I thought this was a really good read about Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fritzgerald and was really a believable story. The characters really had a lot of depth to them. It was a really interesting story and different than what you would of thought for the time period. Marilyn was portrayed carefully in a light that was flattering to her honor.

This was an interesting look at the friendship between Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald. I was intrigued by how each woman defied the social barriers but overall the story felt flat. The authors did a very good job at exposing the prejudices of the 1950s. I didn't find myself drawn to either character and therefore felt unconnected to the story.

This is historical fiction, not a biography. Some facts happened, some are speculation. It's an interesting approach to the lives of two women that found some common ground. My interest came from knowing little about Ella and a lot about Marilyn. The problem is separating the real speculation from the truth. Something that will never be completely known.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I think my biggest issue with this is that, going in, I knew a lot of it was made up. It didn't have the same intrigue after that. Marilyn is one of my favorite historical figures to read about, so I was very excited to see a new novel about her. Knowing, though, that this was mostly on the fiction side of historical fiction, I would have preferred the book been about two made up people.

In a time where you had to be careful who you hung out Ella Fitzgerald and Marulyn Monroe where the best of friends. This books takes us through their friendship the good and the bad. The chapters switch from Marylin to Ellas stories. I loved this book so much. I read it so fast I was disappointed I was done. It is a smooth read from the first page.

I very much enjoyed learning about these two women and their friendships. Their stories were ones I both knew a little about independently but not together. Excellent portrayal by Knight and Bryce!

Marilyn Monroe has been mythologized in Hollywood lore since her career began. Add in her tragic death and she will be spoken about forever. Ella Fitzgerald is remembered in the world of music as one of Jazz's most superior singers. Not a lot of people know Ella's journey from girl of the streets too girl singer. Even fewer know of the extraordinary friendship between Marilyn Monroe and Ella fitzgerald. Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knights' novel Can't We Be Friends? relates this friendship.

Both were women at the top of their respective fields. Both were women in male dominated fields. Both had hardscrabble upbringings and early teen marriages. But one was a white sex symbol - THE sex symbol, and one was a quiet black woman who never cursed, smoke, or drink alcohol. Yet these two seemingly opposite women had a bond in a time when racism said they shouldn't.
The dual authors handle their subjects with proper reverence and honesty. Can't We Be Friends? answers its own question - there was no reason these two women, despite their fame, shouldn't be friends. If only Marilyn had lived long enough to see the change in racial tensions she and Ella Fitzgerald ignored.

This novel explores the boundary-breaking, genuine friendship between Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Jazz, and iconic movie star Marilyn Monroes. I enjoyed the authors’ take on what the friendship between these iconic women could have looked like and how they supported each other. For fans of strong women and tales of female friendship.

This story felt like an inside look into two women who were both masters of their crafts. I felt like both of these characters were done so well that I if I didn't know better that these women really did sit down with the authors and give them their stories. I think that this was a great book for anyone who is looking for a book about female friendships and also who love Marylin and Ella as people. I think that this was such a tasteful and honoring story of these two women's lives and their friendship.

All I knew about Ella Fitzgerald was her voice and her music. I knew a little more about Marilyn Monroe's life. But I had no idea these women were friends (or at least acquaintances?). I truly enjoyed this historical fiction account of these two women, their careers and their lives. It was well-written going back and forth between chapters on Ella and Marilyn, their careers, their relationships, their families, and their loves. I really admired Ella's strength in the face of prejudices - race, her weight and being a woman during the fifties. Marilyn faced her challenges to be taken seriously as an actress and desire to find true love while battling her addictions to alcohol and drugs. Some of what these two amazing women dealt with is still a problem in Hollywood today. No matter their challenges, they found a way to a long-lasting friendship that I found endearing.

My thanks to Net Galley and William Morrow for an advanced copy of this e-book.

This is the story of the friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe. Although the two made an unlikely pair they formed a bond that lasted a lifetime. There individual histories make for an interesting read but their scenes together are pure magic. I love knowing that despite everything the women had going against them that they were able to find strength and relief in each other's company.

I'm well aware this is a work of fiction about what could have been/might have happened between these two women, but so much of it made it feel like two little girls playing pretend. That's by no means a commentary towards the writing, both authors did a great job creating the story but what I mean is that it didn't feel authentic, and it was just that: a creation.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the reading about Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe’s friendship. They were both such influential women during their time in their own right. I loved that it was primarily told from Ella’s point of view, and as she looks back on their relationship. It seems that they had a great deal in common even though they were both so different. Their friendship begins because Marilyn wants Ella’s help with singing. Ella isn’t really into the idea so it doesn’t go anywhere, until they meet in person. Once that happens they form a bond that surpasses distance and time until Marilyn’s untimely death.

