The House of Bradbury by Nicole Meier

The House of Bradbury
by Nicole Meier

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Just released: May 10, 2016
Publisher: SparkPress
Genre: Women's Fiction
Paperback: 280 pages
Rating: 4

First sentence(s):
Mia stood outside the house and exhaled.

Mia Gladwell’s life is going nowhere. The media has skewered her debut novel, her fiancé Carson, a successful Hollywood producer, has jumped ship, and now she’s living in her sister’s carriage house―unattached, unemployed, and uninspired. Then she learns that the Los Angeles estate of iconic author Ray Bradbury is up for sale, and she feels an immediate urge to buy the wonky old house, convinced that moving into the late author’s home will inspire her to create her best work yet.

Life in the Bradbury house is not what Mia imagined, however. Soon after moving in, to fulfill a debt she owes to Carson, she agrees to take in a pill-popping young actress as a tenant, and suddenly she finds herself in a balancing act between her needy ex, an unpredictable starlet, and her disapproving sister, who’s keeping a close eye on her. Add to this a series of mysterious sketches left at her doorstep by a stranger, and Mia’s life is more complicated than ever. As she searches for clues, though, Mia discovers insights into her own life. Maybe moving into Bradbury’s house was a big mistake―but maybe not.

Zombie sighting:
All Mia could do was lend an ear and usher a zombielike Zoe off to bed.
-chapter 15, ARC

My two-bits:

From the perspective of a writer (the protagonist), the appreciation of another writer, Ray Bradbury, shines through in this novel.

As a book reader, I always find it fascinating to learn about a writer's process and sources of inspiration. And, this book provides that as well as a peek into the film-making industry.

I found this book to be a gentle read that gets into a little growth of the writer by way of sister-bonding and friendships. Although a touch of romance is included, it is not a focus.

FYI: for cat lovers, a cat is featured

About the author:

Nicole Meier is a native Southern Californian who pulled up roots and moved to the Pacific Northwest. She works as a freelance travel and lifestyle writer. She lives in Oregon with her family. The House of Bradbury is her first novel.

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* review copy courtesy of and part of Summer Reading Challenge (here)