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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was an enjoyable read and exploration of 1950s Hollywood. I liked it.
But it is flawed. Vera is lacking something in her characterisation; she’s a little too perfect. Nancy meanwhile is a little too vindictive, with barely any redeeming qualities. Jay and Salome are probably the most well-rounded character
The mix of POVs doesn’t entirely work. The biblical section is a bit vague. I thought it was scenes from the movie until reading her author’s note. Meanwhile a good chunk of them read like an editor made a note that the book should be more like Taylor Jenkins Reid - it hovers around the conceit of a documentary but never delves in. The ending too could have been improved. The point where all the POVs come together seems to be trying to capture the structure of a movie. The same concept is done with much more subtlety a chapter or so earlier in Salome’s dance, where Vera and Salome become indistinguishable.
The book tackles important issues but does so a bit on the nose, with our protagonists often reacting to them in a very modern way.
I’m aware this is a lot of critique, but I did genuinely enjoy it. I just think there was a better book in there.
But it is flawed. Vera is lacking something in her characterisation; she’s a little too perfect. Nancy meanwhile is a little too vindictive, with barely any redeeming qualities. Jay and Salome are probably the most well-rounded character
The mix of POVs doesn’t entirely work. The biblical section is a bit vague. I thought it was scenes from the movie until reading her author’s note. Meanwhile a good chunk of them read like an editor made a note that the book should be more like Taylor Jenkins Reid - it hovers around the conceit of a documentary but never delves in. The ending too could have been improved. The point where all the POVs come together seems to be trying to capture the structure of a movie. The same concept is done with much more subtlety a chapter or so earlier in Salome’s dance, where Vera and Salome become indistinguishable.
The book tackles important issues but does so a bit on the nose, with our protagonists often reacting to them in a very modern way.
I’m aware this is a lot of critique, but I did genuinely enjoy it. I just think there was a better book in there.
This just didn’t work for me—I got about a third of the way in and was still waiting to care about any of the the three main characters. I liked Vera the most but the book was so padded with other POVs that I couldn’t get into it.
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual harassment
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Collected Books Social Club, June 2025
An enjoyable read merging 1950s Hollywood and the biblical tale of Salome. I found the biblical bits a bit slow at first, but once I was into it, I was hooked.
An enjoyable read merging 1950s Hollywood and the biblical tale of Salome. I found the biblical bits a bit slow at first, but once I was into it, I was hooked.