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Beach #2
California Holiday: Or, How the World's Worst Summer Job Gave Me a Great New Life
Dear Mel, Okay, it's not a dream job. The kid is alright, but her mom treats me like a personal slave/shopper/chef. And she's vile to the pet iguana who is now my only friend -- sad or what? Maybe I'll run off to San Francisco -- maybe my next postcard will be from there! Wish me luck! xoxo,
Rowan
Rowan
416 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2003
16 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
Kate Cann
45 books239 followersWhen I was a child, I wanted to be a witch. My first foray into writing was a series of nasty spells full of rats’ tails and bats’ wings. Then, when I turned thirteen, I began keeping a lurid diary, full of adoration or loathing, depending on who I was writing about. I used my later diaries for the Diving In trilogy.
I never thought ‘I want to be a writer’, but I loved books and writing. At school, I was rubbish at just about everything but English, so I went on to Kent University where I did two degrees in English and American Literature. At Kent, I fell dramatically in love with the man I'm still married to. We had loads of fights and adventures, but we kept coming back together. He's still the person I most want to spend time with. Awww!
My first proper job was in a publishing house, Time Life Books, as a copy-editor. I felt very glamorous. I used to go to the huge YMCA on Tottenham Court Road at lunchtime and do aerobics classes (very big in the 1980s and yes - I wore legwarmers). Then I'd fall asleep over my desk in the afternoon.
When my two kids came along, I set up as a freelance copy-editor and worked from home. By chance I got given some teenage books to edit, and I hated the way they treated sexual relationships: they were either full of gloom and doom, or were gushy, unrealistic candyfloss. So I got bitten by the ‘I can do better than this’ bug, and started writing. I remember the first day I started to write - it took me over. I forgot to eat (unthinkable for me) and I nearly forgot to collect the kids from school. About a year after that, Diving In was accepted for publication.
When I ran out of material from my diaries and memories, I realized my daughter and son were teenagers, and started eavesdropping on them. They were extremely tolerant about this although they did sometimes demand money from me.
Big changes have been afoot recently. My kids have left home - really left home, not just gap-year-travelling/university left home, and my old man is doing the sort of work that means he can work from home a lot of the time. So we've sold up and moved into the wilds of Wiltshire and so far I am absolutely loving it. The space, the silence, seeing the stars at night in the pitch black, the owls, the trees, the walks, the great food in the local pubs - everything! I'd started to bring nature into my books - it all started with Crow Girl - and now I'm working on two books about a city girl who gets plunged into the wilds. So the move is very much linked to and helping my writing. I think the sheer beauty and power of nature and how it can get right inside you is something a lot of kids are cut off from today.
I still love London though - the plan is to come up every couple of weeks, catch up with all my old mates, possibly do something seriously cultured like go to the theatre. And I want to travel a bit more, too - offsetting my increased carbon footprint with an enormous compost heap.
I love long conversations, running, reading, gardening, walking and white wine (in moderation of course) and I’m the first to admit I have the life of Reilly (who apparently had a pretty cushy life). I start the day with a run or walk with my dog, when I think about what’s going to happen next in the book I’m writing. Then I have a huge breakfast, and get down to work. I write on (or if it’s cold, in) the spare bed with a laptop, my dog at the bottom of the bed. If it’s sunny, I write in the garden, on a sun-lounger. Tough, ay? I also have this theory that you can’t be truly creative for more than about three or four hours a day, so in the mid afternoon, I knock off, and do my emails and stuff. Told you it was cushy.
I never thought ‘I want to be a writer’, but I loved books and writing. At school, I was rubbish at just about everything but English, so I went on to Kent University where I did two degrees in English and American Literature. At Kent, I fell dramatically in love with the man I'm still married to. We had loads of fights and adventures, but we kept coming back together. He's still the person I most want to spend time with. Awww!
