California Girl

When Alys Seagraves hears her friend Mame loudly proclaiming “It’s my life and I’ll live it my way!” she breathes a big sigh of relief. That tone and those words mean that, despite the light heart attack that landed her in the hospital bed, she is alive and kicking; at least for a while longer. She is also ready to put action to words and leap into her vintage pink Cadillac, Beulah, so they can begin the trek following the historical Route 66 that they have been planning for months.

Onto the scene strides Mame’s famous nephew Dr. Nice. Dr. Elliot Ross is the author of several books on nutrition and has his own weekly radio talk show. He takes life and health very seriously and fully intends to see that the woman who took him and his brothers in when their parents died has the very best medical care possible. Even knowing that she is a free spirit, he can’t believe that she would be so foolish as to escape from the hospital, steal HIS car and set out on this journey on her own. They both know that her heart condition is only going to get worse and he has to find her before it is too late. The only person who has Mame’s itinerary and can help him is Alys.

Alys has a tough decision to make. She lost her husband after a long battle with cancer and knows how precious life is and that it’s meant to be LIVED. Can she help the good doctor realize that chocolate has just as important of a role in life as salad?

California Girl is a true gem and a call to live life everyday to the fullest. From the antics of Mame, the sparks that fly between Alys and Elliot, and the suspense of wondering what is going to happen next I could not put this book down. In parts I was laughing out loud as Elliot fought to understand Alys. In other parts I had tears in my eyes as she fought her attraction to Elliot, determined that she would not let herself care about anyone or anything else because she did not want to go through the pain of losing them. Patricia Rice has penned an emotional and riveting masterpiece in California Girl and regardless of the genre that you prefer it is a book that will be thoroughly enjoyed by one and all.

Reviewed by: Missy