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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
I didn’t dislike this one. I enjoyed reading the story of the two friends, and I loved the background of Gone With the Wind but it wasn’t a favorite.
I was excited to receive this book through Goodreads First Reads because I really enjoyed the previous books by Susan Meissner. This one was similar to her other books as it had two storylines, one in the present and one in the past. I really enjoyed the past storyline, learning about the "Golden" age of Hollywood and how it affected the lives of Audrey and Violet. There really was very little storyline in the present, and felt those parts were almost unnecessary. However, the paths of Audrey and Violet's lives were very interesting and I enjoyed the book very much.
A story of two women living in Los Angeles during the late 30’s. They both want things they can’t seem to get their hands on. I was told that if you liked The Seven Husbands of Evelyn’s Hugo to give this a try. I disagree. They have little similarity besides movie stars. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I hadn’t been told that info. Overall, an ok book but didn’t wow me as there was very little climax. I dis enjoy this author’s other books but this isn’t a favorite of them.
This book is about 2 women, Violet Mayfield and Audrey Duval, who meet working not he film-set of Gone with the Wind. The storyline follows their developing friendship and different direction their lives take. I absolutely LOVE Gone with the Wind, both the book and the film so I loved having that as the backdrop of the novel. I also loved how the author drew parallels between her two main characters and two of the main characters of Gone with the Wind, Scarlett and Melanie. Some questionable decisions are made by both characters and their friendship is put to the test more than once. I thought this was a really interesting book. It wasn't quite what I was expecting but I thought it was enjoyable nonetheless. It also made me dig out my DVD copy of Gone with the Wind and me me want to reread the book!
*SPOILERS* I was waiting for more old Hollywood mystery and less chick-lit blibbity-blah. I disliked the characters but kept going in hopes that the mystery surrounding Scarlett O'Hara's hat would get off the ground. But it never did. Also, did people really talk in this fashion in 1939? I eventually gave up with 3 hours remaining in the audiobook.
Wonderful characters. A compelling story of friendship and secrets. I read this over a weekend so it definitely kept me turning pages. I didn't love it the way I loved A Fall of Marigolds.
Ugh. I really wanted to like this, but it was a chore to read. The writing was so clunky and I thought the "present day" part was unnecessary and underdeveloped. I hated Violet, she was awfully selfish and manipulative.
"Stars Over Sunset Boulevard" is a story that takes place in the heyday of old Hollywood, which is what initially drew me to this book. I think that old Hollywood seems so glamorous and so full of life that I love reading anything fictional or nonfictional about it. At the center of the story is the friendship between Audrey, a woman who dreams of being on the silver screen, and Violet, a woman from the south who dreams of just being in the background. Despite these women having very different motivations for being in Hollywood, their friendship and care for each other carries through this book. There's also a part of the book that is set in the present which surrounds some of the family members of these two main characters.
I loved both the characters of Audrey and Violet. They are both very different women and interact with the world very differently. It's these differences that makes the story so interesting. The author is able to create two very different characters that play off each other so nicely through the book. It was so interesting to see how the story of them flowed as their relationship changed. This book is the story of family secrets and keeping up appearances. Add to that the glamour of old Hollywood and you have a book that will definitely keep you entertained!
This is the second book that I've read by this author. The first book was "Secrets of a Charmed Life," which is set during World War II. I liked this book better than I like the book that I previously read. I think that the author made the characters and the writing much stronger in "Stars Over Sunset Boulevard." I look forward to reading more by this author!
I loved both the characters of Audrey and Violet. They are both very different women and interact with the world very differently. It's these differences that makes the story so interesting. The author is able to create two very different characters that play off each other so nicely through the book. It was so interesting to see how the story of them flowed as their relationship changed. This book is the story of family secrets and keeping up appearances. Add to that the glamour of old Hollywood and you have a book that will definitely keep you entertained!
This is the second book that I've read by this author. The first book was "Secrets of a Charmed Life," which is set during World War II. I liked this book better than I like the book that I previously read. I think that the author made the characters and the writing much stronger in "Stars Over Sunset Boulevard." I look forward to reading more by this author!
I loved the elements of the story. The backdrop of Hollywood, gone with the wind and ww2. The weaving of past and future. The love between friends. The complicated relationship between friends.
I typically love Meissners books but the characters fell flat in this one for some reason. I never connected with either voice and found myself skimming at times. The stakes in general never seemed high and enough and resolutions seemed to come easily or were fast forwarded beyond the complicated middle.
I liked her explanation in the question and answer section about how the relationship was meant to mirror a well known fictional relationship but I just didn't see that on the pages.
I do think the book is interesting. Especially the setting of filming Gone with the Wind but this isn't the book I would hand to someone to introduce them to Meissner's work.
I typically love Meissners books but the characters fell flat in this one for some reason. I never connected with either voice and found myself skimming at times. The stakes in general never seemed high and enough and resolutions seemed to come easily or were fast forwarded beyond the complicated middle.
I liked her explanation in the question and answer section about how the relationship was meant to mirror a well known fictional relationship but I just didn't see that on the pages.
I do think the book is interesting. Especially the setting of filming Gone with the Wind but this isn't the book I would hand to someone to introduce them to Meissner's work.
Well, the advertising for this book advertised a mystery surrounding the famous green velvet hat that Scarlett O'Hara wears in the film "Gone With the Wind" and the film workers who were involved in its disappearance.
I'm an absolute sucker to for a Hollywood mystery (and I didn't even know that hat had been stolen!) and I like backstage stories.
Good advertising - disappointing (for me) book. Basically, it's a romance / chick lit novel. Basically, "Beaches" with a Hollywood setting. The writing was strong - it kept me from closing the book long after I had lost interest in it, so I'm sure that people who enjoy that genre book would get a kick out of this one. Lots of angst, worry, tears of joy, yada, yada, yada.
And I don't feel this is a spoiler, but only fair advertising: the disappearance of the famous hat made from "Miz Ellen's po'teers" never happened and is fabricated for the book.
I'm an absolute sucker to for a Hollywood mystery (and I didn't even know that hat had been stolen!) and I like backstage stories.
Good advertising - disappointing (for me) book. Basically, it's a romance / chick lit novel. Basically, "Beaches" with a Hollywood setting. The writing was strong - it kept me from closing the book long after I had lost interest in it, so I'm sure that people who enjoy that genre book would get a kick out of this one. Lots of angst, worry, tears of joy, yada, yada, yada.
And I don't feel this is a spoiler, but only fair advertising: the disappearance of the famous hat made from "Miz Ellen's po'teers" never happened and is fabricated for the book.