This was just an all-around enjoyable read. The main characters were very likable people and even though it may have been a bit predictable, it was still a very engaging story.

Irene, Millie and Henry each have a background that they feel the need to run away from. They form a make-shift family after making a daring escape from a traveling burlesque show. When they get to Hollywood, they help each other until they each find jobs.

Even after they each begin to experience some success with their careers, they still face some trying times and come together to support one another. As they make friends with others, they form a larger group of “family” in the Hollywood community.

I loved the references to actors and actresses from the 1920’s and the descriptions of the Hollywood topography at that time. It was an interesting inside look at what it took to get a foot in the door of Hollywood during the 1920’s.

A fun read and one that I think most readers will enjoy, especially those with an interest in Hollywood and historical fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me to read an advance copy and offer my honest review.

Absolutely. Loved. This. Book!

I’ll admit it. I’m a sucker for novels about Old Hollywood. Just love ‘em. And Juliette Fay’s new historical gem, “City of Flickering Light” is no exception. I don’t believe it’s too early to prognosticate that this will be the beach read of the 2019 season.

Irene, Millie and Henry all work for the same burlesque troupe. They are not-quite-friends but more than acquaintances. Irene is the seasoned veteran, having once been part of a sister-act with her twin, Ivy. Millie is the innocent ingénue, someone who needs looking after, and Irene takes on that burden. Henry is the new guy, the bad comedian all burlesque troupes seem to have.

One day in July 1921, Irene decides that she had had enough. She’s quitting the business and heading for Hollywood. Flickers, or silent movies, are the rage. She hatches a plan where she and Millie jump off a moving train, just like theater-goers saw in those early films. She didn’t count on Henry following them, and she didn’t count on the boss sending his muscle to find them.

After a harrowing escape, the trio makes their way to the land of eternal sunshine and set about becoming a star. It’s not as easy as it looks. Author Fay takes readers on a journey of bad, but cheap, boarding houses; lining up outside the studio, hoping and praying, they’ll catch the eye of an assistant director; traipsing around after dark, trying to make that all important connection in whatever speakeasy they can find. Their adventures kept me up way past my bedtime for three nights.

One of the things that I really like about the novel was that Fay didn’t shy away from the sordid side of the casting couch and other indelicate secrets that only appeared when one looked beneath the surface of the glamour and fame….if you made it.

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was the ending. It just kinda stopped. I had really gotten to know these characters, had developed a bond with them and wanted to know how it all turns out. Fingers crossed that there will be a sequel. If not, I’ll pretend I’m a movie star and make my own happy ending.

“City of Flickering Light” receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

"Juliette Fay-“one of the best authors of women’s fiction” (Library Journal) - transports us back to the Golden Age of Hollywood and the raucous Roaring Twenties, as three friends struggle to earn their places among the stars of the silent screen - perfect for fans of La La Land and Rules of Civility.

It’s July 1921, “flickers” are all the rage, and Irene Van Beck has just declared her own independence by jumping off a moving train to escape her fate in a traveling burlesque show. When her friends, fellow dancer Millie Martin and comedian Henry Weiss, leap after her, the trio finds their way to the bright lights of Hollywood with hopes of making it big in the burgeoning silent film industry.

At first glance, Hollywood in the 1920s is like no other place on earth - iridescent, scandalous, and utterly exhilarating - and the three friends yearn for a life they could only have dreamed of before. But despite the glamour and seduction of Tinseltown, success doesn’t come easy, and nothing can prepare Irene, Millie, and Henry for the poverty, temptation, and heartbreak that lie ahead. With their ambitions challenged by both the men above them and the prejudice surrounding them, their friendship is the only constant through desperate times, as each struggles to find their true calling in an uncertain world. What begins as a quest for fame and fortune soon becomes a collective search for love, acceptance, and fulfillment as they navigate the backlots and stage sets where the illusions of the silver screen are brought to life.

With her “trademark wit and grace” (Randy Susan Meyers, author of The Murderer’s Daughters), Juliette Fay crafts another radiant and fascinating historical novel as thrilling as the bygone era of Hollywood itself."

I am a sucker for anything to do with the early years of Hollywood, or should I say Hollywoodland?

I love to read historical fiction and it tends to be WWII since more is written about that era. What fun to read a book taking place in the 1920's, age of Prohibition and when flickers gain their stride. City of Flickering Light follows three friends from different backgrounds, abilities and personalities as they try to make it in the cutthroat movie business. It was a quick, enjoyable read. I will look for Juliette Fay's other books.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Enjoyable historical fiction around 3 friends who venture off to early Hollywood in the 1920s in hopes of becoming successful in film. In Hollywood they encounter life where the usual social rules of 1920s American life don't apply. All three follow a different path to success with set backs along the way. If you like a little rebellion, women intent on personal achievement, and movies you'll like this book!

