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In the Seat of a Stranger's Car
Who do you trust your "baby" with? In the Seat of a Stranger's Car is a vibrant comedy that looks under the hood at the entourage of working-class misfits you leave your car with every day. Set in the bubbling ethnic melting pot of Hawai'i, by day, the pseudo-intellectual protagonist is a struggling writer who teaches at a renowned prep school. By night, he is a full-time valet, surrounded by a lewd yet lovable cast of coworkers who challenge his misplaced sense of entitlement.
The gang's service industry stasis is quickly shattered when they discover a young boy in the trunk of a deserted vehicle in the hotel parking lot. Afraid of surrendering the abandoned child to foster care, the valets decide to raise the child as their own--a task that proves both absurd and transformative.
Juggling jobs and a budding romance with a late-night flowergirl, the narrator finds himself on a journey around the island to uncover the boy's mysterious past but unearths something much more meaningful in the himself.
The gang's service industry stasis is quickly shattered when they discover a young boy in the trunk of a deserted vehicle in the hotel parking lot. Afraid of surrendering the abandoned child to foster care, the valets decide to raise the child as their own--a task that proves both absurd and transformative.
Juggling jobs and a budding romance with a late-night flowergirl, the narrator finds himself on a journey around the island to uncover the boy's mysterious past but unearths something much more meaningful in the himself.
301 pages, Paperback
Published April 16, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 29, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book. The entire book is fast-paced and well-written, and many parts are laugh out loud funny. Ostensibly giving readers a view into the world of a motley crew of valet parking attendants in Oahu, it is truth so much more. The main current of the book is about a narrator both seeking something more from their life while also seeking to embrace the life they are already living.
The protagonist floats between different worlds. In one world, he is attempting to teach students writing at a prestigious private high school in the summer. The characterizations of the students are hilarious and show the writer's own capacity for self-deprecation and self-reflection. In his other life, the protagonist is surrounded by an earthy mix of locals. These characterizations are also classic and run the gamut from the comically absurd, to the rootsy, to the heartfelt. As someone who loves Hawaiian accented English, it was a great pleasure to 'hear' the different voices of characters in the book, especially the use of pidgin and slang.
The book is a great read for someone visiting Oahu. A visitor would be able to easily identify many of the locations referenced in the book: the ko'olau range, waianae, waikiki hotels, north shore beaches etc. The book strikes the perfect balance between absurdist comedy, which makes it a light summer read, and heartfelt reflection, which is often the headspace I'm looking to get into while traveling.
Ultimately, the book is about building a family, finding a purpose, and embracing one's community. The protagonist's nickname is 'Rumi', like the Persian mystical poet, and the arc of the book is about how he reclaims his own excitement and passion for life; revivifying his own relationships in the process.
Like I said, a great book. Whether you feel like traveling to paradise through a good book, or want a good book to read while traveling in paradise, 'Sitting in the seat of a stranger's car' will leave you laughing, wondering, and wanting more.
The protagonist floats between different worlds. In one world, he is attempting to teach students writing at a prestigious private high school in the summer. The characterizations of the students are hilarious and show the writer's own capacity for self-deprecation and self-reflection. In his other life, the protagonist is surrounded by an earthy mix of locals. These characterizations are also classic and run the gamut from the comically absurd, to the rootsy, to the heartfelt. As someone who loves Hawaiian accented English, it was a great pleasure to 'hear' the different voices of characters in the book, especially the use of pidgin and slang.
The book is a great read for someone visiting Oahu. A visitor would be able to easily identify many of the locations referenced in the book: the ko'olau range, waianae, waikiki hotels, north shore beaches etc. The book strikes the perfect balance between absurdist comedy, which makes it a light summer read, and heartfelt reflection, which is often the headspace I'm looking to get into while traveling.
Ultimately, the book is about building a family, finding a purpose, and embracing one's community. The protagonist's nickname is 'Rumi', like the Persian mystical poet, and the arc of the book is about how he reclaims his own excitement and passion for life; revivifying his own relationships in the process.
