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lizaroo71's review against another edition
4.0
This is the fourth in the Velva Jean series. My library doesn't carry the third one, but when I found this one at the dollar store, I couldn't resist.
Niven is good about filling in any details from the past books to give you a broader picture of what is happening. So even without reading book #3, I can follow the storyline.
Velva Jean is coming off being a spy in the second world war and is going to Hollywood to be a star. She is re-packaged as Kit Rogers and soon begins to learn the ropes in the old studio days of Hollywood.
There is a little bit of romance, a mystery she is trying to solve about the death of her friend, and plenty of historical references to stars and events happening in 1947.
I like the fierce independence of Velva Jean and I love the suave and ever cool Butch Dawkins.
I found the notes at the end particularly enlightening and I am eager to see if Niven adds another chapter to Velva Jean's story (can't we get the romance going with Butch already?).
Niven is good about filling in any details from the past books to give you a broader picture of what is happening. So even without reading book #3, I can follow the storyline.
Velva Jean is coming off being a spy in the second world war and is going to Hollywood to be a star. She is re-packaged as Kit Rogers and soon begins to learn the ropes in the old studio days of Hollywood.
There is a little bit of romance, a mystery she is trying to solve about the death of her friend, and plenty of historical references to stars and events happening in 1947.
I like the fierce independence of Velva Jean and I love the suave and ever cool Butch Dawkins.
I found the notes at the end particularly enlightening and I am eager to see if Niven adds another chapter to Velva Jean's story (can't we get the romance going with Butch already?).
karenmaloney's review against another edition
3.0
I could go for one.more.Velva Jean.book. This was my least favorite of the three, but still good. I really wanted more Emile - I was sad he was left behind in Becoming Clementine. Butch just doesn't do it for me.
verityw's review against another edition
4.0
Copy via Netgalley for an honest review
I didn't know this was the fourth book in a series when I picked it out, but that didn't impair my enjoyment of this tale of murder and intrigue in post-War Hollywood.
Velva Jean Hart is an ex-pilot turned film actress who discovers the lengths to which the post-War Hollywood Studio system will go to keep their stars' images squeaky clean when one of her friends dies in mysterious circumstances.
I'm fascinated by Golden Age Hollywood and this book really fulfilled that part of it's brief - and the murder mystery element was really well executed too. I did feel like I was missing out a little by not having read the previous books - but only because I was missing some of the detail about the secondary characters' backstories that I thought might have helped me understand some of Velva Jean's decisions a little better.
A really good read - and when I have the to-read pile more under control, I may well go back and find the other 3 in the series.
I didn't know this was the fourth book in a series when I picked it out, but that didn't impair my enjoyment of this tale of murder and intrigue in post-War Hollywood.
Velva Jean Hart is an ex-pilot turned film actress who discovers the lengths to which the post-War Hollywood Studio system will go to keep their stars' images squeaky clean when one of her friends dies in mysterious circumstances.
I'm fascinated by Golden Age Hollywood and this book really fulfilled that part of it's brief - and the murder mystery element was really well executed too. I did feel like I was missing out a little by not having read the previous books - but only because I was missing some of the detail about the secondary characters' backstories that I thought might have helped me understand some of Velva Jean's decisions a little better.
A really good read - and when I have the to-read pile more under control, I may well go back and find the other 3 in the series.
chinacatsun76's review against another edition
3.0
ARC kindly provided by Plume. Review published on Reading Lark: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-american-blonde.html
Velva Jean Hart is a true war hero; a WASP pilot who rescued her brother from certain death at the hands of the enemy during World War II. Velva Jean is a spunky, modern heroine with a knock-out voice. She dreams of performing on the Grand Old Opry, until MGM offers her a screen test and, with it, a chance to train with the best vocal coaches in California. She takes the chance and becomes Kit Rogers, but instead of being entranced by the luxuries of the studio system, Kit/Velva Jean feels stifled. When a former WASP friend who happens to also be MGM's biggest star, dies under questionable circumstances -- Velva Jean turns amateur private eye and fights for truth within, and against, the studio system that created her.
