Darla, Liza and Avery may be three generations of women who belong to the same family, but they could not be more different. Or could they? Brought together by Darla's typically dramatic decision to throw a funeral for herself (!), they are about to find out...

Liza has put in considerable effort to create a normal life for herself and her daughter Avery as a teacher, after her early career in a daytime TV show. Fed up with her mother's antics Liza is not looking forward to this latest extravaganza - including what is to be an unexpected encounter with her ex, Avery's father.

But sometimes the most interesting things can come out of the unexpected twists and turns that life takes, and as it turns out her mother's "funeral" is no exception! This is an amusing read about family dynamics, abandoned dreams, and second chances.

4⭐
Three generations of retired/aspiring actresses each trying to achieve their own dreams in this world without 'breaking a leg' in the process.

This book really wasn't what I expected it to be, went into it completely blind which I think made it all the more better. I enjoyed this book so much - the ENTIRE character ensemble, the family drama, the dual timelines, the emotions - so good!

Thank you Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The audiobook is fabulous. A funny, well written, multi generational book, that grabs you from word one and keeps you holding on til,the end.

I wasn’t sure what to make of this one at first and almost gave up a few times. I thought it was another one of the many “stars behaving badly” books that are not my favorite, but as I went on, I realized it was so much more. This is about relationships – mother/daughter, siblings, romantic – and how messy they can be. Liza and Darla’s relationship is tenuous at best but blossoms as they work to understand each other. This was a heartwarming read that shows the strength and beauty of family.

This one just didn’t do it for me. And it was my second audiobook in a row where the plot was lacking and the characters didn’t have enough depth to make up for it. It was fine. But it wasn’t what I was hoping for. The flashback scenes, which could have really added interest, barely scratched the surface of the character background that the story needed. Overall, I was just left wanting more.

Thank you to @netgalley for this early listeners audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Liza is a part of an acting dynasty and was herself in a popular soap opera in her teens (until she got pregnant with Scotty's, her costar's child).  Her mother Darla has always been dramatic and now has decided to go all out on her funeral (party planner and all), except she's still alive. Liza and her siblings return to Day Ranch, her childhood home, to attend the event.  When she and her daughter arrive, Liza finds a much changed Darla and, with her siblings and Scotty, try to determine what is going on with Darla.  The more time she spends with her family, the more she realizes she needs to be closer (both physically and emotionally) to the important people in her life.

I didn't know what to expect from this one but I really ended up enjoying it, it has a lightness and heart strings pulls all at the same time.  I half and halfed the audiobook and the ebook and it was the perfect way to do this one.  The narrator brought life to the story but never got too dramatic even with the wacky ensemble of characters.  In many ways this is the story of family drama and love.  Not to age me but if you saw the movie Soapdish from the 90s - this gave me the same type of vibes - fun and emotional all rolled into one story.  I haven't read the author's debut novel, Penelope in Retrograde but it's definitely on my TBR now!

4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance for the ALC to review

I was able to listen to the audio version of Night of a Thousand Darlas by Brooke Abram. I enjoyed this book very much.

It wasn't one of the stories that leave you speechless, it was the one that make you appreciate your ordinary life as it is.

I loved how the characters in this book were adults in the best sense of it. They were a bit childish, a bit uncertain and sometimes not ready to deal with things. As someone who just got started with my own adulthood, I truly appreciate the honesty of it. The family dynamics were on the spot and I couldn't stop listening to the audiobook.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, the narrator and the publisher for this audiobook