This book is definitely not for the faint of heart, and deals with some pretty heavy topics such as child sexual abuse. That said, it does leave you with a happy, heartwarming ending which I loved. Most of the book is about the main character trying to find herself, after dealing with the death of her parents. She wants to be a dancer, and is advised to go to Vegas, where her only option is to become a showgirl. I admit, I was kind of fascinated reading about that part, having never been to Vegas myself. But the majority of the book is her overcoming her past and some of the poor decisions she made.

"All the Beautiful Girls" is a coming of age novel set in the 1960s. The story begins at the scene of a horrific accident, this accident defines much of our lead character's life, Lily. Lily is an intelligent, talented, and beautiful woman who struggles with recognizing her own beauty and accepting that many of her earlier life experiences are not her fault. She experiences many tragedies but also experiences a dazzling life as a show girl in Las Vegas. What I loved about this book was the beautiful and vivid descriptions of the costumes and pageantry of showgirl life in Vegas. Ms. Church excels not only in description but weaving the historical events of the mid twentieth century in the story. I gave the book 3.5 stars because this is not a particular genre, coming of age, that I enjoy.

Thank you to netgalley and the author/publisher for a copy of ALL THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautifully written novel from an entertaining era in history. Lily loses her entire family in a car accident when she is eight and is taken in by her aunt and uncle. Overcoming already difficult odds, she must learn to navigate a heartbreaking family life, emotional struggles and hardships while making her way to Vegas to be a star. Becoming a showgirl named Ruby, she works while trying to figure out who she is and what her future holds for her. She knows she can't be a performer forever and struggles to find her place in life.

I absolutely loved Lily from the moment the book began. She was a victim of circumstance who had a fighting desire to prevail despite all the barriers thrown in her path. She was strong, determined and fearless, and I adored her for her confidence and grit as she refused to give up. What an amazing example Lily was for those who find themselves in a difficult place. She proved that enough hard work and focus can pull you out of any situation.

I was so excited to read this book. because I grew up dancing and couldn't wait to see what kind of life Lily made for herself with a dance education. I was pleasantly pleased to find dance terms tossed throughout and of course, every little girl dreams of dancing on a big stage with everyone cheering for them, so why not read about someone who gets to actually do it? I loved the dancing aspect, but this book went so far beyond my expectations. What a poignant, emotional, and motivational experience this book was. I will always have a place in my heart for Lily (and Ruby).

ALL THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS by Elizabeth J. Church was a pleasant enough read. I enjoyed the journey to the golden days of Las Vegas and the entertainment.

I enjoyed spending time with Ruby and friends in the 1960s; the historical aspects of the book were interesting in the context of the story.

It is a story of survival, of lessons learned, a heartbreaking story, told with passion and love.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a story of friendship, a story of friendship between woman who become each other's families, their lifeline. I enjoyed reading about strong women who were not out to destroy each other but to life each other up.

Lilly’s family is killed in a car crash when she is just a small child. She is then raised by her aunt and uncle. It is a loveless home plus, she is abused by her uncle. However, through an anonymous benefactor, Lilly is allowed to take dance lessons. This becomes her lifeline and her saving grace. She uses her talent to escape her childhood and create and amazing life as Vegas showgirl.

When I started this book I almost put it down within the first chapter. I had just finished Before We Were Yours. I did not think I could handle any more child abuse. I am glad I didn’t stop…this is an amazing and fascinating read not to be missed.

I don’t think I have ever loved a more flawed character as I have Lilly or Ruby….she changes her name when she runs away to Las Vegas. She has resilience and astounding toughness. She makes some tragic mistakes but still manages to get her act together and come out on top!

I enjoyed learning the behind the scenes actions of a showgirl. There is a lot more to it besides the dancing and the costumes. The high-rollers, the partying, the philandering all make up a life I did not know existed. And all the money! Geez!

Lilly conquers some tragedies which most people could never overcome. She does this with a style and a strength which are above and beyond!

I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.

