SYNOPSIS: When Lara Richards jets off to sunny California, the last thing she’s expecting is to find her old friend Helen transformed from a clipboard-clasping frump into a shimmering surf goddess. The secret of her blissful new life? The mysterious California Club. The offer of guest membership – one wish, guaranteed to come true by the end of their stay – is one Lara and her friends can’t resist. Could this be Lara’s chance to win her best friend Elliot’s heart after ten year’s of longing? Will Hollywood discover Zoe? Can Sasha find a man who can see beyond her model-looks? Or will they all have to come up with a new dream?

THEMES: Unrequited love + Careful what you wish for + Best friends

LOCATIONS: Brighton, UK + San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Carmel & Yosemite National Park – all in California, USA

REVIEW: ‘A perfectly sunny read’ B magazine

OPENING LINES: Elliot. I’ve been carrying a torch for him so long people mistake me for the Statue of Liberty. In fact just last month I celebrated an entire decade of unrequited love. But now look at me – standing at Heathrow airport about to jet off with His Sexiness for over two weeks of swaying palms, candy-coloured convertibles and air brushed skies. Shame he’s bringing his girlfriend.

BELINDA SAYS: Elliot is based on my friend Tony who I had the most absurd crush on for years and years. We’re still friends now, nearly 20 years on, and both living in California. He actually took this snap of me with the baby tiger, with eyes streaming – we knew he was allergic to cats, just not Big Cats! This was one of my all time favourite experiences. That and staying at the Hotel Del Coronado where Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis filmed Some Like It Hot. I now live just half an hour from there as my husband’s naval base is just across the water! (It’s enough to make me believe that The California Club really does exist!)