Rich Rewards — Alice Adams

Daphne has fled to San Francisco after a particularly disastrous love affair. But she is also there to redecorate her friend Agatha's house. It doesn't take long for Daphne to learn, however, that the house isn't the only thing in the beautiful, confusing city that needs alteration.

As she gets closer to Agatha's world, Daphne meets the Houstons, a strange family that symbolizes everything California to her: they are big, blond, and unhappy. And trouble and beauty follow them. In this unpredictable new world coincidences happen, friends and lovers are rediscovered, and surprises rule the day.

A cynic at heart and jaded at first, Daphne soon discovers much about the fragility of families and the rich rewards of love.