This was a good read, but at times I felt like the book suffered from an identity crisis. Niven writes well about the studio system, how MGM took Velva Jean/Kit and polished and polished her to the point she started losing herself. And she also writes the mystery aspect of the story well, I just wish she'd chosen one to focus on because I think I would have enjoyed the book more. I loved the old Hollywood section at the beginning, but the build up to the mysterious death/catalyst for the plot was slow. Once Velva Jean/Kit started her investigation, the story took off...I just wish more had been done with the first third of the book.
The first third of the book is all studio system -- Velva Jean leaves her backwoods home (but not life, the girl has lived a ton!) for the bright lights of Hollywood. They color her hair a new shade, dubbed "American Blonde" and work on her vocals, acting, poise, etc. until from sun up to sun down. She reunites with an old WASP friend, Eloise Mudge (who MGM has dubbed Barbara Fanning) who happens to be one of MGM's biggest stars and is wrapping up a leading performance in Home of the Brave, a Gone with the Wind scale picture. Velva Jean/Kit falls into a flirtation with an author and script writer, while she struggles against the attraction she has to her brother's gritty bandmate.
The second two-thirds of the book has aspects of the Golden Age of Hollywood in it, but it is ultimately a mystery novel. Velva Jean/Kit turns investigator after Mudge/Barbara dies under questionable and suspicious circumstances. She enlists the help of a few friends, goes on clandestine flights to research and dig up information, and ultimately things fall into place...but not before more deaths within the Hollywood family, and a few attempts on Velva Jean's life.
My favorite scene of this novel was when Velva Jean and Mudge flew the bomber, Niven writes them with joy and complete abandon, exactly what I imagine it feels like to fly. I also thought the fact that Velva Jean/Kit wasn't a big fan of her MGM name was a nice touch, because I wasn't a fan either. I also enjoyed the "Endings" section at the close of the book -- Niven includes historical information and context, along with her own story of falling in love with Hollywood and meeting Gene Kelly.
Velva Jean Hart is a true war hero; a WASP pilot who rescued her brother from certain death at the hands of the enemy during World War II. Velva Jean is a spunky, modern heroine with a knock-out voice. She dreams of performing on the Grand Old Opry, until MGM offers her a screen test and, with it, a chance to train with the best vocal coaches in California. She takes the chance and becomes Kit Rogers, but instead of being entranced by the luxuries of the studio system, Kit/Velva Jean feels stifled. When a former WASP friend who happens to also be MGM's biggest star, dies under questionable circumstances -- Velva Jean turns amateur private eye and fights for truth within, and against, the studio system that created her.
This was a good read, but at times I felt like the book suffered from an identity crisis. Niven writes well about the studio system, how MGM took Velva Jean/Kit and polished and polished her to the point she started losing herself. And she also writes the mystery aspect of the story well, I just wish she'd chosen one to focus on because I think I would have enjoyed the book more. I loved the old Hollywood section at the beginning, but the build up to the mysterious death/catalyst for the plot was slow. Once Velva Jean/Kit started her investigation, the story took off...I just wish more had been done with the first third of the book.
The first third of the book is all studio system -- Velva Jean leaves her backwoods home (but not life, the girl has lived a ton!) for the bright lights of Hollywood. They color her hair a new shade, dubbed "American Blonde" and work on her vocals, acting, poise, etc. until from sun up to sun down. She reunites with an old WASP friend, Eloise Mudge (who MGM has dubbed Barbara Fanning) who happens to be one of MGM's biggest stars and is wrapping up a leading performance in Home of the Brave, a Gone with the Wind scale picture. Velva Jean/Kit falls into a flirtation with an author and script writer, while she struggles against the attraction she has to her brother's gritty bandmate.
The second two-thirds of the book has aspects of the Golden Age of Hollywood in it, but it is ultimately a mystery novel. Velva Jean/Kit turns investigator after Mudge/Barbara dies under questionable and suspicious circumstances. She enlists the help of a few friends, goes on clandestine flights to research and dig up information, and ultimately things fall into place...but not before more deaths within the Hollywood family, and a few attempts on Velva Jean's life.
