This story comes alive in the early pages as two ambitious and modern young women are introduced. Max is a struggling journalist. Vivi is a young actress turned down for a prized role in Hollywood. They are living in a man’s world with hurdles to climb in fulfilling their dream jobs.

Vivi is an actress who’s producer sends her packing to New York for several months to work at the 1939 World’s Fair with a promise that on her return, she will be given a lead role. She seethes and fears that she is being dismissed, that her acting career will fizzle if she leaves Hollywood for NYC. Vivi is completely unaware that she has just been handed a golden opportunity. Max is a struggling journalist with her dream job to be hired writing stories for the New York Post. Her life will also take an unexpected turn as she ends up with a much more mundane job, writing the World’s Fair daily events pages. Vivi and Max meet and become fast friends.

Enter the exciting backdrop of the 1939 World’s Fair, an architectural wonder who drew an estimated 44 million people and was only open for two seasons. Here, Vivi becomes a performer in the Aquacade dance and swimming show, the main attraction of the fair. This arena holds an audience of ten thousand people. Not at all what she expected and incredibly hard work, even for a strong swimmer like herself.

Orman Schnall brings this magnificent fair to life through the eyes of two trailblazing, strong women. I felt the magic and heard the roar of the crowds.A remarkable piece of historical fiction and a joy to read.

* Will post closer to publication date.

We Came Here to Shine was such a joy to read. It was nice to read a historical fiction novel that wasn't based around WWII, and that was written well.

This novel is based around the World Fair in 1939. Vivi, an actress in Hollywood who is starting to figure out she really doesn't have control over her life or career and Max who is a headstrong journalist that is learning she doesn't need to and shouldn't bulldoze her way through life. These two ladies meet, and become friends, and the each bring different things to the friendship. Along the way there are bumps, but like any friendship they come to grips with their differences and help each other through life's pitfalls.

Susie Orman Schnall has written a book with some serious topics, but made it fun and interesting. She also gives you two young ladies you can root for and best of all there is redemption!

Thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

" I hereby dedicate the World's Fair, the New York World's Fair of 1939. And I declare it open to all mankind".
-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, April 30, 1939

The opening coincided with the 150th anniversary of President George Washington's Inaugural Address.

"In twenty years, in forty years, when people talk about the World's Fair of thirty-nine...You'll be able to say you were immersed in the fair. That you worked there, that you thrived there...it might even change your life".

Vivi Holden was a young actress under contract at Worldwide Films in Hollywood. She thought she had secured her first leading role. Not so fast Vivi! "...screened rehearsal clips for a test audience...you were innocent and sweet...This is a role for a confident woman who is well aware of her womanliness". Studio Head Carl Green: I make the decisions for the actors and actresses who have contracts...Luckily for you, I'm sending you to New York City...Billy Rose's new venture...the Aquacade is Rose's swimming and dancing production that he's staging at the World's Fair in New York City". An immediate replacement was needed to swim opposite Olympian Johnny Weissmuller as part of the synchronized swimming extravaganza. Vivi had fled from New York City. Her sister never wanted to see her again. Would her past catch up with her?

Maxine (Max) Roth was a journalism student at NYU. Having just completed her junior year, Professor Lincoln offered summer internships to promising students. Max dreamed of writing for The New York Times. She was determined and resourceful. "She did everything possible to ensure she got the education and experience necessary to land a job writing about what mattered". Max hoped to intern at the Times, a potential springboard to a job after graduation. Instead, she was assigned an internship working alongside fellow student Charlie Hull at the World's Fair. Max and Charlie would write for Today at the Fair-"The Official Daily Program of the New York World's Fair 1939". Charlie was assigned the coveted writing assignments. Max exclaimed, "I noticed I'm not going to have the opportunity to write any articles". Her responsibilities included managing the official daily schedule, special events listings, and managing photo captions.

It's a man's world-"Everything in life is arranged to the advantage of men. Life is tough for women".

A chance meeting. Vivi and Max's paths cross after listening to a feminist speaker named Elizabeth Dorchester. In alternating chapters, Vivi and Max's triumphs and defeats during the May to October Fair Season come to light. They form an unbreakable friendship sharing their hopes and dreams. Perhaps their original goals and expectations need to be adjusted and modified. They want to openly express their opinions, justify their actions and work toward equal opportunity for women. I loved spending time with two modern, forward thinking women who were determined to shine.

"We Came Here to Shine" by Susie Orman Schnall is a work of historical fiction reflecting the 1930's role expectations of women. In Vivi's words, "The timing is wrong". Vivi is not ready to be a wife and mother. There's so much she wants to achieve. The detailed description of the World's Fair, especially the synchronized swimming at the Aquacade Amphitheater was magnificent. Olympian Johnny Weissmuller did swim in the inaugural Aquacade. The pool and stage "could be hidden behind a lighted 40-foot (12m) high curtain of water" when not in use. Kudos to Author Orman for a delightful, fascinating read focusing on two determined young women.

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Historical fiction is not a genre I typically gravitate towards, however the description of this book caught my attention. I found the story interesting, but the writing is very simple and provides a slow/dull read at times. The story could have been elevated with more details into the fair and insight into the events/lives of those in this era.

