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.

Schnall depicts two women who work at the World' Fair in 1939: an actress and a reporter. It was fun to go back in time and relive the wonder and enthusiasm for the future. Both women are treated in the manner women were back then, controlled by men. Vivi and Max's stories unfold and readers develop a better understanding for them. The one thing I do not think would have happened is the article outing Dean. I think that's ananachronistic. It was an interesting read.

I have always loved the romanticism of stories set before and during World War II. This novel centers around the 1939 Worlds' Fair in New York. Life was so very different - the Depression was fresh in everyone's memory; men were finally returning to work; women were expected to be housewives and mothers. Yet as always, hidden away over the centuries there are "unwed" mothers, unaccepted by society who long for their babies. There are women who dream of a career and a purpose not dictated by societal "norms". The friendship forged between Vivi and Max during the summer of 1939 is a moving reminder of all the special friendships women have nurtured through the ages which have allowed them to be accepted and loved for who they are, to dream their dreams, and to be supported in the pursuit of those dreams.

This lovely historical fiction story is just what I needed right now. Set at the 1939 World's Fair in Queens, New York, the novel follows two women in alternating chapters. Vivi is a Hollywood actress employed by one of the major studios. When her first lead role is stolen from her, she's sent to be the star of the Aquacade, a synchronized swimming show at the fair. As she tries to swim her way to success, a secret from her past forces her to decide what is truly important to her. Her path crosses with Max, a budding journalist assigned to work at the fair's newspaper for the summer. Max struggles to thrive, bucking male chauvinism every day on the job. When the two women meet, they see characteristics they wish they possessed themselves. Max envies Vivi's looks and soft way, while Vivi wishes she could be harder and more goal driven, like Max. As their friendships develop, they learn from each other while their lives changes in ways they never would have imagined.

My favorite part of the book is the historical elements about the fair. I work a mile away from the fairground in Queens. While the Perisphere and trylon no longer exist, the unisphere from the 1964 fair stands as a reminder of things past. Every time I drive by, I wonder what those fairs were like and imagine how wonderful it must have been to attend. Schnall clearly did loads of research and it paid off. The little details about the exhibits, restaurants and fashion all made the scenes jump right off the page. Both Vivi and Max's stories are well developed and interesting. I loved spending a few days hearing their stories and rooting for them to make their way in the male dominated world of 1939.

slow to get into, but a good read nonetheless. I enjoyed it at night before going to bed, and I don't usually read before bed.

This was an interesting book! It follows two young girls, Vivi and Max, as they embark on new careers - Vivi with the Aquacade at the 1939 World's Fair in New York and Max with the fair's daily paper. The ladies face many struggles, most with blantant sexism and deception, and learn a lot about who they want to be and how they want to live their lives. I thought overall the writing was good, although it was somewhat choppy at times and sometimes overexplained situations or conversations. I liked both female leads, but wasn't truly rooting for them until perhaps the last quarter of the book, when I felt like they began to come into their own. There was one climactic situation that was rushed through more than I would have liked. In the end, I was entertained by the story and felt there were some good lessons learned. It's a unique and creative setting and I believe a good picture of the time period depicted.

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC of this book - all opinions are my own.

Set at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, We Came Here to Shine is a magnificent historical fiction featuring two strong women.

Vivi works as a film actress in Hollywood until the studio head assigns her to the Aquacade synchronized swimming show at the World Fair. Vivi fears this will be detrimental to her acting career, but she is determined to do well at the fair, and return to Hollywood.

Maxine, aka Max, is a journalism student at NYU who dreams of working at the New York Times. When her professor assigns her to the World Fair’s daily paper -Today at the Fair - instead, she is devastated. She soon discovers that being a female in the world of journalism run by men is not going to be easy.

As each woman embraces the curves that life has thrown at them and work to strengthen their careers, their paths cross, and they may just help each other realize their full potential.

I really enjoyed the setting of the World's Fair and the writing style of this book. It was a wonderful and fresh historical fiction. I can't wait to recommend it to everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Susie Orman Schnall for the advanced copy of We Came Here to Shine in exchange for my honest review.

This book captured my attention from the cover art...I loved it. However, the story line held me captive. I enjoyed the characters, the subject and the writing. I'm guessing that you will too. Five stars.

I enjoyed the setting of this book most of all! The World's Fair in NYC in 1939. Both lead characters were likeable and it was easy to follow. their stories. It's got a bit of a dramatic plot twist at the end that seems to come on very suddenly and then completely wrap up. It seemed rushed at the end after it really lingered to get to the climax of the story. Otherwise, it was a good read.

