Oh this book had such beautiful writing. I love how it was written in more of a storytelling style, without a lot of dialogue, because for some reason it really made this feel more like memories into the past. I could imagine Pauline watching The Mapes Hotel fall and having all these memories of her past flash behind her eyes.

I loved Pauline so much; her passion for the horses and her daughter was lovely to read about. I really enjoyed all the scenes with the horses and feel like I learned a lot about the Mustangs. Pauline is so brave - moving from Paris to Reno with her mother and growing up so quickly in her new environment. She embraced it fully and persevered through everything.

Even though her time with Marilyn was short, it was so poignant and it helped turn her life around so she could follow her dreams. The fact that Marilyn was struggling so badly, but fought through her depression to push Pauline to never give up made me appreciate her even more (even as my heart broke for her). And even though it seemed like such a short acquaintance, it was one of those moments that everyone has in their life that stays at the top of your mind and in your heart even long after, which feels so relatable (even if you haven't met a celebrity).

Thanks to Netgalley & Grand Central Publishing for the E-ARC! Really enjoyed! Great concept & well-done characters. Beautiful writing style too. Will read more from this author.

Blonde Dust was enticing to me because I remember watching the Misfits at the theater when I was a child. I also remember that it was the last movie that Clark Gable filmed as well as the last complete movie that Marilyn Monroe was in. Montgomery Clift was also in the cast and his career was fading fast. These Hollywood legends made this movie and there were multiple rumors around the hardships of making this movie, so the author’s story about Pauline and her family and their struggles, as well as the Mustangs and their treatment, fit right into the plot and gave the reader several levels of conflict that they were all dealing with. It symbolized endings for the actors and horses and a new beginning for Pauline. I thought the book was really interesting and I loved the story of Pauline and her family and how it ties in to the making of the movie in Reno. I’ve read a number of books about Marilyn Monroe, and this story seemed to focus on the “Marilyn” that was relatively unknown to the public and her struggles in her personal life and career. De Rosney spins the story of Pauline, with her personal problems into the story of Marilyn in an engaging and realistic way. It had a noir vibe and reminded me of a classic movie plot. I highly recommend this novel.

In this unique Historical Fiction novel we are drawn into the world of Marilyn Monroe. I will admit thay this was the first novel that I ever read about Marilyn Monroe so I'm slightly rusty when it comes to her as a person. However, this is mostly about her friendship with a maid at a Nevada hotel named Pauline. Marilyn was in Neveda at the time working on a movie with her husband. Reading a story about a celebrity beibg friends with an average person is something unique and lovely to read about because it shows that they are normal people too.
I received an ARC copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

Wonderful historical fiction about an unlikely friendship between Marilyn Monroe and a maid. Most of the story was about Pauline's life and the amazing turn things took when she met Marilyn. I was truly hooked on Pauline's story overcoming some pretty big obstacles to achieve her dreams. This was beautifully written.

A really interesting story in a really interesting setting. Loved learning about the mustangs and Nevada - felt the book to be slightly unfinished in a sense like not all the loose ends were tied up.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Unfortunately, this just wasn't quite for me. I never fell for any of the characters or the story. I also felt a bit conflicted about the use of Marilyn Monroe as a character, and the way the novel played around with the idea of respecting her privacy while also giving readers sordid details. It felt a little bit like having its cake and eating it too, to me. It also felt like the use of Monroe as a character was a way to build in audience connection without necessarily fleshing out the character. I doubt it would've worked if it was an homage rather than a fictional manifestation.

Appreciate the chance to read and I am sure there is an audience out there for this story, even if I wasn't it.

Blonde Dust by Tatiana de Rosnay is a beautiful book about friendships, dreams, and a glimpse of the up and down life of Marilyn Monroe and Pauline, a young hotel maid. The book was fascinating. I enjoyed when the wild mustangs became a thread throughout the book. I was fully engaged start to finish.

The interwoven storyline was very interesting. I liked the fact that historical facts were brought to light and were used to enhance the story.. I believe younger readers aren’t familiar with Marilyn Monroe so they might not get the nostalgia imbedded into this story.

