As a devoted admirer of classic cinema, I found The Starlets by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne to be a great listen. The authors expertly capture the fierce rivalry between two starlets, evoking the essence of the legendary feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. If you have a fondness for late 1950s Hollywood, this audiobook is sure to enchant you. I particularly enjoyed the cultural references woven throughout the story, especially the clever nods to real-life stars with whom the fictional characters interact. For anyone who shares my passion for vintage cinema, this experience was truly enjoyable. Imagine the drama surrounding the production of Cleopatra with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton—all the rumored chaos that unfolded—and you’ll get a sense of the atmosphere on the set of A Thousand Ships, filming on Tavalli a remote Italian island.. The narrator breathes life into the characters with her remarkable ability to create distinct voices.

The tale unfolds as Vivienne Rhodes joins the cast on location during the summer of 1958. Full of hope, Vivienne believes she has finally secured her big break, landing the coveted role of Helen of Troy in Apex Pictures’ highly anticipated film, A Thousand Ships, aimed at revitalizing the struggling studio. However, her excitement quickly turns to heartbreak when she arrives on the stunning Italian island of Tavalli, only to discover she has been relegated to the role of Cassandra—while her arch-nemesis, the fiancé-stealing Lottie Lawrence, lauded as America’s “sweetheart,” takes center stage as the leading lady.

As tension escalates on set, the atmosphere grows increasingly sinister when Vivienne and Lottie stumble upon a shocking revelation: some crew members are using the film’s production as a cover for illicit activities—and they will stop at nothing to keep their secrets under wraps. In a desperate bid for survival, the two women find themselves compelled to join forces, determined to deliver critical evidence to Interpol to safeguard their lives and careers.

Navigating a treacherous landscape filled with corrupt police and menacing mobsters, these former rivals embark on a daring escape across the seas. Their exhilarating journey whisks them through the opulence of Monaco’s casinos, past the grand palace of Grace Kelly, and on a breathtaking road trip through the majestic Alps—even landing them on another film set. Ultimately, their adventure culminates in a dramatic showdown back in Tavalli, where the fates of the entire cast and crew hang in the balance. Vivienne and Lottie finally have the chance to evolve into true heroines, capable of saving the day, the film, and perhaps even each other—but only if they can learn to share the spotlight.

This ensemble of characters evokes the grandeur of a Cecil B. DeMille production, and Gail Shalan masterfully weaves the narration, showcasing a level of skill that truly sets her apart; a less adept narrator might have found this task daunting.

A heartfelt thank you to. Harper Muse and NetGalley for the advance copy of the audiobook.

4.5 Stars rounded up. The Starlets is pure escapist gold — equal parts Hollywood scandal, jet-set adventure, and fierce female drama. From champagne-fueled chaos on the water to literal wine vans barreling through Europe (yes, really), this book delivers nonstop entertainment with a stylish edge.

I devoured the audiobook — the narration was vibrant and addictive — but the real treat is the physical copy, which comes with mock newspaper clippings that add a dazzling tabloid feel. It felt like stepping into a front-page scandal, and I loved every minute of it.

The rivalry between the main characters was deliciously tense, with just the right dose of glamour, secrets, and unexpected connection. There’s a hint of romance, but the real heart of the story is the chaotic, high-stakes friendship in the spotlight.

The only reason I’m not giving it a full 5 stars? The “drug” subplot didn’t land for me — it felt like a weaker thread in an otherwise dazzling narrative. Not bad, just not as sharp or compelling as the rest of the wild ride.

If you love celebrity drama, globe-hopping chaos, and stories that read like a Netflix binge in book form, The Starlets absolutely delivers. This should be a movie!

I finished the audiobook in a day and I had a nice time listening to it but really I don't know what to make of the story or how seriously to take it. A fun but forgettable book.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Harper Collins/Harper Muse and the authors for the ALC of the book.

Rating: ⭐⭐✨💫

In 1958, on a small Italian island, the struggling Apex studio is banking on its next big movie to save the day. The film stars Vivien Rhoedes, a once-famous actress whose career has seen better days, and Lottie Lawrence, the new darling of the audience. The two leading ladies are expected to play the leading roles, but their rivalry and clashing personalities bring a host of obstacles and disruptions to the set.
The dynamic shifts dramatically when the pair becomes entangled in a serious crime, forcing them to flee across Europe to evade the gangsters hot on their trail. Their perilous and often humorous adventures compel them to work together, slowly transforming their relationship. As they navigate the challenges, they begin to appreciate each other's strengths, leading to a satisfying conclusion. The narrator of the audiobook is trying to add excitement and liveliness to the narration, but it is at times simply too much.

I don’t know why I grabbed this one since I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction but I really enjoyed it!

I wasn’t in the mood for the full book so I’m going to wait to enjoy this one fully at a later date.

I heavily recommend this one based on what I experienced and you can usually tell if an audiobook is a good one or not fairly early on. This one is done very well.


Thank you for the free eARC! I am leaning my honest feedback voluntarily.

The Starlets transports listeners to the golden age of Hollywood and 1958 Europe, blending star power, intrigue, and danger in a captivating story. Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne craft a vivid world where Vivienne Rhodes and Lottie Lawrence, two fierce rivals, find themselves unexpectedly united against a backdrop of corruption and crime. The narrators bring depth and energy to the characters, capturing the glamour of the era while heightening the suspense of their perilous journey across Monaco, the Alps, and beyond. The tension between Vivienne and Lottie is compelling, and their evolving alliance adds a layer of emotional richness to an already exciting plot. This audiobook skillfully balances Hollywood glitz with gritty espionage, making it impossible not to root for these women as they navigate danger, deception, and their own ambitions. Though some plot twists are predictable, the engaging narration and strong character development keep the momentum going until the satisfying finale. Overall, The Starlets is a lively, textured audio experience—perfect for fans of historical thrillers, Hollywood stories, and stories of unlikely heroines. It’s a delightful mix of glamour and grit that will leave you eager for more.