My first proper job was in a publishing house, Time Life Books, as a copy-editor. I felt very glamorous. I used to go to the huge YMCA on Tottenham Court Road at lunchtime and do aerobics classes (very big in the 1980s and yes - I wore legwarmers). Then I'd fall asleep over my desk in the afternoon.
When my two kids came along, I set up as a freelance copy-editor and worked from home. By chance I got given some teenage books to edit, and I hated the way they treated sexual relationships: they were either full of gloom and doom, or were gushy, unrealistic candyfloss. So I got bitten by the ‘I can do better than this’ bug, and started writing. I remember the first day I started to write - it took me over. I forgot to eat (unthinkable for me) and I nearly forgot to collect the kids from school. About a year after that, Diving In was accepted for publication.
When I ran out of material from my diaries and memories, I realized my daughter and son were teenagers, and started eavesdropping on them. They were extremely tolerant about this although they did sometimes demand money from me.
Big changes have been afoot recently. My kids have left home - really left home, not just gap-year-travelling/university left home, and my old man is doing the sort of work that means he can work from home a lot of the time. So we've sold up and moved into the wilds of Wiltshire and so far I am absolutely loving it. The space, the silence, seeing the stars at night in the pitch black, the owls, the trees, the walks, the great food in the local pubs - everything! I'd started to bring nature into my books - it all started with Crow Girl - and now I'm working on two books about a city girl who gets plunged into the wilds. So the move is very much linked to and helping my writing. I think the sheer beauty and power of nature and how it can get right inside you is something a lot of kids are cut off from today.
I still love London though - the plan is to come up every couple of weeks, catch up with all my old mates, possibly do something seriously cultured like go to the theatre. And I want to travel a bit more, too - offsetting my increased carbon footprint with an enormous compost heap.
I love long conversations, running, reading, gardening, walking and white wine (in moderation of course) and I’m the first to admit I have the life of Reilly (who apparently had a pretty cushy life). I start the day with a run or walk with my dog, when I think about what’s going to happen next in the book I’m writing. Then I have a huge breakfast, and get down to work. I write on (or if it’s cold, in) the spare bed with a laptop, my dog at the bottom of the bed. If it’s sunny, I write in the garden, on a sun-lounger. Tough, ay? I also have this theory that you can’t be truly creative for more than about three or four hours a day, so in the mid afternoon, I knock off, and do my emails and stuff. Told you it was cushy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 8, 2012
Reading books by British authors is definitely fun, and I liked the first third of this book where the main character flies to America to nanny for a little girl with a really strange family (was this book written before or after the nanny diaries? because they have a heck of a lot in common). From there, it all goes downhill. After a stupid, crazed, obsession that she has over this guy who is as shallow as a kiddy pool and treats her like dirt all summer......she ends up with him. Wow, way to preach power to your fellow woman! Independence! Self respect! Self worth! Or you could just go out with someone whose only reason for sticking around is that he has nothing better to do!
Can I just say that this author made a horrible transition from stupid jerk guy to a guy that is totally in love with this girl that has been waiting around for him all summer? Not even an ounce of believability. I bet two seconds after the book ends he dumps her for some dumb blonde.
Can I just say that this author made a horrible transition from stupid jerk guy to a guy that is totally in love with this girl that has been waiting around for him all summer? Not even an ounce of believability. I bet two seconds after the book ends he dumps her for some dumb blonde.
February 11, 2017
Originally posted on www.thefatgirl.co.uk
Kate Cann was one of my favourite Young Adult Fiction authors and I read quite a few of her books in my mid to late teenage years, so when I spotted Escape as one I had missed I was very excited to pick it up.
Escape by Kate Cann
Rowan thinks spending her gap year in the USA will be the best thing she’s ever done. Her family’s driving her mad, and she desperately needs to get away from the relentless what-are-you-going-to-do-with-the-rest-of-your-life? parental pressure.
