It's 1924 and Ruby Chan and her family have recently relocated to Hollywood from San Francisco. Her father own an antique business selling Chinese goods he buys from China. Ruby is 16 years old, American born, however, she is living with her very traditional Chinese parents who are set in their old ways and customs. Ruby has been seen with a white boy and word has gotten back to her father who was horrified with her doing so and putting her reputation and that of the family's in a bad position. With that, he notifies a matchmaker and has decided that he wants his 16 year old daughter married as soon as possible. Determined not to let that happen Ruby stubbornly decides not to let them force her their way. In the interim, she meets the 19 year old Anna May Wong in Chinatown at a Chinese laundry owned by Ms. Wong's family.. They quickly become friends and as it turns out Ruby becomes in awe of Anna May's defiance of the traditions and customs of the Chinese. Working as an actress Anna May is far from the culture of her family, as she is seen on the silver screen in what her family sees as a lack of regard for their culture. Racism against the Chinese was rampant at that time as there could be no mix between the white families and the Chinese. Brought in to America to help build the railroads, once done they were looked down upon, Ruby remains stubborn defying all convention, but will she learn to respect her culture? My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an eARC from NetGalley of this book, all thoughts are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I was blown away with how good it was. It was moving and inspirational, a touch of romance with historical notes throughout. Watching Ruby grow into herself and come to terms with her mistakes was inspiring, and the addition of Anna May Wong was amazing. The novel discusses racism and sexism in a very thoughtful manner, and I think it can open the door to some really thoughtful conversations in the future. I think this a great book for everyone and am invested in reading more from this author.

This was such a great Hollywood story, I enjoyed how good everything worked in this universe. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed that they worked in this time-period and enjoyed everything that I wanted. It had that tension that I was looking for and enjoyed going on this journey with Ruby. Jennie Liu has a great writing style and can’t wait to read more from them.

**Review of *The Red Car to Hollywood* by Jennie Liu**

In *The Red Car to Hollywood*, Jennie Liu delivers a captivating coming-of-age story set in 1924 Los Angeles. The novel follows sixteen-year-old Ruby Chan, a spirited and modern girl navigating the complexities of identity and familial expectations. After her secret romance with a white boy is revealed, Ruby finds herself in a precarious situation with her traditional Chinese parents, who hastily hire a matchmaker to secure her future.

Liu expertly captures the cultural tensions and personal struggles of a young woman striving for independence. Ruby's friendship with the iconic actress Anna May Wong adds a rich layer to the narrative, as Wong’s bold defiance of societal norms inspires Ruby to challenge her own boundaries. The themes of self-discovery and resilience resonate throughout the story, making it both poignant and relatable.

The book skillfully intertwines historical context with personal drama, and readers will appreciate the depth of Ruby's character as she confronts danger and betrayal in her quest for self-identity. Liu's vivid writing and authentic portrayal of the era will leave readers eagerly turning the pages.

Overall, *The Red Car to Hollywood* is a heartfelt exploration of love, culture, and the struggle for agency, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction and young adult literature alike.