The California Club

LoveTravel #3

by Belinda Jones

When Lara Richards jets off to glamorous California, the last thing she’s expecting is to find her old friend Helen transformed from a clipboard-clasping frump into a shimmering surf goddess. The secret of her blissful new life? The mysterious California Club. So the offer of guest membership -- one wish, guaranteed to come true by the end of their stay -- is one Lara and her friends can’t resist.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Travel, Ebooks, Amazon

480 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 30, 2003

About the author

Belinda Jones was born in Turnbridge Wells, Kent England. At the age of 19 she moved to London, where she resided for the next ten years before moving to California. She now lives in Los Angeles.

Belinda Jones writes books for women which focus around travel and womens issues, particularly relationships. Her books tend to fall into the romance, chick lit and women's fiction categories

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely jubly. Ticked all the right boxes.
The progression throughout was great, though I remember feeling (at some points) like I just wanted to shake the main character because she was being a little bit dumb.
Bit isn’t that the same with any book?

Either way, I remember finishing this and being happy with it :)

[Anne Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Jones' other novels in the past, but sadly not this one. The plot is very weak, but not as weak as the heroine, Lara, and indeed the 'hero', Elliott. Both of them annoyed me very much and I suspect they probably deserve each other. I think the trouble is that the group of friends act and think like 18 year olds when they're supposed to be approaching 30. The one good thing about this book is the lovely Joel, whose character and story are so much more interesting than anything else that's going on. I do wish this book had been about him - it would have been a much better read.

[Barbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was fun enough, and I couldn't have read it at a better time (on a trip to Los Angeles), but I was still disappointed. It was inconsistent in dialogue, a little unrealistic and stereotypical, and clearly unedited (or poorly edited). I finished it, but I think my time would have been better spent on another book.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik vond het een leuk boek, alleen het einde was teleurstellend. Er had veel kunnen komen alleen dit kwam er allemaal niet.

[Alyson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, because it sounds like a lot of characters to focus on for a "romance" book. I ended up enjoying it, that is until got to the end.

Spoilers ahead----



The main character shows such growth throughout the book, even seeming that she's moving past a guy she has supposedly loved for ten years (though how she has loved him when they have no chemistry at all I don't understand). She becomes confident and even meets a guy along the way who is a good match for her and so full of life, bringing out an energy in her she never had before. I would have been fine if her relationship with Joel ended as "see you later" and that was that. However it ends with her completely regressing and going back to the guy who has rejected her for ten years and was just engaged earlier in the day. I was so mad! Still am, deleting the book from my kindle so I never have to relive the end again.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, the storyline is fun (if sometimes a little unbelievable) and the characters are, mostly, real and relatable. I like this authors style of writing and she does a good job of describing California in a way that really wants to make you visit. I read this in 2 days on holiday - its great to relax with as it doesn't require you to think too much

[Kay Cugini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this at least 7 times now, such a wonderful feel good read, superb characters and nobody sets a scene like Belinda, California is my favourite place in the world and reading this book makes me desperate for another visit and gives me my fix!, will have to content myself with her new book out shortly. This book is in my top 5 fiction of all time x

[Maryanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud reading The California Club, so that makes it deserve the five stars right there! It is the perfect light, pick me up book when you need one. You can't help but be uplifted with the premise of the story- the wonderfulness of friendship. I enjoyed it and flew right through.

[RJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just too fake.

[Francesca Scanlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually ADORED this book, and now desperately want to visit California

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

re read ...

easy to read , funny

[Caroline Drewery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came to me at a point in my life I needed a book like this

[Emma's Things to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in 2003, this book has lots of cultural references that will make a reader if a certain age a bit nostalgia.

Lara and her friends, Zoe, Sasha, Elliott and His fiancée Elise, head to California for a dream holiday and to meet up with Helen.

