The story grabbed me straight away but sadly I just couldn't finish it because the narrator was so bad. I'm going to try to read it when I get the opportunity instead. It's a shame because the story line is great but the narration let it down so badly

What a fun twisting tale full of life lessons, love, loss, and a reminder that there is always more to come. Only the first portion of the book was what I was expecting and instead of being upset about that, I'm thrilled. The reality was fanatic and I loved following along with Aster and her family of choice. A great flashback to a different time with stories still being lived out today.

The glamour of the 40s women in Hollywood has a way of cloaking every. single. sacrifice that was made by women who were likely fearful, feeling very alone, and without any other option. Meet Aster Kelly, a woman with dreams who quickly finds herself with a one way ticket that’s been handed to her, that she has to take and that she has to give up everything for.

I love traveling between different decades and watching someone’s stories (and secrets) unfold. Lissy, a star and a dreamer realized, takes us with her through the 70s which has its own set of limitations for young women in a “man’s world.”

Two strong women with a societal stronghold to adhere to or push through and a connection that goes beyond what seems black and white.

Aster Kelly is inspired to become a fashion designer. She ends up getting an internship. Pregnancy happens and she makes the choice to save a friend from being outed.
Years later we follow Asters daughter and the decisions she makes.
Story alternates between the lives of Aster and her daughter lissy. Both on paths to follow their dreams but they also both find themselves in difficult circumstances.
This book focuses on following your dreams as well as a few LGBTQ characters and friendships. I enjoyed this book right from the start. I felt compassion for the characters. I also enjoyed the Hollywood storyline. I loved how the characters evolved and the happiness in the end.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape for this advanced copy. I enjoyed this audiobook, the narrator did a great job telling the story with different voices. #dreamscape

The period perfect, the story perfect, it was all perfect. I loved the back and forth stories of the mother and daughter. I adored this book. Thanks NetGallery!

I fell in love with the golden age of Hollywood listening to this book, the story of Aster is one that we can all relate to on one level or another and her story had me wishing for happily ever after one moment and crying over the loss the next.

With the complexities of her life, Bennie, Fernando, and Lissa, the family they had formed, knew it couldn't last, every moment was precious and to be cherished.

Through the years that saw Aster raising Lissa into a headstrong Broadway (maybe) bound starlet, there were so many secrets and so many things that could have shattered everything.

Lissa's story mimics her mothers in so many ways and I could see so many parallels in their lives so many things the same and so many differences.

Since I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook I have to take a moment to talk about the narrator Emily Beresford. I found her to be enjoyable, bringing depth and character to our characters, while I did find the cadence to be a little on the slow side I still had a thoroughly enjoyable experience listening to this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing a copy of this audiobook, I have voluntarily listened to and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This was a nice historical fiction story about old Hollywood. It speaks to how the stars were controlled by their studios/agents/producers. It talks about the prices they paid to attain the fame.
I did enjoy the chosen family and friendships the most as well as the secrets hidden away.

What I did not enjoy at all was the narrator. I really struggled to enjoy the book based on the narrator alone. I would have really loved this one had I read it with my eyes instead of ears.
This will not be a narrator I listen to ever again.
I feel like my rating is mostly reflecting on the narrator. With someone else this might have been a 4⭐️ read for me.

Wow I really did not like the narrator of this. Her cadence made it difficult to focus on the story itself. Not my favorite.