This book was so well written and unique! I would definitely recommend it to fans of historical fiction that are looking for something different from the WWII novels out there. All three main characters were very well developed and endearing, allowing their flaws to show but never letting them overtake who they were at their cores. I loved that the novel spanned a number of years without dragging and helped to grow the individual storylines at a perfectly executed pace. The author allowed the reader to be transported into 1920's Hollywood and experience the hardships and challenges that people of all kinds came into contact with, some which mirror today's challenges. This book perfectly showed how friendship can get you through the toughest of times and should never be taken for granted. I am really looking forward to reading more from Juliette Fay and truly appreciate her writing talent!

Many thanks to Netgalley, Gallery Books, and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Ah, the glamorous scandalous life of a flicker in the 1920's. This story drew me in from the very first paragraph. To me it was about a woman finding her own and having a dream to make her mark on the world. Sure there was times she was deathly afraid but she was determined to make her own way. This book has it all, heartbreak, drama, seduction and beautiful scenery. One of my favorites of this spring.

The story starts with three very likable characters and follows them through their trials of trying to make it in Hollywood. They encounter people and situations that probably aren't that different from what Hollywood newcomers experience today. The author obviously did a lot of research to prepare for this book.

An absolutely fascinating read of an incredible period of time in Hollywood. Captivating story line that grabs the reader immediately and doesn't let go until the very end, The characters draw you into their lives and keep you riveted throughout the entire book. Great read!

An exciting page turner with action, adventure, the early days of Hollywood, this story has all that and more. The main characters captured my heart from the beginning. Irene, is steadfast and strong, Millie is so sweet and innocent, and Henry, is so lost. The three of them create an unbreakable bond as they find their identities in Hollywood. A well written novel, with great character development. I enjoyed the way Juliette Fay incorporated characters introduced in The Tumbling Turner Sisters.

I received this from Netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

Irene Van Beck has just declared her own independence by jumping off a moving train to escape her fate in a traveling burlesque show. When her friends, fellow dancer Millie Martin and comedian Henry Weiss, leap after her, the trio finds their way to the bright lights of Hollywood with hopes of making it big in the burgeoning silent film industry.

Lots of 1920's movie references and historical happenings, easy and fairly quick read with a nice feel-good ending.

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

This was a very interesting read, historical fiction set in the 1920s. I had not read anything previously from this time period; about trying to get work in Hollywood during that time period. While you can pretty much figure out what is going to happen it was still an enjoyable read. Great writing and easy to follow.

I recently discovered a love for historical fiction stories that center on the 1920’s and the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. City of Flickering Light is a story about three friends who want the Hollywood dream and will not stop until they achieve it!

Irene, Millie, and Henry have had enough of the traveling burlesque show they are working for. While pulling out of the train station to their next destination they quite literally jump off the train. Wow! How was that for a start?!

This story started off really strong! Irene, Millie, and Henry were determined to make it to Hollywood and become big stars. They only had what they could carry and very little money. But they had each other, a dream, and that was all they needed.

We follow the journey of these three friends and their search for stardom. They each traveled their own path while weathering the ups and downs life threw at them. There was romance, heart-break, and self-discovery, but through it all they always had each other.

I am fascinated with this time period and it always amazes me how far we have come in the past 100 years in relation to how much things cost – food, lodging, clothes, travel, and so on.

I enjoyed parts of this book more than others. I am having a hard time pinpointing exactly what did not work for me. The writing style made this book a quick read, but I had some trouble getting truly invested in this story and the lives of these characters.

If you love old Hollywood I suggest you give this story a try for yourself!

Millie, Irene and Henry have been working the Burlesque circuit and have tired of the constant traveling, poor pay and an abusive boss. The story actually starts with them bailing out and jumping from a moving train – so apparently anything is better than staying! Arriving in Hollywood, they find a boarding house – but need to earn money for rooms to let. Henry was the first to get a job – he’s picked out of the crowd sitting outside the studio gates to be an extra. Irene, with her skill as a typist is the second to find work – she’s working on scripts and making changes – all of which spur on her own hidden talent for writing. Lastly there is Millie – the youngest of the trio and the least able to fend for herself in the world. Naïve, beautiful and not exactly the most clever, Irene and Henry are forever trying to protect and take care of Millie – something she really needs as she is quickly falling prey to ALL of the pitfalls in Hollywood.