As they head nearer to their 30s they are all a bit lost. Lara has a chance to run her dream B & B but doesn’t have the money she needs and may have to sell up; ex-model Sasha doesn’t know what to do next, but knows she doesn’t want to be judged for her looks; Zoe is obsessed with celebrities amd becoming famous and Elliott and Elise have got engaged but there are already doubts.

In contrast, Helen is glowing. Happy, confident and sucessful, her life in California is everything she had hoped. She credits the mysterious California Club and has arranged for each of her friends to spend the first week on a series of challenges and adventures that will help them make their dreams come true.

Lara hides her real wish, which is that long-time best friend Elliott will fall in love with her, and instead wishes to spend some quality time with each of her travel companions. Her week is an epic road trip, helping her friends, having adventures, meeting interesting people and even includes a holiday romance intended to help Elliott to see what he is missing.

This is a great fun read. Lara and her friends are the kind of characters you instantly warm to. There’s lots of heartwarming moments and you will definitely be rooting for Lara and Elliott. I loved the dynamics between them all.

All of the friends learn important lessons thanks to the California Club. Sasha finds away to put her past behind her and meets someone she could really care about. Zoe sees the truth behind the glamour of Hollywood and discovers what she really wants, Elise and Elliott have a chance to consider their relationship and marriage and Lara finds the courage to pursue her hotelier dreams.

This is a classic friends to lovers romance, with lots of fun and twists along the way. There’s plenty of tigers too.

This story felt familiar to me in places so I wonder if I had read it when it was first published, but had forgotten it. It was great to revisit Belinda Jones. Feel good romance with lots fo sunshine, cocktails and laughter.

[Trudi Jorda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Lara Richards jets off to glamorous California, the last thing she’s expecting is to find her old friend Helen transformed from a clipboard-clasping frump into a shimmering surf goddess. The secret of her blissful new life? The mysterious California Club. So the offer of guest membership -- one wish, guaranteed to come true by the end of their stay -- is one Lara and her friends can’t resist. One by one these friends from England get what they need and not necessarily what they thought they wanted. One wanted to be a movie star, another to find herself, another to see if she could get her male friend to fall for her. They each spend a week doing a task chosen by Helen and their friend to have a fantasy come true? An interesting story, a bit long but it does make one pause and think! Do we really know what we want and more importantly how do we get what we want and do we really want what we think we do!

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A group of friends travel to California for a holiday get-together, only to be enrolled into the mysterious California Club. A club that offers them the chance to have their most heartfelt wish come true, if they give up a week of their holiday and are prepared to work for it. Having planned a holiday to spend time with each other, the thought of all going in different directions to pursue their dreams does not initially appeal but a carrot is dangled before them and eventually they all agree. A fun journey then ensues, with the reader getting a front row seat.

[Kari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lara, the main character, is a whiny twat, as is the man (Elliot) she’s stupidly in love with. If she put half as much energy into living her own life as she does into her jealousy of Elliot’s fiancée, she’d be able to conquer her fears.

That said, her friends are (fairly) decent, and they do have some fun adventures together.

Overall, a cute premise that was unfortunately peppered with a few awful characters and suffered from poor editing. I likely won’t read this author again.

[Lizzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are trying to stop drinking, this isn't one for you. The seem to be knocking one back every three pages! I found it all a bit shallow, but did enjoy the friendships in a half believable sort of way. Admit I'm a bit annoyed by the ending. I thought Joel was great....However I don't think this is an author for me.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow. Romans kunnen lang duren en voelen en ontzettend voorspelbaar zijn, maar deze wint wel. 2,5 ⭐️ voor het verhaal, origineel. Maar dat Lara en Elliott samen komen, zie je vanaf hoofdstuk 1 al aankomen. Wat mij betreft niet de moeite waard om te lezen, zijn betere romans

[Tamara Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars for a story of friendships, love and trying new things
This was a super fun read. Following the story of some friends and the adventures they go on.
A little far fetched at times but the perfect cute easy read

[Marie’s Book Boutique]

Review coming soon

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Belinda. I loved the concept of the week long adventure for each character; wish it were a true thing.