Like I said, a great book. Whether you feel like traveling to paradise through a good book, or want a good book to read while traveling in paradise, 'Sitting in the seat of a stranger's car' will leave you laughing, wondering, and wanting more.
August 3, 2019
There may have been no way I could enjoy this book. I am divorced from a surfer who worked as a valet at "The Beach House" in Laguna Beach CA and is now a prison guard on Maui with another wife and son. Neither of my kids are very beachy. There's some good writing in the novel, and it seems to portray a lot of the way life is lived here on Oahu. I am just retired from teaching at the college level. I couldn't really get behind the main character, especially in his dealings with students. Plagiarism is bad enough from the students, without the teachers getting into it. I liked Maricela, but the part with the kid didn't really work for me, though it was well-meaning. I think I expected it to be a murder mystery (the kid dying), so at least it was a relief to know right away that he was going to live. I enjoyed the beach descriptions and some of the humor, and the realistic depiction of money problems and homelessness which is very familiar to me.
April 10, 2024
The main character is described on the jacket as a "pseudo-intellectual" - because it's told from his first-person perspective, a lot of the book felt over-written. The main character is a writer and I had a hard time distinguishing between his narration style and the author's writing style, ... do I not like this writing, or do I not like this narrator? I think it was the latter - there are one or two short chapters written from a different perspective that I preferred. Jo-Jo could have had a way more interesting story but he was mostly used as a prop.
I did like the setting and the focus on a group of people who are usually just background characters in other stories.
I did like the setting and the focus on a group of people who are usually just background characters in other stories.
October 8, 2019
I was disappointed by this book, it just wasn't very good
September 25, 2023
Just ok
January 27, 2026
If there's such place like the valet parking as in the book, you would have want to hang out with the protagonist and his valet buddies cracking up late-night jokes or just amused with their pidgin English even not knowing what it means but thanks Beau, i enjoyed my glossary shopping.
I started to read during the surf season here in Malaysia and thanks to Papa Kyle. (Found an endearing resemblance between you guys at some point)
I thought it was a light read at first, but after a while, you kinda move and in sync with Beau's writing as i find his writings are reflective without feeling burdened by his 'at-times-hilarious-at-times-crazy-at-times-absurd-at-times-just-lovely' thoughts.
Reading the book sometimes feels like dropping a jar of colourful jellybeans. Yes, it is messy just how messy the protagonist juggling between places, people he knew, his thoughts and versions of himself with the surprises in the trunk and in between BUT, picking up one jelly bean after another jelly bean, you will find its sweetness. A metaphor on the charm of this book.
You can vividly imagine as you immersed into the places in the book that are mostly meticulously described base on the story telling, imagined getting sun-kissed by Hawaii and i discovered heaps of small moments that feels loaded with meaning throughout the protagonist's journey to confront his own lifes and values and not to forget, the colourful, flamboyant and quirky characters as his sidekicks that sparks a grin to my face.
The book does not rushes me to be explained instead leaves me sit with uncertainty. Honestly, if you enjoy a platter of introspective writing that moves you physically (my monkey grin) and emotionally with bits of it's melancholic writing, loaded with endearing thoughts and moment that lingers when you reach the last 7 page up to the moment you put down the book, this book is like those sweet long glassy clean wave that worth a ride.
I started to read during the surf season here in Malaysia and thanks to Papa Kyle. (Found an endearing resemblance between you guys at some point)
I thought it was a light read at first, but after a while, you kinda move and in sync with Beau's writing as i find his writings are reflective without feeling burdened by his 'at-times-hilarious-at-times-crazy-at-times-absurd-at-times-just-lovely' thoughts.
Reading the book sometimes feels like dropping a jar of colourful jellybeans. Yes, it is messy just how messy the protagonist juggling between places, people he knew, his thoughts and versions of himself with the surprises in the trunk and in between BUT, picking up one jelly bean after another jelly bean, you will find its sweetness. A metaphor on the charm of this book.
You can vividly imagine as you immersed into the places in the book that are mostly meticulously described base on the story telling, imagined getting sun-kissed by Hawaii and i discovered heaps of small moments that feels loaded with meaning throughout the protagonist's journey to confront his own lifes and values and not to forget, the colourful, flamboyant and quirky characters as his sidekicks that sparks a grin to my face.
