Strangers in the Night: A Novel of Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner by Heather Webb is an exceptionally well written historical fiction.

I have really enjoyed other novels by this author and this book was no exception.

The story is based on the true love story between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner.
I love all the Hollywood drama, and the movies, all the glorious movies!

I enjoyed the alternating chapters "Frank" and "Eva" to get the different perspectives of the relationship.

The author's research was so evident to me with how she used Mr. Sinatra's certain dialect.

I absolutely devoured this incredible historical fiction and learned more about Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner.

Quite the masterpiece! Highly recommend!

Strangers in the Night by Heather Webb. Pub Date: March 21, 2023. Rating: 5 stars. When I was approved for this novel, I was beyond excited because I have loved reading other works from this author. This book was no exception. Based on the love story between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner, this book packs a punch with movie references, Old Hollywood glamour, tumultuous love affairs, and all the drama. I learned so much about this couple from reading this novel. I found myself not wanting to put it down because the story was so engrossing. Pick up this novel if you love historical fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley #strangersinthenight

If you like fictionalized tell-alls, this may be the right book for you. I wasn’t the right one for me. I was interested in seeing the people behind the legends, just not such a depressing, striped down view. I was up for glamour: more spotlight, less glare.

Frank Sinatra probably suffered from manic depression, and he might not have been the nicest guy, but there had to be more agreeable things about him than are shown here or no one would have ever let him near a studio. Ava Gardner, likewise, must have been more than the product of her insecurities and too much drink, but I couldn’t find much to relate to from the way she was portrayed. I get that their relationship was hot, but it left me cold. As I said, not my book.

On the positive side, I am sure that many readers will enjoy this book. My feeling toward it is much more about my taste than about the author’s talent.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I tried to read this novel. But I know very little about the relationship between these two in real life. This book just read like a bad romance book to me. I did not really enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC. Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner's careers are both on the rise. When they meet, they knew the have to be together but Frank is married with kids. This book follows the passionate, outrageous and tumultuous relationship through the years during the ups and downs of their careers. I find it fascinating to read about movie stars during this time and Heather Webb did an amazing job! #StrangersintheNight #HeatherWebb #WilliamMorrow #March2023

A brilliantly written, well researched, historical fiction centered on the tumultuous, intense love between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. Heather Webb alternates the narration between Frank and Ava, exploring not only their relationship, but the triumphs and tragedies each experienced during the "Golden Age of Hollywood" and beyond. I was completely enthralled with the story of Frank and Ava, their lives together and apart, and the historic time in which they lived, when the Hollywood and Vegas as we know them today were just beginning. Both Frank and Ava were larger than life, extremely talented, flawed individuals who became icons within their lifetimes. Heather Webb has brought them vividly to life in this amazing book that was so hard to put down! The author's notes at the end are a must-read part of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The opinions in this review are completely my own. Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my complimentary copy of this book.

Wow! I admittedly knew very little about Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner's passionate, turbulent relationship before I picked up this book. And this was only a little slice of both their lives! I was so drawn into this wild tale of two star-crossed lovers that I finished it in just two days. Heather Webb gives readers an absolutely phenomenal recreation of Frank and Ava's head-over-heels, fight-and-reconcile, decades-long love affair. If you are a fan of great love stories, glitz and glamour, the thrill of the stage, and the drama of old movies, this novel needs to go right to the top of your t0-read-pile.

this was a great concept for Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. It was what I was expecting from Heather Webb, she has a great writing style for historical novels. It worked in the time-period and I'm glad it had the glamour that I was hoping for.The characters felt like the real people and I enjoyed the story a lot. It worked really well as a story and I enjoyed what was going on. I can't wait for more from Heather Webb.

"It was you, baby. You’re my good luck charm,” he said, reaching for my hand. “Are you hungry? We could pick up lasagna from Patsy’s. They always save me a nice plate.” He hadn’t eaten much since the news of Manie’s resignation, and between the cigarettes, all the booze and little food, he looked haggard."

I love stories like this and loved this one as both Frank and Ava lived bigger than life lives and this book captures the time period and these big personalities well . It will give you Evelyn Hugo Vibes . Ig was a good read
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

I can't say enough good things about this five-star historical novel. Heather Webb absolutely transports the reader. With every sparkling scene we are immersed in the worlds of Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner, understanding their hopes and dreams, and of course, their intense love affair that spans decades.

I especially admired the first person perspective and the emotion of the story. As the narrative progresses, we understand the decisions Frank and Ava made. The way the author shows their ups and downs really brings them to life.

This is a real page turner told with glamour and heart.

This is a historical fiction presentation of the intense romantic relationship between Frank Sinatra and actress Ava Gardner. There are dueling chapters narrated by "Frank" and "Ava" telling their story. At the time these two met Sinatra was still married to his first wife Nancy with whom he had three young children. He divorced her to marry Ava, but their marital union was very tumultuous and fiery- filled with jealousy, suicidal attempts and affairs. Apparently, Frank considered Ava "The One". Even though their love for each other was fierce, they ultimately just could not live with each other. This made for a very emotional and fraught storyline, the book ending upon Ms. Gardner's death. The author strengthened the authenticity of her characters by employing the diction and flavor of Mr. Sinatra talking, along with historical accuracy based on her research. I found myself performing internet researches for photos of various notable events such as Frank and Ava's wedding. I really enjoyed the book for its personal touch of narration, as well as learning about the golden days of Hollywood and this iconic couple.

Thank you to the publisher William Morrow who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

To take two indomitable and iconic figures and express them in a whipsmart first person whirlwind through their volatile and passionate relationship is a harrowing task for any author. But Webb excels at finding ways to paint a portrait of two largely unsympathetic characters with the deft grace of her beguiling pen and a clear tapestry of an absolutely fascinating world of celluloid and tabloids. While both Gardner and Sinatra sacrifice ethics and integrity to feed their addiction of each other, their chemistry sizzles in good times and bad and leaps from the page with dizzying aplomb. We may not understand their choices but we're given a straight shoot into how they see themselves and the sacrifices they make for this ostracizing, magnanimous affair. And for all of the tempers and fists flying and bottles of Jack and career missteps, there is a grace and poignancy in the longevity of their relationship: as they mistreat lovers and spouses and their careers in pursuit of this all-consuming decades-long tryst. Written with a gut punch, dizzying speed and never once wavering from a candour I believe would please the book's sources, Strangers In The Night is what bio fiction should be: lovingly written, attentively told and, of course, steeped in honesty of the Faibles and fallacies of two lost souls who just happen to snag the public consciousness and spotlight.

Strangers In The Night is a magical historical novel about the romance between Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra. From the cover to the words Webb transports the reader to the era itself.
The immediacy of this intense and passionate romance grabs you and you will hate when this book ends. Even knowing how the story ends I kept pulling for these two to make it work. Hollywood is not a world in which two burning stars easily make a life together and with the ups and downs of Gardner and Sinatra's careers it is harder than ever.
The book is glamorous, heartbreaking and brings these character to life.
A must read. With some Sinatra singing in the background of course!