America, land of the free here I come…
But after starting to work for psychotic Sha and her hot-housed kid in Seattle, Rowan feels more trapped than ever. Enough is enough. Taking Iggy the unloved iguana with her - he deserves some freedom, too - she hits the road. Suddenly, with only a rescued lizard for company and California in her sights, she’s sure escaping to America was the best thing to do after all... (Goodreads)
As usual Cann's writing style is easily accessible and instantly engaging. Escape is pure escapism - sorry I had to say it - bringing you into Rowan's world and whilst this isn't as fun when stuck in the cramped Nanny room, once you get to the lake its pure heaven. Cann has you drooling over scents, landscapes, food and *ahem* men in this story the way only a good story-teller can. So whether you are snuggling under a duvet in December or sunning it on a sandy white beach in August, this is the perfect book to warm you up.
You warm to Rowan easily, which is handy as a main character, you feel her frustration, excitement, trepidation and go through her romance woes right along side her. Although at times you feel like screaming at her its part of the pull of the story, you have to see if she gets through it.
I loved the addition of Iggy the iguana, he gives another dimension, another pull to the story and although used mainly as a catalyst I love his cheeky character.
One thing that stood out to me about Cann's books when I first started to read them was the sex scenes, at the age I started reading them this was a new addition as my previous young adult fiction had skirted round the edges of an age group not quite ready for this. Cann focusses on the 18-21 character age group, so sex is starting to be a key point of their life and she uses this in her writing to explore and understand the characters further. In Escape, these scenes are written well with no awkwardness and add to the story well - not to mention a very enjoyable bit of escapist sizzle...
Overall, this is a great easy read book that is well written and provides a great opportunity for escapism. As a fan of Kate Cann's writing this book was as expected and I thoroughly enjoyed it, looking forward to many more from this author (including the ones I've already ordered and got stashed in the corner).
British Book Challenge 2017
Kate Cann was one of my favourite Young Adult Fiction authors and I read quite a few of her books in my mid to late teenage years, so when I spotted Escape as one I had missed I was very excited to pick it up.
Escape by Kate Cann
Rowan thinks spending her gap year in the USA will be the best thing she’s ever done. Her family’s driving her mad, and she desperately needs to get away from the relentless what-are-you-going-to-do-with-the-rest-of-your-life? parental pressure.
America, land of the free here I come…
But after starting to work for psychotic Sha and her hot-housed kid in Seattle, Rowan feels more trapped than ever. Enough is enough. Taking Iggy the unloved iguana with her - he deserves some freedom, too - she hits the road. Suddenly, with only a rescued lizard for company and California in her sights, she’s sure escaping to America was the best thing to do after all... (Goodreads)
As usual Cann's writing style is easily accessible and instantly engaging. Escape is pure escapism - sorry I had to say it - bringing you into Rowan's world and whilst this isn't as fun when stuck in the cramped Nanny room, once you get to the lake its pure heaven. Cann has you drooling over scents, landscapes, food and *ahem* men in this story the way only a good story-teller can. So whether you are snuggling under a duvet in December or sunning it on a sandy white beach in August, this is the perfect book to warm you up.
You warm to Rowan easily, which is handy as a main character, you feel her frustration, excitement, trepidation and go through her romance woes right along side her. Although at times you feel like screaming at her its part of the pull of the story, you have to see if she gets through it.
I loved the addition of Iggy the iguana, he gives another dimension, another pull to the story and although used mainly as a catalyst I love his cheeky character.
One thing that stood out to me about Cann's books when I first started to read them was the sex scenes, at the age I started reading them this was a new addition as my previous young adult fiction had skirted round the edges of an age group not quite ready for this. Cann focusses on the 18-21 character age group, so sex is starting to be a key point of their life and she uses this in her writing to explore and understand the characters further. In Escape, these scenes are written well with no awkwardness and add to the story well - not to mention a very enjoyable bit of escapist sizzle...