I am sorry I had to DNF this book not because it was bad but because there were some really big triggers for me. There are triggers of an animal death and intense childhood abuse scenes. I'm sure this book was great and many others have enjoyed it, I just can't finish it because of some recent trauma that I have experienced. I don't know how to rate this story because I couldn't get past the first chapters without a panic attack but it was well written and think many will enjoy so I left it at three stars. If you're not triggered by these events than I would suggest you checking it out for yourself.
I want to thank the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

All the Beautiful Girls by Elizabeth J. Church is a deeply moving story of brokenness and redemption. Lily, the main character, is bright, driven and a survivor of childhood abuse, tragedy and a lack of affection from the aunt who raised her. The world of glamor is appealing because it takes away from the ugliness of growing up, but it too proves unfaithful and harsh. And when you seek love when you haven't know love, you are bound to fail. Her one redeeming relationship comes from the unlikely source of driver who took her family from her in a horrible accident. He proves to be the solid force that keeps steering her back from poor decisions. I loved the book. The pacing was perfect, I had to keep reading. The descriptions of the Las Vegas life style and the glamor of the dancer's life were captivating. Characters were well developed from the main ones to the minor ones. I would definitely read anything else this author has written.

Let me just say, this is my first Netgalley title, so I didn't know what to expect, but wow, this book blew me away. I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it.

This book follows Lily Decker, a little girl whose family is killed in car crash. She goes to live with her aunt and uncle, and to put it simply, has a pretty rough childhood with them. She uses dance as her escape, and so when she graduates high school, she leaves her small town in Kansas and heads to Vegas, where she winds up becoming a showgirl and is essentially thrown into a world of sex, drugs, sleazy men, and Vegas nightlife.

To me, this book was essentially Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas combined with the The Help combined with a little bit of Forrest Gump. It captures glimpses of the Vegas nightlife the way Fear and Loathing did (although it's much easier to understand because the MC isn't high all the time), focuses on women, female relationships, and their struggles the way The Help did, and to me, it was just as heart-warming as Forrest Gump.

This book was also set in the 1960's and 70's the way all three of those works were, which is one of my favorite time periods to read about. And let me tell you, if there's one thing this book gets right (and it gets a lot of things right), it's capturing the setting and time period. I took a class on the history of rock last semester, and we spent a lot of time talking about the music and cultural events of the 60's and 70's, and this book referenced so many songs, artists, and cultural events we discussed in the class. It was those little references to real life and actual things that happened that made this book and the setting even more realistic and enjoyable to read.

And this book was really quite enjoyable to read. Lily is a lovable main character from the start. You pity her for the terrible childhood she had and spend a lot of the book just rooting for her to improve her lot in life. Her friends are equally wonderful, and I loved reading about these strong female friendships they had and the ways they'd support each other. This book was sex-positive, but also showed Lily and the others trying to sort out their feelings about sex, their bodies, and slut-shaming, which are all things I think are relatable to women, especially young women, no matter what time period you're living in. It was so cool to see that in a book, and even though my life as a college student in the 21st century is in no way similar to that of a Vegas showgirl in the 1960's, I found myself relating to Lily and some of the internal issues she struggled with a lot more than I'd have thought. All the Beautiful Girls hits at some of those universal themes and issues all girls deal with as they progress into adulthood, and I commend Elizabeth Church for capturing that so well in a book.

This book addresses rape/sexual assault, abusive relationships, and drug use, so I'm including that in this review as a warning to anyone who might not want to read about those things. If there's one complaint I had about the book, it's that I think the drug issue was kind of glossed over a bit more than it should have been, as it made it seem like kicking a drug addiction was easy, when we all know that's not the case. However, the issues related to rape, assault, and abuse were handled a lot better, and I think Church really captured the experience/feelings those kinds of things can make someone feel.

Overall, this was a great book that I was pleasantly surprised by. If you liked The Help, like women's fiction that addresses big issues, or just like 1960's/early 70's pop culture references, this book is definitely for you. I promise you'll fall in love with Lily Decker/Ruby Wilde.

