A chance meeting, while substituting for another chambermaid at a casino, young Pauline's life begins to change. The occupants are Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but Pauline doesn't recognize the pale, naked lady with messy hair. She speaks politely & continues to work, but has no idea that she's chatting with THE Marilyn Monroe!

"Mrs. Miller" requests Pauline be assigned to her suite and they strike up an unlikely friendship. They talk and share memories & she even insists on meeting Pauline's young daughter. By sharing just a bit of her inner light, Marilyn inspires Pauline to remember her dreams.

This story is about that unexpected friend who may only enter your life for a short time, but changes you forever.

Netgalley-thanks for the ARC.

The mystic of Norma Jean lives on!
Those of us who are old enough to remember the fame and tragedy of Marilyn Monroe will be heartened by this fictional tale of her generous, kind, lonely and damaged heart.
Pauline is a young unwed mother who is working as a maid in the nicest hotel in Reno when Marilyn’s final film, The Misfits, is being filmed on location. By chance, she is assigned to clean Marilyn’s suite and Marilyn decides to take the younger woman under her wing.
Reno in the 1950’s was still much larger than Las Vegas so it was the place to be in Nevada. As anyone who has ever lived there knows, the desert is a special place that has its own unique ambiance. From childhood Pauline was one drawn to the wide open spaces, the special scents and topography so unique to the desert. In that way, she and Marilyn would outwardly appear to be polar opposites, but they have a lot more in common than anyone would suspect.
It sounds fanciful and maybe foolish, but it is actually an ode to a misunderstood superstar who was a victim of her time and her own beauty that was unable to protect her tender heart.

"A "Hollywood tale with heart" about a reimagined friendship between Marilyn Monroe and a young maid whose life will be changed forever, from the New York Times bestselling author of Sarah's Key. (Adriana Trigliani)

Pauline, a young chambermaid who works at the legendary Mapes Hotel in Reno, Nevada, is asked to step in for a colleague and clean Suite 614. Although she was told the rooms were empty, a dazed, sleepy woman appears before her. This is Mrs. Miller, aka Marilyn Monroe, whose stay in Reno coincides with the breakdown of her marriage to Arthur Miller and the filming of what was to be her last film, The Misfits.

Set in the American West in 1960 where the mustang horses run wild, an unexpected friendship unfolds between the most famous movie star in the world and a young cleaning woman whose life will be changed forever through the course of a few weeks. A testament to the enduring power of female friendship and a reimagining of a side of Marilyn Monroe that has never been seen before."

A female empowerment version of My Week with Marilyn!

Pauline is a chambermaid at the Mapes Hotel in Reno, Nevada. When another employee was injured, she was instructed to clean Suite 614. The suite was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Miller. Mrs Miller is also known as Marilyn Monroe. She is in Reno filming a movie called The Misfits. This is the unlikely story of the friendship that bloomed between the actress and the cleaner.
I really enjoyed this book. I basically read it in one sitting. The writing was crisp, and the characters three dimensional. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

This story follows the making of the film "The Misfits,” It offers a fictional perspective through the eyes of a young woman who forms an unexpected bond with the film's leading lady, Marilyn Monroe. The setting for the novel is in Reno Nevada at the Mapes Hotel. The main character, Pauline, is a chambermaid who is instructed to clean Suite 614. She has no idea who is staying in the room but quickly meets Mrs. Miller who is actually Marilyn Monroe. The two women form a very unlikely friendship as Pauline watches the breakdown of Marilyn’s marriage to Arthur Miller,

The story is far from a familiar one as it exposes the vulnerability of Marilyn’s life and all the difficulties of the filming of her final movie. I have heard that Marilyn was a very sweet person who was taken advantage of by many people. This book shows her from a very human side as she helps Pauline to realize her own worth and encourages her to reach out for her personal dreams.

The wild mustangs of Nevada are introduced and become characters in the book in a delightful way.

I highly recommend this book. It is wonderfully written and all characters come alive to the reader.

I wish to thank Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The story starts with the implosion of a famous Mapes hotel in Reno Nevada. Pauline, who was a chambermaid at the hotel as a young woman, has arrived to watch with her best friend and her brother. We learn her back story in the 1960's, which includes her time working when she was covering and finds herself taking care of Mrs Miller's room (aka Marilyn Monroe). Now a veterinarian, the reader learns of Pauline's love of horses, especially mustangs, from her time spent with her best friend working on a ranch on weekends. The story is not at all a happy one throughout, with heartbreak while learning of her mother's hopes and dreams not being what she expected, an unplanned pregnancy for Pauline, and the sad story of Mrs. Miller.
As a huge fan of Ms de Rosnay's 'Sarah's Key', I was curious to see how another of her stories was written. It is a good book, that imagines an unlikely friendship between Marilyn and a chambermaid. Thanks to NetGalley, Ms de Rosnay, and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pauline is a chambermaid and is asked to clean room 614, thinking the room was empty, she finds Marilyn Monroe, a friendship develops. good story

I really enjoyed reading this book! It's a story of an unlikely friendship. It's also about a young woman becoming independent and following her true passion.

