The Starlets by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne is set in the late 1050’s and is the story of two rival American actresses of the silver screen Hollywood.
Vivienne Rhodes has always aspired to become a star of the Hollywood Film Industry and thinks she has finally made it in the lead role as Helen in the latest Apex Pictures biggest budget film about the epic ‘Troy”. ‘A Thousand Ships’ is the next blockbuster that all have waiting for and that will save the crippling failure of the film studio. Vivienne becomes upset that the role of Helen has been assigned to her Fiancée thief and arch enemy, Lottie Lawrence. Vivienne is instead is assigned the role of Cassandra.
The film production and the crew all arrive on the Italian island of Tavalli to begin filming this new adventure. Unbeknown to both Vivienne and Lottie that the tense atmosphere on set between them turns out dangerous, unpredictable and deadly. The crew on set are involved in secret illegal activities even murder and will do anything to prevent the release of the secret information.
Vivienne and Lottie then work together to solve this mystery delivering the proof they have to interpol in exchange for protection of their lives, family and careers. However, the mobsters, police and corruption follow the two women as they escape and run from the danger to new adventures in Monaco Casinos, Grace Kelly’s Palace, across to the Alps.

Will the lives of these two women and the rest of the film crew be safe.

Will the latest blockbuster film by Apex Pictures be a success or a flop, ultimately ruining the studio completely?

Will Vivienne and Lottie become friends again instead of rivals?

This story is full of secrets, mystery and twists and turns. A book that has been written so well. An enjoyable read that will keep you wanting to know what happens next.

Thank-you NetGalley and the publisher Harper Muse for this opportunity to read a quick paced unstoppable read in exchange for a honest review. I rate this book highly 5 stars.

A thoroughly entertaining read that I very much enjoyed. This well crafted novel was filled with very likable good guys and gals, along with rather dastardly bad guys.

The glamour and glitz of old Hollywood was well represented. I was thoroughly engaged as the mystery unfolded and the suspense thickened. Wild adventures and danger were balanced out with laugh out loud comedic moments.

My favorite storylines involved the tight and genuine friendships that developed. I loved the transformations of enemies and adversaries into loyal friends. So satisfying!

This book was so much fun and a joy to read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from AustenProse and Harper Muse through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

his title about two starlets who meet on a film set in 1950s Italy is, itself, cinematic. There is a lot of excitement and action in these pages along with main characters whom readers will enjoy getting to know.

The starlets are Vivienne and Lottie. A Thousand Ships, is being filmed on location where Vivienne is surprised to learn that Lottie, and not she, is cast in the lead. They begin as rivals but will come to be on the same side as they traverse Europe trying to stay ahead of mobsters and corrupt officials. In the course of the action, they even go to Grace Kelly’s Monaco.

This book offers a fun read. It is a story that offers escape and will be enjoyed by those who like stories with some intrigue and a “buddy film” vibe. It is very entertaining.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for this title. All opinions are my own.

This was another old hollywood story with characters that are unreal with lots of smoke and mirrors. I'm sad to say it didn't catch my interest so I did not finish it. But thank you to #netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed this book! It was neat to have a look back at the early days of film and acting and I marvel at the easy camaraderie between notable people. I understand this is a work of fiction, but from my knowledge of the times that’s still very accurate. The story had a good plot line that kept me hooked and was never boring. All the characters were well developed and there’s someone there for everyone to connect with. I think my favorite part was the newspaper and tabloid clippings thrown into the mix to show a different angle to what was taking place and also to make the story more relevant to real life. We often forget that what the media feeds us isn’t necessarily what actually goes on behind the scenes. Personally I struggled with the dates being included as some of the chapters were a little long and I’d forgotten what day it said it was by the time I got to the next listed date but that wasn’t crucial to the story and is more likely a me problem. Definitely recommend and would read again!

