⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I will be honest that this was far from my preconceived thoughts on this book, and not in a bad way. I saw connections early, but in retrospect I think that was intentional, and did not detract from the story. It’s about the famous film star, Kitty Karr, who upon her death left her multi-million (billion?) dollar estate two the three daughters of her former black co-star who are all famous themselves, and her neighbor. Nobody knows why, including the sisters. Told in a dual timeline and dual narratives, it follows Kitty’s early life leading to Hollywood, and Elise and hers sister’s discovery and understanding of their surprising inheritance. It’s a story dotted with a Hollywood glitz, and filled with Jim Crow era and 60’s era civil rights movements and activists. It’s a book that makes you think and question what you know or think you know about the golden age of movies and tv.

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Told through a dual timeline, Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul begins with an intriguing premise. Kitty Karr, a white film actress from Hollywood's golden age, has left her estate to the St. John sisters - three Black women. This act raises questions right away. The St. Johns and Kitty were family friends, but why would she leave them her fortune? What buried truths lie beneath Kitty’s glamorous yet mysterious past?

The story weaves together many opposing realities. From the Jim Crow South to the glitz and glamour of the golden age of Hollywood, to modern-day Los Angeles. Through these intersecting timelines, Paul explores themes of race, identity, privilege, and the sacrifices people make. Sacrifices for their families and sacrifices for their futures. Choices are made and secrets are revealed. In the end, we're left to wonder what is the price we pay for sacrifice? When is the price too high? What happens when the choices made by one person ripple through generations?

I rated this book 4.25 out of 5 stars because of its compelling storyline, rich historical detail, and nuanced characters. I love a dual timeline, and this one was handled masterfully. Both the past and present narratives added depth and urgency to the central mystery. There were moments where the pacing lagged slightly. Primarily because I was dying to know more about Kitty of the past.

Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? is a thought-provoking and layered read. It's perfect for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a dash of family drama, mystery, and dual timelines.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for the opportunity to read. All opinions are my own. 

4.25 out of 5 stars - rounded up to 5

Eh. I wanted to love it. I just unfortunately couldn’t. I can’t pin the reason. It took me longer to read then it should have

Many thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating: 3.75 stars

Kitty Karr is a recently deceased, famous white television and movie actress icon who is making headlines for leaving her entire fortune to the already well known and wealthy African American St. John sisters. Both the public and the sisters have no idea why Kitty left her estate to them, but the sisters are determined to find out. As the story moves forward, it begins to take on a dual timeline. While the sisters are actively investigating why the money was left to them, we also begin to learn more about Kitty's life and the struggles that she endured to hide the fact that she was biracial but passing as white. The stress she endures trying to juggle hiding her true identity combined with the challenges she faces in maintaining her job and status cause her to make drastic choices that will forever change her future forever.

This story was an interesting mix of historical and women's fiction focusing on race, class, and identity. I liked the dual POVs and the historical context the book provided about the struggles endured by different races and by women in the mid-20th century. The mystery behind why Kitty left the money was slightly predictable and the girls storyline felt more like fluff to me compared to Kitty's story but, overall, the historical aspects of the book kept me engaged and intrigued throughout.

Thanks for the opportunity to review. Lots of back and forth in time in this historical novel of Hollywood drama..

Thank You to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Co., and Crystal Smith Paul.

I enjoyed the book. I loved the different point of views and time frames. I loved the settings of old Hollywood glamour and the modern Hollywood business, I loved the mystery when Kitty Karr Tate, star of the old Hollywood screen, dies and leaves her home, an estate, to the St. John Sisters. This causes quite the stir as the St. John sisters are three young, wealthy Black women.

As the sisters sort through Kitty's things, especially her journal, they learn about Kitty's rise to becoming a famous star, growing up in the segregated South, and her family's choice to give her a better life and break free.

As one of the sister's, Elise, digs deeper into Kitty's past, she reflects upon her life, her choices, and the consequences of those choices.

3 ⭐’s this was a good story with a lot of potential that got lost in timeline editing.

I loved the story, the characters and the exploration of the past and present lives of Black women and their experiences and impacts.

I did feel very much like I was reading two different books for the first 10+ chapters. The back and forth timelines was especially choppy and with so many name changes it made it extra confusing to follow until those changes happened. I wish the timeline jumps had been edited differently.