Overall, this is a great easy read book that is well written and provides a great opportunity for escapism. As a fan of Kate Cann's writing this book was as expected and I thoroughly enjoyed it, looking forward to many more from this author (including the ones I've already ordered and got stashed in the corner).
British Book Challenge 2017
March 8, 2020
A quick read. Lots of ups and downs in this story. Ro is an interesting character. Sometimes when you think she has it pulled together she turns around and does something to make you scratch your head about. Over all I think this summer taught her a lot of small life lessons.
June 20, 2025
Rowan, honey… I’d take the iguana over the man any day
October 27, 2012
Book Report Guidelines – Good Reads
Name of book: California Holiday
Author: Kate Cann
Pages: 400
Genre: Young Adult
Reading Level of book: ?
Exposition (4-6 sentences) Rowan has been living in London, England all her life. After finishing school she has trouble figuring out what to do with herself. She talks to her brother sometimes to get advice from him. With his help she decides to become a nanny. Her mom does not like the idea of her going off to America, but she still lets her go there.
Conflict : (4-6 sentences) Even though the child she needs to look after is fine her parents seem to be the problem for Rowan. Sha Bielicka, the mom, is very strict with Rowan. She gives her many tasks, criticizes her sometimes when she gives Flossy the care she needs that Sha can’t give her, and ignores her when she is not needed. Flossy’s dad, Taylor Bielicka, is very “friendly” with Rowan. It seems that the only members of that family that like her is the iguana and Flossy. Then Flossy’s grandma comes along. Sha treats Rowan worse ever since the grandma came. When Sha couldn’t take it anymore she decided that the iguana should be killed. That is how she tries to get rid of her anger. She didn’t want the lizard to die, so she decides to take a bus to San Francisco. On her way to the bus stop she meets a guy. He tells her all about a hotel he works at, and he convinces her to go with him. Rowan gets a job at a Kidde Heaven, and things go well
Climax: (4-6 sentences) Thinking that she and Landon have a relationship she is heart broken when he stands her up on their first date. When she gets back to the Hotel she finds out that he got back together with his ex-girlfriend. She decides to leave the hotel. Her co-worker, Maria Reyes, tells her that she can set Iggy (the nick name she gave the iguana) free in Chichen Itza. She packs up her bags and buys her ticket to leave.
Resolution: (4-6 sentences) She doesn’t tell Landon she is leaving. Rowan doesn’t feel like she can ever face him again. When Landon finds out that Rowan had left Landon chases down Rowan. He tells her that he broke up with Coco. He tells her that they can free the lizard together. Rowan gives him a second chance and they end up living in Cancun working at the Sheraton Hotel.
Choose a theme in your book and compare to any piece of literature we have read in class. What is similar? What is different? What have you learned about the human experience? (7-10 sentences) Escaping your problems is something that Patrick and Rowan have in common. When things get hard they both seem to shut down and try to avoid anything related to the problem. Instead of trying to fix the problem they make it worse by not addressing it. A thing they do differently is the way they try to escape. Rowan travels to escape the people who are causing her problems. She tries to come up with a different identity of herself to not get into the same situation again. Patrick uses denial to escape his problems. He always lies to himself to get through a night alone.
Name of book: California Holiday
Author: Kate Cann
Pages: 400
Genre: Young Adult
Reading Level of book: ?
Exposition (4-6 sentences) Rowan has been living in London, England all her life. After finishing school she has trouble figuring out what to do with herself. She talks to her brother sometimes to get advice from him. With his help she decides to become a nanny. Her mom does not like the idea of her going off to America, but she still lets her go there.
