Thank you to NetGalley, Tatiana de Rosnay, and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC of Blonde Dust. Tatiana de Rosnay, a bestselling author known for her work in both French and English, has penned a new novel titled "Blonde Dust." This captivating story delves into the tumultuous production of the film "The Misfits," offering a fictional perspective through the eyes of a young woman who forms an unexpected bond with the film's leading lady, Marilyn Monroe. The novel, recently published in France, has also been acquired by Grand Central Publishing for a US release in 2025.

"Blonde Dust" transports readers to the legendary Mapes Hotel in Reno, Nevada, where Pauline, a young chambermaid, finds herself cleaning Suite 614. Despite being told the suite was empty, Pauline encounters a disoriented and sleepy woman, who reveals herself to be Mrs. Miller, better known as Marilyn Monroe. Monroe's stay in Reno coincides with the breakdown of her marriage to Arthur Miller and the filming of "The Misfits," which would become her final film.

The novel unfolds against the backdrop of the vast and arid Nevada desert, where wild mustang horses roam free. This setting serves as a poignant contrast to the glamorous world of Hollywood, highlighting the stark realities of Monroe's life. The story explores the unlikely friendship that

"Blonde Dust" is a poignant and redemptive tale that explores themes of female friendship, loss, and the unexpected ways in which life can change. The novel presents a unique and intimate portrait of Marilyn Monroe, showcasing her vulnerability and intelligence beyond the public image. It is a story of two women from different walks of life who find solace and strength in each other, ultimately transforming their lives in ways they could never have imagined.

Blonde Dust by Tatiana de Rosnay is a beautifully crafted novel that weaves together themes of dreams, identity, and personal growth. The protagonist, Pauline, is a housekeeper at the Mapes Hotel, caught between her unfulfilled dream of becoming a veterinarian and her responsibilities as a mother. Her deep connection to wild horses symbolizes her longing for freedom and a life beyond the confines of her current reality.

The brief but meaningful encounters with Marilyn Monroe bring layers of complexity to the narrative, highlighting Pauline’s own search for identity. The horses, in particular, stand as a powerful counterpoint to the chaos of her human relationships, representing both Pauline’s dreams and her struggle to reconcile them with her present life.

Blonde Dust is a heartfelt exploration of ambition, fleeting moments, and the beauty of even the smallest connections. With its rich, character-driven narrative, this novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys emotional stories of self-discovery.

⸻

Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of Blonde Dust by Tatiana de Rosnay from Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the 1960s in Reno, NV, the story follows Pauline who moved to Reno with her family from Paris. While her mother continues to mourn her Paris life, Pauline and her stepfather embrace life in Reno. Pauline falls in love with horses and finds a best friend, Billie-Jean. She also falls under the spell of a unscrupulous man and this relationship changes her future. She finds herself as a maid at a fancy hotel in Reno where Maryilyn Monroe and the cast of The Misfits are staying while they film. Assigned to Maryilyn Monroe's room, Pauline begins a friendship with the star.

This historical novel highlights the struggles of each woman with special insight into the private life of Marilyn Monroe. They find strength in each other and themselves.

Blonde Dust is a beautifully written historical novel set in 1960s Reno, Nevada, where a young chambermaid, Pauline, forms a touching friendship with Marilyn Monroe during a difficult time in the star’s life. Tatiana de Rosnay captures Marilyn’s vulnerability and humanity with great sensitivity, moving beyond her celebrity image. The novel’s rich atmosphere and emotional depth make it a compelling story about friendship, loneliness, and healing. A heartfelt and engaging read for fans of historical fiction and Hollywood’s golden era.

I have to admit I was a little nervous to read another book by Tatiana de Rosnay. The last one I read was Sarah’s Key. It was really well written, but so heart breaking. However, because it was so well written, I decided to try again. The blurb tells us that Blonde Dust is about a friendship between the legendary Marilyn Monroe and a cleaning girl at the hotel where Marilyn stayed during filming of The Misfits. While the story is fiction, much of it is based on facts about the movie and the superstar. Of course, Marilyn’s eventual “ending” is not a happy one, but that is a minor part that takes place a few years after the main part of the story. And the story of the two women’s friendship that develops is compelling, sweet and believable. The author’s transitions between past, present, and in between are seamless and masterful. The portrayal of women in the early 60’s is very well done. Pauline, the cleaning girl is a teen in this part of the book, and grows from a shy, stammering girl who is taken advantage of, to one who, with the help of Marilyn, makes a new life for herself. I highly recommend this book! 5 Stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This book focuses on the brief but intense friendship that developed between a young maid, Pauline at the NapesHotel in Reno , Nevada and actress Marilyn Monroe who was there to film her last full length film “ The Misfits” , in 1960..The story is a dual timeline, Pauline’s story of a young French girl who arrives in Reno after the war and her family relationships, her friendship with another young girl who introduces her to the world of wild mustang horses and ultimately changes her life. Pauline’s story focuses on her life in the late 1950’s as a young teenager with triumphs and unfortunate circumstances. Marilyn Monroe in Reno filming this movie is a person who is needy, troubled, heavily into drugs and alcohol, takes a liking to young Pauline and ultimately helps her in becoming the woman who she becomes. The story fast forwards to 2000 when the Napes Hotel is being imploded and Pauline is reflecting on her time as a maid there. I enjoyed this book, at times it did seem a bit slow and repetitive, especially the scenes of Marilyn every morning, drugged, drunk, disheveled, needing many people together her together, but it also showed a sweet, tender, caring side of Marilyn , especially when it came to children and animals. I would highly recommend this story.