The book does not rushes me to be explained instead leaves me sit with uncertainty. Honestly, if you enjoy a platter of introspective writing that moves you physically (my monkey grin) and emotionally with bits of it's melancholic writing, loaded with endearing thoughts and moment that lingers when you reach the last 7 page up to the moment you put down the book, this book is like those sweet long glassy clean wave that worth a ride.
July 25, 2025
Out of all the local books, this ain’t the hype because this author isn’t even a local and he acts like very sexualized and also a bit of an asshole if you can say it but I really can’t stand a book that describes sexual shit while on the job blah and the plot was so bad like I don’t know about you but here is my takes
1. Jojo was left in the trunk of a rental car, it too them that long? And rumi wants to be a father and went to find the mother but ended up the non biological Radom bf the mom has signs the papers?
2. Mari.. with the flowers is prostitution, I have to explain this because when they are talking about her boss business it seems like either she is a host or a prostitute.
3. Rumi is I know the authors life is a bitch and an asshole to criticize the Hawaiian language or other parts of the book that pisses me off deeply. You know what this book ain’t worth it and I regret picking this shit up.
4. I was too overwhelmed and I felt like i can’t stand another long damn chapter and yes I know I should dnf this book but it was on my physical tbr and now I just hate it. Like I can’t support an author that talks shit to his coworkers who are local not like him.
5. I understand most of pidgin since I live here and unlike this author I don’t understand who gave you the right to lie about being a transplant, you lied to gain something in the book, completely be annoying about being haloe. You know what this author is all about himself and oh the magazines.. my worth this and that and the romance btw Mari is so shit like I get it there is romance but no he writes bare minimum and that pisses me off.
1. Jojo was left in the trunk of a rental car, it too them that long? And rumi wants to be a father and went to find the mother but ended up the non biological Radom bf the mom has signs the papers?
2. Mari.. with the flowers is prostitution, I have to explain this because when they are talking about her boss business it seems like either she is a host or a prostitute.
3. Rumi is I know the authors life is a bitch and an asshole to criticize the Hawaiian language or other parts of the book that pisses me off deeply. You know what this book ain’t worth it and I regret picking this shit up.
4. I was too overwhelmed and I felt like i can’t stand another long damn chapter and yes I know I should dnf this book but it was on my physical tbr and now I just hate it. Like I can’t support an author that talks shit to his coworkers who are local not like him.
5. I understand most of pidgin since I live here and unlike this author I don’t understand who gave you the right to lie about being a transplant, you lied to gain something in the book, completely be annoying about being haloe. You know what this author is all about himself and oh the magazines.. my worth this and that and the romance btw Mari is so shit like I get it there is romance but no he writes bare minimum and that pisses me off.
March 10, 2025
I devoured this book and when I look back on it, I will see it fondly. But in this moment, maybe 3.5.
But! I was glued to this book! I loved the scene setting, characters, and dialogue. I love a book by a journalist because the writing is so precise. I felt like I was there and I learned so much along the way. I would read anything this guy writes because he really does have a beautiful way of working with language.
I really felt something with the whole wannabe teacher/writer thing. That was really well done.
I wish this book would have leaned more literary fiction than general fiction. The author could have done all his meta bs and I wouldn’t have had a problem with it, but I felt played by the meta-ness of it without any dynamic characterization. I’m just dying to know literally anything about the main character. Or Mari.
I thought the jojo plot really moved things along, but felt yucky that his traumatic experience is exploited and then he just goes along being a happy kid? No baggage? Just felt inconsiderate.
I hate saying all these things I didn’t like because I actually did like a lot of this book. I’m inspired to read more about Hawaii by Hawaiians and learn more about the darker sides of the island. Also, more stories by service industry people!
But! I was glued to this book! I loved the scene setting, characters, and dialogue. I love a book by a journalist because the writing is so precise. I felt like I was there and I learned so much along the way. I would read anything this guy writes because he really does have a beautiful way of working with language.
