Emily Bleeker, When We Chased the Light, Lake Union Publishing, November 2024.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first part of Vivian Snow’s account of her life that appeared in When We Were Enemies. In this, Vivian is so closely aligned with her real name, Viviana Santini, that her Italian heritage is a subtle but underlying strong theme in the novel. Her role as an interpreter, friendship with Padre Antonio Trombello, the beginnings of her career and ill-fated marriage are beautifully drawn throughout the story that also features her granddaughter, Elise. In When We Chased the Light, Vivian Snow comes to the fore, as she strives to accommodate her child, her sister, mother and father, love and her career. Her Italian heritage is the theme that underlies the postcards from Padre Antonio Trombello, contrasting with her Hollywood advances, problems, marriage, and death. With great sensitivity to her readers and linked with the role Viviana played in her first career, Emily Bleeker interprets the Italian phrases.

Bleeker is such a clever writer, at the same time as she clarifies the words used between Trombello and Snow by providing the English interpretation, she leaves a mystery about their relationship. This is a mystery that is not resolved and should not be. It is the dream to which only Viviana and Antonio need the answer. Like her great granddaughter, who purchases the postcards, it is enough to know that Vivian Snow’s life was not only that played out in the public eye.

I began by feeling a little disappointed in this work, as Vivian Snow lurches from man to man, prioritises career aspirations that belie her emotional responsibilities while fulfilling the financial ones she assumes, and neglect of her sister and daughter’s emotional needs while she gratifies the irrational demands of male figures in her personal and public lives. However, the realities of a woman fighting to maintain her place in the Hollywood system, her failure to overcome the rampant sexism that shadowed her, and other women, and her fortitude, are also compelling features of the novel. So, too, is the introduction of real Hollywood idols in this fictional account. For her great granddaughter, Kara, the postcards provide a history and valued gift. Her grandmother, Vivian’s daughter, Grace now the retired seventy-year-old former Hollywood actress, Gracelyn Branson, dearly wanted them retrieved. Such acknowledgement subtly conveys that a relationship as fraught as that between Vivian and Grace may not be all that it appears, reflecting the ambiguity of that between Viviana and Antonio.

This is a work of subtleties and harsh realities. Vivian and Grace are complex characters and worth giving a second chance, despite their obvious flaws. So too are some of the male characters, for example, Vivian’s harsh and loving father and Padre Antonio Trombello with his indecision and abounding love. The Hollywood figures who control Vivian and other women’s careers are less worthy, but never caricatures. Emily Bleeker has written a novel that fictionalises the heady combination of glamour and grime, power and powerlessness in the world that attracted Vivian and Grace, together with the delicate postcard relationship that may have been as much of a dream as that of a contented Hollywood career.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The book begins and ends with a modern day perspective but the majority of the story is in the past detailing the friendship between Vivian Snow, a USO performer turned Hollywood star, and Antonio Trombello, a Catholic priest who helped her at one of her darkest times and remained her devoted friend, confidant, and advisor. The story follows the ups and downs of Vivians career as well as of her personal life. She has moments of happiness and success, but many times of hardship and poor choices. Antonio sees all of her flaws but also all of her strengths and tries to help her be her best self. Staying close to her, however, makes him doubt his position as a priest also devoted to serving God. I enjoyed their story, but was never connected to the book and found myself rushing through it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I absolutely loved this book, this book could be a stand alone story, but I am glad that II read the previous book, “ When We Were Enemies “. The story of Vivian Snow, her rise from USO singer during World War II, to famous Hollywood star had it all, her humble beginnings, her devotion to her troubled family, her devotion to her Catholic faith, her troubled relationships with men and with her daughter Grace.. This book describes the cut throat Hollywood days of the 1940’s, the expectations for women and so much more. This book also touches upon grief, mental illness and a deep friendship and love that lasted a lifetime. I really enjoyed this book, I enjoyed the pace, the writing, and I liked most of the characters. I will be reading more books by this author in the future.