What’s truly amusing about this story is that there is nothing new to the pitfalls and problems in Hollywood: superficial people with few morals, sexual predation, abusive treatment, homophobia, lack of diversity and even drugs were frequent players in the game then and now. What Fay has done, however, is given us three characters who are desperately trying to NOT lose their friendship and bonds as they chase their dreams – and struggle through the challenges. Frequent quotes from the time, and references to other more ‘famous’ names of the day add a sense of ‘place’ to the story, and helped to mitigate the rather expected events to come.

Overall, this was a clever read made more intriguing by the author’s creation of characters that we want to cheer on, and hope the best for. Their refusal to let go of the relationship with one another, even when occasionally stretched beyond patience, as their initial dreams are tempered by reality and struggles was clever and kept me reading on as we see changes, good and bad, for them all.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-amg/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

In July 1921, burlesque dancers Irene Van Beck and Millie Martin, and the burlesque comedian Henry Weiss jump off a moving train as their first step of escaping the clutches of their burlesque show boss and making their way to Hollywood for their chance at hitting it big in Tinseltown. Having barely survived life in a burlesque, making no money, getting little food, and risking beatings from the boss, on the scalp, to prevent bruises showing on their bodies while stripping, Irene and Millie had no where further down to go than to become prostitutes. Irene was going to leave by herself but Millie reminded her of her late sister so she was taking her with her and this was their chance to escape the horrid life they were living. Henry realized they were getting ready to jump off the train and followed them since he considered them his only friends. Together this trio becomes a "family" of sorts, looking out for each other and sharing whatever they had, in a chance for them to all survive and thrive in Hollywood.

With the town overflowing with other hopefuls ready to do anything for a job or any kind of break, they face a life of continued poverty and rejection. A person has to stand out in Hollywood to get anywhere and even then there are hundreds more standing in line behind you if you make a misstep. I enjoyed reading how this trio used their looks, imagination, and wits to finagle jobs and later better living quarters, as they worked their way into writing for or acting in silent pictures. I liked the characters of Irene, Millie, and Henry and especially liked their loyalty to each other, not allowing one to continue to suffer when another of them began earning money and the security of a job. That security could change in a second though due to prejudges so prevalent in that time.

I grew up watching black and white old westerns, some barely into the talkie stage and have probably seen most of them that were on TV over the decades. There is so much history of early movie making, during the time that silent movies were on the verge of becoming talking movies and this book name drops so many names that I remember reading about over the years. Each chapter starts with a quote from famous Hollywood names and I could probably read a book of just quotes and enjoy it, but in this book we get to learn what is behind the quotes, how things really were, under the fake glamour and glitz of the silver screen.

Thank you Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

To escape a traveling burlesque show, three friends – Irene Van Beck, Millie Martin, and Henry Weiss – leap off of moving train. They then make their way to Hollywood in hopes of getting involved in the flourishing silent film industry. Almost everything goes in Prohibition Era Tinseltown, and the three friends are faced with numerous struggles and setbacks as they try to find their niche in Hollywood. While Henry and Millie slowly become stars of the silent screen, Irene remains off-camera as she writes the scripts and directs the movies. Throughout everything, the three rely on each other. But even the strongest of friendships can sometimes falter.

CITY OF FLICKERING LIGHT is a well-written, enjoyable novel set in early 1920s Hollywood. The novel was very well researched. Fay brings the era to life with details of the time period and the silent film industry. She incorporated many real-life events throughout the novel. The three main characters are well-developed, and they all have very interesting backstories. I enjoyed that the chapters moved back-and-forth between the three main character’s perspectives. My only issue with the novel is that the story was too predictable. I didn’t feel like there were any big surprises, and the plot seemed to just plod along. Despite the predictability, the novel is a very fascinating story about the early 1920s, silent films, and the early days of Hollywood.

What a wonderful , uplifting book of coming of age in the 20’s in Tinseltown.
The story follows three young friends, in their early 20s in the 20’s ( ;-) escaping the dire living situation of burlesque show, to the up and coming town of Hollywood . The three engaging protagonists are full of hope, energy and optimist that only youth can provide.
The bond and deep friendship they share will give them the strength and support they need to survive and persist.

I am an avid Historical fiction reader and this one did not disappoint, a lot of research obviously went in to writing this book.
The descriptions were so detailed, one truly feels transported in Hollywood in the 1920s from flamboyant parties to speakeasies and 10c dances. The story also adresses the dark side of the city with easy drugs, unabashed sex, work abuse, rape, homophobia, racism, antisemitism, persecution and unwanted pregnancies.
This is a page turner depicting a fascinating journey, albeit a rosy version.

