A captivating exploration of the lives of extraordinary women who defied societal norms,broke barriers, and made headlines. The writing is compelling and rich in historical detail. I loved learning about these women.
Many thanks to William Morrow and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

It starts with a simple premise and unspools into something much more intricate. Without relying on gimmicks, it manages to be both engaging and thought-provoking. You don’t just read it—you sit with it. Might laugh a bit as well.

I loved this book so much....just realized I didn't review it here yet. I have hand sold this book to so many people and they've loved it and gone on to read more books from this author--one of those people was author Freida McFadden. She mentioned that she picked it up on my recommendation, loved it so much and immediately downloaded another.

I read this book on a plane, on an early flight and it was the only thing that could hold my interest--it immediately drew me in. I'd always been fascinated by Jacquelyn Suzanne, loved Valley of the Dolls. I think if anyone enjoys books about publishing, they will love this---it was fun to sink into this world and the drama--and the addition of the editor they shared elevated the story. I look forward to reading whatever she writes next!

FYI--my Amazon reviews are private--under a name no one would recognize, but I also shared this book with my Facebook reader group and my newsletter and I only do that when I really love a book and think that my readers will love it too.

This is a 1960s tale of Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls and Jackie Collins’s racy The World Is Full of Married Men - the book that launched her career. Neither author is prepared for the price they will pay for being women who dare to write about sex.

Jacqueline and Jackie are blasted by the literary establishment, deluged with hate mail, and even condemned by feminists. In public, both women shoulder the outcry with dignity; in private, they are crumbling—particularly since they have secrets they don’t want splashed across the front pages.

These women navigate success in the 60s and 70s with flare and confidence. They draw their own lives without an eraser. I loved this classy historical fiction novel.

In the 1960s, women were still the silent majority. Authors like Jacqueline Suzette and Jackie Collins were making waves by writing books about women for women, while still having to deal with men in the publishing world. Gill Paul's novel explained what those times were like. Although I am not a huge fan of either author, I appreciate what they went through to become successful.

I enjoyed reading this historical novel and continue to appreciate what women in the 60's did for future generations. We are not there yet, but without the Jackie's and other women like them, our voices would not be allowed to be heard.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to be read and reviewed.

This one was certainly interesting but I'm not sure it was really for me. I stopped reading about 50% of the way through. However, I would still recommend this to my friends.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction and love learning about fierce, determined women breaking barriers, Scandalous Women by Gill Paul is a book you won’t want to miss. It takes you right into the world of publishing during a time when misogyny was rampant—and women had to fight tooth and nail to make their mark.

Gill Paul does a fantastic job of creating characters who feel real and relatable. These women are bold, flawed, and unapologetically ambitious, and I couldn’t help but root for them. Plus, the insights into the publishing industry during such a restrictive time were fascinating! It really highlighted the grit and determination it took for women to have their voices heard and their stories told.

The writing is engaging and emotional, with plenty of moments that make you stop and think about how far we’ve come—and how much further we still have to go. Paul has this way of blending historical details with compelling storytelling that makes the book hard to put down.

If you’re someone who loves books about resilience, ambition, and women pushing back against societal norms, Scandalous Women will be right up your alley. It’s inspiring, thought-provoking, and a real page-turner. Highly recommend!

I thought this was compelling. I love Gill’s approach to historical fiction. I loved both women in this book and their love of their careers. I really enjoyed!

Scandalous Women by Gill Paul is a captivating historical fiction novel that takes readers behind the scenes of the publishing world in the 1960s, where two of the most iconic women in literature (Jacqueline Susann and Jackie Collins) dare to break boundaries with their controversial and steamy novels.

The characters are well-developed, with Jacqueline and Jackie both portrayed as strong, ambitious women facing immense pressure. I loved how the book delves into their personal lives, showing the vulnerability behind their public personas. The blend of history, drama, and personal struggles kept me hooked from start to finish.

If you enjoy books about strong, complex women navigating a male-dominated world, Scandalous Women is a must-read. It’s engaging, empowering, and brings the lives of these fascinating literary figures to life in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

I have read quite a few novels by Gill Paul, and I have found the author to be very hit or miss. Sadly, Scandalous Women fell into the miss category for me.

