A really engaging read told in alternating chapters timelines - Lily, as a young adult and now where we follow Carolyn - her granddaughter.

Carolyn and her daughter Em have gone to empty her grandmother, Lily Adams‘ house following her death. Lily was once a Hollywood' actress who one day just gave up acting.

Carolyn‘s marriage has just broken down and Em is struggling with this so she’s hoping it will be a bonding experience for them. Sifting through the memorabilia of Lily’s once-glamorous career, most of which is going to be displayed at a Golden Age Museum, Carolyn comes across a letter from her grandmother implying she knows what happened to Stella Lane, an actress who was brutally murdered.

This book does cover a few sensitive topics, including drug use, domestic violence and eating disorders. A highly recommended read especially if you enjoyed dual timelines and books about Hollywood superstars

This book was not at all what I expected in all the best ways! I really enjoyed the way the author wove this intergenerational tale together.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. The Last Secret of Lily Adams by Sara Blaydes. Debut novel for this author and a great summer read! Lily Adams was a 1950s starlet and known as “ America’s Little Sister”. After her rapid rise to fame, she dropped out of the spotlight. Decades later, Lily has passed away and her granddaughter Carolyn is trying to put together important Hollywood memorabilia. Going through a divorce, Carolyn has her 14 year old daughter with her. They discover many secrets in Lily’s house. One has to do with the murder of Stella Lane, a big screen bombshell who was brutally murdered. I raced through this fun and frothy novel. Thumbs up! Great beach read! Happy Memorial Day Weekend! #bookstagram #whatiread #whatsinyourbeachbag #books #bookgram #bookworm #sarablaydes #libbyapp #goodreads #netgalley

I'm not sure why, but the blurb of this story kind of gave me The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo vibes and I couldn't resist adding it to my shelves. I'm so glad I did so now, because I ended up having such a fantastic time reading this debut! The Last Secret Of Lily Adams is a dual timeline story and a blend of historical Hollywood glamour, family drama and a mystery that will keep you on your toes. I simply couldn't get enough! It was without doubt one of my reading highlights so far this year.

Like I said, The Last Secret Of Lily Adams uses a dual timeline structure, where we switch between a (budding) Hollywood actress in the 1940s and her granddaughter in the present. Dual timelines can go both ways for me as I usually end up strongly preferring one over the other, but this story ended up being the exception to the rule. I enjoyed both timelines almost equally as each timeline and POV brought something different to the table. The past timeline gives you all that Hollywood glamour and scandal, while the present has the mystery to keep you fully intrigued.

As for the characters... There is no doubt that most of them have their flaws, but they felt so much more realistic because of them. I liked Lily more than Carolyn as a character, but both POVs were able to grab my attention easily. The family drama in the present could get a bit much and Carolyn had some annoying traits, but thanks to the whole mystery surrounding her grandmother's past it is very easy to look past that. Lily on the other hand was easier to root for, although she also had her flaws of course.

The Last Secret Of Lily Adams is a blend of different genres as well as topics, creating a rich and multi-faceted story that will appeal to a wide public. The plot incorporates heavy topics including misogyny, rape, abuse, bullying, infidelity, body shaming, addiction, family drama and toxic relationships in general, so it's definitely not all roses and sunshine along the way... But there are plenty of moments of hope as well, and the story also has a dose of romance to lighten things up a little. The story did an excellent job portraying just how toxic the Hollywood world is for actresses, and the different elements were incorporated seamlessly.

If you are looking for a rich and immersive piece of historical fiction that mixes Hollywood glamour with a compelling mystery and plenty of drama and secrets, I cannot recommend this debut enough. I already know that The Last Secret Of Lily Adams will appear on my list of 2024 favorites!

I was really looking forward to this read, sounded right up my street. The comparisons to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo obviously piqued my interest. But I have to say, this story stands on its own.

I was immediately drawn in and I devoured it in just 24 hours. It really takes you on a journey into the darker side of old Hollywood.

The characters, particularly Lily Adams, are distinct and compelling. The dual timelines added depth to the narrative, though I found myself more drawn to the past, with its vivid depiction of 1950s Hollywood.

The present-day storyline, following Lily's granddaughter Carolyn, was less engaging for me. I wished Carolyn had been more proactive in uncovering her grandmother's secrets, rather than stumbling upon them. Despite this, the book kept me hooked from start to finish.