(Also, can I just say, I want an Aviator in my life....someone who looks out for me and sends me books in the mail? Yes please).

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences or affects my review. Special thanks to Random House/Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an early copy.

All the Beautiful Girls is a captivating story of Lily and her journey to overcome childhood trauma. Filled with the glitz and glamour of Vegas in it's prime, the 60's and 70's, All the Beautiful Girls is a wonderful glimpse into the showgirl life. I loved the interaction that Lily had with celebrities from that time period, namely Tom Jones and Sammy Davis, Jr. I had a hard time putting this book down and hated that it ended.

I have just found the first great beach read for the summer. “All the Beautiful Girls” by Elizabeth Church fits the bill perfectly. There is just enough drama, heartbreak, plot twists and character development to keep you turning pages. Due to a tragic accident, Lily Decker is left to be raised by a reluctant aunt and uncle. Both are sorely lacking in parental skills and the emotional damage inflicted dictates Lily’s decisions as she becomes a famous Las Vegas showgirl.

This is an easy, fast moving story to follow. The individuals, their personalities and the storylines are expanded sufficiently to keep you interested but do not overwhelm. It is written in chronological order in the third person. At times, you feel like you have the plot figured out and it takes an unexpected turn that you don’t see coming.

If you have some free time and want to get lost in a behind the scenes look at Las Vegas, this is the book for you. Grab a comfy chair or a spot in the sun and dig in. Because of the adult nature of the situations that take place, I recommend it for young adult to adult readers.
All the Beautiful Girls by Elizabeth J. Church ****03/01/18 Fast Moving, Heart Breaking

I have just found the first great beach read for the summer. “All the Beautiful Girls” by Elizabeth Church fits the bill perfectly. There is just enough drama, heartbreak, plot twists and character development to keep you turning pages. Due to a tragic accident, Lily Decker is left to be raised by a reluctant aunt and uncle. Both are sorely lacking in parental skills and the emotional damage inflicted dictates Lily’s decisions as she becomes a famous Las Vegas showgirl.

This is an easy, fast moving story to follow. The individuals, their personalities and the storylines are expanded sufficiently to keep you interested but do not overwhelm. It is written in chronological order in the third person. At times, you feel like you have the plot figured out and it takes an unexpected turn that you don’t see coming.

If you have some free time and want to get lost in a behind the scenes look at Las Vegas, this is the book for you. Grab a comfy chair or a spot in the sun and dig in. Because of the adult nature of the situations that take place, I recommend it for young adult to adult readers.

4 beautiful, character-driven stars to All the Beautiful Girls! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

The glitz, the glamour, the surreal-looking hotels, the Cirque de Soleil shows, the food, and...the slot machines, I am enamored with all things Las Vegas. So much so, that I rang in my 22nd and 30th birthdays there. I was drawn to this book because of its Vegas setting.

I was three quarters of the way through before I put it together that Elizabeth Church, the author, also wrote a book I listened to last year, The Atomic Weight of Love. All the Beautiful Girls is such a departure, I am still wrapping my head around both books being written by the same author. I actually preferred All the Beautiful Girls.

Lily’s family is killed by a mysterious man called The Aviator who will play a big part in Lily’s story throughout her life. Lily is a sympathetic character from the start. I was rooting for her and hoping she would find her way to a happier life; however, her hard times were very hard. Her childhood was dark with an uncle who abused her for years.

The settings were atmospheric: Kansas in the 1950, Las Vegas in the 1960s, and New Mexico in the 1970s. At first glance, thinking of a woman desiring to be a Vegas showgirl, choosing that over her own education, one might make judgments that this story is lacking substance; however, Church presents this in a way that exposes abuses and the objectification of women based on their looks. While a Vegas showgirl might be glowing and beautiful under the shiny lights, there can be tragic story behind that lipsticked smile. There was for Lily. Will she ever escape her past?

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Lily’s story and processing all the underlying messages in the stunning prose.

All the Beautiful Girls will be published on March 6, 2018. Thank you to Elizabeth Church, Random House Ballantine, and Netgalley, for the complimentary copy.

