Between listening to Vivian recount everything from her forbidden love for Hollywood’s leading actor, to working under a misogynistic exec, to her chemistry with her costar-turned-husband on TV, Margot and Leo fall down a memory lane of their own. Margot is inspired by Vivian’s tenacity and courage to keep fighting for the life she wants, but everything changes when Vivian reveals a secret tied to her past in this moving exploration of how it’s never too late to start over.

This is told in two different timelines, present day and Vivian’s past. I loved the way the author incorporated tapes to tell Vivian’s story. This made her past come to life and kept the story so intriguing. It definitely made the anticipation mount for the reader!

Then there is Margot. I will say, I was not a fan at first. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I felt a bit detached from her. But as the story moves along, she became a favorite.

I enjoyed this family mystery! The dual timelines, secrets and the hunt for the truth made for a good read!

Need a good family drama with secrets…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Margot DuBois prepares to sell her late grandmother’s house quickly so she can go back to her predictable life in Santa Barbara when she finds a box of unlabeled cassette tapes. Unable to use the damaged tape player, she calls in a favor from Leo, her first love, and they listen to these tapes together. They are of comedic legend Vivian Stone. Why are they where, what is the connection to her grandmother?
Saaid to be The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel but I think also a dash of Lucy and Desi. I read this book in one day because I was unable to put it down. It has mystery, Hollywood, lots of love and friendships.
Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advance review copy. #TheOneandOnlyVivianStone #NetGalley

My thanks to Net Galley, the personal invitation i received; and Gallery for allowing me to review this arc.

I really enjoyed this book.. I can see the Evelyn Hugo vibe. Instead of a famous celebrity relaying a life story to a reporter, we have a famous celebrity relaying her life story through cassette tapes found in the belongings of Margot DuBois ' grandmother s belongings she is clearing out with her former love Leo.

I also liked the I Love Lucy feel with when Kit and Vivian were working on their show.

2 timelines with Margot in the present and Vivian in the past that come together.

Incredible! I was hooked from the start. I loved the mystery, the historical insight into old Hollywood, and the romance in both timelines. I loved how Margot was able to learn from Vivian and change her life's trajectory. Wonderful! Thank you, NetGalley.

Margot is tasked with cleaning out her dearest Gram’s home after her passing. While going through her things, she finds a box of tapes and letters written from a woman named Vivian to TDH. Curious to know what is on the tapes, she asks Leo, her old flame, to help her find a tape player so she can discover what’s on them. While listening to tapes, they hear about the life of Hollywood star, Vivian Stone, and all the dirty Hollywood details of that time.

As Leo and Margot listen to the tapes, they confront their past history. Margot also tries to reconcile what she wants from her life as she is inspired by Vivian’s perseverance as she rises to fame, deals with love and heartbreak and pursues her own dreams as she refuses to be shackled by Hollywood execs and their demands.

I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did! Vivian’s character is so well developed and her story and resilience will keep you turning the page, even as the mystery of her connection to Margot’s grandmother becomes apparent. In this story, many of Hollywood’s dark secrets are exposed from diet pills to uppers, to forced medical procedures, forced relationships and sexual favors. This is a gripping historical fiction story about the tenacity and grit that’s often required to fulfill your dreams.

Thank you @gallerybooks @netgalley for a #gifted early digital copy of this novel.

BOOK: The One and Only Vivian Stone
AUTHOR: Melissa O’Connor
PUB DATE: July 22. 2025, by Gallery Books
PAGES: 368 pages
RATING: 5 stars
GENRE: Historical Fiction/Romance

THANK YOU to @GalleryBooks & Netgalley for gifting me an advanced copy of this debut! This is one of my favorites of 2025 so far! (Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

QUICK SYNOPSIS: When Margot DuBois returns to her late grandmother’s home in Long Beach, she plans to pack up the past and move on quickly. But a surprising discovery in the attic, a box of mysterious cassette tapes, halts everything. The tapes feature the voice of legendary 1950s Hollywood star Vivian Stone, and they spark questions Margot never expected to ask about her family's history… and herself. As she enlists the help of her high school ex to uncover the story behind the tapes, Margot is drawn into a dual narrative: one that unfolds in the present as she reexamines her own choices, and one that reveals the life of a fiercely talented woman navigating fame, love, & ambition in the Golden Age of Hollywood.

QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: I absolutely loved The One and Only Vivian Stone, by Melissa O’Connor! This book, told with warmth, wit, & emotional depth, swept me up from the very first page. It’s a moving exploration of identity, legacy, and the stories we inherit and the ones we choose to tell. The blend of old Hollywood glamour and heartfelt, modern-day discovery was pitch perfect. The characters felt real, the writing was rich and immersive, and the story left me thinking about the power of legacy, love, and reinvention. A beautiful, moving debut that couldn’t put it down and didn’t want to end! This author will be an auto-buy for me!

This is a great debut novel that kept me turning the pages. It’s a dual-timeline story that goes back and forth between 1950s Hollywood and the present day. Margot Dubois was raised by her single mother and grandmother. When her grandmother passes, and she has to clean out her home, she comes across some audiotapes in the attic. What she finds in them is quite surprising! 

Vivian Stone was a famous Hollywood movie star who had to fight for her fame and for love. Producers had a lot of control over her professional and personal life. What is the link between Vivian and Margot’s family? 

“There will always be people thinking they can tell you what you’re worth.” I met her gaze. "Don’t let them.”

✨Old Hollywood
✨Romance
✨Drama
✨Mystery 

I loved the nods to the glamour of old Hollywood and especially enjoyed Vivian’s perspective in the 1950’s timeline. It was primary in the story. She’s an interesting and dynamic character.

CW | Contains a couple of instances of strong profanity and a few intimate scenes, with mild details. Triggers to be aware of.

[Thanks to the publisher, Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
I love when a debut author comes out and sees success! Congrats, Melissa!

This was a very bingeable read. I was immediately hooked into the 1950s Hollywood world. Loved watching Vivian trying to make her big break alongside best friend, Ruth.

I absolutely swooned over the love triangle and her relationships with both Hugh and Kit. The tension and yearning was delicious and set up many situations where my heart ached!

Great commentary on the misogynistic and cut throat movie business—some disgusting men in power 🙄. But we also get self discovery, tenacity, humor, love, friendship.

This story unfolded through cassette tapes discovered in present day and while I was deeply invested in the 1950s characters, I did enjoy elements of Margot and Leo’s storyline!

This has been compared a lot to Evelyn Hugo and I also see a lot of GBBL. Personally, I thought this was executed better than GBBL.

I devoured this book. From the very first page I was hooked. I could not put the book down. I was invested in the dual timelines. The friendships and romances within the story had me turning pages and needing to keep reading.

Vivian Stone is an amazing character. Her relationship with Ruth was the best. I love how close they are and how much they protect each other. The romances of Vivian Stone were legendary. Each romance makes an impact to Vivian Stone and to her story.

Leo and Margot are the other romance. It had the feel of a secondary storyline, but I would have loved to have more from them. Their romance is a second-chance romance. I liked that they worked together to find the reason that Margot’s grandmother had the cassette tapes from Vivian.

The One and Only Vivian Stone is an entertaining read. I enjoyed every word of this book.

Thank you so much to Gallery Books and Melissa O'Connor for the gifted copy!

The One and Only Vivian Stone is out TODAY and it’s a MUST READ — especially if you love:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Fiona Davis his-fic
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Great Big Beautiful Life

Told in dual timelines, the novel follows Margot DuBois in the present day as she clears out her late grandmother’s Santa Monica home. She discovers a box of old cassette tapes with the voice of Vivian Stone, a rising star in 1950s Hollywood, sharing a deeply personal story. As Margot (with the help of her ex–high school sweetheart, Leo) listens, she’s pulled into Vivian’s world and becomes obsessed with figuring out how Vivian’s connected to her grandmother.

I was hooked from chapter one. Like Margot, I HAD to know what happened to Vivian and her glamorous Hollywood circle. And I loved watching Margot and Leo find inspiration in Vivian’s story, slowly opening up to each other again and just going after what they want.

I’d originally planned to wait for the audiobook since it’s narrated by two of my all-time faves, Patti Murin and Alex Finke, but I couldn’t hold off! I’ve since downloaded it so I can enjoy their performance on my re-read. Definitely one I’d recommend with those two at the mic!

4.5 dual timeline Hollywood stars

This one was a lot of fun to read, and the timelines worked! The present storyline features Margot, returning to her grandmother’s house after her death. She plans to pack everything up and sell the house. It’s hard work because the house is filled with memories and some regrets for the last conversation they had. She comes across a box of mysterious cassette tapes.

Leo was Margot’s first love, and unbelievably, he’s still working at the family music store. Margot seeks him out to restore the tape player to listen to the tapes. He gets the first tape ready, and they listen together, shocked to hear the famous Hollywood voice of Vivian Stone. Did her grandmother know Vivian? Where did these tapes come from?