Grateful to the publisher for allowing me to read this book early. I absolutely loved The Subway Girls and could not wait to read this new book. Although it did not live up to my expectations, the bar was set high by the previous book, I did really enjoy this book. 2 female main characters who could not be more different find friendship in the strangest of circumstances. There is love, hate, death, secrets but also hope. It is set in a beautiful historic time at a wholesome american fair. Truly a lovely book.

This book was just what I needed to keep my mind off of things going on in the world right now. We Came Here to Shine by Susie Orman Schnall is an excellent story of women fighting to find their place in 1939 set at the New York City World's Fair. Max, an aspiring journalist studying at NYU and Vivi, a Hollywood actress hoping to star in the movies could not be two different women on different paths. Their lives converge at the world's fair in a chance meeting as modern working girls of the time.

Max and Vivi form a quick bond after meeting at a suffragist event and become very close friends. They are hemmed in by men who control their destinies but both want to see their dreams realized. Throughout this book you see the women learn tough lessons about themselves and those around them. They learn from one another what's important in life and work together towards achieving the elusive contentment in their lives that we all seek.

I highly recommend this book as it is different from many I've read from this time period. The war in Europe are mentioned but not the focus of the story. It's a fun look at events that happened during the fair as the characters themselves experience the fair. When this book comes out on June 16 go a check it out! It's definitely worth a read!

I received an ARC from NetGalley so thank you to the publisher for selecting me to read this book. The review is unbiased and is an honest review of this book! Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's press. #netgalley

I always enjoy books written about the mid 20th century, taking place in New York.

The main setting for this book is the NewYork World’s Fair 1939. It follows the trials and tribulations of 2 young ladies working there, struggling to make their way in a man's world. A harsh reminder that women had to fight tooth and nail to achieve their goals. One was an aspiring journalist, the other wanted to become an actress. Both had interesting backgrounds, a fair bit of drama going on.

The Fair setting is wonderful.....I love the descriptions of the exhibitions, the layout of the land. I attended Expo 67, I had some basis of comparison. It was an exciting time in 1967, I can imagine how exciting it must have been 30 years earlier. Google provided a lot of interesting details of the New York World’s Fair.

I loved how the author did a shout out (within context) to her previous book, The Subway Girls.

An interesting, entertaining and enjoyable book! Great for fans of Fiona Davis.

We Came Here To Shine is a historical novel set at the 1939 New York World's Fair. It is about an unlikely pair of friends. Vivi is a young Hollywood actress who has been sent to the Fair to swim in Billy Rose's Aquacade. Max is a journalism student at NYU who is assigned to the Fair's daily newspaper. Both women face professional and personal struggles over the summer of 1939. Their ingenuity and friendship helps them to come through stronger.

I wanted to read this book because I love anything related to World's Fairs and Expositions. The historical details in this book were exceptional! I learned so much about the Fair through this read. I loved the little snippets of daily Fair schedules that concluded many chapters.

This novel is told from both Vivi and Max's viewpoints. The women, though good friends, are very different, and the author did a fine job of delineating their characters.

I enjoyed this novel immensely! It was like a visit to another time and place. I cannot recommend We Came Here To Shine highly enough for fans of historical fiction.

We Came Here to Shine by Susan Orman Schall is the story of two women against the backdrop of the 1939 World's Fair in New York. First, there is Vivi. She is an aspiring Hollywood actress. Instead of being given a leading role in a movie, she's given the starring role in an aquatics show at the fair. She takes it on as it brings the promise of later movie roles. Second, there is Max, an aspiring journalist. She hopes to get an internship at the New York Times, and she is instead given a role at the fair's daily publication. Rather than writing articles, she is charged with creating the daily schedules for the fair which is far from what she hopes to one day do. Both women find themselves not where they want to be, and they also find that the fair isn't exactly what it seems. There is deception and lies and some shady relationships. Their stories are told in alternating chapters, but eventually, their paths cross, and the two women become friends. This was such a captivating story - Both women have such strength and depth, and I was rooting for both of them throughout. This is also full of drama in their stories and with the fair, and they ultimately come to a crossroads with what they need to do. This was quite the pageturner for me. I wanted to know what was going to happen with Vivi and Max as they were going through some stuff. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this book currently slated for a July 2020 release!