In 1957, 8-year old Lily Decker loses her parents and sister in a tragic car accident and is taken in by her child abuser uncle Miles and heavy-handed ‘head in the sand’ aunt Tate. The effects of Lily’s abuse run deep and she becomes a ‘cutter’. So much sadness that broke my heart in the beginning of this book. Time passes and Lily’s commitment to dancing brings her to Vegas on the advice of a dance instructor. Resourcefulness, chance meetings and new friends give Lily the confidence to see her true calling as a Vegas showgirl. She transforms from a caterpillar to a butterfly - becoming a successful showgirl named Ruby Wilde working in the glamorous world of burlesque entertainment. LOVED her story and found myself transported to Vegas, dazzled by the bright lights, in awe of the atmosphere, costuming, choreography and mention of greats like Sammy Davis Junior. I looked Lily Decker up as Church’s superb writing made me truly believe she was a real person (she is not).

I loved, loved, loved Lily's long-lasting connection with guardian angel Stirling Sloan aka the Aviator, the man who caused the horrific life-changing car crash and who she discovers is the mysterious person who has been sending her books to read. One of the most compelling pieces of the story. A great story and one I highly recommend to book clubs.
*will post in additional online venues once published. (Amazon, B&N, Powells)

All the Beautiful Girls is the heart wrenching story of Lily, an 8 year old girl devastated when her entire family is killed in a car wreck, leaving her to be raised by her mother's sister, Aunt Tate and her husband, Uncle Miles. This beautifully written tale of Lily's resilience to overcome her obstacles poses the question of what truly is important in life: material possessions or family? And is it possible to have both? From small town Kansas to the mean streets of Sin City, Lily, now Ruby Wilde, pursues her dreams, but fate helps her realize that maybe those dreams weren't really what she was meant to be.

I was absorbed into this book the moment I picked it up. Growing up in Las Vegas myself, I loved the details about the city and the showgirl career Ruby lived. I felt like I was in the 60's in Las Vegas, during the heyday with the glittering lights, mob activity and anything goes attitudes. But, this book is more than that. Lily/Ruby overcame tough circumstances and followed her goals, achieving them brilliantly. She danced, fell in love, had her heart broken, developed friendships, and lived. I really never wanted her story to end.

If you are a historical fiction fan, this book is for you. And even if you don't like historical fiction, there is a bit of romance, a bit of mystery, and enough drama to keep anyone's interest. I'm suggesting this for my bookclub next time I host, because I think it's one that we will all enjoy and have a meaningful discussion about.

At eight Lily lost her family to a car accident, she only survived. She was sent to live with her Aunt and Uncle. Her Aunt is very cold and she doesn’t know how to raise a little girl. Her Uncle begins visiting her bedroom at night and her Aunt just looks the other way. Lily begins taking dance classes and she is given a “scholarship” out of the blue. She finds an escape in her dancing. She starts putting money away and as soon as she can, she plans on going to Vegas to become a showgirl dancer there. Lily suddenly needs to leave home, it’s time, so she changes her name to Ruby Wilde and heads to Vegas. This is the story of Lily and Ruby, her life and times growing up and branching out. Her life and her loves. The story is gritty, real, engrossing and hard to put down. I enjoyed the story of Lily/Ruby. Of her life during 1960’s Las Vegas and her quest for real love, whatever that is. She must figure that out, which isn’t easy because she hasn’t seen it in a very long while.
I received this copy of All The Beautiful Girls from Net Galley in exchange I provide very honest reviews!

Description as found on Net Galley!
No one captures the exuberant passions and inner struggles of women like Elizabeth Church.”—Martha Hall Kelly, author of Lilac Girls

A powerful novel about a gutsy showgirl who tries to conquer her past amongst the glamour of 1960s Las Vegas—and finds unexpected fortune, friendship, and love.

It was unimaginable. When she was eight years old, Lily Decker somehow survived the auto accident that killed her parents and sister, but neither her emotionally distant aunt nor her all-too-attentive uncle could ease her grief. Dancing proves to be Lily’s only solace, and eventually she receives a “scholarship” to a local dance academy—courtesy of a mysterious benefactor.