Conflict : (4-6 sentences) Even though the child she needs to look after is fine her parents seem to be the problem for Rowan. Sha Bielicka, the mom, is very strict with Rowan. She gives her many tasks, criticizes her sometimes when she gives Flossy the care she needs that Sha can’t give her, and ignores her when she is not needed. Flossy’s dad, Taylor Bielicka, is very “friendly” with Rowan. It seems that the only members of that family that like her is the iguana and Flossy. Then Flossy’s grandma comes along. Sha treats Rowan worse ever since the grandma came. When Sha couldn’t take it anymore she decided that the iguana should be killed. That is how she tries to get rid of her anger. She didn’t want the lizard to die, so she decides to take a bus to San Francisco. On her way to the bus stop she meets a guy. He tells her all about a hotel he works at, and he convinces her to go with him. Rowan gets a job at a Kidde Heaven, and things go well
Climax: (4-6 sentences) Thinking that she and Landon have a relationship she is heart broken when he stands her up on their first date. When she gets back to the Hotel she finds out that he got back together with his ex-girlfriend. She decides to leave the hotel. Her co-worker, Maria Reyes, tells her that she can set Iggy (the nick name she gave the iguana) free in Chichen Itza. She packs up her bags and buys her ticket to leave.
Resolution: (4-6 sentences) She doesn’t tell Landon she is leaving. Rowan doesn’t feel like she can ever face him again. When Landon finds out that Rowan had left Landon chases down Rowan. He tells her that he broke up with Coco. He tells her that they can free the lizard together. Rowan gives him a second chance and they end up living in Cancun working at the Sheraton Hotel.
Choose a theme in your book and compare to any piece of literature we have read in class. What is similar? What is different? What have you learned about the human experience? (7-10 sentences) Escaping your problems is something that Patrick and Rowan have in common. When things get hard they both seem to shut down and try to avoid anything related to the problem. Instead of trying to fix the problem they make it worse by not addressing it. A thing they do differently is the way they try to escape. Rowan travels to escape the people who are causing her problems. She tries to come up with a different identity of herself to not get into the same situation again. Patrick uses denial to escape his problems. He always lies to himself to get through a night alone.
June 11, 2012
I am a big fan Kate Cann. Last summer she did not disappoint when I read her Spanish Holiday and Greacian Holiday. So naturaly I was excited to learn she had another holiday in the works. And she definitely did not disappoint me! I absoultly LOVE this one. I completely identifed with Rowan. It makes me just want to get out and go out on self finding adventure of my own.
This holiday is about a young girl in college (as usual) who isnt doing so well at home with her family so she decides to exscape away to America as a nanny. Only to find things for her there arent any better. So exscapes away to California and finds a Hot guy along the way. Which is always a plus! In California her hottie helps her get work and its a never ending are 'they going to get together' game.
I really enjoyed reading this one. If you loved Kate's other Holiday books and are just a hopeless romantic then your are a shoe-in for this book. Trust me it will shock you, make you cry and laugh all before the 2nd chapter. This book is completely 10 Stars!
This holiday is about a young girl in college (as usual) who isnt doing so well at home with her family so she decides to exscape away to America as a nanny. Only to find things for her there arent any better. So exscapes away to California and finds a Hot guy along the way. Which is always a plus! In California her hottie helps her get work and its a never ending are 'they going to get together' game.
I really enjoyed reading this one. If you loved Kate's other Holiday books and are just a hopeless romantic then your are a shoe-in for this book. Trust me it will shock you, make you cry and laugh all before the 2nd chapter. This book is completely 10 Stars!
June 25, 2025
I decided to re-read this on day 3 of Isolation after coming down with covid as I needed something light and it was the first day I could actually read at all!
I remember receiving this for Christmas as a teenager and enjoying this book.
The book starts with Rowan panicking about her A levels which are only days away and then one day her brother makes her really angry and although she goes a bit far in her reaction she suddenly snaps out of her anxious state and starts revising properly. She then decides that she needs to escape the pressure and wants to have a gap year.
What I loved about this is how Rowan snaps out of trying to please everyone and ends up choosing her own path. She develops a lot and goes on many adventures. Yes, it isn't high quality literature but it is empowering and entertaining. I particularly love how Cann creates very toxic characters like Shah and Coco.