I really felt something with the whole wannabe teacher/writer thing. That was really well done.
I wish this book would have leaned more literary fiction than general fiction. The author could have done all his meta bs and I wouldn’t have had a problem with it, but I felt played by the meta-ness of it without any dynamic characterization. I’m just dying to know literally anything about the main character. Or Mari.
I thought the jojo plot really moved things along, but felt yucky that his traumatic experience is exploited and then he just goes along being a happy kid? No baggage? Just felt inconsiderate.
I hate saying all these things I didn’t like because I actually did like a lot of this book. I’m inspired to read more about Hawaii by Hawaiians and learn more about the darker sides of the island. Also, more stories by service industry people!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2025
BAFFLINGLY RACIST
I picked this up at a little bookshop on O’ahu, thinking it might be an insight into working class life in Hawai’i.
Like most contemporary American fiction, there’s a blood-and-soil understanding of race at the core of the author’s engagement with identity. Fair enough, if everyone else does it, he might as well. But what is put forth here is a pseudo ethnography of O’ahu and its “colorful characters,” which reduces everyone to a flat cliché. This culminates in a homo- and transphobic scene involving a trans flower seller, as well as mind bogglingly offensive descriptions of a Romani family, racist slur and all.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, this book just feels like all hard work, zero talent. The language is flat, chapters are short and banal, and the main conflict is buried under layers and layers of cheap slapstick humor.
I picked this up at a little bookshop on O’ahu, thinking it might be an insight into working class life in Hawai’i.
Like most contemporary American fiction, there’s a blood-and-soil understanding of race at the core of the author’s engagement with identity. Fair enough, if everyone else does it, he might as well. But what is put forth here is a pseudo ethnography of O’ahu and its “colorful characters,” which reduces everyone to a flat cliché. This culminates in a homo- and transphobic scene involving a trans flower seller, as well as mind bogglingly offensive descriptions of a Romani family, racist slur and all.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, this book just feels like all hard work, zero talent. The language is flat, chapters are short and banal, and the main conflict is buried under layers and layers of cheap slapstick humor.
April 9, 2022
There are two unique aspects about this book:
1. Much of it is written in Pidgin English (and I found it easy to decipher without needing the glossary).
2. The main protagonist is never named. I realized at the end of the book, he is called all sorts of insults, but we never learn his actual name. The minor characters were all named, but they called the protagonist on of the following: brah, bruddah, coz, haole (white foreigner), fukah, or frickah.
I chose this book because it was listed on a website as a book that takes place on Oahu, and I was vacationing there on spring break with my family. The author really was a valet and teacher in Hawaii, so I feel as if I learned a lot about Hawaiian culture and the locals’ feelings about different places on the island.
1. Much of it is written in Pidgin English (and I found it easy to decipher without needing the glossary).
2. The main protagonist is never named. I realized at the end of the book, he is called all sorts of insults, but we never learn his actual name. The minor characters were all named, but they called the protagonist on of the following: brah, bruddah, coz, haole (white foreigner), fukah, or frickah.
I chose this book because it was listed on a website as a book that takes place on Oahu, and I was vacationing there on spring break with my family. The author really was a valet and teacher in Hawaii, so I feel as if I learned a lot about Hawaiian culture and the locals’ feelings about different places on the island.
April 2, 2021
Honestly, I really didn't like the narrator at first, but I kept going because the pacing and writing were so well done. And he grew on me!
Some parts had too much "boy's locker room talk" for me (though I can tell it's based in truth, sighs). Despite that, there's something special about this tight knit island community. I loved the dueling details the author paints of both grit and beauty, it kept everything grounded in realism. And you can't help but feel a little more hopeful about things when the valets come together to take care of Jojo. I also really loved any scenes with Marisela, esp as we got to know her more.
Some parts had too much "boy's locker room talk" for me (though I can tell it's based in truth, sighs). Despite that, there's something special about this tight knit island community. I loved the dueling details the author paints of both grit and beauty, it kept everything grounded in realism. And you can't help but feel a little more hopeful about things when the valets come together to take care of Jojo. I also really loved any scenes with Marisela, esp as we got to know her more.