In the golden age of Hollywood where sweeping epics are all the Viv Rhodes is about to star in the singular film that will save Apex pictures and make her a legend. She just didn’t expect her boyfriend stealing nemesis to be on set along with said ex-boyfriend. However she discovers there is a lot more to this film than just personal drama and when she and nemesis Lottie Lawrence end up on a “Thelma and Louise” road trip dealing with gangsters, smugglers, murderers, and interpol detectives they just might find that true friendship makes for a perfect happily ever after!

Rating: 3 ⭐️
Pub Date: November 12, 2024
How I Read It: 🎧 📱

Synopsis
Vivienne Rhodes thinks she’s finally landed her big break playing Helen of Troy in Apex Pictures A Thousand Ships, but, she’s devastated when she arrives to Italy and finds out she was cast as the secondary character. To make matters worse, Lottie Lawrence, who stole Vivienne’s finance, is playing the lead role.

My Thoughts
The opening of this book has you thinking you’re going to be reading a book about two fame-hungry jealous Hollywood actresses, but the tides quickly turn when one of them is in the middle of a murder, while the other one watches from afar. You then go on a cross countries journey with these two women who need to figure out how to work together to escape a killer, even with all of the competitiveness between the two women.

This book will have you on the edge of your seat at times with its action packed scenes, laughing at other times, and pull on your heartstrings. It’s got a little bit of everything mixed in, which makes for a really interesting story. I also loved the location the book was set in, Italy and other parts of Europe, with a fun and crazy casino scene mixed in. There was a lot going on in this book, but it was nice to see how the women’s friendship unfolded as they ran from villains.

❗️Of Note
I switched back and forth and read this book in both digital form and on audio, and if you love audio books, I highly suggest the audio version. The narrator was amazing!

Themes
Movies
Murder
Europe

Ratings
Characters: 4 ⭐️
Pace: 3 ⭐️
Enjoyability: 3.5 ⭐️

Thank you HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

This is the historical fiction I needed in my life.
The fun I had reading this! What a ride; charming, funny, fast paced, endearing and very, very entertaining.
I loved all of the characters; including the villain, who was very well written.
The plot was BONKERS in the best way possible, and the twists and turns were relatively believable but still engaging and surprising.
This is one of my favorite 2024 reads. I am now interested in reading Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne’s backlists.
I also strongly suggest listening to the audio; it really captured the characters and the vibe of the era. 10/10.

The Starlets was a disappointment. The themes are the same as every other Hollywood story including studio created relationships and hidden homosexual relations. The female lead is a seasoned veteran but is too stupid to understand the manufactured relationship created for her and somehow never notices her partner is homosexual. She is shocked when her “beau”, appears with his newest co-star on the red carpet and casts the young starlet as a man-stealing tramp.

The women are cast in a movie together and where tension should take center stage, the childish behavior of both characters over-shadows the scene. What follows is a series of over the top antics, with a gangster studio head who has everyone from board members to police, on his payroll.

As if it isn't bad enough that Lottie Lawrence stole her fiance, Vivienne Rhodes arrives on set to learn she's also stolen her leading role! Can it get any worse?

Actually, it can. Both women stumble upon secret activities and find themselves on the run, dependent on each other for survival. As the two make a madcap journey through Europe, trying to stay one step ahead of their pursuers, they learn a lot about each other and themselves.

This was a fun mystery with an absolutely fabulous setting and memorable characters. Don't let the beginning worry you--it's much more than a story about petty jealousies. #TheStarlets #NetGalley

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Muse for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I enjoyed this story about old Hollywood. Actresses Vivienne Rhodes and Lottie Lawrence have been employed to star in a big, budged Troy epic. It would be ok; except they do not like each other. When they discover some illegal activities on the movie set, the fun begins. They soon join together to figure out what is going on and how to catch the criminals. I liked the time and setting of this book-it takes place in 1958. I liked the name dropping of other movie stars. The story got more exciting as it went on. Recommend if you like mysteries about Hollywood, gangsters and casinos.

This read turned out to be more exciting than I expected. Vivienne and Lottie were the typical conceited stars. Both want to be the big star, not only will one be second fiddle but they both find themselves wrapped up in a crime drama. They are going to have to work together to stop the mobsters and get out alive.

