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Monarch Beach [Paperback]

Anita Hughes
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)

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Book Description

June 19, 2012

Anita Hughes' Monarch Beach is an absorbing debut novel about one woman’s journey back to happiness after an affair splinters her perfect marriage and lifewhat it means to be loved, betrayed and to love again.
 
When Amanda Blick, a young mother and kindhearted San Francisco heiress, finds her gorgeous French chef husband wrapped around his sous-chef, she knows she must flee her life in order to rebuild it. The opportunity falls into her lap when her (very lovable) mother suggests Amanda and her young son, Max, spend the summer with her at the St. Regis Resort in Laguna Beach. With the waves right outside her windows and nothing more to worry about than finding the next relaxing thing to do, Amanda should be having the time of her life—and escaping the drama. But instead, she finds herself faced with a kind, older divorcee who showers her with attention… and she discovers that the road to healing is never simple. This is the sometimes funny, sometimes bitter, but always moving story about the mistakes and discoveries a woman makes when her perfect world is turned upside down.

 

 


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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A novel that cries out to be read by the surf with a cocktail and a cabana boy… Anita Hughes is an author of women’s literary fiction who delivers sex on the beach without insulting the reader’s intelligence."—Thelma Adams, author of Playdate

"With honesty and heart, glamour and grit, Anita Hughes tells the inspiring story of an unusual woman discovering life on her own terms and finally spreading her wings. Loved it." —Melissa Senate, author of The Love Goddess’ Cooking School

"Absolutely riveting and brimming with emotion. Monarch Beach charmed me from the very first page." —Jane Porter, author of She's Gone Country

About the Author

ANITA HUGHES attended UC Berkeley’s Masters in Creative Writing Program, and has taught Creative Writing at The Branson School in Ross, California. Hughes has lived at The St. Regis Monarch Beach for six years, where she is at work on her next novel.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (June 19, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312643047
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312643041
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #881,379 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anita Hughes was born in Sydney, Australia. At the age of eight, she won first prize in a nationwide writing contest sponsored by THE AUSTRALIAN, Australia's most prestigious newspaper. She graduated from Bard College with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Creative Writing, and attended UC Berkeley's Masters in Creative Writing Program. She lives at The St. Regis Monarch Beach, where she is at work on her next novel. For more information please go to www.anitahughesbooks.com.

Customer Reviews

Monarch Beach is an engrossing and entertaining read that is pure escapist fun. K. Branfield  |  11 reviewers made a similar statement
The writer does a great job making her characters likeable and very real. bookreader "Melanie"  |  10 reviewers made a similar statement
I will look forward to reading Anita Hughes' next book when it comes out. kstrab  |  8 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Monarch Beach and Gilded Cages July 20, 2012
Format:Paperback
Monarch Beach, the tale of a wealthy San Francisco heiress embarking on a journey of self-discovery in the face of her deteriorating marriage, contains enough glamor and smouldering romance in its fast-paced plot to titillate a casual reader, but also offers lush concrete detail, rich characterization and deeper questions about marriage and female empowerment.

The book opens with Amanda Blick taking advantage of a rare respite from her duties as housewife and mother, only to encounter Andre, her sexy French chef of a husband, straddling his sous chef. What saves this set-up from cliche and Amanda from stereotype is the rich back story Hughes deftly weaves in. Amanda's shock and grief upon witnessing her husband's infidelity catapults her back to the pivotal day her dreams for a career in fashion design were dashed as her loving parents made a devastating announcement that forever changed the trajectory of her life. We then learn of her fateful meeting with Andre in his crepe restaurant in San Francisco, which heralds in an unlikely whirl-wind romance between shy and naive Amanda and morally questionable but irresistibly romantic Andre. Amanda returns to present day reality to consult Stephanie, a former bombshell whose sensuality and flirtatiousness once struck Amanda as a threat, but whose secure position of motherhood and marriage to a bland "numbers man" employed at Lehman Brothers now offers a comforting source of wizened counsel.

But it's Amanda's mother Grace who she goes to for legal and practical help. This grieved and widowed debutante looking for a new adventure whisks Amanda and her son away to temporarily escape their problems at the St Regis Resort in Monarch Beach. From the insulated world of Ross' housewives and dog parks to the pristine luxury of the St. Regis, Hughes depicts every setting of the book so vividly the reader is completely drawn in. And just as compelling as the worlds Hughes creates are Amanda's struggles as a woman grappling with the difficulties of her new-found independence. Amanda juggles concern for her widowed mother, who is deteriorating from grief; her son, who she conceals the divorce from; and the hazards of pursuing her own burgeoning romance while nursing a broken heart. The book is a quick and gripping page-turner, often funny, light and immediately accessible.

