I was immediately drawn to the premise of this one - love this time period and all of the icons of the age. I appreciate the ARC from NetGalley - I think any fan of the Rat Pack would enjoy this interesting perspective on Frank and Ava.

This is exactly the type of Hollywood fiction story that I love. Ms. Webb captured everything I have read about Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra's relationship and also gave them both a sympathetic hug too. I also enjoyed the scenes with other people like Nancy (the current/ex-wife, the children, Louis B Mayer, and co-stars. All of these interactions wrapped around the scenes with Frank (Francis) and Ava and gave me just a very enjoyable read. If you love old Hollywood, read this one.

Strangers in the Night
By Heather Webb
Pub Date: March 21,2023
Harper Collins
Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I really enjoyed this book for its personal touch of narration as well as learning about the intense romantic relationship between Sinatra and Ava Gardner.
5 stars

The cover and subject really intrigued me as I love Old Hollywood type stories. The novel is a fictionalized story of Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra's romance and marriage, spanning years, movie sets, shows and continents. I didn't know much about Frank and Ava's personal relationship before reading, but it was one of high highs and tumultuous lows. At points in the book, it did get a bit repetitive as they would fight and leave each other often making for a repetitive plot, but I think that is part of their story so not much the author could do about it. It did have me wanting to learn more about Ava or read a novel or biography solely about her after. I had high expectations for this book and it was good, but not great so I'd grade it 3 out of 5 stars.

Providing a flashback to the golden glory days of Hollywood, I found this story to be an enjoyable and indulgent peek into the turbulent and tempestuous lives and loves of Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardener. The reader is given a ringside seat to a literary display of the music and movie industries, warts and glamour intertwined, with an emphasis on stars behaving badly.

I became quickly fascinated by this fictionalized true Hollywood romance between Sinatra and Gardner. They celebrated their accomplishments on their rise to fame, while also giving in to their jealousy and insecurity. Their stormy relationship repeatedly centered around alcohol fueled arguments, both public and private, followed by one of them angrily storming out, and ending in extended separations.

Following Frank and Ava's lives from 1946 to 1990 also took me down a rabbit hole to read about other onscreen personalities that were mentioned, such as Mickey Rooney, Lana Turner, Artie Shaw, Ingrid Bergman, and Grace Kelly, to name a few. Fans of Hollywood royalty should definitely add this book to their TBR list.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve always loved old Hollywood and watching old movies and listening to old music. When I was first married, I picked up the autobiography of Ava Gardner and was surprised at how candid the biography was about her love life. I mean, it was written forty years ago, and tell-all books didn’t tell all that much after all. Of course, I knew Sinatra’s music, but interestingly enough, my mother and father weren’t big fans of him because of his alleged ties to the mob. I had no such qualms and in my 20’s spent a lot of time watching Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra and listening to him on CDs.

Strangers in the Night follows the tempestuous and passionate love affair of one of MGM’s biggest stars, and one of music’s biggest singers when he was on a downward spiral. Frank Sinatra was a singer and an actor in MGM musicals. Ava Gardner was a contract player for MGM, being loaned out to other studios for films and marrying MGM’s biggest star at the time, Mickey Rooney. That marriage didn’t last, and neither did the one to jazz great and all-around jerk Artie Shaw. Sinatra had been happily married to his hometown sweetheart, Nancy, but that didn’t stop him from stepping out with other women like MGM starlet Lana Turner.

Ava was full of self-doubt, never comfortable with the fact that MGM only seemed to care about her looks. She took hours and hours of comportment classes and acting classes to improve herself, and finally started getting better roles and meatier parts, but they were for other studios. Once she became the darling of the big screen, MGM began to take her more seriously and offer her better parts. Gardner never felt comfortable acting and usually lubricated herself with vodka before performing.

