Santa Monica

A Novel

By: Cassidy Lucas

Narrated by: Alma Cuervo

A debut novel in the vein of Liane Moriarty and Tom Perrotta, about dark secrets brought to life after the mysterious death of a handsome and charismatic trainer to the elite women in Santa Monica.

On the western edge of Los Angeles is the gorgeous beachside city of Santa Monica, where the sun-kissed, wealthy residents seem to inhabit real-life California dreams. When movie-star-handsome heartthrob fitness coach Zack Doheny, is found dead on the floor of his gym, the tragedy shocks the elite community, especially those who’d spent many hours each week exercising with the charismatic trainer.

As the narrative flashes back to the months leading up to Zack’s death, it quickly becomes clear that things in this coastal paradise are not as glittering as they seem. Lettie—Zack’s secret half-sister and an undocumented housekeeper for the toned, entitled women of Santa Monica—holds her brother responsible for a horrific family accident, and desperately needs his money to prevent her deportation. Regina, type-A exercise addict and entrepreneur, will do anything to get out of debt and to claim Zack for herself. And Mel—a New York City transplant who finds herself forty pounds heavier and far more cynical than the lithe women of Santa Monica—discovers an electric attraction to Zack that threatens to disrupt his bond with Regina and upend Mel’s own marriage. As these residents of Santa Monica begin to crack under the stress of their secrets, one question hangs above it all: what really happened to Zack Doheny?

As addictively suspenseful as it is sharply observed, hilarious, and compassionate, Santa Monica is the rare novel that captures listeners with propulsive storytelling alongside emotional urgency, irresistible characters, ambitious themes, and a vivid sense of place.

©2020 Cassidy Lucas (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Absolutely awful.

Not even 3 hours into it and I just cannot get any further. From the nonstop political references, to the disturbing racial stereotypes, all with being narrated by someone that sounds like an inebriated elderly woman using cringe-worthy, disturbing accents. I just can’t with this book.

Not comparable to Little Big Lies

The story was just okay to begin with but really struggled with all the political references that didn’t have any bearing on the story. With 8 hours left to listen, just no interest in finishing. I love audiobooks, in part to get away from the political strife that consumes everything right now - both sides are ridiculous, taking a side today is just ignorant. It’s unfortunate to think you are getting a good “read” when, in fact you are unexpectedly bombarded with idiotic political commentary and childish name calling (isn’t that what “The Cheeto” does to everyone who disagrees with him?). If I wanted to listen to political views there are plenty of books that will play to both sides and when I do purposely choose political reads, I enjoy BOTH views, neither being better, neither all good or all bad - just very different beliefs and characters. We all deserve better.

absolutely NOT Liane Moriarty!!

I was snagged by "if you love Moriarty, you will love this book"....absolutely not the case!! This is a bad, weak, silly, boring soap opera with no likable characters. Very amateur writing. The sex is boring, overkill, excessive. The exercise is boring, overkill, silly, excessive. Exercise classes in LA have been a daily part of my life. If the classes and people were anything like this book, I could not have endured one second. This book was a ridiculous waste of listening time even though I wound up listening at 2.5 speed.
0 stars is a more accurate rating.