I was craving a Historical Fiction story, and was intrigued by The Roaring Days of Zora Lily, which was set in Seattle during the 1920’s, and follows aspiring fashion designer Zora Lily.

🎧I listened to the audiobook format and really enjoyed the narration, which was performed by Jesse Vilinsky. I thought the story was entertaining and I really enjoyed the themes of friendship and found family. I also loved learning about the fashion industry of that time, and the music and club scene.

*many thanks to the publisher, Harper Audio, and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review.

4.5⭐️
“The Roaring Days of Zora Lily” opens not in the roaring 1920s but in 2023, when a fashion conservator, Sylvia, stumbles across a “Zora Lily” signature tag on a garment. While Sylvia’s search for an explanation frames the book, the bulk of the novel follows Zora Lily, a poor young woman wishing to become a premier fashion designer for all echelons of society. Zora and her friends at the club are more thoroughly fleshed out (perhaps intentionally) than the other characters in her life.

Excellent historical fiction, if a bit modernized in social interactions. Minor episodes warrant trigger warnings (poverty, death, assault) but these are fleeting and not the majority of the material. I found myself trying to envision the clothing designed and wonder if illustrations are included in a hard copy.

Many thanks to Mira and Harlequin Audio for this audio ARC given in exchange for an honest review.

A highly entertaining historical fiction novel about a talented young seamstress and her journey from humble beginnings in early 20s Seattle to the big lights of Hollywood where she starts to design costumes for the stars. Full of drama, heartache, love and loss as well as great female friendships. I really enjoyed this one and it was good on audio too narrated by Natalie Duke and Jesse Vilinsky. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I loved this book. If you are into historical fiction, specifically the roaring jazz age, this is the one for you. Great time period to depict with some great characters. Who doesn't love a swinging beaded dress and a bootlegger? Zora is the type of character you want to be your BFF, and Harley is a dream. Zora meets obstacles and pitfalls at every turn, but she perseveres. And she has us, the readers, rooting for her the whole journey.

Thank you to the author publisher and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Zora Lily. I haven't read anything about the fashion industry and this was an interesting story. I think it's a little slow start and I thought it would jump right into the fashion industry, but it took a little while to get there. But it was worth it! This is a sweet love story as well. While it doesn't fit the parameters for our library, the main character is too old, I do recommend it if you are a historical fiction lover. It is a sweet story that would be perfect after a heavy WW2 story.

Decently good historical fiction about the 1920's. Predictable but good writing. I enjoyed the narration it gave the book some extra flair

The best way I can describe this is Judi Curtin for grown ups.
While this failed to live up to a few novels that use a similar structure (namely a present day frame story bringing forth a tale of the past - comparisons to Evelyn Hugo will be inevitable), this was a heartwarming and empowering story of a woman's journey through uncertainty in an attempt to make a name for herself.
The pacing confounded me at times, and this felt both rushed in parts and overly-long, but overall this was a solid read that I can see appealing to a broad audience.
As an aside, I was unsure about the excessive use of '20s slang by the flapper best friend, but it also had a certain charm to it I suppose.
I also appreciated that beyond the story of a woman fighting to make a name for herself, there was the story of an artist claiming respect for the art that she creates and demanding that people see the value in her work.

I enjoyed the escape offered in this book to a bygone era of prohibition and flappers. The talent of a young dress designer/maker and how it all began for her, where her career took her and discovering for herself what mattered most. It's a tidy story by Noelle Salazar and very nicely narrated by Natalie Duke and Jesse Vilinsky. Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Audio Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ARC.

Zora Hough is living hand to mouth in 1920’s Seattle, making barely enough to get by by taking in sewing, but her dream is to succeed by becoming a famous designer, like Coco Chanel. In prohibition era Seattle, Zora makes the rounds of the speak easys with her good friend and meets plenty of people, some of whom are very influential in the fashion world. What will Zora do, how far will she go to see her dreams come true? A fascinating trip back to the age of flappers and bath tub gin

ᕼᗩᑭᑭY ᑭᑌᗷᒪIᑕᗩTIOᑎ ᗯEEK to 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗭𝗼𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝘆 by Noelle Salazar!
‌
I get burned out on the same WWII historical fiction on repeat so this story was a breath of fresh air. Set in 1924, this is the story of aspiring fashion designer, Zora Lily.
‌
The book begins in the present day with a fashion exhibit on a fashion designer being curated. A tag on a dress with the Zora Lily label is unexpectedly uncovered.
‌
The book jumps back in time to unveil Zora’s early days. Raised in poverty, Zora helps her family by taking odd sewing jobs. A family tragedy lands her a job with an elite family. As doors open for her, the chance to find love and the opportunity to fulfill her fashion design dreams become available to her. Not without drama and heartache, of course.
‌
I loved Zora’s fictional tale. It reminded me a lot of the true story of Ann Lowe and the book, 𝗕𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻: 𝗔 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘄𝗲, 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 by Piper Huguley. Both books addressed race relations during their time period, social status, and women designers not receiving their due credit. I really enjoyed both books!

