would encourage others to read it as well.

[Hannah Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in about two days. Once you start reading you won't be able to put it down. The author is an excellent story teller who weaves a climatic tale surrounding the marvels and dangers of LA, of betrayal, falling in love and growing up. In the style of Kevin Brook's Candy, she draws you into the characters world, stringing you along as the story surmounts to its dramatic and fateful end. You will identify with this book if you have ever felt trapped in a mundane life, dreamed of moving to California or experienced the crazy highs and lows that accompany youths reckless and eager adventures.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a firstreads winner of this book, and boy am I glad I had the chance to read it! Josie is from a small backwoods town but she dreams of fame. A talent show hosts auditions and she makes it on the show. This book takes you through Josie's new life in California. You see how desperate some are for fame and fortune. Amazing story line that continues to pull you in, excellent characters, some you hate and some you love that grow and develop with the story. I felt like I was with Josie seeing everything first hand. I loved that the author took the time to properly close the story, there is no guessing how it ends. Amazing read! WaAR

[Nicci Hartland · Rating 4 out of 5]

****GOODREADS GIVEAWAY WINNER****

I really wasn't sure what to expect with this book. A naive smalltown girl tries to pursue her dream on the countries biggest talent show and get embroiled in the darker side of LA drugs, parties and crime.

This book kept my attention throughout with a good solid storyline. There were times I wanted to smack Josie for being so naive and Van for being such a b1tch. Even the bad guy Mickey did have a heart of gold in his tattooed body.

Well worth a read.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. That's really all I can think right now about this book. This story was above and beyond anything I expected. I didn't agree with a lot of things (Vanessa getting away, Josie not ending up with Christian) but at the same time, there was so much I DID like (Mickey, SNL, the whole American Idol experience.) the ending wasn't at all what I had hoped but I still feel really good about having read this book. It's definitely worth checking out.

[Jocie Stoudt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK. I finished it about a week ago now, and I haven't stopped thinking about it since then. Something about it is so enticing and extremely hard to put down. I'm definitely going to read it again, and I recommend it to everyone. Truly brilliant!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. It kept me coming back even when I should have been doing other things :)! It was easy to read. Easy to connect with the characters! Like making friends, and enemies! Good Read!

[Jacqueline Braddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to begin, truth, lies, hollywood, twists and turns, dreams and reality, laughing and crying, it's all here. Nichole Naumann is a talented writer with a mind like no other! Can't wait to read the next creation!

[Tessamari ♥Many Waters...♥ ~ Sweet Spot Book Blog]

Free on Amazon 04.01.13

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly addictive story. While it read like a teenager writing down her daydreams I still really couldn't put it down. I wonder why the author never wrote any other books. I would definitely check them out if they were out there.

[Kim DeSalvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, I admit it. I watch American Idol occasionally. I mean, who doesn’t love a ‘rags to riches’ story, especially when someone with real talent overcomes the odds and makes it to the big time? It’s kind of a squeaky clean show, but we all know that there’s a dark side too; a yin to the yang, so to speak. LA isn’t a squeaky clean place, and more than a handful of people flock there with high hopes only to find themselves tangled in the web of its alter-ego. “If You Come to California” is that kind of story; raw and edgy and dirty under the sparkly façade. If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes—what happens to someone who finds themselves on the side of LA where the sun isn’t quite as bright—this is the book for you. I was captivated by the storyline, the characters, and the twists and turns that take a talented young lady on a journey of discovery that leads to a ‘happy’ ending no one would expect. This is an excellent story by a first-time author, and I look forward to more from this talented writer!

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book lies out the down side to moving to LA to make it big.

Josie - the naive Jersey girl who wants to make it on the show "USA Talent"
Vanessa - the blood sucking b*tch who would sell her grandmother if it could help her advance her "career" on USA Talent - also see back staber, and crazy.
Mickey - the drug dealer/thug/illegal marriage broker who has a soft spot for Josie
Christian - Josie's first love and first heartbreak - aka 80's hair God - also a contestant on USA Talent.
Dante - Coked up roommate/transvestite, who bites off more than he can chew with Mickey


This is a cautionary tale that LA is a hot mess - despite the odds of making it Josie tries and learns the hard way just how much the City of Angels lacks any angels.

[Abby Lutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually am not big on writing reviews, but If You Come To California was a fantastic book. You seem to think you know what is going to happen: a typical teen angst story, but no. I was hooked from the beginning and the ending has such a surprising spin! Anyone from a small town can definitely relate to the main character Josie and the troubles in her life. Should be on everyone's to read list!

[Brandon T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down. The writing isn't great and it is sometimes predictable but I couldn't stop reading it. Very good story.

[Ycckk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed it...def kept my interest throughout.