A Season at the Cliff House
by Brooke L. Davis
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Pub Date 20 May 2024 | Archive Date 1 May 2024
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Description
Two determined young women battle inner demons and explosive family secrets in this tale of dreams, daring, and deception.
San Francisco-May-1907 Isabelle Hamilton defies her mother and secretly applies to the California Hospital School for Nurses in Los Angeles. Isabelle’s gregarious personality and unbridled passion for the Red Cross often put her at odds with the vain and gossipy society ladies who frequent the Cliff House women’s parlor.
When Isabelle’s sister becomes embroiled in a scandal and her mother suffers a heart attack, Isabelle’s dreams of independence and an education are imperiled. Grace Hamilton arrives in San Francisco for the summer on the same train as beef distributor Frank Buchanan, her secret fiancé. Unbeknownst to her family, Grace has been accepted into the California Normal School in Los Angeles, where she will study to become a kindergarten teacher.
When Frank’s jealousy turns threatening, Grace devises a dangerous and daring plan that promises to make or break her future. Set against the backdrop of post-quake San Francisco with frequent visits to the timeworn yet atmospheric Cliff House, a towering white “gingerbread palace” perched on the rocks above the Pacific, A Season at the Cliff House weaves together the lives of two very different women intent on achieving similar ambitions on their own terms. It reminds us that the ties that bind are often the ones that test us most and that the price of freedom may be as heart-wrenching as it is rewarding.
Available Editions
ISBN | 9781736675830 |
PRICE | US$5.99 (USD) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
I feel like the drama of this book would make for a great lifetime movie or tv series. It definitely kept me interested and wanting to read, and had me feeling strong emotions! I was rooting for our main character the entire time.
This book transported me to San Francisco in 1907. I felt like I was walking on the beach and smelling the salty air. It is a page-turner that left me wanting more. As the story opens Grace is going to stay with her family in San Franciso and she is bringing along her secret suitor. She also has dreams of being a teacher. What Grace doesn't know is that her cousin, Isabelle, has a dream too. Isabelle wants to be a nurse which is a career her family does not approve of. It seems that everyone in the house has their own secrets to keep. This story is filled with twists and turns. It is told from several family member's perspectives which is so fun. I also loved that it is based on an actual historical San Francisco location.
Thank you to NetGalley. These opinions are my own.
A Season at the Cliff House by author Brooke L. Davis wove a story of intrigue, drama, and determination. Set in 1907 San Francisco, the story follows the Hamilton family through a horrific natural disaster and how their family rebuilds and continues to move forward following the disaster. With main character Isa leading the charge, we are allowed a peek into what life was really like for a young woman during this time period. We gain an understanding that it was difficult for woman to truly be in charge of their life’s path, however, with a bit of determination and grit, one could forge her own way and live the life she has always desired. My favorite part of the book was when the author allowed the reader into the inner most thoughts of the characters as they experienced day to day life. This was a wonderful and charming read for any fan of historical fiction.
This is a great historical fiction that I very much. Definitely recommend reading. The author did an amazing job making you feel like you were right there with the characters every step of the way
Embark on an enchanting journey through the lives of Isabelle, Grace, and Josephine in A Season at the Cliff House, a captivating novel that will resonate with fans of Bridgerton and The Women. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of emotions, self-discovery, and the unyielding pursuit of independence in a society where women's aspirations were often stifled.
Josephine's tale will strike a chord with readers as she navigates the intricate balance between married life, motherhood, and maintaining her unwavering voice. Her resilience and determination will leave you inspired and empowered.
Isabelle and Grace, two kindred spirits yearning for higher education, defy societal norms with an audacious zeal that will have you rooting for their success. Grace's journey takes a poignant turn as she confronts the harsh realities of relationships, shedding her naïveté and emerging as a wiser, more resilient woman.
As the pages turn, you'll be swept away by the breathtaking growth and transformation of these three remarkable women, their stories intertwining like a delicate tapestry woven with threads of nostalgia, hope, and self-discovery. A Season at the Cliff House is a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating tale of empowerment, passion, and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
Immerse yourself in this unforgettable journey and prepare to be inspired by the extraordinary resilience and courage of Isabelle, Grace, and Josephine as they navigate the challenges of their era, leaving an indelible mark on your heart and soul. Thank you to NetGalley and Brooke L. Davis for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy!
This is a wonderful historical fiction read that I highly recommend. .The author has done extensive research and brings San Francisco in 1907 to life for the reader. The historical descriptions of the city and the Cliff House are beautifully crafted. For those of us that have known the Cliff House as part of our family history this was so enjoyable to have it brought back to life so vividly. It was wonderful to picture old San Francisco and the Cliff House in its heyday.
This is the story of a family recovering from the big quake and two cousins who are determined independent young women for their time. A daughter expected to marry and have children. She has her own career aspirations and secretly is planning to enroll at nursing school in Los Angeles and escape her overbearing family .The cousin from Colorado arrives with her own scandal and ideas about her own freedom. The two women are of similar minds and both are planning their lives with fullfilling careers.
The characters are perfectly crafted to the time period. The historical aspects of the exquiste beauty of the Cliff House in detail is a thrill to read. The vibrant city recovering from the quake is told in detail. I loved the indepence of the two cousins and how intelligent and strong they both are. It was wonderful to read and this is a must read for all who enjoy historical fiction. Very well done to the author. I look forward to further works. Thank you to Net Galley , to the publisher and to the author for the opportunity for review. My review opinions are my own. A fabulous read !
1907 two young women with ambition to do something with their lives. Both thwarted by family who have no intention of sending their daughters to college. Both do not have any money of their own and both are not actively looking for a partner though one of them - Grace Hamilton has a secret fiancée who has followed her to San Francisco, and in hindsight Grace realizes he is definitely not marriage material but does not see a way out.
Isabella wants to be a nurse but finds that her chances grow slimmer by the day. Her mother’s illness, steadily worsening and her sister Josephine’s marital problems leading to a divorce seems to take away all chances of breaking free.
The story is a commentary on society of the time, and the expectations that family wished for. It showed women’s total dependence on their guardians of the time who curtailed any independence by controlling the pursestrings.
Both girls achieved their dreams, one by very drastic methods and one in a more straightforward way.
A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.
This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!