But what lends the book more complexity is what remains unsaid. Never does Amanda outright vilify Andre beyond calling him a cheater or question the time she was married to him, but many details from their marriage imply the inordinate power he had over her. During their marriage, Andre refused her or her family's money, even as the two weathered an unplanned pregnancy and his unemployment, lending him complete financial control of her and her son; sex was for Andre and Andre alone at the expense of Amanda's pleasure; and even what should have been the joyous occasion of her first pregnancy sent Amanda into panic because it was not pre-endorsed by Andre. Who has it better: Amanda, for loving and losing after gambling on a penniless, morally questionable French chef only to get a chance at independence when he cheats on her or her friend Stephanie, a bombshell turned matron who can rely on the security of marriage to a wealthy nerd she may or may not actually love? On a casual read, Monarch Beach can be enjoyed as a flight of fancy to the luxuries of Laguna Beach's St Regis, but questions about married life, fidelity, security and female empowerment linger under its shiny veneer.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED THIS BOOK! July 1, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
When a mom, Amanda Blick sees her sexy French chef husband, Andre, wrapped around his sous-chef, she's heartbroken. When her mother urges Amanda and her son, Max, to get a change of scenery with her at St. Regis Resort in Laguna Beach, she agrees to go to Laguna Beach. She needed to get away from him for the summer and think about her future. Instead of simply relaxing, doing her best to keep her mind off of Andre, Amanda meets a handsome older man who sweeps her away. Also divorced, Edward teaches Amanda that there can be a life after Andre...until his loyalties are to be questioned.

There had been a lot of talk about "Monarch Beach," so I put it on my to-read list. When I was asked to review it I jumped at the chance. From the first sentence to the last, "Monarch Beach" drew me into Amanda's world. Through her ups and downs with Andre and Edward, the book was very enjoyable. With all the twists and turns -- especially at the end, I literally couldn't put this book down. If I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about planning my own getaway to the St. Regis Resort, hoping to create my own journey. The characters were very likable, even Andre tried to fool me, but I loved Amanda. She was a devoted mom who just wanted to do the best for her son after her marriage failed. I liked Amanda's mom and thought that she played a very enjoyable and loving role. Like Amanda's character, I loved how she evolved, too. The ending will leave you aching for more, (I'm really hoping for a continuation with these characters)!

Anita Hughes is a brilliant author who has written a book I loved! "Monarch Beach" is a funny, heartwarming and sexy read, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a delightful, addicting and fast-paced summer read.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect summer read July 6, 2012
Format:Paperback
I devoured Monarch Beach in much the same way I devour chocolate--quickly. Anita Hughes sets the reader firmly in a world of wealth where money certainly creates lives with beautiful views but does not protect the characters from illness, adultery, and bad choices.

Bring this book to the beach this summer and you will most likely come away with a sunburn because you won't want to leave until you've finished the last page!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars A Really Good Read
I loved this book. The writing was good and easy to follow. I loved the story of a woman who had been cheated on by her husband. Read more
Published 1 month ago by demeter1957
3.0 out of 5 stars A little contrived
I found the character to be predictable and unrealistic. I expected it to be more about the characters relating to one another and rebulding their lives and it was more of a... Read more
Published 1 month ago by sunshine days
4.0 out of 5 stars An Engrossing Read
Monarch Beach is Anita Hughes debut. I am so glad that I have the opportunity to share this author with you. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Writer's Corner
5.0 out of 5 stars Monarch Beach by Anita Hughes
I loved this book because it's written very well and a great escape to another lifestyle that I will never know and lots of fabulous scenery too. Read more
Published 2 months ago by CatmomJD
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful Novel
What a wonderful debut novel by Anita Hughes. I am looking forward to her next book. I thought Anita did a wonderful job of describing everything, I could truly picture it all. Read more
Published 2 months ago by kimberlyindy
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book
Monarch Butterfly gives the reader a taste of San Francisco Society. Their heartaches, joys and struggles. Having money doesn't guarantee an easy life. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Frances Nelson
3.0 out of 5 stars This book is just okay....
This book is just okay. Not much to it and very predictible. If you are looking for a quick easy read, this will do it for you.
Published 3 months ago by Cdallman
4.0 out of 5 stars easy reading
Really liked this book. loved the characters and scenery descriptions. Relaxing Easy reading. Would have like a more conclusive ending.
Published 4 months ago by nds
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read.
What a fun read. Loved the story line and the characters - when I got started I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by AnnE
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
I enjoyed the book. It's a good beach read and good for escaping to another place. Good for those who are looking for a relaxing read.
Published 4 months ago by Nancy Miller Page
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