This was an adventurous historical fiction novel set in the glamorous world of 1950s Hollywood. It was full of drama, action, colorful characters and fantastic settings. I was swept away by this unique story and really enjoyed it on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was not the historical fiction novel I was expecting and I can't say that it was well-written either. In order to read/listen to this, you have to suspend A LOT of belief (which is not typically how I like my hist fic books) and just be willing to go along for the ride. I can't really say much about this because I don't really remember a lot of it. I don't even really know how to review it other than it was better than 1 ⭐..... but not much. 🥴

In my audiobook download, the book ran through chapter 1 in about 30 minutes, then immediately started all over again when the next mp3 started rolling. This was in the NetGalley app, so maybe it doesn't happen in other audio platforms.

I liked the voice actor when she was narrating but as soon as she engaged in dialogue, the character voices were unpleasant and distracting. This was especially true for Lottie (shrieking) and Jack Gallo (like when a teen boy wants to buy beer and tries to make his voice artificially deep but it can't get there). Also, I know accents are difficult but when a character is described as having a "flat Midwestern accent", I don't expect to hear a southern drawl, and Gallo's accent was a moving target the whole time. It started out as nonexistent, moved through Italian-ish, and ended somewhere in the realm of Russian.

The story itself was quite interesting in the beginning but very quickly veered into a ridiculous caper. The events became more and more outlandish and I thought we must be near the end because the characters had been through so much, it was time to start winding down. Alas, I was dismayed to discover I was at about 49%. After that, I had a hard time paying attention to the plot because it seemed so silly. I had to keep forcing myself to refocus on what was happening but then my mind would start wandering again. I was full-on relieved when it finally ended.

I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC. My honest review is my own opinion.

I listened to the audiobook of this story and enjoyed it pretty well. It’s a historical fiction/mystery, with a rivals to friends theme. Lottie and Vivienne are both in the film industry and hate each other when they are cast in the same movie, filming in another country. While preparing to film, the uncover a crime and desperately try to distance themselves from it and get help from those that they trust. The journey is pretty fast paced while they are running to get help. From here the two women have to work together and stick together to stay safe. From this, their friendship blossoms.

The book had wonderful imagery between old Hollywood and traveling abroad. It was also really nice to see a book that lifted up women instead of tearing them down. Overall I found this entertaining and kept my interest. I would recommend it to those who like historical fiction but not as historic as a Victorian Era or to those who like stories with old Hollywood aspects.

Thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and HarperCollins for providing a free audiobook in exchange for an open and honest review.

A true high-stakes, drama-filled entertaining piece that looks into the complexities of acting, film production and corruption in the Hollywood film industry brought to light in this captivating historical mystery thriller fiction. I truly could not predict where the plot was going, with all the twists, the conflict and history between actors and the mystery, had me on the edge of my seat. I simply couldm't stop listening and finished this read in one sitting. I will be recommending this star of a novel for a long time. It definitely deserves its time in the spotlight. It's so lyrically and captivatingly written with characters that have such good depth and drama attached to them that I can't help but give kudos to the author. Truly love the Hollywood glamour and snappy pace.

This a book you simply can't take seriously, you just gotta have fun with it. Kinda in the same vein of the later fast and furious movies, it's meant to be fun not accurate. I really enjoyed both Vivienne and Lottie, and I loved the relationship they built throughout the book.
The actual plot was bonkers especially the ending but it was a quick read

Really fun read, I was thinking 4 but it's just not quite a favourite type of material which 4+ stars are favourites to me. Writing was great, plot interesting, characters are layered and the mystery was good. This is a 3.5 stars!

What starts off as a rivalry between two Hollywood starlets quickly turns in to a mystery involving murder and international intrigue. When I began The Starlets, I assumed it would be a typical romance novel ( which is not my favorite genre). That notion quickly dissipated as murders put the two actresses' lives in danger and I found myself very interested in what would happen next.
I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#thestarlets
#leekelly
#jenniferthorne
#adventures
#murders
#internationalintrigue
#netgalley

I really enjoyed this book! I love the 2 female main characters and love their interactions together. I really loved all of the different characters that you meant during the story. The plot was really interesting and kept me entertained. I enjoyed reading this in audiobook format, I thought it was really well done. I loved the mystery part of this story and the crazy adventure that it took the main characters on! I would definitely recommend this!

This is a good and easy listen. The story moved pretty well and did leave me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I also liked that the characters seemed to start off going in one direction as enemies but then went another and worked well together. I think people who read and liked Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo would likely like this as well. Would recommend.

I had a hard time getting into this book. It might be the mood I am currently experiencing. As I have written with other reviews, I am a major mood reader.. I may give this book another shot when I am in the mood for a historical fiction book about Hollywood.

This was adorable, kind of like a "Scooby- Doo" mystery. Fans of thrillers with giant plot twists may not be as enchanted, but mystery readers who can accept a bit of camp for the sake of the plot. I really enjoyed the character of Lottie, her heart was in the right place even when it was to get detrimental. Great voice acting on this audiobook too.
Thank you to NetGalley, the authors Lee Kelly and Jennifer Marie Thorne, and HarperCollins Focus for my copy of this audiobook

This is our January book club book. The audiobook was really fun, I enjoyed how Lottie and Vivianne's relationship evolved. This is an old Hollywood female lead James Bond!

So glamorous and starry! Loved being transported back to the golden age of cinema. Very well written and compelling story.