I remember receiving this for Christmas as a teenager and enjoying this book.
The book starts with Rowan panicking about her A levels which are only days away and then one day her brother makes her really angry and although she goes a bit far in her reaction she suddenly snaps out of her anxious state and starts revising properly. She then decides that she needs to escape the pressure and wants to have a gap year.
What I loved about this is how Rowan snaps out of trying to please everyone and ends up choosing her own path. She develops a lot and goes on many adventures. Yes, it isn't high quality literature but it is empowering and entertaining. I particularly love how Cann creates very toxic characters like Shah and Coco.
February 17, 2018
I knew this book wasn't going to have that much substance, that's why I picked it up. I think I bought it to read on the beach a few years ago, but never got around to it. I wanted something fast & easy just for fun this week, so I grabbed it off my shelf.
Really, this book could have been 2 books-- the first & second half were so night & day. I was pretty into the plot at the beginning when she was nannying that little girl, then it completely derailed & she ended up pursuing a guy that treated her pretty crappy. (C'mon, girl!? He's just not that into you!) The second half of the book all I could think about was if she was going to go back & rescue that poor little girl!
Basically, if this book were a food, it would be airplane peanuts: not really something you'd choose for yourself, but not the worst thing you've ever eaten to pass the time. haha
Really, this book could have been 2 books-- the first & second half were so night & day. I was pretty into the plot at the beginning when she was nannying that little girl, then it completely derailed & she ended up pursuing a guy that treated her pretty crappy. (C'mon, girl!? He's just not that into you!) The second half of the book all I could think about was if she was going to go back & rescue that poor little girl!
Basically, if this book were a food, it would be airplane peanuts: not really something you'd choose for yourself, but not the worst thing you've ever eaten to pass the time. haha
September 9, 2024
Rereading another book from my teens. It was as sunkissed and melodramatic as I remembered and I loved every moment. It's especially nice to read teen books written in a British voice, although i did think the author wasn't as good at voicing the American characters. I also found the romance slightly offputting because of the MC spending most of the book hankering after someone in a declared relationship with someone else. I would have preferred to see a "screw-him" arc where she picks herself up and lives it up without him. Still v enjoyable.
May 7, 2025
It started off kind of fun, and she made it to be the nanny and the description was quite one note but entertaining (zero insight into her monster employer, just caricature) and then the whole gorgeous stranger at the bus stop I’ll just follow you to a remote location bizarreness- I was waiting for danger or accident or you’re a moron but nope it all just worked out fine- huh?
June 11, 2017
This book is so disjointed, and the girl's an idiot and I wish she displayed more power to herself in the end. The ending also sucks and seems to trail off and not make sense. Cann 's other books are way better than this one.
August 14, 2025
ELLIE REECE PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. Also everyone else who wants just a solid romance that you would eat up from the ages of 14-25. This is the same author as ‘Leaving Poppy’ and there is something about the way Kate Cann writes about crushes, glow ups, sun and sinister characters that is so so fun.
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April 30, 2020Read 2015
November 20, 2020
The main character made some choices that I didn't agree with.... normally that'd be fine, but I guess I didn't agree with the final outcome. Oh well, still a fun, quick read.
January 28, 2024
I love this stupid book.
February 10, 2024
The love interest is trash money but I found it a fun, motivating read
September 19, 2024
Read it as a palette cleanser and for the nostalgia. Sure does take me back!
December 17, 2016
I see giving this one star not as it being the lowest I can possibly give, but for the time and effort this person put into writing this. Because it may be awful, but someone did write this, and that deserves credit given.
The plot was the worst bit. The plot was so thin, so boring, and just... god, it was awful. I almost gave up reading because I just couldn't pull myself through, but I've never not finished a book and that wasn't going to happen just because of a shitty plot.