Frank had been at the top of his game, first with the Harry James Orchestra, and then with Tommy Dorsey’s jazz band. But around the time he got involved with Ava, his record sales were slumping, he was damaging his voice by performing so much, and when he was appearing in clubs, they were half-filled. His movies weren’t doing much box office, either. The media said he was finished in the business, washed up, a has-been.

Frank’s star was in decline, and Ava’s was on the ascent, and a proud Italian American like Sinatra didn’t take that too well. He was tough via his associations with the mob, yet he was so emotional and unstable at times that one wonders if he didn’t have Bipolar Disorder. He half-heartedly attempted suicide several times while circling in Ava’s orbit, yet somehow never managed to do much harm to himself.

Sinatra and Gardner’s love story is a tempestuous one, full of hot steamy sex (although those scenes are PG-13 at most), loud arguments where plates get smashed, and plenty of alcohol. It’s not fun to read about the alcohol-fueled relationship and all of its ups and downs, and how self-destructive both Ava and Frank were, but I’ve read biographies and watched documentaries on both and it is an accurate description. It’s always interesting to see how much real life bleeds into historical fiction and there’s enough fact to make me satisfied that the author’s attempt at telling their love story was real enough.

I liked the fact that Webb continued the story following Gardner and Sinatra’s divorce, because all accounts say that they were still in close contact up until Ava’s death. They were each other’s love of their lives, yet they were so much alike they couldn’t live together. Sinatra ended up marrying two more times, and I can’t help but wonder how his last wife, Barbara, felt about Frank’s continuing relationship with Ava. There’s rumors that he often sent her money and other gifts up until her death.

I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from NetGalley and Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t really know too much about Frank Sinatra or Ava Gardner before this book. I was kinda surprised about how loving their relationship could be one minute and turn fiery and mean the next. There were some surprises along the way. It’s an interesting book one that their fans will enjoy
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I never knew the story of Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. I loved the time period and the old LA and Palm Springs. I did find it dragged a little after they married and divorced. Some of the dialogue between the two was a little cringy at times. Ava referring to Frank as baby all the time. It’s probably just me. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it and learn a little of the rat pack history.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 3.5⭐️

I was highly anticipating reading this but the story fell a little flat for me. I was expecting this big love affair but it was really such a toxic relationship.

Strangers in the Night by Heather Webb

She was the small-town southern beauty transformed into a Hollywood love goddess. He was the legendary crooner whose voice transfixed the world. They were Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra. Separately they were irresistible; together they were an explosive combination.

Ava’s star is rising just as Frank’s career—and public image as a family man—is taking a hit. Gone are the days of the screaming bobbysoxers and chart-topping hits. Ava, however, finds herself gracing the front page of every tabloid in America. Jealousy and cheating abound, and when the two succumb to their temperaments and their vices, their happiness is threatened at every turn.

As the pair ride the rollercoaster of success and failure, passion and anger, they both wonder if the next turn will be the end of their careers, and most devastating of all—the end of all they’ve shared.

I love historical fiction but don’t read that much of it. Mainly because so many books focus on elements of World War II and I get burnt out on that topic since its so heavy. So reading this book was a breath of fresh air. It was a fun and interesting read based on real life!

Out on March 21

*****Publishing March 21, 2023*****

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This historical fiction book follows the love story of singer, Frank Sinatra and actress, Ava Gardener. Their relationship was troubled and often plagued by jealously and heartache.

Ava came from a small town in NC where her parents’ expectations were for her to find a secretarial job and a husband who could support her. By the time she headed to Hollywood to pursue her acting career, she had been divorced twice. Frank came from a dysfunctional home, so he was happy to leave as he was often left to his own devices. Therefore, this made him driven to pursue his career. He moved his wife and family to Hollywood to start a new life. Frank had an apartment, while his wife had the house with the kids.

At first, Frank and Ava’s relationship didn’t go as well as Frank would have liked as Ava told Frank she wasn’t going to get involved with a married man. Their relationship blossomed when Frank decided to divorce his wife! Their relationship had their ups and downs, which had an impact on their careers, especially Frank’s. The press was very critical, so it also had an impact on not only their relationship, but their careers.