The characters are written brilliantly! Mrs. Miller, aka Marilyn Monroe - her different personalities were like a pendulum swinging from high to low and back again. Pauline impressed me. She was in the inside circle of Monroe's "Happy People." She held all of her experiences with these people secret and close to her heart. Billie-Pearl is the best friend that everyone wishes they had! Doug is the supportive stepfather. Special shoutout to Commander, whose strength and courage helped Pauline many times!

Books like these are my favorite! I love the blend of history and fiction. Not only do I get swept up in the characters and their stories, but I also become curious about the historical facts.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Grand Central Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love me some historical fiction, especially when one of it's characters features the most misunderstood famous woman on earth in her final period of her life. While this was a bit slow at time, I still thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tatiana de Rosnay, and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC of Blonde Dust. Tatiana de Rosnay, a bestselling author known for her work in both French and English, has penned a new novel titled "Blonde Dust." This captivating story delves into the tumultuous production of the film "The Misfits," offering a fictional perspective through the eyes of a young woman who forms an unexpected bond with the film's leading lady, Marilyn Monroe. The novel, recently published in France, has also been acquired by Grand Central Publishing for a US release in 2025.

"Blonde Dust" transports readers to the legendary Mapes Hotel in Reno, Nevada, where Pauline, a young chambermaid, finds herself cleaning Suite 614. Despite being told the suite was empty, Pauline encounters a disoriented and sleepy woman, who reveals herself to be Mrs. Miller, better known as Marilyn Monroe. Monroe's stay in Reno coincides with the breakdown of her marriage to Arthur Miller and the filming of "The Misfits," which would become her final film.

The novel unfolds against the backdrop of the vast and arid Nevada desert, where wild mustang horses roam free. This setting serves as a poignant contrast to the glamorous world of Hollywood, highlighting the stark realities of Monroe's life. The story explores the unlikely friendship that

"Blonde Dust" is a poignant and redemptive tale that explores themes of female friendship, loss, and the unexpected ways in which life can change. The novel presents a unique and intimate portrait of Marilyn Monroe, showcasing her vulnerability and intelligence beyond the public image. It is a story of two women from different walks of life who find solace and strength in each other, ultimately transforming their lives in ways they could never have imagined.

Blonde Dust by Tatiana de Rosnay is a beautifully crafted novel that weaves together themes of dreams, identity, and personal growth. The protagonist, Pauline, is a housekeeper at the Mapes Hotel, caught between her unfulfilled dream of becoming a veterinarian and her responsibilities as a mother. Her deep connection to wild horses symbolizes her longing for freedom and a life beyond the confines of her current reality.

The brief but meaningful encounters with Marilyn Monroe bring layers of complexity to the narrative, highlighting Pauline’s own search for identity. The horses, in particular, stand as a powerful counterpoint to the chaos of her human relationships, representing both Pauline’s dreams and her struggle to reconcile them with her present life.

Blonde Dust is a heartfelt exploration of ambition, fleeting moments, and the beauty of even the smallest connections. With its rich, character-driven narrative, this novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys emotional stories of self-discovery.

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Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of Blonde Dust by Tatiana de Rosnay from Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the 1960s in Reno, NV, the story follows Pauline who moved to Reno with her family from Paris. While her mother continues to mourn her Paris life, Pauline and her stepfather embrace life in Reno. Pauline falls in love with horses and finds a best friend, Billie-Jean. She also falls under the spell of a unscrupulous man and this relationship changes her future. She finds herself as a maid at a fancy hotel in Reno where Maryilyn Monroe and the cast of The Misfits are staying while they film. Assigned to Maryilyn Monroe's room, Pauline begins a friendship with the star.

This historical novel highlights the struggles of each woman with special insight into the private life of Marilyn Monroe. They find strength in each other and themselves.

Blonde Dust is a beautifully written historical novel set in 1960s Reno, Nevada, where a young chambermaid, Pauline, forms a touching friendship with Marilyn Monroe during a difficult time in the star’s life. Tatiana de Rosnay captures Marilyn’s vulnerability and humanity with great sensitivity, moving beyond her celebrity image. The novel’s rich atmosphere and emotional depth make it a compelling story about friendship, loneliness, and healing. A heartfelt and engaging read for fans of historical fiction and Hollywood’s golden era.

