4.5 stars - rounded up to 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m really not quite sure what made me decide to request this book. I think it was the comparison to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - which I absolutely adored - that really got my attention. I felt like I couldn’t pass this up!

I was pleasantly surprised by this debut! I loved both the past and present chapters with the alternating POV’s. You could tell this book was well researched. Although it is fiction, it almost felt like a true story. I think I expected most of what I learned about what goes on behind the scenes in the film industry during the Golden Age, but it was still a very entertaining read.

This is the kind of historical fiction that I love! Old Hollywood drama, a mystery to solve, some suspense, and an ending that totally surprised me!

I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my copy to read and review.

So good! I loved the story and the writing! I'll definitely keep an eye out for any future works. Thanks for the arc!

This was a great story of scandal, mystery, and family drama set amidst the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood.

the cover is STUNNING
the book really touches on the hollywood glamour and that golden age of movie stars.
it low key reminded me of evelyn hugo and it was actually a book i will re read

** Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC **

This book was written very well and I did enjoy the plot twist and was surprised as well.

Let me start with..I LOVE THIS COVER!
And it is not too bad on the inside either!

I enjoy a good family drama with secrets. And you can’t do a good family drama without dual timelines! This story had all of the above!

Now, it is a bit predictable but with a setting of old Hollywood, you know what the secret is. But, I enjoyed this book! The secrets slowly unfolded and kept me entertained from start to finish.

I absolutely loved this book! The story effortlessly intertwines the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s golden age with a deeply emotional journey of family secrets and self-discovery. Lily Adams’ mysterious life and her granddaughter Carolyn’s quest to uncover the truth were both riveting and heartfelt. The layers of intrigue surrounding a notorious unsolved murder kept me hooked, while the characters’ struggles and revelations added real depth. It’s a gripping, beautifully crafted tale of love, rivalry, and the enduring impact of the past. An unforgettable read!

I absolutely adored The Last Secret of Lily Adams by Sarah Blaydes! From the first page, I was pulled into the dual-timeline journey that forms a captivating mystery. In the golden age sections, Lily’s rise to fame–and the journey she endured–was so immersive, I felt I was there. Meanwhile, in the present day, the quest to uncover Lily’s secrets makes for a thoroughly satisfying puzzle, filled with unexpected revelations about fame and friendship.

The way Sarah Blaydes captures both the charm and darker underpinnings of Old Hollywood is superb, and the shifting timelines are woven together seamlessly. This book had me glued to the pages, rooting for these fascinating women, and guessing until almost the end. It’s the perfect blend of nostalgia and suspense.

Thank you so much to the author, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for my copy. I loved every minute of it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Last Secret of Lily Adams by Sarah Blaydes!

The Last Secret of Lily Adams by Sara Blaydes is an absolutely amazing story written about a world of acting.

The highlights of a glamorous Hollywood mix with the scandalous darkness of the world at this time. This is a book that intrigues and excites you, it keeps you reading and it will enthral you. A dual timeline story that brings past secrets and drama to the present when Lily Adams granddaughter starts sorting her belongings after her death.

This book delves into the mystery of Lily Adams, her story, her life and her departure from Hollywood after the tragic death of her Stella Lane. This is a very interesting read and a well written story. Love the characters and the intense story behind these two talented women. A great reading and a wonderful book. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed the glam and darkness of Hollywood in the 40s/50s and I think this was captured brilliantly. The back and forth between timelines told the story well and the unravelling of the secrets of Lilly and Stella. Whilst I realised part of the twist, there were plenty of turns I didn't expect. I really enjoyed this read.

Looking for a book with a scandalous 40’s Hollywood vibe, then look no farther than The Last Secret of Lily Adams.
Told in dual timelines, the story addresses the question why did Lily mysteriously leave Hollywood? While sorting through Lily’s things after she passes, her granddaughter Carolyn discovers a number of secrets only known to her grandmother. Carolyn feels compelled to undercover the answer to the 70-year-old mystery surrounding Lily.
This is a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and didn’t anticipate the ending.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my ARC.

The Last Secret of Lily Adams is a captivating dual-timeline novel told from two perspectives: Lily Adams, a rising starlet in the glamorous yet cutthroat world of Old Hollywood, and her granddaughter Carolyn, navigating the present day as she unravels the mysteries of her grandmother’s past.

In the golden era of Hollywood, Lily Adams is a young actress whose exceptional dancing talent propels her into stardom alongside a legendary on-screen partner, reminiscent of the Ginger Rogers era. On the verge of establishing herself as a solo icon, Lily suddenly vanishes from the spotlight, leaving behind fame, fortune, and unanswered questions. Around the same time, Stella Lane—a fellow actress who served as both mentor and rival to Lily—is found murdered under mysterious circumstances, a case that remains unsolved.

Decades later, Carolyn is tasked with curating an exhibit honoring Lily’s illustrious career for a local Hollywood history museum. Sorting through her grandmother’s belongings after her death, Carolyn realizes how little she truly knew about Lily’s life. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on a journey to piece together the reasons behind Lily’s abrupt departure from Hollywood and her connection to Stella Lane’s tragic fate.

Parallel to her investigation, Carolyn grapples with the unraveling of her own life. Recently left by her husband for another woman, she reflects on the sacrifices she made for her marriage, including giving up her first love: dance. Carolyn hopes that by uncovering Lily’s story, she might find clarity and the courage to reclaim her own passions.

Blending historical intrigue with a contemporary journey of self-discovery, The Last Secret of Lily Adams explores the dark underbelly of the Old Hollywood studio system—the power, corruption, and ambition that shaped careers and destroyed lives. This poignant tale shines a light on the resilience needed to follow one’s heart, no matter the cost.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

an amazing debut! i am a lover of old hollywood and this book made me love it for that reason and many more. so excited for when this is released so i can snatch it up and have a copy for myself.

Imagine finding out your grandmother was a Hollywood star gone too soon. This book was a pleasure to read, and I never figured it out before the end. I love it when that happens

Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC of The Last Secret of Lily Adams! All opinions in this review are my own.

Usually I like dual timeline historical fiction story, but for The Last Secret of Lily Adams I wish it didn't switch as often and just stayed in the past. In the present, Carolyn is cleaning out her grandmother's, Lily Adams, house and although the ending makes it clear why the dual timeline is necessary, Carolyn's storyline just doesn't reveal as much as the past one. There are some clues that are revealed to help Carolyn devel deeper into her grandmother's past, but most of the mystery is revealed during Lily's timeline.

Through Lily's timeline, the author proves that she can write a captivating story and I am excited to read her next one!

Wow, what an incredible read.

Fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will love this novel.

Dual-timeline, old Hollywood story, with tons of twists, turns, love, romance, and deceit.

This was the perfect blend of today's timeline/topics with the historical portion.

What a great read.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my DRC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t have much to say about this other than it really wasn’t for me. Although I was interested by the plot, the prose wasn’t all that engaging to read and I didn’t find the historical aspect convincing.

thank you netgalley and lake union publishing for an e-arc copy of this book! this was quite an entertaining dual pov story, however i do think lily was a much more compelling character than carolyn, which made flashback chapters more interesting than the chapters set in the present tense.

while i enjoyed this enough, i do not think i really felt a proper historical setting, it could've been set in modern day as well and would have given us the same effect. (excluding that one part at the very end which i cannot reveal for obvious, spoiler-related reasons). the mystery part, although somewhat predictable was compelling and i do think this book is interesting just not as memorable as i would like it to be. still, it could be a great time! if you enjoy celebrity stories and family dramas this could be a book for you. it features an interesting female main character and just enough drama to keep you turning the pages.

thanks again to the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!