This novel is a fictional retelling of the early life of legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. The book focuses on her life as a young teenager in Yonkers, and later Harlem. Ella had to face a great deal of hardships and obstacles, especially after the death of her mother, when she was forced to escape the clutches of her stepfather and move to Harlem.

In order to avoid retelling the story, I will stop narrating the plot. I wish that I could give a more favorable review, but this novel missed the mark for me. The writing seemed a bit heavy-handed and one-sided; it was written more like narrative nonfiction. It wasn't what I was expecting.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an advance e-reader copy of this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc of this book!

I have a sweet spot for fictional retellings of famous people or people from history. This was such a vibrant tale, one I know I won’t soon forget. But this will appeal to the masses.

I so wanted to love this histfic story of Ella Fitzgerald's life, as her voice is my favorite ever. Yet I found the cheerful cover and NG book blurb to be misleading: "Ella takes us from the brothels, speakeasys, and streets of Depression-era New York City to the grand hotel suites where Ella, now older and wiser, looks back on her life and finally confronts the demons from childhood that torment her."

The majority of the book focuses on the horrific two years after Ella's mother dies when the singer was 15. Only a brief epilogue covers her life review upon reaching fame.

I had hoped for a more balanced view, but came away traumatized. Should come with a CW: emotional and physical abuse, near rape, gun violence, torture (while Ella was incarcerated), homelessness, alcoholism.

Will not publish this review elsewhere so readers can decide for themselves.

Thanks to the publisher and NG for the ARC. Opinions are mine.