This is the story of Vivian Snow, a woman who slogs through life from a poor background as the daughter of Italian immigrants to the stratosphere of an extraordinary Hollywood career. Sadly, her fatal flaw lies in her choice of men and her seeming inability to see them clearly.

There is no joy in her relationships with men, friends, husbands and colleagues. Her most satisfying relationship is with her younger sister. Vivian is haunted by the extreme mental illness of her institutionalized mother.

The author transports us to golden Hollywood, freely dropping in the names of real characters.

There is also a strong religious strand running through this novel. Vivian remains strongly attached to her Catholic upbringing. Within that segment of her life is her enduring love for a priest and confident, Father Trombello. Sadly, her relationship with her daughter is deeply flawed. I notice that several recent novels have explored the tumultuous relationships between mothers and their daughters.

This is an interesting novel, but Bleeker has created a character who is mired in despair. I will recommend this novel, but it didn’t bring me any joy, despite it being very well written and researched.

Thank you Netgalley for this interesting novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC.
Even though I hadn't read the previous book, I found it easily read as a standalone.
It's an exciting read about a girl who goes from travelling during WWII performing for soldiers to becoming an Oscar-winning Hollywood actress.
There are heartaches, total devotion, mother's love, terrible men and the glamorous, phony world of the Hollywood glitterati throughout the book.
I enjoyed it a lot and found it hard to put down.

I am a big fan of Emily Bleeker and this is my 5th book that I’ve read by her. Her writing style is easily digestible and well thought out. This book was a follow-up to When We Were Enemies and it was great to see where everything landed.


This book has a slow-burn romance and brings up discussions about grief and how important it is to process it. I liked this story, but there were times when it was too slow. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance.


Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read an early eARC of When We Chased the Light by Emily Bleeker in exchange for an honest review.

Though it jumps about a bit (and there's some catching up to do if you haven't read the previous book), it's a very atmospheric and interesting read about what it was like in Hollywood after the war.

Vivian truly is a legend. I liked the book and the hollywood setting. The plot was interesting, the characters were enjoyable and I could understand everything they did. I liked the writing style but it’s not a book i loved

I’m a big fan of Emily Bleeker books! Since this is book two and I need to read book one of this series, I just wanted to come here and explain this. So on to book one and I’ll return and update my review at that time.
Thx for the opportunity to read this one early. Be back soon.

I read this book in just over 3 days. It was very well written although halfway through I didn’t realize it was Book 2 in a series so I almost wonder if I was missing anything vital to Vivian’s story or if this is truly a standalone novel. However, I did enjoy the story and I definitely got some Evelyn Hugo vibes throughout!

Bravo! This is the first book I have read by this author and I am so impressed. This story had me hooked from the beginning. I enjoyed the characters especially the main character Vivian Snow. She was a fighter. I admired her strength and tenacity. This book had it all, romance, intrigue, and mystery. It wasn't until I read the acknowledgments did I learn that this book was a sequel. It read well as a standalone. I will definitely read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

What did you do over memorial day weekend? - Had my heart ripped out numerous times with Vivian and Trombello. I was not expecting this to be such an emotional book! But it was and it was beautifully written. I lost count of how many times I cried and how many times I yelled at the characters to make different choices than what they were doing. This book is going to stay in my heart for a long awhile.

A gripping story of love, celebrity, and unspoken realities is "The Secrets of Vivian Snow." The biography of Hollywood icon Vivian Snow is told in hand-drawn postcards set against the backdrop of World War II. The secret to her past is with her confidant, Antonio Trombello. An insightful investigation of familial ties and forgiveness.
Emily's historical fiction venture has been enjoyable, and I am grateful for the extensive study that she did.

Thank you for showing us more of Vivian’s story. It was so well written; I felt her joy, disappointment, longing, and loss. I highlighted so much of this book. This is one of my favorites:

“The little girl processes grief like a butterfly flitting from flower to flower, taking sips of the sadness but mostly remaining in flight away from the loss. I worry what will happen when her wings are tired and she has to sit in the heartache she’s running from.“

Anyone who has run from unprocessed grief will be able to identify with this imagery, and those who haven’t will understand it.

