Old Hollywood and Current Day POVs make for my favourite genre! We get 2 different perspectives of Lily and Carolyn, her granddaughter. I loved almost every moment of this book and how it transported me back and forth to different decades.
Sara does a great job of blending how the two come together and what Lily's last secret was that she wanted Carolyn to find out. I had a great time reading this and totally wanted more.
I will totally be buying Sara Blaydes next book, and she did an outstanding job with her debut novel!

*5 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a very interesting read. Stella and Lily had to go through and had to put up with as to what they could say and do just to become actresses. They had to keep lots of lies and secrets. Lots of people got hurt along the way. I thought the ending was good as a lot was revealed. Would recommend.

Lily Adams was one of Hollywood's biggest stars. When she suddenly disappears from the limelight and many wonder why. Years later, Carolyn, her granddaughter, is clearing her house after Lily's death. She begins to realize that she did know all of her grandmother's life, but she is quick to learn more than she ever imagined.

This was a good historical fiction that does not take place in WWII. Stories set in the Golden Age of Hollywood are always fantastic. This had a mysterious storyline that was fun to read. The author weaves together a seamless story with no open ends, which is always satisfying. I think this story was well-worth the time. I believe this story will be well received by a large amount of readers.

Should you read this book?
Yes, if… you love old the idea of Hollywood, mixed with slight who-dunnit vibes
No, if… you’re picking this up because you think it’ll be like Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of Sara Blaydes's 'The Last Secret of Lily Adams' in exchange for my review.

A story of love, betrayal, and sacrifice set against the glitz and glamour of heyday Hollywood. Lily Adams was a rising star in Hollywood but she gave it all up. Why? That is what Carolyn is trying to figuring out as she sorts through her grandmothers possessions, curating a collection for a local museum exhibit on Lily Adam's life as an actress and grandmother.
Adopting the classic dual narrative style, this book is full of twists, turns, intrigues, sex, drugs and drama. Blending 1940s Hollywood with the present day, readers will be kept enthralled but the unravelling story as they discover the truth behind Lily Adam's secret.

If you enjoyed the Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester this book is for you.

this was such an interesting and insightful read. very reminiscent of "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but still different in so many ways. this one was easy to follow along despite the dual timelines and loved the generational aspect of it. i personally enjoyed it.

i've always been fascinated with "old Hollywood". the actresses of the time were always so timelessly beautiful and seemingly carried a sense of graceful elegance. since then, lots of revelations came to light about how women and even young girls were viewed and/or treated in Hollywood since the beginning of all the glitz and glamour. so many horror stories about abuse and the expectations of a woman's role on and off the set. it's devastating. really gives you a bit of perspective of what women have been subjected to for the price of fame, even to this day.

i would definitely recommend this, especially to those who enjoy historical fiction and classic Hollywood movies.

thank you to NetGalley & Lake Union Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. i received this as an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a complimentary copy of this novel!
The vicious murder of legendary actress and Hollywood bombshell, Stella Lane, is a mystery to all, but a few people. Her mysterious death has remained a mystery until seventy year later Lily Adams dies. Now she has left everything to her granddaughter, Carolyn Prior. Recently divorced herself, Carolyn and her daughter Emily arrive to her grandmother’s house to sift through her belongings and find out why she quit acting so early in her life, just after the death of Stella Lane. As Carolyn searches deeper into Lily’s personal belongings Lily left behind, she discovers so much more than she expected. Lies, secrets, deceptions, cover-ups, murder, and a mystery that took 70 years to uncover. Carolyn and Emily will unearth a secret so great; they did not see coming.

What an awesome read!!!I love how the author combined the glamor of Hollywood’s golden film age with a mystery to solve. With two alternating timelines and a bit of romance thrown in, this a great mystery read not to be missed! Available June 4, 2024

Lily Adams, once the epitome of Hollywood glamour, left it all behind without warning. Seventy years later, after her death, her granddaughter Carolyn Prior delves into Lily's past, uncovering secrets hidden within the glitz and glamor of her career. Was she connected to the unsolved murder of rival star Stella Lane? Carolyn's quest for truth becomes entwined with her grandmother's enigmatic life, forcing her to confront the depths of family secrets and the risks of unlocking the past.

This book pulled me in immediately, which I wasn’t expecting. The dual point of views had equal interest. I wanted to know what happened to Lily as she traverses the intense Hollywood scene, and I wanted to see Carolyn, in the present day, unravel the mystery. The book doesn’t shy away from the darker elements, with mentions of drug use, alcohol, misogyny, and the ties to crime bosses. While they are not overly detailed, some readers might find it difficult to read.

I thought the story was paced well. The details of the time, the grueling pace of filming a movie, all seemed accurate. I enjoyed the characters. And while I guessed the answer to the mystery early on, I was eager to keep reading and see how it played out.

Readers with an interest in historical fiction and old Hollywood will certainly enjoy this one.

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.The Last Secret of Lily Adams is more than just a historical fiction. It weaves together the past and present to show us just how strong the love of a mother can be. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story as it shows the mother/daughter relationship in the present and the past. The story is full of mystery, drama, and Hollywood. I'm not a huge historical fiction fan, but this is one I truly loved and enjoyed!