Generally the “twist” is something you see coming from the beginning, which isn't bad, it's more a story of how/why you got there.

Overall it was a good story worth checking out of the library and I would check out future works by this author.

In Crystal Smith Paul's debut novel, "Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?," tough topics like slavery, rape, Jim Crow, segregation, and discrimination take center stage. The story follows Kitty Karr, a Hollywood actress passing as White due to her light skin, as she navigates difficult decisions and the consequences they bring. While the character development of Kitty and her mother, Hazel, impresses, some may find the portrayal of the St. John sisters lacking depth, and the ending wrapped up too swiftly.

This was a fun story about Hollywood, race and family secrets. It didn't blow me away but I enjoyed it and found it entertaining. I am not sure I would recommend it, but I would certainly try another book by this author.

I love a good family saga, and this did not disappoint. A step back into old Hollywood with all glamour and not-so-glamourous parts that went with it. I really enjoyed the mysterious take this book offered and how the story built while exposing many secrets about what lies underneath Hollywood and really us all.

Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul is about Kitty Karr Tate, a Hollywood star, and the St. John sisters. Kitty Karr leaves her fortune to the three sisters who through the course of the book learn much about Karr. I voluntarily read and reviewed this complimentary copy of this well-written, engaging book.

I enjoyed this book and found Kitty's story quite interesting. I usually like dual timelines, but it didn't really work here. The present day story could have just been incorporated into Kitty's story and the flow of the story would have been smoother in my opinion. Also there were a few chapters where way too many characters were introduced rapidly, causing me to almost lose interest. Once past that the story really picked up. 3.5 stars rounded down.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

A wonderful in depth plotted novel. Characters came to life on the pages. Family and friend dynamics explored. Not to be missed.

This book was completely brilliant. It grabbed me right away. I love books with dual perspective, so I really enjoyed the bounce from the 1930s, 40s and 50s to 2017 and 2018. When the first pieces of Kitty's story came together with Elise's discovery of her own history, I was so invested. There were definitely some surprises tucked in. I was worried for the women who were passing and nervous they'd be "found out" and what would happen to them if that happened. I was also worried for Elise's connection to her immediate family as the rest of the puzzle came together, since things were tenuous at best with her mother for most of the book. This was so well done; would LOVE to see it made into a movie for Netflix. Will recommend to friends over and over., while looking forward to the next book from Crystal Smith Paul! Thanks Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When award winning actress Kitty Karr dies and leaves her fortune to the St. John sisters, the whole wants to know why.
I liked how this book tackled racism, classism and sexism and the ways that the Hollywood industry treats women and people of color. I wish that the present day story of the St John sisters had been fleshed out much more; it felt lacking and incomplete and I kept waiting for more background and story there. I really enjoyed the Kitty Karr plot line and think the book would have been stronger if it just focused on her story instead.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this ARC!

This was my first book to read by this author but it won't be my last! This was a beautifully written novel that evokes so many emotions and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Don't miss out on this one!

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed Did You Hear About Kitty Karr. It was such a good book, and the historical aspect was a bonus for me. It brought a real human aspect to the book and tackled real-life issues of rape, Jim Crow, misogyny in Hollywood and race. All of these encapsulated within this book led to a very real and eye opening read. There were times I feel the story was rushed, more towards the end. And in the beginning it was a bit slow and took me several chapters to really get into. But if you can get passed this, overall it’s a good book and I definitely learned a bit from reading it.

***thank you Netgalley and Henry Holt & Co for an ARC copy in return for an honest review***

I'm a Reese's Book Club stan and usually enjoy most of her picks but this one was a bit lackluster- the premise was interesting but multiple times lines and POV made it difficult to follow, slow pacing, and other books have pulled off a similar storyline better.

The premise of the story was very interesting. I was really intrigued by Kitty’s story. I found myself skipping to read her parts. I did not really care for the modern storyline. It did not really appeal to me. I think it should have focused solely on Kitty’s story. I liked how it explained the hardships that women had to go through. Nevertheless, I recommend this for fans of The Yellow Wife, The Great Mrs. Elias, and Take My Hand!

This book gave me Evelyn Hugo vibes, but was a little slow with a disconnected writing style. While it touched on some important topics, I had trouble engaging at times.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!