I’ve loved every book I’ve read by both Eliza Knight and Denny S. Bryce and this collaboration was very well done. This is definitely one I will continue to recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for my gifted copy of this book.

In this fascinating historical fiction novel, readers alternate between the glamorous, dramatic, and tragic lives of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe in the middle of the twentieth century during the Golden Age of Hollywood. When the world changes around them, their friendship -- created through meals, letters, phone calls, parties, and confidential conversations -- sustains the challenges of Hollywood life and of their personal lives. Alternating between their two perspectives, readers will gain some incredible (if fictional) insight into the minds, lives, and hearts of these women. An incredible combination of historical and fictional moments in time, fans of the historical fiction genre and the dual perspectives are sure to enjoy this book. Knight and Bryce’s characters are absolutely wonderful; both Ella and Marilyn are lifelike, dynamic, vibrant, and complex, with a lot of joy and pain under the surface. An incredibly well-researched historical fiction novel, Bryce and Knight have certainly done their homework when it came to looking into these two celebrities and their friendship in the mid-twentieth century. Full of famous and glamorous background characters, Marilyn and Ella stand out as the stars of this novel with their complex personalities, witty and caring dialogue, and the incredible descriptions and world-building in this must-read historical fiction novel.

What a well-written, interesting story about the unexpected (and not well-known) friendship between these two icons of entertainment -- who, in spite of their professional accomplishments and notoriety, were also just people, just women,

I had not known about this friendship before and really enjoyed the authors' way of writing the story - even though it's fictional, it was very entertaining and informative about the relationship between these two women.

Can't We Be Friends explores the friendship of Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald in the 1950's. Both women hugely popular in their own rite brought together because of hardships in their childhood and the treatment they received from the men in their lives. Marilyn was often thought of to be not that smart and just a pretty face but she desperately wanted to break into movies and also to sing. Ella has a superstar voice but is hindered because she's a woman and because of her race. Men seem to have all the power in their careers and they support each to change this. I never knew these two were friends and I loved hearing all about it!

I loved this historical fiction book! I had no idea Ella and Marilyn were friends and I loved getting a peak into their world. Highly recommend!

Quick and Dirty
-historical fiction
-fictionalized account of a true story
-powerful friendship story
-highly engaging read or listen

What Worked
If you’ve been following me for a while you may know that I’m a HUGE fan of all things Classic Hollywood. Of course, when I heard about this book I immediately requested the NetGalley arc. After reading and living Knight’s last book, Strangers in the Night, I knew I would likely love this one, too. You know what? I did! I’d heard about the friendship between Marilyn and Ella in various documentaries, but I didn’t know much about how it developed or impacted the women. While this is fiction, so much of the book gave context to the lives of both women and why the unlikely duo may have forged a lasting connection. Marilyn is one of my favorite actresses, so I appreciated the glimpse into her life and story. She is such a tragic character, highly underrated, and overlooked in terms of talent and brains. We don’t learn as much about Ella’s background/childhood, so the book did feel more Marilyn-heavy, but I didn’t mind that. The ending was so perfect, giving a unique glimpse into one of the greatest tragedies of modern celebrity culture IMO. It made me tear up for sure! Overall, this one worked well for me!

What Didn’t Work
Nothing really stands out when I ask myself what didn’t work for me. I will say it’s slow at times, but you need that time to develop rich characters and build tension. I think the author did a great job of portraying the perils of addiction and the impact addiction has on relationships, but I suspect some might find that triggering. Diehard Marilyn conspiracy theorists might not agree with the way Marilyn’s death is portrayed, but I felt it was heartfelt and likely true to life.

Read This If
Anyone who loves Classic Hollywood will likely enjoy this book!

A great story of an unlikely friendship between superstars of the 50s and 60s. I really enjoyed getting to know Marilyn and Ella. I really knew very little about Ella Fitzgerald so this was a bonus! Well written and well researched it's a fascinating peek into their lives. Highly recommend.

*4.5 // Can't We Be Friends is a story about two real-life famous friends who find kindred spirits with each other. I loved watching Ella and Marilyn let their guards down with each other and learn to be true friends. Marilyn's story was heartbreaking, as we watch her try to build the best life for herself, since she came from nothing, and then to still crumble at the end. I also NEVER knew she was married to Joe Dimaggio (pro baseball player) or Arthur Miller (playwright). Ella's story was also touching, and I really got to witness her strength in facing the challenges in her personal life and her career. The writing really brings you into the time period, with references to pop culture, world events, and even fashion. Highly reccomend for historical fiction lovers and those who appreciate Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe!

CW: racism, domestic violence

*Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for an electronic advanced reader's copy. All opinions are mine.