Grown and ready to leave home for good, Lily changes her name to Ruby Wilde and heads to Las Vegas to be a troupe dancer, but her sensual beauty and voluptuous figure land her work instead as a showgirl performing everywhere from Les Folies Bergere at the Tropicana to the Stardust’s Lido de Paris. Wearing sky-high headdresses, five-inch heels, and costumes dripping with feathers and rhinestones, Ruby may have all the looks of a Sin City success story, but she still must learn to navigate the world of men—and figure out what real love looks like.

With her uncanny knack for understanding the hidden lives of women, Elizabeth J. Church captures both the iconic extravagance of an era and the bravery of a young woman who dances through her sadness to find connection, freedom, and, most important, herself.

Advance praise for All the Beautiful Girls

“A gorgeously written novel with the bite of a gin martini, All the Beautiful Girls goes beyond the splashy, gaudy dazzle of Las Vegas in the sixties to reveal the beating heart beneath the glamorous façade of a showgirl with big ambitions.”—Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author of At the Water’s Edge

“A razzle-dazzle novel about loss, love, and friendship . . . All the Beautiful Girls pulls back the curtain on the glamorous, titillating world of showgirls, revealing the emotional bruises hidden beneath the dazzling costumes.”—Melanie Benjamin, New York Timesbestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue

Wonderful book about Lily, an abused orphan, who reinvents herself as Ruby, a Las Vegas showgirl. This is one for those who enjoy good stories- stories that sometimes aren't easy to read and sometimes go a tad over the top. Ruby's struggles as a woman in the 1960s and early 70s will ring true, as will her self destructive tendencies. She doesn't always make the best choices but she's always sympathetic. There is hope and positivity here, not only as she finds her way but also as she finds first the Aviator and then Jack and learns that not all men are like her uncle. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is one to savor.

I loved this book ! I went into it without knowing what it was about or the author and this book hooked me immediately!
In 1957 Lily Decker is orphaned and sent to live with her aunt and uncle. Two people who should never have been allowed to raise a child! Lily suffers so much abuse under their watch. But this Lily does not allow this to define her. She finds peace in dance lessons and the minute she turns 18 she's off to Las Vegas to live her dream of being a professional dancer! Lily s tough, resilient,determined and I just loved her grit and her heart!
Last Vegas in the time of Elvis, Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Tom Jones and so many more was so exciting to read but the pull of this story was Lily! I will recommend this book over and over again!

The description of this book was a bit deceptive, in my opinion. Touted to be a book about a resilient girl, faced with adversity, who heads to Las Vegas in the 1960's to be a costume-wearing, dripping with jewels and feathers, showgirl, I would say this book is far more about the sexual abuse of a child, in great detail, and her battle against a variety of demons, both exterior and interior, to find some peace. Yes, there's some intriguing scenes that beautifully describe the showgirl lifestyle, the stars of the 60's club scene, and the rampant drugs and free sex of the 60's era. With that said, it is an admirable plot idea, that fell flat for me. Lily (aka Ruby Wilde in Vegas) is fairly likable, but thinly drawn; I did not find myself rooting for her as much as I should have, as I did not have a deep sense of who Lily actually was as a young girl, or as a grown woman. Complexity in characterization all around was lacking for me. And while I understood the focus on physical beauty in the Vegas showgirl life, if I heard one more time that Ruby was devastatingly gorgeous, I was going to yack. Every plot 'twist' was pretty predictable, with very little to keep my interest. I would recommend The Clay Girl by Heather Tucker if you want to read about complex characters dealing with serious child abuse and the heroic avenues a young girl will go to in order to save herself. This one was a miss for me.