May 23, 2020
This book is a quick read and I found myself turning the pages quicker than expected. It was one of the first books I have read with the pidgin dialect included in conversations. It was definitely refreshing to read it in the modern style that the author used. As for the story itself, I not only learned about the life of a valet driver but I was also introduced to the lives of the other characters in the story. I personally would have liked to hear more about Jojo and Mari at the end of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2022
I bought this book at Ideas’s bookstore in Oahu and it was the perfect read for when I got home to Chicago and missed the island. Funny, rich in island “speak”, great characters who surprise and delight you. I really hope he writes another book- I’ll be the first to buy it!! I don’t want to give any spoilers because the best part of the book was the ride. I had no idea how things were going to end up! Thanks for the great adventure!
March 8, 2021
This book by a local born Oahu writer surprised me. It was such a great adventure for being about a valet. For real, it was a really fun story that actually made me feel better? about tipping the guys who park my car at times. And the added good feels having to do with the abandoned kid only added to the love I ultimately found for this novel.
February 24, 2020
Entertaining book
This was a very good book with excellent writing by Beau Flemister. Enjoyed it very much especially the transition from a horrible experience for JoJo to a very happy ending. Also
Loved the journey and personal growth of the characters throughout the book!!!
This was a very good book with excellent writing by Beau Flemister. Enjoyed it very much especially the transition from a horrible experience for JoJo to a very happy ending. Also
Loved the journey and personal growth of the characters throughout the book!!!
August 12, 2021
Kept me captivated the entire time, I chuckled out loud in my house alone, quoted it to friends, couldn’t put it down and was late to pick up my kids from summer camp. All in all, a good time encompassing the nuances of love, friendship and the island.
February 6, 2024
It was fine. I found the writing to be too wordy and the storyline moved too slowly for my taste at times. The first quarter or so was definitely too slow and I found myself thining "get to it already."
April 27, 2025
really neat to read about the place i live, but the story just seemed to wrap up so quickly. i would have been interested in seeing more of Jojo, but i get that the story isn’t necessarily focused on him.
June 16, 2026
I can't remember the last time I tried to read a book quickly so I could be done with it.... This whole book's plot was based on an unlikable narrator and characters built on cliches and stereotypes. It's light reading in that there isn't much depth at all.
May 7, 2019
Wow! I don't read a ton of fiction, but this book stood out to me and I'm glad I ordered it! It's a quick read written in a contemporary writing style. The author manages to address what would normally be a sad and serious topic with a comedic, light hearted approach with an island feel to keep you longing for more. The story flows from one setting to another, drawing you in chapter by chapter. If you are looking for a unique story, set in paradise; but dealing with the trials and tribulations of real life and represented by a unique cast of characters - check this one out.
February 11, 2020
Wish it focused on Jojo more in the end
January 18, 2021
good, the last 10 pages felt like a bad rom com. but other than that i’d give it a 4
August 18, 2023
Not quite finished. Had to shelve it for a bit.
September 29, 2023
So realistic it's cringeworthy hilarious
November 6, 2024
Decent storyline ig
It was hard to follow at times though.
Overall 2.75⭐
It was hard to follow at times though.
Overall 2.75⭐
March 26, 2025
Good. Good
April 1, 2026
Loved this especially while living in Hawaii it felt so homey and a cool story!
June 18, 2019
Awesome! This was a really fun read. Funny and exciting! I usually have a hard time reading fiction, because I'm a slow reader. This book, though, has a good pace that keeps the reader engaged the whole time. I really enjoyed it!
April 27, 2020
My love for the islands of aloha was deepened, widened and grown by this book. I can clearly picture each of the places Beau brings to life on the page and I fell in love with each of the characters.
December 17, 2025
A novel about a valet in Waikiki who discovers an abandoned child in the trunk of a car at work. It’s a fun read with lots of riffs on valet life — anyone who has worked in customer service will knowingly nod along — and island life in general. It’s a fun story and a breezy read, but there are sections of fine writing sprinkled throughout, and a lot of heart underneath it all that makes it better than just a good beach read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews