Thank you to Netgalley, Nicola Harrison, and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to receive this advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book is available today for purchase!

Olive McCormick has big dreams and her biggest dream is to become a Ziegfeld girl. It takes a little time, effort, and spunk but Olive not only achieves her dream but she becomes its brightest star. Olive, whose stage name is Olive Shine, quickly begins enjoying the benefits of being a showgirl - the men willing to take her out and by her beautiful things and the infamy that comes with being a Zeigfeld girl. Then, Olive meets Archibald (Archie) Chamberlin and her world is never the same.

This story showed an era in New York City history that not many people are aware of. Ziegfeld girls lived luxurious lives thanks to benefactors or rich men who were willing to pay their way in exchange for being seen with them. I loved how this book showed the majority of Olive's life as well as her interactions with her family and the other showgirls. The narrator, brought Olive to life in her interpretation of how she would speak when excited and when upset. She was a wonderful narrator and I would love to listen to her in other stories. All in all, this book was everything I hoped it would be and more.

This was such a beautiful historical fiction novel! The narrator did such a great job of making Olive leap right off the page as well. I'm so glad I listened to the audio of this book! I'm sure it was just as beautiful to read the physical book, but the narrator really added something special to the audiobook.

It’s the Roaring Twenties and Olive McCormick has left home for the bright lights of New York City, determined to be a showgirl in the Ziegfeld Follies. Even though she’s talented, it takes everything she has to make it, and when she does, she becomes a star. Surrounded by admirers and constant excitement, it’s more than Olive ever dreamed dreamed of. Just when she thinks life couldn’t get nay better, she meets Archie Carmichael, the man of her dreams. Even better, he’s supportive of her need to be independent, a modern woman. She accepts his marriage proposal, only to find that he’s changed his tune. Will she sacrifice her career and her independence for marriage? A delightful story that put me in mind of my grandmother who was evidently quite a Flapper!

My audiobook yesterday was The Show Girl and it was the perfect listen for my day! Set in the 1920s, it’s the story of Olive, a young woman from the Midwest who wants to become a star in NYC. She’s a gifted singer and dancer and she’s determined to use her talents to become a star with the Ziegfeld Follies. When she’s made it and thinks she has it all, she meets handsome and wealthy Archie, and then her plans go sideways.
Where are the historical fiction fans? 🙋🏻‍♀️This character driven novel is absolutely for you. The author has created such a vivid depiction of being a show girl in the roaring twenties. It’s intense and vibrant, emotional and entertaining. There’s family drama, romance, secrets, and trauma, and if you’re an audiobook listener, it’s an excellent narration. And that cover! 🤩
•
•
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The 1920s had great economic prosperity and was concerned a time of reckless, carefree living for many. Like it’s name, The roaring 20’s was a decade that began with a roar and ended with a crash.
The story takes place mostly in New York when a young woman wants to make it big as a show girl. She determined, stubborn, and in my opinion unlikeable. A lot happens and a lot of it was reckless. It kept reminding me of Hollywood and all the partying.
I really wanted to like this more but I couldn’t connect with the heroine. This isn’t a interesting time in history for me and that could be a reason I didn’t enjoy it more. I’d personally never want to be a show girl or drink the way they did back then. I hope this was helpful.
This was a audiobook for me and was narrated by Imani Jade Powers. She did a great job.
Thanks Macmillan Audio via Netgalley.