Lily Decker loses her entire family in a car crash and is forced to go live with her aunt and uncle. Her aunt is a strict disciplinarian and seems to enjoy punishing Lily and her uncle molests her regularly. The dream that she clings to and which helps her endure this life, is the dream of being a professional dancer.
This book follows Lily through the horrible conditions of her childhood and her adulthood as a dancer. You will want to cheer her on when she needs someone in her corner, cry with her when it seems like she can't catch a break, and wish you could reach through the book and punch some of the characters. I think I went through every emotion possible reading this book. I thoroughly enjoyed and think you will too.

Are you looking for an historical novel featuring a hard-working, single-minded heroine? Do you adore books that revolve around a tight-knit group of female friends? Are you always eager to lose yourself in the glitz and glamour that can only be found in Las Vegas? If you've answered yes to all of these questions, you absolutely must read All the Beautiful Girls, the latest novel from author Elizabeth J. Church. It captivated me from the very first page, and I can't wait for others to pick it up, read it, and fall in love with it just as I did.

When Lily Decker is only eight years old, her life is turned completely up-side-down when her parents and sister are killed in a tragic automobile accident. Lily is sent to live with her aunt and uncle, where she is made to feel like an enormous imposition. Her aunt is distant and unwilling to expend the energy needed to comfort and connect with the grieving Lily, while her uncle takes an unhealthy interest in her body.

It is only through dance that Lily finds any semblance of peace. As she grows into an extraordinarily beautiful young woman, she becomes an incredibly skilled dancer. Her instructors urge her to leave small-town life behind her and head to Las Vegas where she's bound to make it big, and as soon as she turns eighteen, that's exactly what Lily does. She changes her name to Ruby Wilde and heads for Vegas where she hopes to get a job as a troupe dancer.

Once she arrives in Las Vegas, it becomes obvious that she lacks the finesse necessary to achieve her dream, and what her dance teachers saw as incomparable talent, the talent scouts see as just run-of-the-mill. At first, Ruby is discouraged, but she knows she can't go back home and so she auditions for a job as a show-girl. Her stunning good looks and sensual grace make her a natural for such a position, and it doesn't take long before Ruby's star is on the rise.

The novel traces Ruby's rise to stardom, placing particular emphasis on her relationships with her fellow dancers. So many books portray women as extremely catty, cut-throat individuals who sell each other out in a second if it will get them what they want, so I was beyond pleased that Ms. Church chose not to take that tack here. Instead, Ruby's friendships with her co-workers are warm and supportive. It's not that the women never disagree with one another, but there's an unwavering love and affection at the root of all their interactions that I just couldn't get enough of.

Ms. Church tackles some serious issues such as domestic violence and drug addiction in the novel, but she's not at all heavy-handed in her approach. Instead, she allows her characters to make mistakes that they are forced to learn from, and what they learn has a very authentic feel. I never felt as if the author were trying too hard to make a particular point.

Some portions of the novel, especially those dealing with an abusive relationship Ruby gets involved in, were very difficult to read. Ms. Church doesn't go into great detail when describing the abuse Ruby suffers, but her writing has a very visceral feel that was sometimes challenging for me. I felt as though I were living through these experiences alongside Ruby, and I was moved to tears on several occasions.

The author does a wonderful job of bringing the city of Las Vegas to life. I'm no expert on the city, but her lush descriptions made me feel like I was actually there. I was particularly taken with her descriptions of the various dance halls. I know absolutely nothing about dance, but I was still able to be completely sucked into the story.

All the Beautiful Girls is a delightful and poignant novel I'll be recommending to everyone I know. It's the kind of book that remains with the reader long after the final page is turned, and while the feelings it evokes might not always be warm and fuzzy, the story is captivating enough to make up for any discomfort the reader might experience. I wish there were more books like this out there.

Buy it at: Amazon/Barnes & Noble/iBooks/Kobo

All the Beautiful Girls is an absorbing read. Lily Decker is a damaged child. After losing her family, she lives with relatives who abuse her. A benefactor makes her life bearable until she escapes into,the glitz and glam of Las Vegas in the late sixties. She changes her name and becomes a show girl and undergoes trials. Then she is broken, literally and figuratively. But heals eventually. The book plays out well, the narration is strong and depicts the essence of the late sixties and ealy seventies pulse.