California Gold

Hardback Published on: 19/03/2026
Price: £16.99
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Synopsis

Frank and Chrissy meet a few days into ’70. Frank has been travelling around California for a while with friends, when someone tells him about a house in the desert two hours east of LA where the walls are steel and the glass shimmers. Frank tells himself: I have to see this house. When Chrissy picks him up on the side of the road, all blond hair and oversized sunglasses, it’s love at first sight.

Years later, as their shared dream of recreating a mid-century masterpiece of a home in Britain threatens to overwhelm them, Frank will often think about how this was where it started. What if he had carried on walking, kicking at the dust? What if she had driven to Palm Springs the next day or even the next hour? Every moment of tomorrow would have completely changed.

So begins California Gold, a portrait of a marriage, a family and the thin line between a dream and an obsession.

Publisher information

  • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
  • ISBN: 9780241562383
  • Number of pages: 400
  • Dimensions: 223 x 146 x 36 mm
  • Weight: 500g
  • Languages: English

Customer Reviews

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California Gold
Absorbing, wonderful characters and emotional
California Gold was an automatic must-read for me because I’ve loved Jodie Chapman’s other novels, and I’m so glad I read this one too. California Gold... READ MORE
Laura Nazmdeh
California Gold
Captivating
I really enjoyed this one. A captivating family drama spread over several decades. It's dark, moody and full of intrigue.
Samantha Schofield
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
California Gold
Perfection!
California Gold by Jodie Chapman Frank and Chrissie meet in 1970 when she picks him up while he is hitchhiking in California. They fall in love and move... READ MORE
Donna
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
California Gold
An emotional rollercoaster of a ride.
This was an intricately woven story beginning in the 70s, when British Frank met Californian Chrissy, and they fell into a deep relationship, with its root... READ MORE
Ritu
California Gold
Deeply emotional read
A sweeping multi generational epic family saga So beautiful and moving, you can’t help but become involved and be vested in the characters Fully immersi... READ MORE
Claire  Johnson
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
California Gold
Five stars!
California Gold by Jodie Chapman is a beautifully written and deeply emotional story about love, family, and the fine line between dreams and obsession. ... READ MORE
The Secret Book Review
California Gold
Angsty family drama with a spectacular backdrop
From the tiitle, I had assumed that this was an American novel, but in fact although it starts in California this is very much a British family drama, cros... READ MORE
Eleanor Wood
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
California Gold
A must read masterpiece
If beautiful prose, nuanced characters, and complex family dynamics are your thing, this one is for you. Without doubt, my read of the year. A masterclass ... READ MORE
Jamie Taylor
California Gold
A cinematic masterpiece
I have loved both of Jodie's previous novels but this is her best yet and a true classic in the making. Both an incredibly entertaining page turner and a d... READ MORE
G Peters
California Gold
Pure Gold
This is Jodie’s third novel and is spectacular. There's a natural flow to Jodie’s writing that pulls you in, I couldn’t put it down. What I loved most w... READ MORE
Lins Biggs
Verified Purchase
California Gold
Draws the reader in
I read this book courtesy of NetGalley. An interesting read following 40 years of the O'Hara family which overall I found very sad with very dysfunctional... READ MORE
Grey Lady
California Gold
Fantastic read
4+ Englishman Frank O’Hara and Chrissy Wharton meet in 1970 south of Los Angeles when he’s hitching a ride and she stops to pick him up. She’s definitely a... READ MORE
Celia Short
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.