Set against the backdrop of the glamorous old Hollywood, Alexandra explores the impact of McCarthyism on both communism and homosexuality. Audrey lives in Sheffield, UK and loves photography she dreams of an escaping her small minded minister father and marrying a movie star in Hollywood. After a failed romance with Freddie she goes after her dreams and moves to the US. She ends up being a secretary for a big Hollywood agent and can’t believe it when dreamy movie star Rex Trent is interested in her. She soon discovers there’s more to his interest in her and his secrets.

The story unfolds over a non-linear timeline and we get to know Audrey both in Hollywood and the UK. She was incredibly brave to make the move she did but naive at times. It was nice to see her move forward and grab the life she wanted. I loved how Alexandra really set the scene for the novel- you got a good feel for what it was like to love during the time. From what it was like to work in studios, be blacklisted, atomic testing to and up and coming move star
named Marilyn Monroe. I enjoyed the little touches in the novels- from gossip columns from Eyewitness to the headlines at the start of chapters. The authors note was interesting and I enjoyed learning about all the different inspirations for the story. I’m definitely keen to go and read her other novel now.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical, romance fiction story. The background takes place in Hollywood of the 1950’s which is full of “ Mc Carthyism”, the studio system, protection of certain lifestyle elements. This story centers on Audrey, a young woman who moves to Hollywood from Britain after World War II with high hopes and dreams, who ultimately has her dreams come through only to have her life shattered. The story also focuses on Audrey’s growth as a young woman who proves how strong and resourceful she is. I would highly recommend this book, it was a quick, easy read that I never found boring.

An easily read storyline. Audrey wants to escape her tyrannical father and has dreams of a glittering and glamorous life in Hollywood . Following her dream she embarks on her adventure where she enters a difficult marriage with her hero film star. Life is not always greener on the other side of the fence

This was such an interesting story about the life in Hollywood in the 1950's. I really enjoyed this one and couldn't put it down. The story really flowed along without getting slow and boring. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

5 stars

The writing is good. I'm not that keen on a story where everything appears to be going nastily for the heroine...jeopardy is not my thing at all.

I guessed the actor that was the inspiration for Rex. The dirty dealings of Dirk and Henry weren't a huge surprise and it was interesting to set the story in McCarthy's america. Audrey's gay friend Freddie didn't come across as particularily nice though I was pleased that her sister. mom and best friend helped out. Without Audrey's fantasty life I wounder if she would have been courageous enough to make it all happen. An inetersting tale, I recommend.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

My thanks to Net Galley, Boldwood Books, and the personal invitation I received to review this book
I loved this book! What a fast and engaging read! Great characters. Well written.
Audrey Wade escapes the tight grasp of her minister father to the likes of Hollywood where she gets a job as secretary to a Hollywood agent. There she meets and marries movie star Rex Trent under false pretenses and finds herself in another unhappy situation like with her father while having feelings for kindly Jack, a set decorator. Highly recommend

I was provided an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review through NetGalley.

Last year I was provided the option to read Alexandra Weston's debut novel, The Hollywood Governess, early through NetGalley and I was OBSESSED. So I was delighted to be given the option to read her next book early as well.

The story is set in 1950s post-war Hollywood, where our FMC Audrey has escaped her controlling father in England and finds herself as the secretary to a high profile Hollywood agent. Early in her position she meets one of the hottest actors on the screen, Rex Trent, and soon after is introduced to him properly through the agent she works for. They begin dating but it's rocky and she begins to doubt his feelings and her own. Meanwhile she runs into a man named Jack who gives her butterflies but she decides to stay the course with Rex, mostly to show up her parents back home. She soon discovers that Rex is gay and a marriage to her would solidify his respectability and for her, ensure she can stay in the US. Thus, they enter what is known as a Lavender Marriage.

In most cases Lavender Marriages were between a lesbian and a gay man who both need to hide their feelings for the sake of their careers and livelihoods. It is usually amicable and friendly. This story is not any of that. There is minor violence in this story and a lot of self loathing and anger.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story, the characters were engaging and interesting, the plot was well paced and enticing, the love story that goes throughout was very satisfying, and it was a well thought out, intentional, and appealing book. I really enjoyed the drama of the ending and there was a genuine feeling of will she/won't she which not every book is able to pull off.

I would definitely recommend this book when it comes out on March 28th and for sure read her first novel as well. If you enjoy the glamour and lifestyle of early cinema, they are a great read.

Some of my reviews may include spoilers so, proceed with awareness.

Do you enjoy reading loves stories? 1950s period dramas? What about a rags to riches story? Or a theme of self-discovery? If you enjoy these themes in a book, you might enjoy this novel.