I loved that every chapter introduce the reader with a quote from very famous actors/writers/directors of the era.
The book is told through the narrative of three main characters, alternating voices. Albeit fictional, they are very well developed and engaging.
Most of the secondary characters are based on real life persons, some of whom where easily identifiable, which cleverly mingle the historical part to the fictional one.


Thank You publisher Simon & Schuster and author Juliette Fay for this ARC in exchange for my honest review
pub date April 16, 2019

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of City of Flickering Lights in exchange for an honest review.

Juliette Fay returns with a stunning new novel about three friends trying to make it in Hollywoodland in the 1920 silent film era. Quite literally, Irene, Millie and Henry escape from their pasts and make their way to the new world of silent Flickers and the blossoming Hollywood. The must try to scrape by while pinning for work as film extras and someday becoming stars. As their careers grow so do tensions and tragedies among the group that threaten to split them up forever.

Fay does an excellent job of blending her fictional characters with real life people, settings and details from Hollywood in the roaring twenties. Fans of Fay will recognize a familiar face as Gert Turner has a supporting role in this novel. This is an enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend it to those interested in silent film and old Hollywood history. As well as fans of female historical fiction, think Melanie Benjamin The Girls in the Picture or Amor Towles Rules of Civility.

When Irene Van Beck jumps off a moving train to escape the burlesque life, she sets off a chain of events that will forever change the course of her and her friends Millie Martin and Henry Weiss lives forever. The unlikely trio set out to make it big in Hollywood, but they soon learn the road to stardom isn't always as glittering as it seems. The friends only have each other to fall back on as they face prejudice, poverty, and hopelessness all in the name of chasing the Hollywood dream. I find the 20's era Hollywood to be an interesting time period, so I was instantly swept up into this story. While it does show the upside of being a movie star during that time, it also doesn't shy away from the corruption and addictive behaviors that were prevalent. I felt like it was a glamorously gritty view of old Hollywood. I loved how there were quotes from famous people from that time as chapter headers, it made the story feel more atmospheric. The one thing that really made this book for me was the friendships. Irene, Millie and Henry go through everything together, from the highest highs to the lowest lows, and they stuck by each other every step of the way. Despite some moments being a tad predictable, overall I found this enjoyable, and it really made me want to binge some old classic movies.

The 1920's are such an iconic time in American History. This is the decade of flappers, flickers and Fitzgerald. But that is just the teasing tip, this Jazz-Age era brought forth new social and art movements like the Harlem Renaissance. It brought forth an elusive world of speakeasies that somehow made prohibition seem glamorous. I've sought out many novels from this era since it is such a dreamy time, but I have never dived into the Hollywood element. And this novel was the perfect introduction into the alluring world of Hollywood in the early 1920's.

The story begins in a whirlwind of chaos, we have our three narrators (Millie, Irene, & Henry) making a narrow escape out of a burlesque situation. And soon after they are on their way by train to sunny California where one can only hope they will make it. From there, we see the trials and tribulations of becoming a Hollywood Star or Starlet and the drama that comes along with it.

Generally, I really did enjoy this novel. My understanding of the actors, actresses and flickers of this time was fairly minimal. As I read along, I looked up names and movie mentioned getting a face to the name. Which I really enjoyed learning the background and history. Additionally, some of the story characters were based on actual people and events that occurred during the early 20's. And despite the times, the drama was anything but simple much closer to scandalous. Fay's novel really did inspire you to perform additional research to get the skinny. I also like the incorporation of heroine. I never realized how loosely the drug was used in place of morphine, since heroine was considered the none addicting alternative. Very interesting insight into the understandings of an era that was intelligent just not as advanced as we are today.

I did have a few issues with the novel. The entire novel is fairly predictable. If you think you have any inclination as to what will happen in this novel, you probably will hit the nail on the head. I won't call them cliches, but the drama that you expect to unfold for this era is exactly what happens. There were very few surprises aside from the shock being much of these events are based on actual people, places or events. Additionally, I feel as if the author did a great deal of research into the era and location. But I felt as if not enough research was done on simple things for example the 20's slang. I've read novels based on this era, where the slang was very natural and frequent. While there are some quips here and there, they kind of felt forced and like they were used to say "hey, I researched this too". For example, jake, was used probably once at most. It felt like the author could have incorporated the talk for this time a little better. Especially since this is Hollywood, full of young, beautiful people who are setting the standards for cool. I've just witnessed a believable execution of "20's talk" and this wasn't it. The author clearly did a great deal of research into the history of Hollywood, but it is the little details that can make a difference.

Overall, I am going to rate this novel 3.5 stars rounded to 4. It was interesting, holds your attention and the characters are likable. It just feels like something you've read before. But that isn't meant in a negative way. I think it comes with the era.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advanced copy of this novel.