The Starlets

Thank you Lee Kelly, Jennifer Thorne, and Harper Muse for my #gifted copy and thank you Harper Collins Focus for my #gifted listening copy of The Starlets! #thestarlets #MyStarletMoment #LeeKelly #JenniferThorne #harpermuse #HarperCollinsFocus #GailShalan

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐋𝐞𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

This was such a fun ride! Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, but I don’t read a lot set in this time period, but I am so glad I read this one! I loved the movie star rivalry in the beginning but loved how it evolved into so much more as Vivienne and Lottie had to work together to not only protect their careers, but also their lives. It was like an enemies to best friend type trope and it was perfect! One of the things that made this book stand out to me was how descriptive the scenes were. I always felt like I could so clearly picture what was happening, and I thought the authors did an amazing job really laying out each scene. I thought the newspaper articles and press releases that were scattered throughout the book were such a fun touch!

I love when two authors team up to write together. I cannot imagine writing a book by myself, let alone writing a book with someone else. Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne are the perfect writing duo and I’ve already added The Antiquity Affair to my TBR, which was also co-written by this duo!

🎧Gail Shalan was BRILLIANT. When I tell you she was dynamic, I mean she made it sound like there were more than one narrator throughout this book. She was that good! I absolutely loved my time listening to Shalan bring this story to life. It was unlike anything I’ve listened to, and it just felt so authentic. I loved it and cannot recommend this one on audio enough. Her performance was five stars!

Posted on Goodreads on November 6, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around November 12, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on November 12, 2024
**-will post on designated date

What an absolutely delightful, refreshing, new take on a novel!

First off…the year is 1958! So, I love it already!

Loved the way women dressed back in the day, and the men too!

Loved the overall “feel” in the air of that era! Brings back memories of my parents when they were young. ❤️

This one starts out with a lot of heat and high tension as two leading ladies arrive on set in a small Italian town for the same part!! Apparently they FORGOT to tell one of them that they were downgraded to another part. 🫣😮😩. If that isn’t bad enough, there is a love twist involving these women as well…so we are NOT off to a good start.

But, with some schmoozing and script revisions, it’s a go again, and filming is about to begin…

Until one of the actresses stumbles into something that she was not supposed to know/see…and everything begins to change…

And soon Vivienne (the well known leading lady) and Lottie ( the newcomer) are pretty much forced to work together in order to survive! 😮😮

And we get glimpses of all the beautiful countrysides that they see 👀 as they are running….

And as time goes on, could it be?? Might they actually begin TOLERATING each other?

This was a really sweet, special kind of book that elicits all kinds of feelings while reading it! From joy to anger, from peace to anxiety, from overall acceptance to absolute DEFIANCE!! And, I loved EVERY MINUTE of it!
If you have the opportunity to read this one please do! I can’t imagine you being disappointed!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsFocus and #HarperMuse for an ARC of the audiobook which is DUE TO BE RELEASED on Tuesday!
**** Look 👀 for it on 11/12/24! ****

5+ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨💫💫💫 for me!

#TheStarlets by #LeeKelly and #JenniferThorne and narrated beautifully by #GailShalan.

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Posted to Goodreads: 11/11/2024

This book brought the thrill and Hollywood feel I was hoping it would, and it did not disappoint! You have both drama, and excitement in this book that follows two rival actresses that find themselves in trouble when they realize something isn't quite right about their new movie shoot. Throughout the book, both characters grow and reveal a lot about themselves, which I thought added more depth to the story and speaks to how well the book was written. If you like old Hollywood and thrilling action this is definitely a book for you! I received a copy of the audio book through NetGalley and hope that other readers enjoy it as much as I did.

This book was a wild ride - a wacky mashup of old-time Hollywood glam, comedy, and Mafia movie, with a murder mystery thrown in for good measure.

I was hooked on the enemies-to-best-friends trope and spent the whole time trying to figure out which classic Hollywood stars the authors were channeling. It was a light, fast read, but with a plot that was larger than life - think over-the-top drama and you're on the right track!

Definitely recommend!

Title: The Starlets
Author: Lee Kelly & Jennifer Thorne
Narrated by: Gail Shalan
Publisher: Harper Muse
Length: Approximately 9 hours and 17 minutes
Source: Review Copy from Harper Muse & NetGalley. Thank you!