I was one lucky reader to get an Advanced Reader Copy (digital) of The Lavendar Bride by Alexandra Weston and I’m excited to be here giving you a review of this sweet story.

My first impression of the book was the cover. One of my all-time favorite reads also has a cover of a woman in a strikingly elegant dress. I knew I was drawn to read this book because of the cover. However, the book’s description that included Hollywood stars and “a romance born of ambition and betrayal,” hooked me. I thought, ‘Oh! This is going to be good!”

This novel is inspired by events that actually happened in history. I love that the author was inspired by actual events. You’ll find the author included historical information in the closing of the book as a reference.

A summary:
Audrey is a pastor’s daughter dreaming to see the world and break the grasp of traditional ideas. She wants to escape with her best friend and become a photographer in Hollywood. As she makes her way into a new world her naivety and unrealistic dreams catch her more than once. Her will to achieve these dreams lands her in an undesirable situation.

As the story unfolds, I wondered how she would overcome past trauma. And would her resilience carry her through these hardships?

The themes presented in The Lavender Bride are made possible because of the setting. There are controversial topics and certain things that were frowned upon during this period, that are more common today, that make the storyline so good.

I enjoyed this book because of the era and characters. Following Aubrey’s story and hoping she reaches her dreams kept me turning pages.

The Lavendar Bride is set to release March 29th, 2025.

I absolutely loved this authors previous book so was excited to read this one! Absolutely amazing read! Such a captivating read! Amazing cover art that was super eye catching would definitely recommend to all!
An absolutely heartbreaking, gripping and beautiful story about how love shines brightly even in the darkest times.

A fun historical fiction romance. I read this in a few days and overall I enjoyed the Hollywood story.

I really enjoyed this book and once I started I couldn't stop I didn't want to put it down and read in a very short sitting over a couple of hours on a commute. I loved it

Such an interesting novel. The author has loosely based this book on the marriage of Rock Hudson to his agent’s secretary, Phyllis Gates.

Here the arrogant gorgeous leading man, Rex Trent, is forced into a “lavender marriage “ to cover his homosexuality in 1950’s Hollywood. The bride is Audrey, a young naive English woman who is so star struck that she doesn’t see the obvious issues.

As a reader, I enjoyed the narrative and recalled the marriage, long before being aware of Hudson’s sexuality. I also admire the author for including the terror imposed on Hollywood during the HUAC era. If you are interested in this period, check out TYPEWRITER BEACH by Meg Clayton White.

As Audrey matures, there is a secondary story that surrounds her marriage to Rex. This is a lovely book. I admit to recalling all the details of the time since I’m probably older than most readers. I also understand how she was dazzled by REX. I sat next to Rock Hudson in the theater one night and he was a living, gorgeous statue of a man.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC that appealed to me as a reader as well as my memories of a long ago time in Hollywood and America.

Whilst overall I enjoyed this book I found the first half rather overlong. I appreciate it was the 1950s but how naive can someone who’s taken themselves off to Hollywood be. I felt it got into its stride in the second half an£ be a much more interesting.

I feel head over heels for the Hollywood Governess and have been patiently waiting for Alexandra Weston to grace my bookshelves once again and the Lavender Bride was just as delightful.

I loved following along Audrey's journey from good English daughter to Hollywood glamour. She was the perfect female lead, brave and stood up for herself.

I loved the flashbacks to dreary, war filled England, and the snippets of the future in the interview transcripts, all tied in with the colourful Hollywood setting - filled with fashion, music, parties and money. I thought the other characters were well thought out and well developed - even those who only featured in small parts. We never read that much about Freddie but I feel as if I know him in great detail and it helped tell such a wonderful story.

I found it historically accurate, and informative without being heavy or boring. I absolutely adored this book, Alexandra Weston is a treat for those who love history, hollywood and a jolly good love story.

This book had a very glamorous setting, Hollywood in the 50's. With such a unique story, I read this in approximately three days. It was an easy read that was well-written and well-paced. I love it when a Fiction book is loosely based/inspired by a true story. The author does reveal this at the end. I loved the short snippets from Rex that are peppered throughout the book.

A great book for fans of Romance/ Historical Fiction/ Hollywood.

Loved reading the amazing and awesome story. When Audrey leaves home, her best friend, Freddie, turns his back on her, and she goes to Hollywood alone, gets a secretarial job, needs a green card, and ends up marrying a movie star, Rex, who has a big secret Audrey agrees to keep. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written with captivating characters, and a must read engaging story by the fabulous author, Alexandra Weston.

A good historical romance read is just what I needed. The Lavender Bride by Alexandra Weston was amazing.

A beautiful hollywoodesque story you will devour in a day. It’s full of surprises that will make you gasp and gives you a wonderfully established heroine you will want to advocate for.