Then the story really takes off as we learn Vivian’s story from the tapes. With nostalgia of old Hollywood coming through, I fell in love with this star who fought her way to the top. There are love affairs, dominating studio execs who control their stars, and a hope that true love can survive it all.

I rooted for Vivian the whole time, and I couldn’t wait to see how her life turned out. And to ultimately learn the connection of the tapes.

As they make their way through the tapes, it becomes clear that Margot and Leo still have feelings for each other. Can they find a way to make a relationship work long-distance?

This amazing debut novel really resonated with me, and I can’t wait to read the next work from this author.

THE ONE AND ONLY VIVIAN STONE by Melissa O’Connor is an entertaining and emotional story with a bit of mystery, romance and old Hollywood glamour. In the present day, Margot DuBois is a thirty-something failed writer who has returned to her hometown to prepare her grandmother’s house for a quick sale after her death. While cleaning out the attic. Margot finds a box of unlabeled cassette tapes and a damaged tape player. Determined to learn what’s on the tapes, Margot enlists the help of her first love, Leo, even though they haven’t connected in years. He agrees to fix the tape player, if he can listen to the tapes along with her. They are both shocked when the voice on the tapes is that of legendary comedy star, Vivian Stone. How did Margot’s grandmother get these tapes? On the tapes, Vivian recounts the details of her rise to fame, her forbidden love for one of Hollywood’s leading actors and her relationship with her costar husband. As Vivian’s story is revealed, Margot and Leo also explore the relationship they once had and what led to their devastating break-up. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to learn how Margot and Vivian were connected and was not disappointed by the outcome. The characters were engaging and wonderfully-developed. I really enjoyed this captivating book and highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Melissa O'Connor's debut, The One and Only Vivian Stone, is delightful and enchanting and comedic in all the best ways. Melissa effortlessly weaves two storylines together and I found myself unable to put this book down until all the pieces fell into place. This is a stunning debut and a must-read if you love Taylor Jenkins Reid's books!

After the death of Margot's grandmother, Margot returns to her grandmother's home in order to get it ready for the market. While cleaning out the attic, she finds a set of cassette tapes and a broken cassette tape player. Her curiosity gets the best of her and she takes the broken player to the local music shop where she runs into no other than her first love and heartbreak, Leo. Together, they listen to the tapes and we learn about the life of Vivian Stone.

I found myself becoming very invested in Vivian's life. She didn't have an easy upbringing and faced many struggles and outright abuse in her rise in Hollywood. Melissa did a wonderful job balancing the darker elements in this book with well-placed comedic moments. I loved Vivian's friendships with Ruth and Hugh and her eventual relationship with Hugh. Vivian was always there for Ruth, a somewhat sheltered woman, and vice versa. And Hugh--that man needs to be in the dictionary next to "yearning" because he was smitten with Vivian from their very first meeting and still loved her all those years later. I also loved seeing the reconnection between Leo and Margot. Second-chance romances are one of my favorite tropes and Melissa's take on it was done with such subtly that it made the ending all that much sweeter.

Thank you to Gallery Books for the e-ARC! I cannot wait to see what Melissa writes next!

I quite enjoyed this! I love a dual timeline historical fiction looking at the life of an impressive woman paving her own way & navigating what it means to be a woman in this world.

I felt like the reveal maybe wasn't as impactful as I would have hoped... the whole "you might not like me when you hear the end of the story" thing felt a bit contrived; I personally didn't think that what Vivian did was all that bad.

The authorial voice felt humorous and witty and I absolutely love that style.

This is such a lovely story. I love books like this that give us a possible glimpse at the stars we see on the big screen. This book didn’t disappoint. Vivian is a stunning character who knows what she wants in life, but when life throws her a curve ball and says you should be in comedy movies, she isn’t quite sure if it will work. The more she does it though she realizes this is truly what she is meant to do. Along the way she falls in love and together they make a dynamic duo on and off the screen or so it seems. This book is just lovely. Readers are going to be enchanted and swept off their feet at this lovely story.
Thank you so much to Gallery Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

After her grandmother's death Margot returns to the house she grew up in to prepare to sell it.  While cleaning, she comes across a collection of cassette tapes from 50-60s star Vivian Stone reveling her life story.  She ends up listening with Leo, her childhood boyfriend who is helping her fix the cassette player and tapes (because who has a cassette player today?).  While Vivian reveals her secrets, Margot is still confused as to why she has left these to Margot's grandmother, the reason could change her life.