Do you have a favorite epic movie from the golden age of Hollywood? Gone with the Wind is my favorite epic classic movie.

In the summer of 1958, Vivienne Rhodes, has traveled to the Italian island of Tavalli, to star in the new epic movie, A Thousand Ships, about Helen of Troy and the Trojan War. She is surprised to discover that she will not be the star, but her nemesis, Lottie Lawrence will be the star. Lottie “stole” Vivienne’s fiancé and Vivienne is still reeling from the heartbreak. Vivienne and Lottie inadvertently discover a murder on the island and are soon on the run. Will they be able to find help and solve this mystery?

My thoughts on this novel:
• I read about half of this on audiobook and half in the physical book. I enjoyed both media formats and read this book quickly. The narrator was engaging.

• The storyline moved very quickly and kept me on my toes. I really wanted to know what was going to happen.

• I loved all the nods to real Hollywood movies and stars from that time period. I love classic movies and old Hollywood.

• I enjoyed how the two women were enemies, but were able to put aside their differences, get to know each other, and work towards a common goal. They became friends by the end. I loved how their relationship developed.

• The characters were great. I loved Vivienne and Lottie, but the other characters on the set were fun and interesting as well. The villains were very dastardly.

• I liked the adventure too as the two women fled through Europe. There is a scene involving Ben Hur and a race car that I will never forget.

• There were great moments of humor in the book as well.

Overall, The Starlets by Lee Kelly & Jennifer Thorne was a fast-paced historical fiction novel set in the golden age of Hollywood with unforgettable characters. I loved it and highly recommend it!

I loved this fantastic adventure and especially the two main characters, Vivian and Lottie. The friendship that developed from animosity, out of necessity, was so fun and I enjoyed seeing them appreciate and learn from one another's strengths. The cast of nefarious characters is perfection and the plotline is captivating. I listened to the audiobook and the narration, done by Gail Shalan, is absolutely fabulous. Loved every minute of it.

Set in 1958, star Vivienne Rhodes think she’s finally made it as a star, and is excited about playing Helen of Troy in a new film. But upstart blonde bimbo Lottie Lawrence - American’s sweetheart - has been given that role to boost the popularity of the film. Not only has she been given the coveted role, but also Vivian’s fiancé. The film is being made by a newcomer owner to the film world, and he seems to have plenty of money to throw around everywhere. The friction between Lottie and Vivenne is intense, but all shifts when Lottie stumbles over a dead body, and questions surface as to who this new owner really is and what he is involved in. The starlets must join forces to solve the murder and figure out what’s going on - and stay alive in the process.

I listened to the audio of this one, and loved it! The narrator is excellent at voicing these women - Vivienne as the more mature woman and Lottie as the flighty airhead. I loved seeing Lottie’s growth - she’s quite spunky and is quick on her feet in pivoting and thinking creatively, which helps the ladies stay alive. Out now, I highly recommend this one!

As someone who loves old Hollywood, I found it so easy to become absolutely absorbed into this novel which played like a movie in my mind. Its a mystery, a love triangle, and action-packed drama from start to finish. Between the book and the audiobook, I couldn't stop reading this one.  
Vivienne Rhodes senses she is on the cusp of reaching the pinnacle of her career by winning the lead part as Helen of Troy. But when she arrives on set in Italy to find out she's been cast as Cassandra, second fiddle to Helen, she is beyond furious to find out the role of Helen has been given to Lottie Lawrence, her nemesis who has stolen Teddy Walters, Vivienne's soulmate. Producer and president of the studio, soothes Vivienne's rile by promising her artistic freedom and dinner on his yacht. But a glamorous night of romance turns deadly and the ugly truth that the studio is a front for crime places Vivienne and Lottie in danger. What ensues is a chase across Europe that forces the two starlets to work together to survive, and it plays out better than any movie either could have hoped to star in. Lottie and Vivienne discover they have more in common than Teddy, and their friendship brings out the best in both of them. I enjoyed watching their friendship develop. I really loved this one! Besides the edge of your seat action, its funny, smart, heartwarming, and it reminds you what women can accomplish when they work together. Don't miss this one!