Set in 1939 at New York's World Fair, We Came Here to Shine tells the story of two strong and independent young women each trying to make a name for herself in her field. The book alternates chapters between the two women.

Vivi Holden is an actress under contract with WorldWide Films in Los Angeles. She's been given the lead role in an upcoming film and is eager for the chance to prove her talent. Before production begins, she learns her role has been given to another and she is shipped off to New York to replace the lead female swimmer in the Aquacade, a swimming and dancing production at the World's Fair.

Maxine Roth, who goes by Max, is a journalism student at NYU with dreams of becoming a well recognized journalist. When her hoped for internship at the New York Times doesn't come through, she finds herself assigned to the World's Fair daily newspaper. Much to her chagrin, the men in charge don't believe women should write articles, and she is assigned to put the Fair's daily schedule together.

Vivi and Max meet and forge a friendship that will last all of their lives. Each has a lot to teach and learn from the other, and the summer of 1939 becomes one that changes each of their lives.

I enjoyed how the author used the same paragraph to introduce the reader to Vivi and Max in the first chapter about her character. The paragraph itself had me intrigued from the start! "{Vivi Holden/Maxine Roth} would eventually realize that not getting what she wanted that day was the best thing that could have happened to her. But it was still early in {Los Angeles/New York}. And the not-getting hadn't yet taken place."

Schnall is very skilled at making her characters and her chosen time period come alive for the reader. The story line is very engaging, informative and entertaining.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions stated here are my own.

Riveting and exciting, Max and Vivi's unique stories keeps you wanting more. Their courage, boldness, and empowerment relate to women of all ages. Set in 1939 at the World's Fair, Susie Orman Schnall captures not only the judgement of the time, but the events leading to the improvement of women's rights in the workforce. I highly recommend this book to any and all historical fiction lovers. "Dive in" and "take note" of this one-of-a-kind novel!

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I knew nothing of this title or author before coming across it on Netgalley. The cover got my attention, thinking it would be a fun summer read of friendship and becoming what you can be. It wasn't quite the story I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. I liked the storyline even more then the light beach read I expected it to be. It was an easy read, but with more depth and interest. I am quite glad I got the opportunity to read this title and would happily recommend it to friends.

I love historical fiction and the subject of this book had me immediately hooked. I love stories about female friendships. But I was entirely sold somewhat cutesy way the women were described. Some of it was probably written the way it was to be historically accurate, but I found some descriptions a bit off putting. Thank you for the arc.

1939 World's Fair

Women paved a way

If I left it at that - would you read this book?

You want to read this book, you will go back in time to Monday, May 1,1939 The Official Opening of the Fair!
Come See the World of Tomorrow!!!

A time when women doubly applied herself - yet still was held back, held down, and no advancement.
It was difficult for women to get jobs. They only received jobs "a woman can do satisfactorily"
Share the stories of two young ladies who absorb the energy of the fair, are drawn to the energy.
Upon meeting, they become instant friends, having adventures at the fair - allowing fair to seep into bodies...
helping them become who they ARE.

A shocking twist made me gasp out loud.
The fair will change you and stay with you! Read this book!!

Excellent historical fiction that is centered on female friendship and a fight for equality during the 1939 New York World"s Fair.
Vivi is living in Los Angeles and is a contracted actress with Worldwide Studio. So far she has had small parts in a few movies. Now Vivi is promised her first leading role in a major motion picture. Her first day of production she is called into the office and is told her image is not right for the role and she is to go to New York and be part of the Aquacade synchronized swimming spectacular at the 1939 World's Fair.
Max is attending her senior year of college with a journalism major. Her professor has selected a few students to do internships with major newspapers. Max hopes to be assigned to the New York Times with a goal of making a good impression and a future job. Max is disappointed when she is assigned to the World's Fair to work on a daily newspaper publication.

I enjoyed attend the 1939 New York World's Fair the public side and all that is involved in making the fair happen.

The book gave a lot of background into what the early years of Hollywood studio life was like. The actresses were contracted for several years with the studio in complete control of the individuals personal and professional life.

It is hard to believe what professional women had to endure. Even if they were better qualified and talented they had to take a backseat to their male counterparts. If a women married in 1939 it was expected they would have to quit working. .
.
This was a fun read, the characters are will developed. The writing style is light and a quick read.

I enjoyed the friendship of Vivi and Max. This would make a great series. Would love to continue the story.

Thank you NetGalley the opportunity to read and give an honest review.

When Maxine, an aspiring journalist, takes a job at the popular 1939’s World’s Fair publication, it is not what she thinks of as a career building spot. When Viv loses a Hollywood film and takes a job as a water dancer at the same fair, she assumes her acting agency is trying to get rid of her. Both women are nowhere they want to be, but when they meet up and begin a lifelong friendship, they both start to shine. ⁣
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Lately I haven’t been reading as much historical fiction because I feel I’m drowning a bit in it. However, this was a refreshing book in the genre. Finally a historical fiction that doesn’t take place during WW2, or even a war at all! The setting was so unique and fun. I loved reading the news articles and lineups of the World Fair. It really gave a great taste for the time period. This book had a strong feminist leaning, with the two main characters having to fight their way into their chosen careers. They both were well developed characters and their emerging friendship helped them to grow together. It was a joy reading. ⁣

We Came Here to Shine comes out 6/16. Slide left for a pic of the worlds fair.
⁣
“𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥-𝘱𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘭𝘦, 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘎𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦.”⁣
⁣

An actress and a journalist meet at the 1939 World's Fair and drum up some interesting situations.