When I got the chance to read Tatiana de Rosnay’s new book, I couldn’t pass it up! It did not disappoint. I love the connection of Marilyn Monroe and mustangs both of which were born to be wild and free. Paulina, Billie-Pearl, Doug and even the sorrowful Marcelle will all stay in your head for a while after the final page. Another winner from a notable author!

Tatiana De Rosnay’s latest book, “Blonde Dust,” is about Pauline Bazelet, a cleaner for the Mapes Hotel in Reno, who meets Marilyn Monroe and her entourage while cleaning her suite at the Mapes hotel during the filming of the movie, “the Misfits” in 1960. As a youth, Pauline had dreams of becoming a equine veterinarian after her experiences at a ranch that rehabilitated injured wild mustangs. These dreams were dashed when she found herself pregnant out of wedlock after a clandestine relationship with Kendall Spencer, the assistant director of the Mapes hotel. After she gives birth to her daughter, Libby, Spencer gets her a job as a cleaner at the hotel, where she is consigned to cleaning the bathrooms on the main floor.

She gets a lucky break when the cleaner for the sixth floor breaks a wrist and is forced to take a leave of absence from the hotel. Pauline takes her place cleaning Marilyn Monroe’s suite. What follows is a sweet friendship in which Marilyn pays her the respect she has sorely lacked and builds her confidence.

The book alternates in time between Pauline’s present tending to Marilyn Monroe and Pauline’s past growing up in Reno as a transplant from her native Paris, falling in love with wild mustangs, and meeting Kendall Spencer. The book is bookended by the demolition of the hotel in 2000, an event which Pauline attends, and that becomes a stimulus to reminisce about her past there.

The characters are well-drawn, including Marilyn herself, and the author does a great job recreating the feel of 1960’s Reno. On the negative side, the book seemed to move very slowly, particularly when the author went into excruciating detail describing Pauline’s cleaning routine at the hotel. However, overall it was well-written and engaging as long as the reader realizes that it is somewhat slow paced. This book should appeal to anyone who likes historical fiction with likable characters who overcome obstacles and grow throughout the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Books for providing me an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I finished this book in 2 sittings. It was captivating.. I loved the relationship Pauline had with Marilyn. It showed the complicated and sad side of Marilyn yet she was so caring and giving, I felt sorry for her and what she did for Pauline was so generous and thoughtful. It allowed Pauline to achieve her dream. Pauline kept Marilyn’s troubles to herself. She was a good friend to her. I loved everything about this book

Pauline’s story goes back and forth between now and then and how for a short time she was befriended by the one and only Marilyn Monroe.

Pauline was born in Paris and when her mother married an American, they moved to Nevada.
That’s where little Pauline learned about the wild Mustangs and how poorly they were treated.

The dream to be a veterinarian was born and to help the wild horses became her passion, but life doesn’t always go as planned and this story will tug at your heart and put a smile on your face as well as a tear in your eye as you read how this young girl ended up being Marilyn’s maid at the Mape’s hotel while the actress was in Reno filming “The misfits “.

I loved how the story evolved and the characters were colorful and fun.
4 “Happy People “ stars

I received a free ARC ebook of <i>Blonde Dust</i> from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Marilyn Monroe epitomizes the movie star of a bygone era. Happiness, however, was elusive. Here, the author combines the supposed glamor of movie stardom with the very down to earth character of a hotel cleaning lady, Pauline.
Monroe and entourage are in Reno while filming <i>The Misfits.</>. Production is not going well, and Monroe's pill and alcohol use are on full display. Unexpectedly, the maid whose own dreams of becoming a vet had been derailed by an unexpected pregnancy is assigned to clean her suite. The two lonely women have much in common. Both are manipulated by men in power, and both have dreams of another life. Marilyn's escape comes via pills and alcohol while Pauline's comes through her connection to horses, especially the wild horses of Nevada.
The author captures the late 50s setting of Reno and the dismissive way intelligent, talented women were treated. There's lots to enjoy in this book.