Overall, the book offered a captivating glimpse into a bygone era and left a lasting impression. It was an enjoyable and satisfying read that I couldn't put down.

The Last Secret of Lily Adams is an endearing story exploring the hidden histories of two actresses who rose to fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Sara Blaydes does a fantastic job developing the dual stories and providing rich detail of the different eras. What truly captivates you, however, is the enthralling murder mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story is a page-turner and hard to put down.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read and review this intriguing eARC.

Not everything in Hollywood glitters in gold. Carolyn was the granddaughter of one of the brightest stars in Hollywood. At the height of her career, though, she left the industry and lived a quiet life. Lily Adams learned the hard way that to become a "star" in the film industry was not as easy obtained, not even if you had talent. With her wholesome looks, however, she was able to break through and become the "Little Sister" on the Silver Screen. But then having reached where her ambitions took her, she left the industry. Why? Now it is up to her granddaughter to find the reason. While Carolyn has her own problems with her 14 year old daughter Em and, struggling from her divorce, she goes out to Hollywood to put together some of her grandmother's artifacts for a museum. In doing so, she comes across a diary written by Lily that gives Carolyn clues to Lily's past.. In this novel we see how the movie industry treated its stars...they owned them, they fed them uppers and downers, controlling their lives in every aspect. Scattered throughout the books we come across the likes of those actors that we long admired, i.e. Rita Hayworth, Gary Cooper, just to name a few. This was an excellent read, one that I would highly recommend. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Reminiscent of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” this book brings the horrors of the 1940s Hollywood studio system to life. The dual timeline worked okay, although the modern-day storyline lacked excitement compared to the 1940s storyline. Also, most of the book is focused on women as victims of men, and even when they do claim their agency, they have to give up everything.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

A story set in the past and present, it was very interesting to learn the story from different characters perspectives and was really enjoyable. I could imagine this clearly in my mind

"The death of a legendary actress reveals a wealth of Hollywood secrets in a breathtaking novel about betrayal, rivalry, and the punishing brutality of fame.

One of the brightest stars of Hollywood's golden age was Lily Adams, the beloved picture of all-American innocence. Why she suddenly vanished from the spotlight was a mystery even to those closest to her.

Upon Lily's death seventy years later, her granddaughter, Carolyn Prior, struggles to understand a woman she loved but never really knew. Then, sifting through the memorabilia of a once-glamorous career, Carolyn comes across a letter from her grandmother. It's the trembling admission of a secret life and a story that begins and ends with superstar Stella Lane, Lily's archrival of the silver screen - a bombshell who was brutally murdered.

As Carolyn unearths her grandmother's connection to the notorious unsolved slaying, her life collides with Lily's in the most shocking ways. And with each stunning new revelation, Carolyn must decide how much she is willing to risk to unlock the truth."

You risk everything for the truth! EVERYTHING!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This book gave me Evelyn Hugo and Kitty Carr vibes and I really enjoyed it. It was a very strong read, with very likeable characters and it was pretty fast paced, as well. I will be keeping my eye out for more books by Sara Blaydes in the future. I will also be checking out the audiobook which is set to be narrated by Erin Bennett who has an amazing audiobook voice! Recommend this one!
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Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Old Hollywood and Current Day POVs make for my favourite genre! We get 2 different perspectives of Lily and Carolyn, her granddaughter. I loved almost every moment of this book and how it transported me back and forth to different decades.
Sara does a great job of blending how the two come together and what Lily's last secret was that she wanted Carolyn to find out. I had a great time reading this and totally wanted more.
I will totally be buying Sara Blaydes next book, and she did an outstanding job with her debut novel!

*5 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a very interesting read. Stella and Lily had to go through and had to put up with as to what they could say and do just to become actresses. They had to keep lots of lies and secrets. Lots of people got hurt along the way. I thought the ending was good as a lot was revealed. Would recommend.

Lily Adams was one of Hollywood's biggest stars. When she suddenly disappears from the limelight and many wonder why. Years later, Carolyn, her granddaughter, is clearing her house after Lily's death. She begins to realize that she did know all of her grandmother's life, but she is quick to learn more than she ever imagined.