[Sara Matilda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Belinda Jones book I read it had me hooked from start to finish and I have since gone on to read every one of her books and I have never been disappointed 😁

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often read a chick flick, but picked this one up.
I have to say I really enjoyed it. It was a completely wild idea, which worked!
Worth a read.

[Karschtl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of best friends (Lara, the narrator; glamour-loving Zoe, ex-model Sasha and Elliot - unfortunately in company of this fiancé Elise) spent a holiday together in California where they visit the last member of their gang: Helen. She moved there a year ago and seems to be a completely different person, changed for the better. She tells her friends that the California Club did this miracle and has an incredible offer for the five others: the Club will make a wish come true if they are willing to give up one of their two holiday-weeks. After some hesitation everyone agrees and is sent to a different location. Only Lara gets to visit them all during the following week, since her wish was to spent some qualitiy time with each of her friends. But actually her biggest wish, the one she was too afraid to write down, was to switch places with Elise and be the woman in Elliot's life.

Very much enjoyed this book, although some things seem unrealistic. How can the California Club afford this week? But at least Lara's search for true love was interesting and I really couldn't say if she would go for Elliot or Joel.

And if I remember correctly I also visited the Madonna Inn once, although I didn't stay overnight - just stopped by and looked at it on my way from Big Sur to San Francisco.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read my first Belinda Jones novel in 2008 I was instantly in love with her style. So far I have read about 5 books written by her and she has never disappointed me. I usually find her characters interesting women that have some qualities I admire, whether they pick up their stuff and go on a road trip or do something else completely, I always end up wishing I had that much courage myself. So when I noticed ‘The California Club’ on a book fair last year, I just had to buy it.

The book was everything I had expected it to be, and more. The California Club actually has six main characters, five ladies and one guy. Or five Belles and one Beau, as they describe themselves.

Want to read the whole review? >> It has been published on my book blog: http://onemorerox.com/california-club...

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice easy read which would be perfect lying by the pool on a hot day! Lara and her friends seem to be drifting apart, they have been close for many years and when Helen decides to invite them to California for a holiday they take her up on the offer. Each has problems of their own and when Helen tells them how The California Club has changed her life they are eager to join and learn how they can achieve their heart's desires. Lara acts as the lynch pin in the story and it is her that we follow throughout, will they achice their happy endings or is the Club a con? I really enjoyed this, certainly a book to read when you don't want to have to pay too much attention to the plot or story line, a must for anyone who loves chick lit!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hilarious read as four friends, Elliot, Zoe, Sasha and Lara, attempt to discover their dreams and get what they really want from life. My only criticism is that Elliot is a bit of a dull character, and I didn't want him to end up with Lara in the end. I thought Joel seemed to be a better choice than Elliot for Lara. However, Belinda Jones is an amazing writer and I want to carry on reading her books! :)

http://chocolatedigestivebiscuit.word...

[Alice Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice and easy to read, as usual from Belinda Jones! The book centres around Lara, who along with her friends is invited to go on holiday to California by their long-lost friend Helen. Lara is secretly carrying a torch for her friend Elliott, who already has a girlfriend and is unfortunately bringing her along too. Helen is a member of the magical California Club, and offers Lara and her friends membership - one wish that will be granted by the end of their holiday. Hmm, wonder what Lara will wish for? My favourite Belinda Jones book so far!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

At first read I was a little unsure if I was going to like this book. There are a lot of British English words that I had never heard and had no idea of their meaning. The premise was so appealing that I decided to ignore them. So glad I did! Great characters and a story that really draws you in. I had to keep putting it down so it would last. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute, entertaining book about a group of friends vacationing to California and undergoing a week-long program to make their biggest wish come true. Yes, some of the characters are a bit over the top, and the end (in some ways) is a bit predictable, but it's a super fun ride along the way, with plenty of laughs and great introduction to many of California's iconic places.