Let's talk about that beginning. She hit her brother in the head with a 2 by 4 and he didn't even pass out and ended up with only a scratch. No. That's not what happens. You get hit in the head by the wussiest person on the earth and you either pass out or get dinged up more than this dude.
Then we have Langdon. I don't like him. He could be the hottest twat in the world and I still wouldn't like him. Or Rowan, for that matter, but we're talking about Langdon. He was with a girl who made him sad, fine, that happens. But Rowan - jesus girl, you never were a seductress earlier in the book and now you're all out deathly.
Okay, that was a mess, but I didn't like any of the characters other than Latroya. She's a good human. And Maria. She's also wonderful. But Rowan and Langdon can go make out somewhere not in my life.
One last thing - the spelling/grammar mistakes were awful. There were so many, and it barely looked like an editor had touched the novel. Don't get your book published if you don't have someone (whether professional or your friend who can grammar) look it over. It doesn't look good.
Anyway, I'm done with this book, I'm done with writing about this book, and I just don't understand how people enjoy this book.
The plot was the worst bit. The plot was so thin, so boring, and just... god, it was awful. I almost gave up reading because I just couldn't pull myself through, but I've never not finished a book and that wasn't going to happen just because of a shitty plot.
Let's talk about that beginning. She hit her brother in the head with a 2 by 4 and he didn't even pass out and ended up with only a scratch. No. That's not what happens. You get hit in the head by the wussiest person on the earth and you either pass out or get dinged up more than this dude.
Then we have Langdon. I don't like him. He could be the hottest twat in the world and I still wouldn't like him. Or Rowan, for that matter, but we're talking about Langdon. He was with a girl who made him sad, fine, that happens. But Rowan - jesus girl, you never were a seductress earlier in the book and now you're all out deathly.
Okay, that was a mess, but I didn't like any of the characters other than Latroya. She's a good human. And Maria. She's also wonderful. But Rowan and Langdon can go make out somewhere not in my life.
One last thing - the spelling/grammar mistakes were awful. There were so many, and it barely looked like an editor had touched the novel. Don't get your book published if you don't have someone (whether professional or your friend who can grammar) look it over. It doesn't look good.
Anyway, I'm done with this book, I'm done with writing about this book, and I just don't understand how people enjoy this book.
October 28, 2007
of all the books that i read, more than 75% of them have to be some sort of teenage drama, just so i dont go insane understanding language from some old dead guy that is WAY behnd my time.
here comes the first of my crazy obsessive book buying splurges.
like most of my favorite books, they always start off lonley, along the way they meet someone that easily lures their prey in with their charming smile and their sweet talking ways, dont worry, happens to everybody.
the boo focuses on our main character, Rowan who decides that she needs to get away, in a sense of self discovery, she tries to escape everyone she is around so she can get a new start. She later meets a guy that she feels some sort of attraction to but reaizes that he isnt the person that she would like, personality wise. although taling to him and interacting with him for this point of time allowed her to see that maybe she went to sacremento( and other places, long storyyyy)for a good reason, and maybe it wasnt a bad choice at all.
i would also say, dont read this if youre not a fan of long strethcy romances that beat around the bush, as nerve wracking as they are, they're my favorite!
here comes the first of my crazy obsessive book buying splurges.
like most of my favorite books, they always start off lonley, along the way they meet someone that easily lures their prey in with their charming smile and their sweet talking ways, dont worry, happens to everybody.
the boo focuses on our main character, Rowan who decides that she needs to get away, in a sense of self discovery, she tries to escape everyone she is around so she can get a new start. She later meets a guy that she feels some sort of attraction to but reaizes that he isnt the person that she would like, personality wise. although taling to him and interacting with him for this point of time allowed her to see that maybe she went to sacremento( and other places, long storyyyy)for a good reason, and maybe it wasnt a bad choice at all.
i would also say, dont read this if youre not a fan of long strethcy romances that beat around the bush, as nerve wracking as they are, they're my favorite!