Scandalous Women dives into the early careers of racy romance writers Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann as they navigate the world that is rejecting their attempts to be groundbreaking in a world where women are not really meant to offer their opinions or thoughts on sex, despite what would come to be groundbreaking novels by both women. This tries to give Mad Men vibes, but really falls flat, and drags for most of the book. I found myself not really caring for either character; having enjoyed previous Paul novels, I know there are well written characters to be found in this author's bag of tricks.

If you are a fan of Paul, you should most certainly attempt this novel. It's worth a try for those interested in early modern America as well. However, there are definitely better novels from this author to be found. I look forward to Paul's next book either way.

I would like to thank William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this book! I didn't know anything about the main characters prior to reading it and was completely captivated by them. What powerful women during an incredibly misogynistic time. The scene with Nancy having to go down the pole made my skin crawl. I was rooting her on the whole way through. I'm not usually one for sappy endings, but this one was so needed after Jacqueline. Fantastic book that will be highly recommended.

Thanks to HarperCollins & NetGalley for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

As a young teen I picked up my mother’s copy of Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls. That was the only book I read in that genre. But this spring I was intrigued by the story based on two women writers who were known for writing racy novels in the 1960s. I found this new book both entertaining and illuminating.

Rather than focusing on the steamy scenes, this well-researched historical fiction imagines a friendship between the two women who were leaders in this writing style. Paul envisions Jacqueline’s desire to have an author friend to talk to. “Jacqueline had plenty of American friends, of course, but none who understood the peculiar pressures of being a woman who wrote about gritty subjects and was publicly pilloried for it. That gave her and Jackie a unique bond.”

The story is set on the cusp of the feminist movement, in the 1960s. In addition to chapters narrated by Jacqueline and Jackie, Paul includes a third character, this one fictional. Nancy White comes to New York hoping to break into publishing. Her story intersects with the two Jackies as she establishes her career, and also struggles against rampant sexism of the time.

I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes personal stories of these three women, their dreams and fears, goals and secrets. That’s what ended up making this a page-turning book, as I promised myself I would read just one more chapter before turning out the light. Yet I stayed up far too late.

It took me a while (maybe half the book) to really become engaged but I’m glad I kept reading. By the conclusion I felt like I truly knew both Jackies, and as author Gill Paul writes in her Author’s Notes: “My eternal gratitude to Jacqueline Susann and Jackie Collins for everything they did to advance the cause of women’s writing. They were trailblazers for the kinds of novels that millions of readers enjoy worldwide, with glamorous settings, juicy plots, and generous servings of sex. They paved the way for every single woman novelist who followed them.”

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this book.

I've been looking forward to reading this since I was a big reader of Jackie Collins and Jacqueline (Jackie) Susann (may they both rest in peace) and probably read most of their books.

Even though I know this book is fictional the author did a great job in research. I learned a lot about their personal lives in depth. I don't recall remembering Jackie Susann dying at 74 in 1971 when I was only 13 and definitely not reading her books. I was more shocked about Jackie Collins since that was later years after since I read a lot of her books by then.

Between the alternate chapters of Jackie Susann and Jackie Collins, since JC, there was Nancy, who was only 22, who came to NYC to get a job in publishing, first being a secretary which she didn't like since she wanted more to work with publishing. She ended up editing with Jackie Susann on Valley of The Dolls after she found it on her bosses desk, and loved it. Of course her male boss despised it. Jackie took a liking to her. Then Nancy gets a request from the publicity department to help Jackie book tours, book hotels, etc. JS seemed tough to work with but Nancy had no problems so far and took her under her wing and felt sorry for her since she had no family and bought her clothes since she dressed like a old lady.

JS was not an easy person to get a long with unless she liked you. Sort of high maintenance. She wanted her way and that was it. JC seemed totally different.

Ironically, I didn't realize it until I Googled, but when I was reading it on 9/21 it was the 50 year anniversary date of JS death. She was either 53 or 56 according to what I read.

JC wrote 37 books (per Fantastic Fiction but when I Googled before I saw it there, it said 32), before she died and JS only wrote 6 but I bet if she lived longer she definitely would have written more. She wrote a romance with a sci-fi twist in 1956 and was published in 1979, which was mentioned in the book under a different title.