I have to admit I was a little nervous to read another book by Tatiana de Rosnay. The last one I read was Sarah’s Key. It was really well written, but so heart breaking. However, because it was so well written, I decided to try again. The blurb tells us that Blonde Dust is about a friendship between the legendary Marilyn Monroe and a cleaning girl at the hotel where Marilyn stayed during filming of The Misfits. While the story is fiction, much of it is based on facts about the movie and the superstar. Of course, Marilyn’s eventual “ending” is not a happy one, but that is a minor part that takes place a few years after the main part of the story. And the story of the two women’s friendship that develops is compelling, sweet and believable. The author’s transitions between past, present, and in between are seamless and masterful. The portrayal of women in the early 60’s is very well done. Pauline, the cleaning girl is a teen in this part of the book, and grows from a shy, stammering girl who is taken advantage of, to one who, with the help of Marilyn, makes a new life for herself. I highly recommend this book! 5 Stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This book focuses on the brief but intense friendship that developed between a young maid, Pauline at the NapesHotel in Reno , Nevada and actress Marilyn Monroe who was there to film her last full length film “ The Misfits” , in 1960..The story is a dual timeline, Pauline’s story of a young French girl who arrives in Reno after the war and her family relationships, her friendship with another young girl who introduces her to the world of wild mustang horses and ultimately changes her life. Pauline’s story focuses on her life in the late 1950’s as a young teenager with triumphs and unfortunate circumstances. Marilyn Monroe in Reno filming this movie is a person who is needy, troubled, heavily into drugs and alcohol, takes a liking to young Pauline and ultimately helps her in becoming the woman who she becomes. The story fast forwards to 2000 when the Napes Hotel is being imploded and Pauline is reflecting on her time as a maid there. I enjoyed this book, at times it did seem a bit slow and repetitive, especially the scenes of Marilyn every morning, drugged, drunk, disheveled, needing many people together her together, but it also showed a sweet, tender, caring side of Marilyn , especially when it came to children and animals. I would highly recommend this story.

When I got the chance to read Tatiana de Rosnay’s new book, I couldn’t pass it up! It did not disappoint. I love the connection of Marilyn Monroe and mustangs both of which were born to be wild and free. Paulina, Billie-Pearl, Doug and even the sorrowful Marcelle will all stay in your head for a while after the final page. Another winner from a notable author!

Tatiana De Rosnay’s latest book, “Blonde Dust,” is about Pauline Bazelet, a cleaner for the Mapes Hotel in Reno, who meets Marilyn Monroe and her entourage while cleaning her suite at the Mapes hotel during the filming of the movie, “the Misfits” in 1960. As a youth, Pauline had dreams of becoming a equine veterinarian after her experiences at a ranch that rehabilitated injured wild mustangs. These dreams were dashed when she found herself pregnant out of wedlock after a clandestine relationship with Kendall Spencer, the assistant director of the Mapes hotel. After she gives birth to her daughter, Libby, Spencer gets her a job as a cleaner at the hotel, where she is consigned to cleaning the bathrooms on the main floor.

She gets a lucky break when the cleaner for the sixth floor breaks a wrist and is forced to take a leave of absence from the hotel. Pauline takes her place cleaning Marilyn Monroe’s suite. What follows is a sweet friendship in which Marilyn pays her the respect she has sorely lacked and builds her confidence.

The book alternates in time between Pauline’s present tending to Marilyn Monroe and Pauline’s past growing up in Reno as a transplant from her native Paris, falling in love with wild mustangs, and meeting Kendall Spencer. The book is bookended by the demolition of the hotel in 2000, an event which Pauline attends, and that becomes a stimulus to reminisce about her past there.

The characters are well-drawn, including Marilyn herself, and the author does a great job recreating the feel of 1960’s Reno. On the negative side, the book seemed to move very slowly, particularly when the author went into excruciating detail describing Pauline’s cleaning routine at the hotel. However, overall it was well-written and engaging as long as the reader realizes that it is somewhat slow paced. This book should appeal to anyone who likes historical fiction with likable characters who overcome obstacles and grow throughout the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Books for providing me an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I finished this book in 2 sittings. It was captivating.. I loved the relationship Pauline had with Marilyn. It showed the complicated and sad side of Marilyn yet she was so caring and giving, I felt sorry for her and what she did for Pauline was so generous and thoughtful. It allowed Pauline to achieve her dream. Pauline kept Marilyn’s troubles to herself. She was a good friend to her. I loved everything about this book

Pauline’s story goes back and forth between now and then and how for a short time she was befriended by the one and only Marilyn Monroe.

Pauline was born in Paris and when her mother married an American, they moved to Nevada.
That’s where little Pauline learned about the wild Mustangs and how poorly they were treated.

The dream to be a veterinarian was born and to help the wild horses became her passion, but life doesn’t always go as planned and this story will tug at your heart and put a smile on your face as well as a tear in your eye as you read how this young girl ended up being Marilyn’s maid at the Mape’s hotel while the actress was in Reno filming “The misfits “.

I loved how the story evolved and the characters were colorful and fun.
4 “Happy People “ stars

I received a free ARC ebook of <i>Blonde Dust</i> from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Marilyn Monroe epitomizes the movie star of a bygone era. Happiness, however, was elusive. Here, the author combines the supposed glamor of movie stardom with the very down to earth character of a hotel cleaning lady, Pauline.
Monroe and entourage are in Reno while filming <i>The Misfits.</>. Production is not going well, and Monroe's pill and alcohol use are on full display. Unexpectedly, the maid whose own dreams of becoming a vet had been derailed by an unexpected pregnancy is assigned to clean her suite. The two lonely women have much in common. Both are manipulated by men in power, and both have dreams of another life. Marilyn's escape comes via pills and alcohol while Pauline's comes through her connection to horses, especially the wild horses of Nevada.
The author captures the late 50s setting of Reno and the dismissive way intelligent, talented women were treated. There's lots to enjoy in this book.