This book was quite enjoyable. I’ve never read anything about Marilyn Monroe and didnt know much about her. I thought the main character was likable and I was always rooting for her. The other characters were great as well. The history of the hotel was equally interesting that I had to do a little research myself on the actual place for a visual. I haven’t read any books of this author other than Sarah’s Key, which I loved. Would highly recommend this book and the author. Thanks to Netgalley for advanced copy!

Vivid descriptions and fantastic character development made this a heartwarming read. With two interwoven subjects the author takes you on an unexpected educational adventure and a behind the scenes glimpse at a Hollywood icon.

This was such an easy five star read because everything about this book had me in a chokehold. I was deeply obsessed with Marilyn Monroe and her entire biography from age 17-24, and this book showed what I imagine, was the real side of her people didn’t see. Where she noticed the background characters, loves children and animals, and doesn’t want to be known as a sex symbol. Blonde dust is written beautifully with a style that makes you want to continue reading. I didn’t know about French war brides before, so this sent me down a rabbit hole on that piece of history. Marcelle in Reno was such an interesting juxtaposition , and then Pauline becoming the epitome of someone in Nevada with loving horses added a nice layer of conflict. I loved seeing Pauline growing up and Marilyn encouraging her to spread her wings and be the person she wants to be since Marilyn didn’t seem to really get to do that herself, plus breaking away from Kendall’s grasp was inspiring. The ending too… perfection. This book was SO good and I need a paper copy for my shelf.

I absolutely loved this book. This was an easy to read, beautifully written story about a young girl and her love for horses and a lesson in treating famous people as real people. The first few chapters started out slow but once the story jumped into the past, I could not put the book down. The story is about Pauline and is told from 3 time periods in her life, present when she’s in her 60s, in 1960 when she’s a maid in a hotel who is befriended by Marilyn Monroe. The final time line starts out in 1946 post WWII Paris and continues into 1958 Reno, NV. This is my favorite timeline. Pauline is a young girl in Paris whose widow mom falls in love with an American GI and they move to the US. We see them leave Paris and travel to Reno. Pauline’s stepfather is a kind man who introduces her to horse rescuers and the plight of the wild Nevada mustangs. My heart broke reading about what was being done to these beautiful creatures. The 1960s timeline focus on Pauline in her 20s as a single mom working as a maid in a hotel where the cast and crew of the movie The Misfits was staying while the movie was being filmed. I know that Marilyn Monroe was a troubled woman but also a kind woman. This book shows that through a point of view of a young maid. Even though Marilyn is in Pauline’s life for only a few months, she leaves a dip impact on her life. The ending of the book when we come back to the present day did drag on. It did tie up the story nicely. I do wish there was a note from the author about how much of the story is true and how much is pure fiction, about both the wild Mustang horses and Marilyn Monroe and the filming of the movie.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of this book

Wonderfully written as all her books are and well researched. This writer writes such immersive fiction that you remember years later . Another gem by this author. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me

I loved this book. From the first sentence I was captivated. This is a story of how we can connect and change each other. The book is accurate to the filming of The Misfits, and which is important when reading historical fiction. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of this book
The story of a young girl that moved from Paris to Nevada with her mother. Pauline developed a love for wild mustangs and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian but people and things got in her way and she worked as a cleaning maid at a luxury hotel scrubbing toilets! One day another maid was unable to work and Pauline was sent to work for “Mrs miller” who she didn’t realize was actually Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn liked her so much and requested her as her permanent maid, a friendship developed and when the film Marilyn was on location to film wrapped up, she left a check for Pauline which enabled her to follow her dream of becoming a veterinarian

It has been a while since I've read a novel by Tatiana de Rosnay, and Blonde Dust has put her back on my radar. I will soon catch up on the books I've missed. The book begins when Pauline was the young daughter of a widowed French woman who marries an American GI in France, and mother and daughter traveled with other GI wives to the US, settling in Reno, NV. The mother is very much a fish out of water, a Francophile who doesn't adjust well to life in Nevada. Pauline adapts well, and she loves her stepfather and, eventually, her new brother. She develops a love of horses through her best friend who is involved with a ranch which tries to protect wild mustang horses. When she works at a hotel where the actors from The Misfits are staying, she meets and is befriended by Marilyn Monroe, then Mrs. Arthur Miller. The author does a wonderful job bringing all the characters and the locale to life. Marilyn's kindness has a huge impact on the rest of Pauline's life. It was fascinating to learn about many of the subjects covered in the book, from wild mustangs to hotel operations (reminiscent of The Maid without the humor), the film industry, veterinary medicine and, of course, Marilyn Monroe, at a very difficult period in her life. I found this very much a historical novel covering several time periods up until 20oo. It was very atmospheric. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it.