My favorite scene of this novel was when Velva Jean and Mudge flew the bomber, Niven writes them with joy and complete abandon, exactly what I imagine it feels like to fly. I also thought the fact that Velva Jean/Kit wasn't a big fan of her MGM name was a nice touch, because I wasn't a fan either. I also enjoyed the "Endings" section at the close of the book -- Niven includes historical information and context, along with her own story of falling in love with Hollywood and meeting Gene Kelly.
mcdawn73's review against another edition
5.0
Another great book in the Velva Jean series by Jennifer Niven! This series grabbed me right away with Velva Jean Learns to Drive and has kept me interested with each book and new journey Velva Jean takes. This one is set in Hollywood 1945-1947 and Velva Jean (Kit Rogers) is drawn to the big screen after coming back from WWII a war heroine.
She meets up with an old WASP friend who happens to be a big time movie star, Mudge. She gives her a home to stay in and things seem to go great for a while until one night at a dinner party she finds her friend dead. Velva Jean suspects her friend has been murdered but the studio does everything possible to cover it up and play it off as an accident. So then there's this big mystery she needs to solve but the higher ups don't want her looking into it. She knows if the situation was reversed, Mudge would do everything possible to find out who killed her. So she continues.
I just love how all of the books in this series have great little pieces of history in them. The big lights of Hollywood, a little murder mystery, some light romance and even briefly bringing in The Black Dahlia murder, this book had a great mix. The ending has left us with Velva Jean heading off on to a new adventure, aka new book. I really hope that's the case.
"Remember who you are, hold on to that, and whatever you do, don't let them change you"
You can find this review and others at https://mcdawnreviews.wordpress.com/2017/09/24/american-blonde/
She meets up with an old WASP friend who happens to be a big time movie star, Mudge. She gives her a home to stay in and things seem to go great for a while until one night at a dinner party she finds her friend dead. Velva Jean suspects her friend has been murdered but the studio does everything possible to cover it up and play it off as an accident. So then there's this big mystery she needs to solve but the higher ups don't want her looking into it. She knows if the situation was reversed, Mudge would do everything possible to find out who killed her. So she continues.
I just love how all of the books in this series have great little pieces of history in them. The big lights of Hollywood, a little murder mystery, some light romance and even briefly bringing in The Black Dahlia murder, this book had a great mix. The ending has left us with Velva Jean heading off on to a new adventure, aka new book. I really hope that's the case.
"Remember who you are, hold on to that, and whatever you do, don't let them change you"
You can find this review and others at https://mcdawnreviews.wordpress.com/2017/09/24/american-blonde/
natalierobinld's review against another edition
3.0
I really do to understand why it mattered that this was the same velva Jean. Why didn't anything that happened in France impact her?
kelseyjobrien's review against another edition
4.0
As I find my way back home
Home where all my stars align
Home because it's finally time
Home to you
Home to me
Semi unfortunately, I think this is the last book in the Velva Jean series. I say semi, because while it's bittersweet, I also can't imagine a better ending.
Honestly, I didn't love this story as I was reading it. It felt very un-Velva Jean like to me, like Niven forgot what made Velva Jean so special, so strong, so lively. There wasn't that sense of spark, of the human and emotional intelligence that pervaded the other three books as a whole. Instead, it came in waves, in little bits and pieces. In the clubs Velva Jean would go to occasionally, when the music would pump through her blood. In the fiery looks she would receive from Butch Dawkins. In the arguments she would have with MGM, when she felt another piece of her slipping away.
In that, I was left feeling disappointed. Like this ending didn't suit Velva Jean. Like she deserved better. However, as I got to the end, I realized, that's exactly the point. Velva Jean really isn't Velva Jean in this book, at least not until the end. She just got home from WWII. She doesn't know if her family members are still alive. Her brother, and her best friend, Johnny Clay, almost died. She was a spy, and is still trying to get back her sense of self, and then, in two months, she's whisked away to Hollywood to be a movie star. It's a lot.
Meanwhile, in Hollywood, the only thing it seems that MGM wants to do is totally get rid of Velva Jean as a person. They change her birthday, her hair, try to get rid of her freckles, tell her that her father is dead, rename her Kit Rogers. They tell her who to date, who to be seen with, revamp the way in which she sings, take away her voice (in more ways than one). However, Velva Jean, the strongest character I've ever had the pleasure to read, won't back down, especially when MGM covers up the death of her friend. Through skills she's learned as a pilot and as a spy, she finally realizes who the murderer really is, and who she is as a person as well.