A very well written wild ride. As i was reading it I was imagining it as a Hitchcock movie. Vividly. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I had a hard time with this one--I really wanted to like it and there were parts that I did, but I just wasn't drawn in enough to really enjoy it.

It's an intriguing plot: while filming a movie in Italy, two starlets from old Hollywood stumble across a mystery, get some enemies, and take off for an unexpected adventure around Europe while trying to find the culprits and save the movie.

It's a promising plot, but in reality: the story was all over the place, I did not believe in the relationship between Vivienne and Lottie, and the chase around Europe was hard to follow.

Book: The Starlets
Author: Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Places Featured: Italy, Monaco, Europe
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (it was fine)

The Starlets


This book screams old school, Hollywood. I love the 1950s, their style and especially all the glamour.

This was such a fun and fast-paced story. Two friends who were once enemies come together to solve a murder mystery. This one was full of drama, humor, and wit.

Vivienne and Lottie were both such great characters, I loved seeing the progression of their friendship. The twists and turns these two went through to get to Interpol kept me on the edge of my seat. It was full of high stakes, corrupt cops, and even mobsters.

I absolutely love that the authors provided discussion questions at the end. This would make for a perfect read for a book club. Highly recommended!

THE STARLETS
BY: LEE KELLY, AND JENNIFER MARIE THORNE

"Movies are the closest thing we have to magic. Every problem, complication, disaster solved in an
hour and a half. Every hero deserving of love and redemption."

I LOVE BOOKS ABOUT MOVIE STARS AND THIS ONE SET IN 1958, drew my attention. Vivienne Rhodes is beside herself when she arrives on the movie set in Tavelli, thinking that she has landed the starring role as Helen. The glare from the sun is burning her eyes, and she mentions that her sunglasses are inside her luggage, when she is informed that most of her role acting as Cassandra is going to be shot inside. She is supposed to be saving the studio, apex, that is making the movie called, 'A Thousand Ships,' in the starring role as Helen.

When Vivienne Rhodes finds out that Lottie Lawrence is going to be cast as Helen, she can't believe the same actress, her nemesis Lottie Lawrence her fiance stealing enemy has been cast as Helen. Vivienne thinks that Helen was supposed to be her role.

When the two women find out that their movie called 'A Thousand Ships,' is really a front for some illegal dealings, and they have the evidence that they travel all over the place in several different Countries running for their lives because it's in jeopardy they decide to put their differences aside to get the evidence to Interpol.

I loved everything about this story. I loved how Vivienne tried to rewrite her character Cassandra which she was promised that she could. I loved the behind the scenes witnessing the way films are made. Vivienne grew up with prominent parents in the industry who couldn't stand each other, so it's no surprise she was hurt by finding out about her boyfriend who started out as being cast together who she thinks that he is the real thing. Then she finds out that he took up with Lottie who she thinks slept her way to success. Vivienne is regal and doesn't want to play second fiddle to Lottie. As Vivienne tries to make adjustments to the script which she was promised she could, she is met with the opposite on the set, and told to stick to the script.

Lottie didn't seem like the bad person that Vivienne had made us believe in the beginning when Lottie is upset that the man that was with Vivienne and now with Lottie, didn't tell Vivienne about his romance with Lottie until she sees them together. Lottie goes looking for Vivienne trying to make peace by offering her a box of candy. Vivienne doesn't drop her negative feelings for Lottie.

I loved how there were references to other movies and stars that I recognized from that era. The main focus shifts when the two starlets are finding common ground as they literally are on the run with their lives, and others in the film are in danger. Will these two who had evolved into supporting each other in their desperate attempts in saving themselves be able to outrun the bad people on this cat and mouse chase?

