Book Name: Roaring Days of Zora Lily
Author: **Noelle Salazar**

ARC
Thank you to Netgalley and **[Harlequin Trade Publishing |](https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/publisher/82759) MIRA** for an ARC of The Roaring Days of Zora Lily that I was terribly late in reviewing

Stars: 4.0
Spice: NA Fade to Black

Standalone
Fast Paced
FMC POV
Historical Drama

- Thoughts.
- 1920’s
- Speakeasy
- Great Gatsby Vibes
- Summer Vibes
- Not a True Dual Timeline
- Ambition
- Fashion and Design
- Low Stakes Romance
- Family Focused
- Friendship Forward
- Very “Feminist”

So WTF about the Romance? The Second Act has the FMC ghosting the MMC cause she feels inferior, and ashamed, and wants to do it on her own (okay...) only for him to show up MONTHS later and they NEVER TALK ABOUT IT!!!!! I’m sorry but that whole debacle made this book a 5-star vibes ride to WTF 4. Honestly, I want to rage and lower it to a 3 but the book is good. It is emotionally compelling with deep themes of friendship family and ambition and girl power. However, If you want a handsome gangster 1920s romance alongside your historical fashion and fun, look to another book. Major points for getting me so emotionally invested that I wanted to launch my Kindle to space… points there.

Vivid and Immersive

I was drawn to the glittering jazz age and the speakeasies, I absolutely loved every page.
I love enjoyed reading and learning about dressmaking and costumes in American History – having taken an elective class in college, I have always dreamed of dressing the stars and having to dream up the heights of fashion and the likes of Lanvin and Chanel – but that is for another lifetime.

I love the beautiful storytelling by one of my favorite historical fiction author, Noelle Salazar.

This captivating novel by Noelle Salazar whisks you away to Seattle, where poverty-stricken yet ambitious seamstress Zora dreams of escaping her reality. When opportunity knocks in the form of a glamorous speakeasy and a charming businessman, Zora's life takes a thrilling turn.

But her journey is far from easy. Between chasing her fashion dreams, navigating family obligations, and facing the shadows of Prohibition, Zora must make tough choices that will define her future.

This book is an intoxicating blend of:

Historical fiction: Immerse yourself in the electrifying jazz age, with its glitz, grit, and hidden dangers.
Coming-of-age: Witness Zora's transformation as she finds her voice, independence, and fierce spirit.
Romance: Swoon over Zora's connection with the mysterious Harley, but remember, love triangles often have unexpected twists!
If you love:

Strong female characters with big dreams
The glamour and excitement of the 1920s
Stories of ambition, love, and finding your place in the world
Then "The Roaring Days of Zora Lily" is your next must-read!

The Roaring Days of Zora Lily by Noelle Salazar is a two timeline story, but just barely. One story just bookends the other. As a reader, I invest in Zora Lily’s story. The ideas of big dreams, the courage to keep those dreams alive, and the determination to make big decisions to bring those dreams to fruition are powerful ones. The fact that the journey is filled with helpers and detractors and with successes and failures grounds the story.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/12/the-roaring-days-of-zora-lily.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and a publisher’s blog tour.

The Roaring Days of Zora Lily is the story of a talented young seamstress who works with her mother at home, in the speakeasies of Seattle Washington, to Hollywood and eventually her own store during the Jazz Age. The introduction to the story is set in 2023 at The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, where a conservator finds another name under the designer's label on a gown once worn by Greta Garbo. Who is Zora Lily? The rest of the story begins in 1924 and follows Zora Hough, as she grows, works as a nanny for a rich family, falls in love and deals with jealousy, racism and more.

I really enjoyed this story and was disappointed to find out that this was not a story based on a real person. Zora became real to me and I was rooting for her to come out on top. She was such a wonderful character. She was caring, talented, a hard worker, fair to all, welcoming and never looked down on anyone. She always made the best of whatever situation she found herself in, and was loyal to a fault. I learned about the time the story was set in, the life many people lived and about the movies and all the restrictions, contracts and how easy it was to be taken advantage of. I was immediately pulled into the story with Noelle Salazar's writing, it's detail and the story she was telling. I was sad when this book ended, because I had fallen in love with Zora and happy that good things came her way. I highly recommend this wonderful, enthralling story.