This was a good historical fiction that does not take place in WWII. Stories set in the Golden Age of Hollywood are always fantastic. This had a mysterious storyline that was fun to read. The author weaves together a seamless story with no open ends, which is always satisfying. I think this story was well-worth the time. I believe this story will be well received by a large amount of readers.

Should you read this book?
Yes, if… you love old the idea of Hollywood, mixed with slight who-dunnit vibes
No, if… you’re picking this up because you think it’ll be like Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of Sara Blaydes's 'The Last Secret of Lily Adams' in exchange for my review.

A story of love, betrayal, and sacrifice set against the glitz and glamour of heyday Hollywood. Lily Adams was a rising star in Hollywood but she gave it all up. Why? That is what Carolyn is trying to figuring out as she sorts through her grandmothers possessions, curating a collection for a local museum exhibit on Lily Adam's life as an actress and grandmother.
Adopting the classic dual narrative style, this book is full of twists, turns, intrigues, sex, drugs and drama. Blending 1940s Hollywood with the present day, readers will be kept enthralled but the unravelling story as they discover the truth behind Lily Adam's secret.

If you enjoyed the Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester this book is for you.

this was such an interesting and insightful read. very reminiscent of "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but still different in so many ways. this one was easy to follow along despite the dual timelines and loved the generational aspect of it. i personally enjoyed it.

i've always been fascinated with "old Hollywood". the actresses of the time were always so timelessly beautiful and seemingly carried a sense of graceful elegance. since then, lots of revelations came to light about how women and even young girls were viewed and/or treated in Hollywood since the beginning of all the glitz and glamour. so many horror stories about abuse and the expectations of a woman's role on and off the set. it's devastating. really gives you a bit of perspective of what women have been subjected to for the price of fame, even to this day.

i would definitely recommend this, especially to those who enjoy historical fiction and classic Hollywood movies.

thank you to NetGalley & Lake Union Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. i received this as an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a complimentary copy of this novel!
The vicious murder of legendary actress and Hollywood bombshell, Stella Lane, is a mystery to all, but a few people. Her mysterious death has remained a mystery until seventy year later Lily Adams dies. Now she has left everything to her granddaughter, Carolyn Prior. Recently divorced herself, Carolyn and her daughter Emily arrive to her grandmother’s house to sift through her belongings and find out why she quit acting so early in her life, just after the death of Stella Lane. As Carolyn searches deeper into Lily’s personal belongings Lily left behind, she discovers so much more than she expected. Lies, secrets, deceptions, cover-ups, murder, and a mystery that took 70 years to uncover. Carolyn and Emily will unearth a secret so great; they did not see coming.

What an awesome read!!!I love how the author combined the glamor of Hollywood’s golden film age with a mystery to solve. With two alternating timelines and a bit of romance thrown in, this a great mystery read not to be missed! Available June 4, 2024

Lily Adams, once the epitome of Hollywood glamour, left it all behind without warning. Seventy years later, after her death, her granddaughter Carolyn Prior delves into Lily's past, uncovering secrets hidden within the glitz and glamor of her career. Was she connected to the unsolved murder of rival star Stella Lane? Carolyn's quest for truth becomes entwined with her grandmother's enigmatic life, forcing her to confront the depths of family secrets and the risks of unlocking the past.

This book pulled me in immediately, which I wasn’t expecting. The dual point of views had equal interest. I wanted to know what happened to Lily as she traverses the intense Hollywood scene, and I wanted to see Carolyn, in the present day, unravel the mystery. The book doesn’t shy away from the darker elements, with mentions of drug use, alcohol, misogyny, and the ties to crime bosses. While they are not overly detailed, some readers might find it difficult to read.

I thought the story was paced well. The details of the time, the grueling pace of filming a movie, all seemed accurate. I enjoyed the characters. And while I guessed the answer to the mystery early on, I was eager to keep reading and see how it played out.

Readers with an interest in historical fiction and old Hollywood will certainly enjoy this one.

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.The Last Secret of Lily Adams is more than just a historical fiction. It weaves together the past and present to show us just how strong the love of a mother can be. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story as it shows the mother/daughter relationship in the present and the past. The story is full of mystery, drama, and Hollywood. I'm not a huge historical fiction fan, but this is one I truly loved and enjoyed!

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.