*Thank you to NetGally and Grand Central Publishers for granting me free access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own*

Blonde Dust by Tatiana De Rosnay
3.75/5 Stars - Rounding up!
Read April 2025 - ARC

Blonde Dust reimagines the life of Marilyn Monroe in a heart-wrenching, touching, and beautiful way.

Positive messages: 3/5
Things aren’t always what they seem. Just because you look happy on the outside, doesn’t mean that’s true for your heart. Fame doesn’t equal happiness and love. Don’t judge a book—or a person—by their cover. Look close enough to see someone’s good traits. Forgiveness, kindness, and empathy are displayed by many characters.

Positive role models: 3/5
Pauline, the main character, is naive and still, as an adult, learning how the world and people work. Readers will connect with her shy, quiet nature that develops into a boldness that no one can turn from.
Lily, Pauline’s daughter, understands her mother and is dear to her. Throughout the novel readers see her in two ways: the girl in the pink dress with pigtails and a huge grin and the woman with children of her own and one who is responsible and cares for her mother dearly. Either way, she’s a beautiful girl with a heart of gold.
Billie-Pearl, a friend of Pauline’s, tries to keep things between then lighthearted and help Pauline to remember how life’s supposed to be and how friendships are supposed to work.
Marcelle, Pauline’s mother, is broken and deals with alcohol addiction. Readers may be able to relate with her fragility and longing for love.
“Mrs. Miller” who turns out to be Marilyn Monroe?! seems to be dealing with a lot of pain. However, she proves to readers that people who are overestimated, underestimated…or maybe just not understood can be kind and thoughtful on the inside. You just have to look close enough.
Doug is Pauline’s step father and she described her love for him being great—just as she would love her biological dad. Doug mentions that he loves listening to Pauline and what’s going on in her life. He’s observant and honest.
Gus and Nick, two of Pauline’s lovers throughout her life, were both very kind to her.
(Negative) Kendall is deceiving and the way he looks at life and love in a sensual a and selfish way is disgusting. However, toward the end of the book, he seems like he is coming close to a change of heart. Not fully…but close

Drinking, Drugs, and Smoking: 3/5
Characters drink until drunk and smoke. Medicines are given to characters who are distraught and may have been overdosed on. Multiple characters are alcoholics.

Language: 1.5/5
‘Prick,’ ‘s—t,’ ‘hell,’ and ‘damned’ are used very infrequently (once of twice each) ‘Friggin’ and others alike are used scarcely.

Violence, Gore, and Scariness: 1.5/5
A character finds mutilated wild horses in a car (eyes missing, legs cut off, some dead). Characters are distraught and their pain is evident.

Sex, Romance, and Nudity: 3/5
Terms for making love are mentioned. The main character works at a hotel and walks in on a couple making love. Another time, she knocks and enters, meeting a woman who is distraught and completely nude. She isn’t embarrassed about this, and doesn’t dress. The woman’s state is described (her breasts, ‘pubic fuzz,’ etc.) Affairs and other “complicated” romantic relationships are mentioned/hinted on throughout the novel. Characters get pregnant out of wedlock and have toxic romantic relationships.

What You Should Know:
First off…I like the cover. That’s what caught my eye. I think it’s really pretty 💗
Second, I love almost everything else. At first, I was a little confused (the time periods switch a lot) and felt like it was going to be a bit boring. But…it wasn’t! It only took me a few hours (2 sittings, 1 day) to finish. After I was around ¼ through, I decided I really liked it. The novel brings to light really interesting topics for discussion—either with others or just in your own mind!
I encourage adults to read this one. It’s a gem of fiction, while also bringing in some true facts. Marilyn Monroe was broken, but also kind. Some of the topics such as alcoholism, depression, and toxic relationships are displayed and may be heavy for some readers. Keep this in mind if you decide on this book.
People aren’t always what they seem.
Stories aren’t always how they’re depicted.
This is an incomplete (not fully edited) ARC, so I am not permitted to share quotes at this time. However, if you have any questions regarding content, please reach out and I would be happy to inform you.
Happy reading!

Age Range Recommendation: 15+ A Fiction
TRIGGER WARNINGS/ADULT CONTENT: DEPRESSION/GRIEF, ALCOHOLISM, ABSENT FATHER FIGURE/IMPLIED CHILD OUT OF WEDLOCK, TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS, NUDITY