In The Roaring Days of Zora Lily, Zora Lily (Hough), fashioned lightly after the author’s grandmother, follows a path typical of historical fiction of this sort: poor but talented, selfless, almost all-good, and hard-working young woman aspires to own her own boutique in Seattle, where she could design and sell her own fashion creations. And, of course, she meets a handsome, rich, and totally devoted man from whom she is separated. Some of the story is not at all believable, but in the end it doesn’t much matter. Noelle Salazar’s writing carries the day, boosted by the narrators: Natalie Duke and Jesse Vilinsky. Fans of historical fiction will be as happy as bees drawn to honey with Salazar’s latest.

Audiobook Version of Roaring Days of Zoe’s Lily

I went in blind and was pulled into this book within 10 minutes. This is so unusual for me on an audiobook. The narration was so great, Natalie Duke; Jesse Vilinsky were so engaging and easy to listen to!

I loved the fashion designing element of this story, the music, the clubs, the friendships… I also appreciated the way the author doesn’t ignore or shy away from prejudices and stereotypes of the times. Also meats ugly to read about but it’s part of history and present… has to be told. Noelle tells it in a way that is respectful but accurate.

I loved the found family Zora finds herself with as well as the family she is born into. Very real dynamics and ups and downs in relationships. Loved Zora coming into her own and working her way towards her dreams no matter what!

Going on my top reads of 2023!

Name of Book: The Roaring days of Zora Lilly
Author: Noelle Salazar
Narrators: Natalie Duke and Jess Vilinsky
Publisher: Harper Audio/ Harlequin Audio
Genre: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Pub Date: October 3, 2023
My Rating: 4.6 rounded up!
Pages: 384

I read [author: Noelle Salazar]’s [book: The Flight Girls] and really enjoyed it. So was pleased when I saw her latest was available.

Story takes place in 1924 – ‘The Roaring Twenties’ in Seattle: Zora Hough spends her days looking after her younger siblings while sewing by hand for clients.
Story starts with Zora’s friend Rose, a dancer at a local club talking Zora into a ‘Night out!
Their experience takes us readers back a hundred years to the roaring twenties!!

I so enjoyed following Zora’s journey. My emotions were all over the place.

: Noelle Salazar is awesome in making me sad, angry, in love, happy, outraged and then these emotions are all repeated!


In The Author’s Notes”, Ms. Salazar tells us that her great grandmother’s name was her inspiration for this story. Yes her name was Zora Lilly and although she lived during the time of this story she in no way had a glamorous life but this story is a reminder that she too was special.

I just LOVE this story!!!
I am a coal minter’s daughter and my mother made all my clothes. As a teen I would shop for fabric and a pattern usually two as I would like the top of one and the skirt or bottom of another. One day my mother was tired from running after and caring for my two youngest brothers and was not pleased with the patterns I picked said there were too many piece, she didn’t have time -.I was disappointed and asked –“Will you teach me to sew?”
She did and I then made all my clothes. I often was asked where I got my outfits I would lie and say- Oh not sure but one of those shops on Main Street. –
I was fearful of being teased that I was too poor to shop in a department store. .
Certainty seems so foolish now.
Want to thank NetGalley and Harper audio- Harlequin Audio for this early audiobook,
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 3, 2023.

A Smithsonian costume conservator unveils a mystery while preparing a new exhibition. The name Zora Lily is on underneath a famous costume designer's tag, and she must find out who Ms. Lily is. Back in the '20s, we follow Zora Huff as she starts to come into life, leaving behind her impoverished and grieving family to try to make money for the family. As her world opens up, friends, love and her life's passion unwind in a captivating story that proves that life comes with costs and miracles.

This was my first Salazar book, and it was an extremely pleasant surprise. I couldn't get enough of Zora's life story and following her through the ups and downs of life, love, and family. The setting of the 1920s speakeasies and Hollywood, the friendships and family relationships together made this story un-put-downable. Narrators Natalie Duke and Jesse Vilinsky did a phenomenal job, and I will be picking up anything written by Salazar! Fantastic story.