I really enjoyed this well written historical fiction novel by the two talented Authors, by Lee Kelly and, Jennifer Marie Thorne. It's a fast paced reading experience that held my interests from the very beginning until the final pages. I really enjoyed the sisterhood that developed between Vivienne and Lottie. I loved the magazine articles interspersed throughout this wonderful novel. I hadn't heard of this writer team consisting of Lee Kelly, and Jennifer Marie Thorne before reading this. I'm going to read their prior novel since I really loved this. "THE STARLETS," is an excellently written entertaining thrilling reading experience. I think that anyone who picks up this historical novel will really enjoy it. This historical novel deserves to reach as wide of an audience as possible. I highly recommend this to those who feel nostalgic for older movies in that era. This was really suspenseful and I read it in one sitting.

Publication Date:: November 12, 2024! Available to Purchase Now! You'll Love it & You won't Regret it !

Thank you to Net Galley, Lee Kelly, and Jennifer Marie Thorne and Harper Muse for generously providing me with my wonderful Arc of "THE STARLETS," in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheStarlets #LeeKelly #JenniferMarieThorne #HarperMuse #NetGalley

If you’re looking for lighter, fast-paced historical fiction with Old Hollywood vibes featuring two plucky heroines, this would be a perfect choice!! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘀 has a wonderful mix of celebrity drama, a fun game of cat and mouse, and old fashioned comedy that made this really hard to put down! This would be a great one to add to your holiday reading list because it just oozes 1950s glamour and entertainment!

Vivienne Rhodes is an actress at the top of her game, and she has just landed a breakout role as Helen of Troy. But when Vivienne arrives on the remote Italian island of Tavalli to begin filming, she discovers her arch-nemesis, Lottie Lawrence, has been cast as Helen. This burns Vivienne so much more because this part isn’t the first thing Lottie has stolen from Vivienne. When Vivienne and Lottie stumble across something they never should have seen, they end up on the run together across Europe in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Can they finally learn to work together to save their lives?

I really enjoyed the dual POVs of Vivienne and Lottie and watching them go from fierce rivals to the closest of friends. Each character had great back stories and the ending was perfection!! I was really happy to see that their rivalry didn’t dominate or bring down the book in any way, but added a fun twist. I enjoyed the little Easter eggs of real Hollywood celebrity names thrown in throughout the story. This was a fun adventure that I definitely recommend to anyone who loves this era!

A story about two women who are both struggling to be at the top of the acting industry. They've crossed paths, been enemies and are now both cast together in a blockbuster movie that should be the pinnacle of both their careers. But tensions run high on the set when they each realize the other is there. No one told them they would be doing this together and roles have been changed as well.

But even though that tension is high, there is something seditious happening on set as well. An underground plot that both ladies find themselves right in the middle of. Fleeing for their lives after a shootout, they are self tasked with unraveling this real world plot and trying to not only save their own lives, but the lives of people around them as well.

A great story that focuses on feminine insecurity and finding our own way in a world that really tries to steer us into opposition against ourselves and our own destinies. Vivienne and Lottie are both strong women that want to be successful, but each have their own individual traumas and experiences to navigate that they bring forward into their adult lives. Through the process of this story, they find comfort in supporting one another and developing that sisterly bond that women have done for centuries.

I loved the Hollywood atmosphere of the movie sets and behind the scenes; I loved the thrilling adventure and voyage that these two ladies embark on; and I loved the bonds that were developed through their shared experiences.

1958 and Vivienne Rhodes star of Hollywood arrives on a small Island to find her rolle of Helen of Troy ursurped by Lottie, a relative newcomer . Infuriated, and humiliated she recovers to act as if nothing is wrong, specially degrading when she finds Teddy her boyfriend seemingly now a couple with Lottie.

The story turns from Hollywood to gangster when crime, murder and drugs enter the scene and the two stars wary of each other at the beginning, know they have to join forces and use their wits to escape with their lives. A mad dash through Italy ending in Switzerland, trying to separate the good guys from the bad boys and also to salvage their careers.

Lots of Hollywood references and a story that kept one turning the pages. Lots of wry humour as well.

This book was hard for me to get into. It took a while for the story to get going. The characters were hard to connect with as well. This one was just OK for me. Thank you Netgalley for the review copy.