A well researched and fascinating story! I loved how the author chose to alternate the chapters between Frank and Ava! It gives you a good insight not only into their relationships and lives, but the highs and lows of Hollywood! This book is for those who grew up listening to Frank Sinatra!

Thanks to William Morrow (William Morrow Paperbacks), I was provided an ARC of Stranger’s in the Night by Heather Webb via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #StrangersintheNight #NetGalley

This book was an interesting one for me. On one hand, Heather Webb proves herself once again to be a phenomenal writer! So good! On the other hand, I really disliked Frank and Ava as human beings. At times, this really made me struggle with the book and not want to spend time with them. Still, it's a book I'd recommend and it's worth all the stars because I really do think Heather Webb did an extraordinary job bringing two larger-than-life people to life.

Wow - what an amazing read! The research is phenomenal and you feel as if you are right there in the room with Frank and Ava. What a tumultuous relationship they had. The writing flowed beautifully and I could not stop turning the pages. The author's note was much appreciated. Very Highly recommended.

I received a copy from NetGalley. The thoughts about the book are my own.

Strangers in the Night by Heather Webb is a fictionalized account of the love story between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. The novel is compelling and difficult to put down! I have always been a fan of Mr. Sinatra and I was truly captivated by this book. In the author's note, Heather Webb talks about her research and how she determined which "facts" from various sources, she decided to include her work. I learned so much about these two very flawed, but talented people and the tortured love story! I highly recommend reading this novel. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for the ARC!

I was unsure about this book as I thought it was a biography but then found it is fictional. I was confused at first but went into it and enjoyed it. Frank and Ava were a couple. A couple that had high highs and lowest of lows. I just think that the fiction part should be noted at little more.

I loved this novel! I got completely swept up in this compelling account of the lifelong love between Frank and Ava, two of Hollywood’s most dynamic stars. Reading this book made me feel like I was right there with this fiery pair, drinking martinis in New York, picnicking on a boat on Lake Tahoe, living the high life in Los Angeles … and having furious fights over jealousies, insecurities, and hurt feelings. A completely absorbing story!

Frank Sinatra has always been one of my fav crooners with his dreamy, swoon inducing voice, so when I had the opportunity to read Heather Webb’s new book, “Strangers in the Night”, which is based on Frank Sinatra and actress Ava Gardners decades spanning relationship, I jumped at the chance. Thank you William Morrows for the advanced e-book!

Filled with drama, heartbreak and scandal, their life together was the stuff that old-Hollywood films are made of. Their passionate relationship was far from being a happily ever after though with more downs than up, but the pair had a deep and undeniable love for each other. A love that’s essence is perfectly captured in this book.

I was captivated with this story from the start, and could tell so much effort and research was done to create such a beautiful piece of historical fiction. This is my second book I’ve read by Heather Webb and she does not disappoint with the way she makes you feel like you’re reading a first hand account of events in history instead of a fictional book. I enjoyed learning more about Ava Gardner as I did not know much about her life and learned many new things about Mr. Sinatra. For anyone who loves music, the golden age of Hollywood or just historical fiction books in general, this one’s for you and will be available on March 21st!

This was such an interesting read. I don’t usually read books like this but I’m glad I was sent a copy to read. It definitely opened my eyes more to this kind of lifestyle. I am not the biggest fan of this kind of genre so it was an okay read for me.

Heather Webb does an excellent job of capturing the very tumultuous relationship between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. What a tornado of a story! Enjoyed this and learned so much about them both!

Author Heather Webb brings Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner to life in this well-written novel ideal for both established and a new generation of fans. With everyone seemingly against them, their attraction is undeniable and unstoppable. This book takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of love and jealousy fueled by alcohol, power, and beauty.
I recommend Strangers in the Night to anyone who enjoys old Hollywood glitz and glamour.