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Last Secret of Lily Adams is an absolute gem of a novel! With its mesmerizing blend of Hollywood glamour, mystery, and family drama, it kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The author skillfully navigates through decades of secrets and scandals, weaving a gripping tale of betrayal and redemption. Each page is filled with twists and turns that will leave you breathless, and the characters are so vividly drawn that they leap off the page. A must-read for anyone who loves a riveting story with heart and depth. 5 stars without a doubt!"

An intriguing story following the mysterious relationship of two Hollywood stars. The Last Secret of Lily Adams got off to a slow start. There was a point that I almost put the book down and did not finish. But after the initial few chapters, the plot draws you in, as you explore the relationship between Lily and Stella. The plot between Carolyn and Em wasn't the most intriguing to me, but overall the book was an enjoyable read.

“𝐈 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐮𝐬.”

"The Last Secret of Lily Adams" tells the intertwined stories of Carolyn, a woman grappling with her life challenges in the present day, and Lily, an ambitious actress from the 1940s Hollywood golden age. The novel skillfully navigates through themes of family, secrets, and the pursuit of one's true self across different generations. The uncovering of Lily Adams' secret, connecting both storylines, reveals the complexities of legacy and the impact of the past on the present.

This is a fascinating and captivating story. Did I need any details? Maybe. But it is an attractive and incredible story about how destiny can change in seconds and how your dreams can be reframed and continue to be remarkable.

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

"El último secreto de Lily Adams" cuenta las historias entrelazadas de Carolyn, una mujer que lucha con los desafíos de su propia vida en la actualidad, y Lily, una ambiciosa actriz de la edad de oro de Hollywood de la década de 1940. La novela navega hábilmente a través de temas de la familia, los secretos y la búsqueda del verdadero yo a través de diferentes generaciones. El descubrimiento del secreto de Lily Adams, que conecta ambas historias, revela las complejidades del legado y el impacto del pasado en el presente.

Una historia fascinante y cautivadora. ¿Me hizo falta algunos detalles? Tal vez. Pero realmente es una historia atractiva e increíble sobre cómo el destino puede cambiar en cuestión de segundos. Como tus sueños pueden replantearse y seguir siendo maravillosos.

SO SO SO FUN!!!!! The Last Secret of Lily Adams throws you into old Hollywood and all of the scandal, glamor, and drama that comes with it. Intertwined with a reflective and emotional mother/daughter relationship, this one was a home run for me.

This is a beautiful novel that showcases the realities of old Hollywood as well as the glamour. The author doesn't shy away from the difficulties women faced in that time while also showing their strength! Lily Adams was your typical aspiring actress who would do anything to have her chance at fame.

The dual timelines in this novel blended seamlessly, really adding to the story. I loved getting to know Lily Adams alongside her granddaughter. Carolyn is also a complex woman who has spent her life pleasing others and is now trying to find herself while sorting through her grandmother's life. It was lovely to see her life come together for the better in the end.

Set in Hollywood during the late 40s, chronicling Lily Adams' rise towards stardom as she works her way up and seeks out her dream role. While alternate chapters are set in present day as Lily's Granddaughter discovers the truth about Lily's past.
Full of complex characters, a compelling mystery and a focus on family and friendships, set to a backdrop of Hollywood's Golden Age; I really enjoyed both the story and the writing in this book, and look forward to reading more by Sara Blaydes in the future.

Thank you to @netgalley and @LakeUnionPublishing for this ARC. Lily has passed away and her granddaughter has come to clean out her house. Lily, one of the great actresses of the 50's, abrubtly left her career when her co-star was found murdered. While sorting through her things, Carolyn is hoping to get to the bottom of the mystery. Did Lily have anything to do with the murder or was it just timing? I really enjoyed this book! The thrill of a 50's actress as well as a mystery thrown into one. #TheLastSecretofLilyAdams #SaraBlaydes #June2024 #LakeUnionPublishing

I enjoyed the was the story was told (Dual- Timeline).
It was a great story about Old Hollywood, Friendship, Motherhood and more.
The story content itself was extremely well woven together, and contained mystery, family drama and much much more!
Highly recommend!

A story of early Hollywood drama, strong female leads, found family and a little mystery on the side.

I would be a big fan of Lily Adams if I was watching her career grow in real life. Stella Lane maybe not so much, but therein is the real story that you never know what struggles and choices someone is truly going through.

A very enjoyable quick read that takes you through Lily Adams young Hollywood journey - fans of Evelyn Hugo will find a lot to enjoy here too. Definitely recommend adding it to your June / summer TBRs

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

This uses the Hollywood setting perfectly and glad I was able to read this. The concept was everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed the overall feel of the Hollywood element. The characters were everything that I was hoping for. I loved the idea of a family member of a legendary actress learning about the past and the mystery of this story. It was everything that I was looking for and glad it was so well written. Sara Blaydes has a great writing style and I was invested in what was going on.

The blurb sounded exciting. And I always love reading about old Hollywood and some unresolved murder mystery. But the pace was too slow to keep me interested.