Both women have similar life disappointments and find the common ground of playing second fiddle. Max to a man, and Vivi because she looked too innocent for the part in a Hollywood production.

Max lost her hopes of working for The New York Times for the summer to another student. Max was assigned instead to a job as coordinator at the World's Fair and not assigned to any article writing. She realized women were not considered to be as good in the journalistic field as men.

Vivi lost her Hollywood position to someone else and was sent to New York to perform at a synchronized swim event. This definitely wasn't her choice of career paths.

We learn about both women in alternating chapters as they struggle through what is going on in their lives.

Ms. Schnall did a marvelous job of researching and of putting the reader in the characters’ lives as well as the World’s Fair. I enjoyed being at the World's Fair both on the public side and the side of all those involved with making the fair happen.

If you need something to satisfy your historical fiction craving and to see how strong women made their way in 1939 in a man’s world, WE CAME HERE TO SHINE will be a lovely treat.

You will also be treated to secrets, gossip, lovely characters, a great story line, and the beauty of friendships. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

We Came Here to Shine by Susie Orman Schnall is set during the 1939 World's Fair, and tells the intersecting stories of a Hollywood starlet, Vivi, and a journalism student named Max, both of whom find themselves working at the fair. Neither is especially happy with their situation, and they end up becoming friends, confidants and, ultimately, co-conspirators.

The premise was fine in littered with cliches, but midway through the book, it felt like the author had forgotten this was a period piece. The characters, situations, social norms and even dialog were straight out of 2020, an inconsistency which created a real disconnect for me as a reader.

I maybe could have gotten over that disconnect if the final third of the book had not been so incredibly contrived. In the end, We Came Here to Shine was a disappointment.

This review is based on an advance copy read.

We Came Here to Shine is not a bad book but it's not an outstanding one either as the writing was a bit simplistic. The book reminded me more of young adult book due to the simple writing. The characters were fairly well written but again the simple writing made it seem like the characters were not fully developed.

Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley

I enjoyed every page of this delightful historical fiction novel. I was completely vested in the lives of both Vivi and Max and pulling for both of them to be happy. I especially felt for Max, an aspiring journalist who was held back because she was a woman. I found myself getting angry at the blatant sexism. This novel, while light and entertainment, made me appreciate how far women have come since the 1950s. There were many turns and interesting choices made by the author that I didn't see coming. I enjoy Ms. Schnall's writing voice very much. After reading three of her novels, I can say with full certainty that I am a huge fan.

Vivi and Max meet each other after getting jobs at the 1939 World’s Fair. The details make the fair come alive, as you can feel yourself falling on the parachute jump. Vivi is an actress, sent to star in the Aquacade, while Max is a budding journalism student interning at the Fair’s daily paper. I loved the friendship that grew between the two women, as they faced the challenges presented by a male run society. Recommended, and thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This is my second book by Ms. Schnall and she has fully entertained me again. I truly enjoy her stories. Reading one of her books is like walking alongside the characters and watching their lives unfold. I felt like I was right there at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. I could see the crowds, the rides, the huge swimming pool and could even envision the synchronized swimming.
This is not a deep-thinking book or a mystery that needs solved, this is just a wonderful coming of age of two independent girls in New York from different backgrounds trying to make a living and become something of worth. It has a couple surprises along the way which I didn’t see coming and it just hit the spot. I felt like I could walk right out of the press office and go down the street to the bar for a drink after work.
I highly recommend. I also feel like I learned a lot about the 1939 fair, of which I knew virtually nothing beforehand. It was so fun to read about some of the exhibits that were featured.
I want to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest unbiased opinion. I found this to be a 5-star book.

This story of two young women who meet and become great friends while working at the great 1939 World Fair while trying to further their career ambitions had the opportunity to be something really different and very special. And parts of it were very good - I thought the opening was especially good. But I dislike historical fiction that is written with today's ideology and worldview instead of the way it was during the actual day. So I thought the dialogue was a little heavy-handed on the feminist monologues, and I seriously doubt the outing of the gay character would have happened back then, etc. But the setting and time period were wonderful, one I haven't read anything about. And the characters themselves were likeable, interesting, and evolved well over the course of the novel. It's a quick read, and over all I enjoyed it. I must say that I think the 18-30 year old group will probably love it. I'm just way past that age group (ha!) and have read so many books that at this point I many times expect more from a book than I did when I was younger. Still - an enjoyable read. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. 3.5 stars

This was a very good historical fiction novel. One quickly surrenders to the sheer and lived in quality of each page. I loved the backdrop setting of the fair which was very atmospheric.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.