Salazar writes such lusciously rich historical fiction. I am far from a fashionista but I’ve always been interested in texture and fabric and the feel of clothing.
Zora had a hard upbringing but was determined to find her way.
It’s an exhilarating read and totally believable as readers are swept back to the 1920s with a young woman who can make magic out of fabric but has many obstacles to overcome.
The clothing from the 1920s-30s is very distinctive and it was fun to read how Zora created images and then sewed them into reality.
There is a happy ending and it was book I finished with much satisfaction.

Interesting story of hardworking, talented seamstress from struggling family who has big dreams of designing clothes. When her brother is killed and her income becomes more critical to her family, she has to set aside her dreams and go work as a nanny. Yet what seemed as a step backwards actually opens another door. The last fourth of the book set in modern times seemed a tad repetitive over what we had already learned. Still the book offers some twists on the tropes with a strong set of secondary characters.

Where do I begin.

The perfect story of love, and determination. A story for the ages, and one that will withstand time.

First, I want to thank NetGalley, Mira Books and Noelle Salazar for this early copy of The Roaring Days of Zora Lily. I want to thank Noelle for writing yet another phenomenal story.

Zora Lily is unlike any story and any character I’ve ever read. She was so captivating, as was her life and friends—I wanted nothing more to jump into her world and walk life with her. She was caring, determined, and strong. Her friends were true friends, and her love was that once in a lifetime love.

I literally could not put this book down. I had to continue. The ending had me with all sorts of feels, and it is honestly a book I will read again and suggest to others.

Here’s to Noelle and Zora ❤️

Wow! Another awesome book by Noelle Salazar. This story is a breath of fresh air from all the WW2 books. It is set in the 1920s and features a lovable character named Zora. This story is a coming of age story of a girl in poverty working to support her family. She steps into the world of fashion, Hollywood and more. You will fall in love with Zora and find yourself rooting for her in all the ups and downs.

There were many parts of Zora’s story that I loved, but the pacing of this book was off where sometimes the story dragged and other times it felt rushed. I think it could have benefited from some tighter editing. Overall, an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars

Greta Garbo’s white satin gown from the 1923 film, The Star, is the centerpiece at the Smithsonian’s 2023 Hollywood Glamour Exhibition. As a costume curator is fitting the alluring gown designed by Michele Cleménte, famous designer of the 20’s and 30’s, onto a mannequin, the tag flutters to the floor revealing the elegantly stitched name Zora Lily. Recognizing that the gown’s design was a divergence from Cleménte’s signature demure, high neckline, she wonders, “Who is Zora Lily?”
Noelle Salazar immerses readers into the dreams of a young, hardworking seamstress from a poverty-stricken family in Seattle,1924. A tragedy leaves Zora Hough as the family breadwinner, dashing her dreams of becoming a famous designer like Coco Chanel. Using perfectly aligned stitches, Salazar pieces together a stunning masterpiece dripping with fringe from speakeasy costumes for best friend, Rose, the unlikely attention from wealthy businessman, Harley and his bootleggers slithering around Prohibition, to the frantic sewing rooms backstage on Hollywood shows. Salazar sets an emotional stage filled with happiness from the noise, joyful laughter and connection between Zora and her siblings, contrasting the stilted staff, jealousy and anxiousness filling the living rooms of the wealthy. The well-developed characters and Zora’s childhood recollections reveal the prejudices regarding her family, her drunken father, and the lasting impact of hurtful words. Salazar weaves raw emotion through the ups and downs of Zora’s determination, heartbreak, and self-doubt as hopes and dreams lead her from the grey skies of Seattle to sunny California.
Like a movie star’s fur stole, The Hollywood Glamour Exhibition wraps the novel in glittering mystery. On opening night, the mannequins’ faces and delicate costumes swirl elegantly into place as the perfectly fitting answer to “Who is Zora Lily?” is unveiled.

🧵BOOK / REVIEW🪡

Zora Lily ... you have my entire heart. 🥹

#theroaringdaysofzoralily by @noelle__salazar was absolutely breathtaking. I have seen so many positive reviews for this book, and rightfully so.

Every time I read a book during this era, I become completely smitten with sights, sounds, and styles. This is the type of novel that you get lost in - every single character was so charming, and the grit and grace that Zora possessed was magical. This book covers so many important topics and is written beautifully. I found myself smiling at so many parts.

I know #historicalfiction isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I strongly urge you to pick this up. The romance is timeless, the family bonds are unbreakable, and the friendships are so solid and pure.