Even though I knew that JS would die in the end, I still sobbed like a baby. JS and JC became good friends by the way.

And what happened to Nancy? She opened her own publishing company and another thing which I won't spoil.

Review:
Gill Paul is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors I am still working my way through her backlist but this one here 💅💄🍷🍾
Get you a drink Honey and grab this book !
As some one who read and devoured Valley of The Dolls , and grew up reading Jackie Collin’s this novel is a gem. I love the 60’s backdrop and the inside look of the publishing world of that era . This is a story written in 3 points of view we have Nancy who loves books and becomes friends with Jaqueline Susann and Jackie and helps them both with their books . The pace was great it only took me awhile because I had to put it down to do other things . I love this one Gill Paul !
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gill Paul
#reviewbook
#booktok
#ScandalousWomen
#jackiecollins

Scandalous Women is a historical fiction novel that follows the story of two female writers Jacqueline Susann and Jackie Collins.
I am a fan of Gill Paul's writing.
The book was just incredible! I could not put it down.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for this ARC to review.

I don't often read books that so directly weave fact and fiction surrounding people. I was blown away by how much I loved this book. I have always been drawn to controversial women's fiction, especially in older novels. To get a direct look into what it looked like to actually push those boundaries before feminism was common or accepted by society. Gill Paul did an amazing job building and writing her characters; by the end of this book I felt like I personally knew these women. I will definitely be rereading this one many times.

Another solid delivery from the always-entertaining Gill Paul. The story follows two female authors and an editor who write and edit “racy” books in a time where women are expected to stay home and tend to their families.

I really enjoyed the strong female characters and what felt like an authentic portrayal of how the world was for women during the 1960s. I didn’t honestly think I would enjoy this book as much as I’ve enjoyed Gill’s other books, but I found myself engaged throughout. There were a couple of places where it didn’t feel like the events advanced the plot or got resolved, and the ending felt a bit rushed. However, I would still recommend this one if you like historical fiction or other books by Gill Paul.

Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for the advance copy in exchange for honest review. 4 stars, recommend.

This is a novel about Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann, two powerhouse groundbreaking female writers that I knew very little about. It is the 1960's and it is a wild time, including for female writers writing about women who have relationships and sex! It is a page turner and just plain fun! I walked away with greater appreciation for these women and their accomplishments that lead the way for so many other female writers but more importantly I had fun as this is a page turner!

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow.

Scandalous Women by Gill Paul. Pub Date: August 13, 2024. Rating: 4 stars. I am a huge fan of Gill Paul's novels and this one is no exception. In this novel she explores the complex lives of Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann. The reader gets a first hand glimpse into the publishing world of the 1960s where women's voices were reduced and sexuality was promiscuous. These two female writers were powerful women who led the movement in literary circles to capitalize on stories of women, sexuality and the many dimensions of females. I loved learning about this time period and found the publishing world extremely fascinating. Trailblazing women always make history and these two were voices to be heard. I highly recommend this novel! Thanks to #netgalley and #williammorrow for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Gill Paul has found a really good lane in Women’s Historical Fiction, and I love the way she chooses subjects who are largely familiar in a general sense, but seldom written about and appreciated in modern fiction.

I’ve liked some of her novels better than others, and that’s largely been dependent on how much I liked the subjects. In this case, I absolutely loved them. I’ve never read anything by Jackie Collins, and while I loved Valley of the Dolls, I’m also largely not familiar with Jacqueline Susann’s other work. This feels like a case where my taste in fiction didn’t have much to do with how I felt about the authors of that fiction, and I love that Paul is so good at humanizing women from history who we don’t know much about in a personal sense.

The fictional characters in this story were also well-crafted and likable, and served wonderfully to tie the two women together. Though I was a touch disappointed to hear that the friendship between them was fictional, I’d like to think that if the circumstances had aligned for it, Paul’s story might have been what really happened.

I’m huge on books where I had a great time reading them AND felt like I learned something. Paul’s books are perhaps more approachable in that way than most of the stuff I read that meets that goal, and I think they’re a lovely choice for those who prefer less academic novels that are still exceptionally well written and informative.