The book is broken up into three sections, "Miss Red, White, and Blue," "Kit Rogers," and "Velva Jean Hart". It's in the final section where the story really comes together. Velva Jean comes back. Her spark comes back. Her voice comes back. Her story comes back. Finally, she comes back into her own. She comes back to realizing what she truly wants. She comes back home.
I won't lie and tell you that this was the perfect way to wrap up the series, if it is indeed done (there hasn't been word yet either way - Nov. 2017). I wanted more of Velva Jean. I didn't really care about detective Kit Rogers, but, in a way, that's what the series has been leading to, since the first book in which she's ten years old. Velva Jean sure has come a long way since then, in the fourteen years this series goes through, and to see her, so full and intelligent in who she is, go through different personalities, only to emerge as the same, more mature Velva Jean we're accustomed to, is a treat to behold.
I said it once, and I'll say it again. This series, and Velva Jean in particular, has a hold over my heart that I don't think I can quite explain. Never have I read a character who is so in control of herself and her feelings, her emotions, her beliefs, so trusting in who she is as a person, so real and so developed. Sadly, I don't know if I will ever be able to get that same reaction in another book or series again. There's something special about Velva Jean, something alive and down home rooted, and I bless the day I decided to buy the series as a whole, not knowing what to expect.
Velva Jean will stay with me, forever.
Home where all my stars align
Home because it's finally time
Home to you
Home to me
Semi unfortunately, I think this is the last book in the Velva Jean series. I say semi, because while it's bittersweet, I also can't imagine a better ending.
Honestly, I didn't love this story as I was reading it. It felt very un-Velva Jean like to me, like Niven forgot what made Velva Jean so special, so strong, so lively. There wasn't that sense of spark, of the human and emotional intelligence that pervaded the other three books as a whole. Instead, it came in waves, in little bits and pieces. In the clubs Velva Jean would go to occasionally, when the music would pump through her blood. In the fiery looks she would receive from Butch Dawkins. In the arguments she would have with MGM, when she felt another piece of her slipping away.
In that, I was left feeling disappointed. Like this ending didn't suit Velva Jean. Like she deserved better. However, as I got to the end, I realized, that's exactly the point. Velva Jean really isn't Velva Jean in this book, at least not until the end. She just got home from WWII. She doesn't know if her family members are still alive. Her brother, and her best friend, Johnny Clay, almost died. She was a spy, and is still trying to get back her sense of self, and then, in two months, she's whisked away to Hollywood to be a movie star. It's a lot.
Meanwhile, in Hollywood, the only thing it seems that MGM wants to do is totally get rid of Velva Jean as a person. They change her birthday, her hair, try to get rid of her freckles, tell her that her father is dead, rename her Kit Rogers. They tell her who to date, who to be seen with, revamp the way in which she sings, take away her voice (in more ways than one). However, Velva Jean, the strongest character I've ever had the pleasure to read, won't back down, especially when MGM covers up the death of her friend. Through skills she's learned as a pilot and as a spy, she finally realizes who the murderer really is, and who she is as a person as well.
The book is broken up into three sections, "Miss Red, White, and Blue," "Kit Rogers," and "Velva Jean Hart". It's in the final section where the story really comes together. Velva Jean comes back. Her spark comes back. Her voice comes back. Her story comes back. Finally, she comes back into her own. She comes back to realizing what she truly wants. She comes back home.
I won't lie and tell you that this was the perfect way to wrap up the series, if it is indeed done (there hasn't been word yet either way - Nov. 2017). I wanted more of Velva Jean. I didn't really care about detective Kit Rogers, but, in a way, that's what the series has been leading to, since the first book in which she's ten years old. Velva Jean sure has come a long way since then, in the fourteen years this series goes through, and to see her, so full and intelligent in who she is, go through different personalities, only to emerge as the same, more mature Velva Jean we're accustomed to, is a treat to behold.
I said it once, and I'll say it again. This series, and Velva Jean in particular, has a hold over my heart that I don't think I can quite explain. Never have I read a character who is so in control of herself and her feelings, her emotions, her beliefs, so trusting in who she is as a person, so real and so developed. Sadly, I don't know if I will ever be able to get that same reaction in another book or series again. There's something special about Velva Jean, something alive and down home rooted, and I bless the day I decided to buy the series as a whole, not knowing what to expect.