My Review I generally have a hard time getting into a book but this one grabbed me as soon as I began; I started with the amazing audio and it pulled me in immediately and I really enjoyed the multiple narrators).  I love a good old Hollywood tale and this one reminded me a little of Lucille Ball (slap stick comedy, entry into the early days of television, a best friend), who I adore and admire.  I loved both timelines equally (that doesn't always happen) and could not put this one down.  I can't believe this is a debut and I will be waiting eagerly for the author's next book.

4.25

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC to review

Margot DuBois returns to Long Beach, California, after the death of her grandmother. Faced with a mortgage neither she nor her mother can handle, she begins clearing out her childhood home to prepare it for sale. Margot's dream of being a writer has stalled. She has lost confidence in her writing, especially after her now-ex-boyfriend Ben, also a writer, published a bestselling book. While sorting through items in the attic, Margot finds a shoebox containing a love letter and cassette tapes. She visits her childhood boyfriend Leo, who runs his family's music store, and he agrees to help her listen to them with a working tape player, on the condition that he can listen too. It soon becomes evident that the tapes were made by the beloved comedian Vivian Stone, who rose to fame in the 1950s. The recordings reveal the history of Vivian's career and personal journey, but they also contain shocking stories about the Hollywood studio's treatment of its contracted artists. Margot and Leo are captivated by Vivian's story. But what is the connection to Margot's grandmother?

Melissa O'Connor has hit it out of the park with her debut, The One and Only Vivian Stone. If you're a fan of Old Hollywood tales, prepare to be completely immersed in the life of Vivian Stone, who yearns to be a dramatic actress but finds her true calling in comedy. While the darker aspects of the studio system have been explored before, Vivian's experiences and those of the people around her bring a fresh poignancy to the story. This is the tale of a strong, determined woman who takes control of her life. Comparisons to the legendary Lucille Ball are inevitable, but this is uniquely Vivian's story. Modern-day Margot is also a woman to root for, with O'Connor skillfully building anticipation before revealing the connection between the two women. Don't miss this bittersweet, unforgettable book.

4.5 stars.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of this debut novel. This gripping story follows a contemporary woman who discovers vintage cassette tapes, uncovering the captivating life of a starlet from Hollywood’s golden age. The dual timelines are seamlessly woven, offering a powerful exploration of the sacrifices women made in classic Hollywood. A standout debut—I’ll be eagerly looking out for this author’s next book.

The One and Only Vivian Stone is a delightful read. Vivian Stone is a comedienne in old Hollywood. Margot Dubois hadn’t heard of her, but in cleaning out her grandmother’s home after her death, Margot finds a shoebox of cassette tapes recorded by Vivian. It’s a bit of a mystery. How is Margot’s grandmother connected to Vivian? Why are the tapes there?

The story alternates between Vivian’s life and Margot’s, as Margot listens to the tapes and learns all about Vivian—a true trailblazer of an actress. We spend a little less time with Margot, but enough to be privy to her own love story that unfolds alongside listening to the cassettes.

The One and Only Vivian Stone is easy reading, with a few sad bumps along the way, that makes you feel good overall. A good amount of romance. A little bit of mystery. And overall good times. Recommended.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite quote:

“Every scar, every imperfection, is a reminder. Not of how damaged we are but that we’ve lived.”

This was a dazzling and emotional dual timeline historical fiction that swept me away from the very first page. Set against the glittering backdrop of old Hollywood, the story explores the life of Vivian Stone, a fierce and groundbreaking actress who refuses to let the era’s limitations define her. Flashing forward to the present day, we follow Margot, a writer piecing together Vivian’s legacy, and in doing so, begins to find her own purpose and truth.

What sets this novel apart is its captivating character work. Vivian has the bold charisma and charm of a screen legend, with shades of Lucille Ball’s comedic brilliance and emotional depth. While the book is being compared to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I found Vivian Stone to have its own unique sparkle. Margot’s journey intertwines beautifully with Vivian’s, and both women felt fully fleshed out, complex, and deeply relatable. The shifting timelines never felt disjointed—instead, they enriched each other, revealing secrets, strength, and resilience.

This story truly has it all: romance, family drama, historical richness, and an undercurrent of mystery that kept me emotionally hooked. I was thoroughly invested in both timelines and all the supporting characters. It’s a love letter to ambitious women, untold stories, and the golden age of film. Whether you’re here for the Hollywood glam, the heart tugging emotion, or the slow burn uncovering of a life well lived, you’ll find something to love in this unforgettable read.