I’ve been enjoying Emily’s foray into historical fiction and appreciate the immense amount of research that was done.

Thank you for sharing your gift!

As a history major who loves a good love story and also suspense…..this book is it! Wow!!!! It was so good! Beautifully written, and so descriptive. The secrets that came with this one were enough to keep me up way past my bedtime. Wonderfully written! Add to your TBR

When We Chased the Light by E. Bleeker, published by Lake Union Publishing is the second book. The previous book is When We Were Enemies and I recommend to read the books in order.
This is a slow burn historical romance and tells Vivian and Antonio's story.
The Hollywood icon and the priest and her confidante exchanged postcards throughout their whole lives and these are now up in an auction.
A beautiful, quiet story, well written and beautifullly told.

I went into reading this book not realizing it was the "rest of the story" to When We Were Enemies. I found that book to be an ok read and unfortunately this one is the same.

I can only describe reading this book as the same as drinking a soda that has gone flat. There is no fizz or bubbles. Just a very slow, bland story that is missing something.

The pace of the book is slow and the story spans decades making it seem like it took longer to read than it did. I also couldn't connect with any of the characters in this book. I just found myself not caring about them as they seemed very one dimensional.

This book isn't horrible but just not a book for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

I absolutely loved this book. Emily Bleeker’s writing style is fantastic and makes this book a must read. I was drawn in immediately to Viviana‘s story. She is a strong and passionate heroine and Emily brings her story to life.!!

This is the back story to Ms. Bleeker's other book, When We were enemies. This tells more of Vivian's story and how her life and stardom came to be. It starts with the premise of the auction of handwritten drawn and written postcards, which were sent to Vivian by Father Trombrello during their lives. My review basically can be summed up by the summary of the book. It was a great read, and I was glad to fill in more of the story. I live not too far from Edinburgh and Camp Atteberry, so that made the story interesting too. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Title: A Captivating Journey: A Review of "When We Chased the Light" by Emily Bleeker

"When We Chased the Light" by Emily Bleeker is a poignant and heartfelt novel that explores the complexities of love, loss, and redemption. Set towards the backdrop of the lush Appalachian Mountains, Bleeker weaves a powerful story of resilience, forgiveness, and the enduring bonds of own family.

Pros:
1. Evocative Setting: Bleeker's brilliant descriptions transport readers to the picturesque landscapes of the Appalachian Mountains, immersing them within the splendor and tranquility of nature. The placing serves as a wealthy and atmospheric backdrop for the characters' emotional adventure, including intensity and resonance to the narrative.
2. Compelling Characters: The novel features a various forged of characters, each grappling with their personal personal struggles and demons. From the resilient protagonist, Hannah, to the enigmatic and Finn, Bleeker crafts characters that sense proper and relatable, eliciting empathy and funding from readers.
3. Emotional Depth: "When We Chased the Light" delves into complex topics of grief, forgiveness, and recovery with sensitivity and nuance. Bleeker's exploration of those emotional landscapes is each poignant and profound, providing readers a deeply moving and cathartic analyzing enjoy.
4. Engaging Plot: The novel is driven via a compelling and intricately woven plot that keeps readers captivated from beginning to stop. With its twists and turns, secrets and techniques and revelations, "When We Chased the Light" is a web page-turner that maintains readers guessing until the very last, pleasant end.

Cons:
1. Pacing Issues: Some readers may additionally discover the pacing of the radical to be uneven, with positive sections dragging even as others feel rushed. This occasional imbalance in pacing can detract from the general float of the story and disrupt the immersion of the reader.
2. Predictable Plot Points: While the unconventional is full of sudden twists and turns, a few plot points may additionally sense predictable or formulaic to readers acquainted with the genre. Despite its emotional intensity, the novel on occasion is based on familiar tropes and conventions, which may reduce its effect for some readers.

In end, "When We Chased the Light" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel in order to linger in readers' hearts lengthy once they flip the final web page. With its evocative placing, compelling characters, and attractive plot, Emily Bleeker's present day providing is a ought to-study for fanatics of modern-day fiction.