September 2, 2009
Rowan comes to the United States to be a nanny for a wealthy family only to find the mother a controlling pill, the father with issues of his own and the daughter suffering for it. Fortunately, a situation presents itself so that she can escape and the family can work on itself. Rowan finds herself living and working on a resort in California and gets caught in an interesting love triangle.
This is one of the better pieces of teen lit that I have found. If you're looking for an intellectual escape, the "Holiday" series is one of the better places to look. Like almost all teen lit, there is a girl getting involved with a guy but it's interesting enough to not fade into the background with all the others out there.
This is one of the better pieces of teen lit that I have found. If you're looking for an intellectual escape, the "Holiday" series is one of the better places to look. Like almost all teen lit, there is a girl getting involved with a guy but it's interesting enough to not fade into the background with all the others out there.
July 10, 2015
This was a really good summer read. It was an easy read and gave me that summery feeling (which I really needed because it's been raining and cold lately)
I thought the main charachter were very funny. It was intresting to see how Rowan evolved and kind of got to know herself a little bit better as she faced the diffrent dilemmas.
The story went in a great speed, it wasn't too fast or too slow.
Although I was kind of annoyed of Rowans love interest at times, but their lovestory didn't take up that much space in the book so I was okay.
Overall it was a really good read.
After this book I want to go on an adventure, without having any idea of where I'm going just that I'm going.
I thought the main charachter were very funny. It was intresting to see how Rowan evolved and kind of got to know herself a little bit better as she faced the diffrent dilemmas.
The story went in a great speed, it wasn't too fast or too slow.
Although I was kind of annoyed of Rowans love interest at times, but their lovestory didn't take up that much space in the book so I was okay.
Overall it was a really good read.
After this book I want to go on an adventure, without having any idea of where I'm going just that I'm going.
December 25, 2012
I can give California Holiday anywhere up to 2.5 stars, but that's about it. For the first part of the book, prior to leaving London, Rowan just seemed selfish, whiny and ungrateful for all she has. Once in Seattle, the parents of the little girl she nannies were such awful human beings. I hated the mother most, but nothing excuses the dad for always being drunk, absent and then hitting on Rowan. And finally, when she went to California, Landon was just all kinds of creep. I was sorely disappointed when she went back to him.
May 29, 2015
Easy summer read but by the end I just wanted it to end! Part 4 even felt like the author wanted to end writing but continued anyway. I liked the first half of the book better, Rowan leaving and her time with Flossy. I didn't understand the Landon appeal and by the end of the book I felt like she was not exactly better off than when she left. She spent half a summer obsessed with a boring, rude bloke.
January 3, 2013
This was quite cute actually. It feels a little like two separate books, so I can see why it doesn't have the highest rating. I did enjoy it the entire book. If I want to read more of these I will have to buy them since this is the only one my library had, I can't decide if I want to buy any just yet...
October 19, 2007
This book was great, the beginning was funny and it started out on a high note. After Ro runs away from her 'nannying' job she meets a guy named Landon at the bus station. I didn't like Landon that much though. What person just invites someone off of the bus to come live with them??
April 23, 2010
Kate Cann heeft het zo geschreven dat je het boek eigenlijk niet weg wil leggen tot je het uit hebt, tenminste, dat is mijn ervaring met haar boeken. Sommige zijn beter dan de anderen. Dit is daar een van.
May 21, 2010
Oh Boy. This book. It's not very good, but it's very intertaining. it's very long, but it's more like 3 books in one rather than one very long book. I didn't really lke a lot of it. But bits were okay.
May 3, 2014
The first half of the book was really good but then it went downhill (really fast) with main character Rowan started obsessing (and instantly falling in love with) Landon, a guy she just met. Another insta-love plot that didn't work out.
March 21, 2008
cute, i love all of these books but they're kind of predictible.
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