You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
sharone7's review against another edition
1.0
This book seemed like the kind of thing I would love, but I hated it almost from the first minute. I gave it another couple hours just in case, but there's no way this book is getting another 15 hours of my life. There are too many good things to read. The writing is so clunky and it makes its research so obvious, like the writer hasn't figured out that you don't have to say everything you know about a subject to prove that you're knowledgeable. Good historical fiction doesn't read like it's trying to teach its readers about the historical period it's set in or the characters it involves. And I'll charitably say that the framing of the Young-Gable situation as a grand but ill-fated romance is...unfortunate, given that in later years Young described what happened as date rape.
Hard pass, not recommended.
Hard pass, not recommended.
tpanik's review against another edition
4.0
This is an enjoyable love story to old Hollywood. Clark Gable is a total cad, and Loretta Young never quite learns to trust herself, making this tale rich with heartache and misunderstanding. Based on true events, I am now eager to learn about this scandal!
rdebner's review against another edition
2.0
I usually really enjoy Trigiani's work, so I was a little disappointed by this one. The first 2/3 of the book or so was pretty good, with a relatively tight focus on the main characters. Unfortunately, the way the story spins out (and out and out) felt like it was just trying to get to the bitter end of things. Some tighter editing would have helped: she still could have gotten the reader to where she wanted to end things, but perhaps skipping some of what it took to get there.
judy_mama's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting history of Hollywood
This is the meshing of real events with the license of a novel . Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and especially Loretta Young. This is a perfect book for those unfamiliar with the love stories of these famous actors
This is the meshing of real events with the license of a novel . Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and especially Loretta Young. This is a perfect book for those unfamiliar with the love stories of these famous actors
mcdawn73's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story. The mixing of fiction with true history events was nice. Thinking that it could have happened this way makes it so romantic and yet tragic at the same time that celebrities can't put aside fame to just be happy.
I was more fascinated with the love story around her secretary, Alda and her husband. That was beautiful.
I was more fascinated with the love story around her secretary, Alda and her husband. That was beautiful.
tvisser's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the fictionalized (to a point - there was some truth in there!) look at the life of Loretta Young and her secretary Alda (who started as a nun and then went to the Young family). Throw in Clark Gable, David Nivens and Carole Lombard and you have a fun tale.
jenslate's review against another edition
4.0
This was an old-fashioned, multigenerational saga, and I enjoyed it - but I think I might have enjoyed it more had it been a roman a clef and not based on "reality." It was difficult sometimes to believe that the characters were feeling/thinking certain things and I kept going on line to to see what all of the movie stars really looked like. I also didn't like that the last 1/4 of the book sped up so quickly - we jump from 20 year old leading ladies to middle-aged matrons quite fast; perhaps this could have been two books? Regardless, I still couldn't put it down - it was a fun romp through the golden age of movie making and a pleasant diversion. Just a fun read.
librariam10's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good read. I only gave it 4 stars because it didn't feel like I was reading an Adriana Trigiani book. Yes, there was romance, and Italian main characters, and even a trip to Italy. But it just felt different.