Velva Jean will stay with me, forever.
kat2112's review
4.0
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jennifer Niven's American Blonde continues the story of Velva Jean Hart, a young girl from the Carolina mountains turned war hero, and eventually 40s Hollywood star. As I enjoy reading fiction set during the Hollywood studio-system, so-called "Golden Age" era, the premise of this novel grabbed me. I hadn't realized at the time that "American Blonde" is the fourth novel to star Velva Jean, but after reading I can vouch that the story stands well enough on its own. You may be inspired to backtrack for the full saga afterward.
Velva Jean has returned triumphant from the war, and has little time to rest before she's approached by MGM to parlay her heroism into a film career. Transformed into starlet Kit Rogers, she reconnects with a fellow WASP and quickly learns how the major studios work to cover up scandals and minor inconveniences like the sudden death of a box office draw. In this case, though, it's Kit's friend, and she isn't going to play along. She's determined to solve a mystery at the risk of her career and fame.
"American Blonde" mixes golden age drama with a touch of noir mystery. It's not gritty like Ellroy's LA-set crime books, but you'll sense touches of the seedy side of Hollywood. Solid story with a likable female lead, hints of romance and further adventures to come.
Jennifer Niven's American Blonde continues the story of Velva Jean Hart, a young girl from the Carolina mountains turned war hero, and eventually 40s Hollywood star. As I enjoy reading fiction set during the Hollywood studio-system, so-called "Golden Age" era, the premise of this novel grabbed me. I hadn't realized at the time that "American Blonde" is the fourth novel to star Velva Jean, but after reading I can vouch that the story stands well enough on its own. You may be inspired to backtrack for the full saga afterward.
Velva Jean has returned triumphant from the war, and has little time to rest before she's approached by MGM to parlay her heroism into a film career. Transformed into starlet Kit Rogers, she reconnects with a fellow WASP and quickly learns how the major studios work to cover up scandals and minor inconveniences like the sudden death of a box office draw. In this case, though, it's Kit's friend, and she isn't going to play along. She's determined to solve a mystery at the risk of her career and fame.
"American Blonde" mixes golden age drama with a touch of noir mystery. It's not gritty like Ellroy's LA-set crime books, but you'll sense touches of the seedy side of Hollywood. Solid story with a likable female lead, hints of romance and further adventures to come.
kellyhager's review
3.0
One thing you should know that the synopsis doesn't make clear: this is the fourth book in a series. It's also the one I started with. It works as a standalone, for the most part, but there are a lot of references to events from earlier books and I think I would have appreciated it more if I had read the other three books.
(Related note: so Velva Jean is a pilot during World War II and a spy. And now a famous actress---and singer, because yeah, she can sing, too. That is quite the life for someone who's still, I'm guessing, only in her twenties.)
The first part of the story dragged a little for me, but I think that's because I hadn't read any of the others. Once she got to Hollywood and we saw a little bit of the studio system, I liked this book a great deal more.
(Related note: I know it's true, but I still can't wrap my head around the studio system idea---stars used to be under contract with specific studios and if you were under an MGM contract, you were likely only going to be allowed to be in MGM movies. You could be loaned to another studio, but it was very rare. I think the way of doing things now is much better.)
This was a very interesting book and I enjoyed it, but I never felt like I connected to Velva Jean. I do think she's had a fascinating life, and I would like to read the third book, which deals with her time as a spy.
(Related note: so Velva Jean is a pilot during World War II and a spy. And now a famous actress---and singer, because yeah, she can sing, too. That is quite the life for someone who's still, I'm guessing, only in her twenties.)
The first part of the story dragged a little for me, but I think that's because I hadn't read any of the others. Once she got to Hollywood and we saw a little bit of the studio system, I liked this book a great deal more.
(Related note: I know it's true, but I still can't wrap my head around the studio system idea---stars used to be under contract with specific studios and if you were under an MGM contract, you were likely only going to be allowed to be in MGM movies. You could be loaned to another studio, but it was very rare. I think the way of doing things now is much better.)
This was a very interesting book and I enjoyed it, but I never felt like I connected to Velva Jean. I do think she's had a fascinating life, and I would like to read the third book, which deals with her time as a spy.
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