While I chose to read Blonde Dust thinking it would be about old Hollywood Glamour, Marilyn Monroe, etc., the truth is that Monroe and the Hollywood/movie making side of things was truly just the background setting for the main character, Pauline's story. While it wasn't quite what I expected, I did still enjoy Blonde Dust. A much bigger portion of the novel revolved around the wild mustangs of Nevada and Pauline's growing love and passion for them.

Tatiana de Rosnay has delivered another wonderful novel. The story of Marilyn Monroe‘s life ,while filming her final film, ,The Misfits in 1960 in Reno, Nevada. The story is told through the eyes of a chambermaid who cleans her suite each day. She touches on the lives of Clark Gable and other co-stars during this time period. Marilyn is surrounded by what she calls her happy people who try to keep her on a good path. We get to meet her trainer, her masseuse, her coach, and her secretary. The Misfits, , of course, is written by her husband, Arthur Miller, their marriage is already falling apart. It brings further light into the tragic story of this talented actress. It is cleverly written. It keeps your interest and is a very quick read.
As an aside to all of this, you learn about the Mustangs who ran wild in Nevada. Many were caught and sold for dog meat.
We are privy to another culture and the people who tried to save these wild horses.

This book really was not that interesting or enjoyable to me and i did not enjoy how the chapters were laid out or put together.

I really enjoyed this book. I initially wanted to read itb because I have enjoyed other books by this author. The book had a lot of depth and character. It was difficult at times to follow due to past and present shifts.

Blond Dust
I don’t know if any of the plot of this book is based on any real events, other than the movie Misfits was filmed in Reno, Nevada. It’s about an unlikely friendship between Marilyn Monroe, the movie’s star and a young maid. Right from the beginning, the story didn’t ring true to me and it just got more and more unlikely. The proverbial happy ending was also very contrite. I can’t give this novel more than 3 stars, although I enjoyed this author’s previous work.
I received a complimentary copy, opinions are my own.

Ms. de Rosnay has written a beautiful coming of age story about a young woman, Pauline, a maid who cleans at the Mapes Hotel in Reno, Nevada. She meets, of all people, Marilyn Monroe while Marilyn is there filming the movie, The Misfits, with Cliff Montgomery and Clark Gable. It's a feel good book about Pauline, who has a child out of wedlock from a real creep of a boss (the worst kind) and decides to chuck it all to become an equine veterinarian. I loved it all....I've read lots of books about Marilyn and while the author and I do not share the how's and why's of her death....this is a great book. Marilyn is depicted as the kind and warm person we all grew up hearing stories about.
Highly recommended reading!

I very much enjoyed this novel, Blonde Dust, by Tatiana de Rosnay. The story’s protagonist showed growth from a people pleaser to a strong independent woman who succeeds in life despite adversity. This was a great basis for the story. The story’s interplay revolved around Marilyn Monroe and the protagonist’s love of horses, and her dream of becoming an Equine Veterinarian. I enjoyed the way de Rosnay wove these two seemingly unrelated elements together and came up with the storyline. I learned a lot about Marilyn Monroe and the Hollywood of the Golden Age. This was a very good read for me. 4 out of 5 star. I would definitely recommend this novel.

What an enlightening book. Who knew all things about Marilyn Monroe. What a sad situation. I love the way this author writes and have read other books by her all wonderful.

Beautiful character building in this one. I just felt bored at times. Thank you for the copy. Enjoyed the read and would recommend it to my book group.

“Blonde Dust” by Tatiana De Rosnay is the reimagining of a side of Marilyn Monroe that features Pauline, a cleaner and single mom, for the Mapes Hotel in Reno, Nevada. Through a twist of fate, Pauline is asked to clean the famous actress’s suite. During the filming of “The Misfits,” a friendship springs up between Marilyn Monroe and Pauline which has a lasting effect on Pauline’s life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I enjoy this author, and I enjoyed this book. It explores how a chance meeting and a short relationship can change a life. It also demonstrates how two people from opposite ends of the spectrum of our social system can meet, and relate, and be a comfort and support for each other, no matter how little they have in common. In this case, it is a young girl cleaning the bathrooms at a prestigious, hotel, and a starlet at the height of her fame. How they meet, relate, make an impact on each others’ lives, and then go their own ways is the crux of this well told tale. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy, i’m glad I read it.