This was such a treasure to listen to on @hoopladigital. Thank you @_mira_books_ for publishing such an amazing book 👏.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

Read if you like: 1920s/fashion history
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I loved the Roaring Twenties vibes and the fashion scene in this book. Zora comes from a big family and she has to help her mother sew for extra income, but she dreams of becoming a designer and opening her own shop. The book follows Zora as she figures out this dream.
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The book was so fun! I loved going to the clubs with Zora and her friends, the romance, and following Zora as she becomes a fashion designer. I also appreciated that the present perspective was at the beginning and the end and not interspersed throughout as this didn't take away from the story!

This will be a favorite read of this year. Loved reading the story of Zora- her life from her humble, poverty stricken upbringing to her success as a designer. The stories of jazz bands, speakeasies and the early days of Hollywood. This story had it all. Thank you for the chance to read this!

Who is Zora Lily? In this dual timeline story, that is the question. 1920s Seattle, a poor young woman from a struggling family is trying to find herself and make a life designing clothing. But first she has to figure out how to escape her current situation without deserting her family in order to make her dreams come true. In 2023, a museum conservator is putting together an exhibition of clothing from Hollywood a century earlier when she discovers labels that read Zora Lily and she’s determined to discover who is Zora Lily.

Zora Lily Hough is an exceptionally talented seamstress who, with her mother, sews to make ends meet. Constantly remaking old clothing to fit her growing siblings, Zora also mends and alters dresses for the elites. Set in Seattle in the 1920s the large impoverished family is supported only by the hard work of Zora, her mother, and Tommy, the oldest of the siblings. Their father is good for nothing and drunk most of the time.
After being coerced into a speakeasy by her best friend, Zora realizes that she's missing out on life by working all of the time. At the clubs, Zora studies the costumes of the dancers and the sparkling attire of the female patrons. Her dream of fashion design is born, along with meeting the man of her dreams and having the time of her life.
She and her best friend Rose make it to Hollywood where Zora unexpectedly designs for GARBO. And Ms. Salazar has made the rest of the story Golden Age Hollywood history.
To me, this story is an 8++!! I'm a lover of Golden Age Hollywood and silent films are some of my most favorite. The author's attention to detail when describing Zora's designs and even the feel of the fabrics put the reader in the room as an observer of her passion. WONDERFUL and highly recommended!!

Thank you, Netgalley for allowing me to review this title. Hands down, one of my favorite books I've read; the roaring twenties seem so present. I'm sad to leave the lives of Zora, Harley, Rose (and everyone else) behind; I fell in love with these characters and Noelle is such a descriptive writer, it read so true. I'm so glad Zora kept pursuing her dreams as a fashion designer and believing in herself (and her future with Harvey) even through her self-doubt; that push through the toughest struggles and coming out on top is the perfect ending.

this story was incredible! really enjoyed the fashion theme throughout the book, especially being in the fashion industry myself and having studied some of the names in this book as well as the famous people mentioned in the book too. The story was easy to follow, I could imagine myself in the 20s (which coincidentally is my favorite era as well). I do admit at times it felt long and winded, I could've done with some pages less, but overall it was well rounded, interesting, and appealing.
Would definitely recommend to my friends and family and people who have a passion or interest for fashion.

Note: Received a free ARC for an honest and unbiased review.

This book was so fun. I wanted to jump into the pages at times. However, it is also a story of tragedy, struggles and self growth. I loved the storyline and the historical aspects. The characters were so well created - I truly wanted to know them and was sad when the book ended. This book is beautifully written and so well done that I truly enjoyed every page of it.
Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy

Harper-Collins had SO MANY great choices for tours for this fall that I could hardly restrain myself! As you know, I love historical fiction, so I was drawn to this novel about a young seamstress during the 1920’s who is learning to navigate life as a young adult. I loved the character of Zora and I loved a glimpse into life during that time. I read a lot of WWII novels, and WWI, but I haven’t read a lot about the Roaring 20’s and/or Prohibition times. I also know next to nothing about sewing and fashion design, so this was interesting to me, too. This book toggled in time, but only at the beginning and end (can be helpful if you find a lot of time switching confusing!).

Noelle Salazar is such an engaging writer! If you love her books, you will love this one, too. Thank you so much for my e-galley and for letting me be part of the tour.