If you want a memorable read this, is it. Days after finishing the book I could not get it out of my mind.

Margot DuBois finds seven out of eight damaged tapes while getting her recently deceased grandma’s house ready for sale. What follows is a dual storyline involving the tape recordings by Vivian Stone telling her love story from the past meanwhile Margot and Leo try to solve the tape mystery in the present day while reacquainting themselves after many years apart.

This story describes actors and actresses lives in the past whose lives were controlled by the movie industry if they wanted to continue acting. Love that was not allowed unless it was approved, relationships forced for the good of the studio and film imagine and deep heartbreak.

The ending made me cry for lost love, secrets that existed till the present day, and a new love story.

I give it 5 STARS for the deep emotions, love stories, and stellar presentation.

I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley. This is a great book about the ups and downs of hollywood told through two timelines. When Margot's grandma dies and she is getting the house ready to sell, she finds 7 of 8 tapes by a famous actress named Vivian Stone. She wonders why her grandma has these tapes. She goes to the local music store and has her old high school boyfriend fix a tape recorder so she can listen to them. He agrees to do if she will let him listen to them with her. She agrees. Switching back and forth between the stories on the tapes and present day, we learn why her grandma has them.

This was an entertaining read that I finished in a few hours.
A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
They are realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

In the current timeline of this book, Margot has returned to her childhood home to clear out her grandmother’s belongings to sell the house. When she uncovers some mysterious cassette tapes, she is forced to ask her former boyfriend, Leo for help with making the tapes playable and he agrees only if he can listen to the tapes with her.
The second timeline, supposedly what is recorded on the tapes tells the story of Vivian Stone, an aspiring starlet and comedienne whose story unfolds during the 1950s in Hollywood. Margot is perplexed about Vivian’s connection to her grandmother and begins to solve the mystery while rekindling her relationship with Leo.
Margot and Leo’s story is certainly secondary to Vivian’s and I would consider it cheesy and unnecessary if the author didn’t do a good job bringing the stories together in the end. Vivian’s journey to fame is certainly more interesting, both inspiring and heartbreaking at times. As a result of the “me too” movement, we know that what young female performers had to endure during this timeframe is accurate in terms of what Vivian went through. I couldn’t help but admire Vivian’s strong character and how she fought back harder when met with adversity. I found some of the “50s Hollywood” dialogue to be cheesy and cliche but overall, I enjoyed the story and the unraveling of the mystery. And I guess happy endings all around, however unrealistic were an added bonus.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

I loved living in the glamorous, old Hollywood world of Vivian Stone in the pages of this captivating debut novel. When thirty-something Margo DuBois returns to the home of her beloved deceased grandmother, her goal was to clean out the lifetime of belongings and get the house ready for sale. But when Margo discovers a box of letters signed by Vivian along with recorded tapes in Vivian’s voice, she is determined to find out why they were in her grandmother’s possession and what connection did Vivian have to her grandmother. With the help of Margo’s high school love, the two embark on an emotional mission to learn the truth.

Written in a dual timeline format from the point of views of Vivian and Margo, this story was charming and seductive. For those of you familiar with the male heartthrobs of old Hollywood movies and the antics of Lucille Ball on TV, this story will delight you as you “hear” the tapes left behind by Vivian recounting her life and secrets.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read a digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The One and Only Vivian Stone is a spectacular debut for Melissa O'Connor. Stone definitely lives up to its comparison to Evelyn Hugo, but this story has its own twists and surprises that make it unique. With dual timelines set in the present and in mid-century Hollywood, the story stars both Margot and Vivian; the majority of the story takes place from Vivian's POV, but Margot's involvement is necessary to jump into the past. Although the two women are very different, both shine in their roles and provide the readers with different aspects of success and a happy life. I did like Margot's story, but I preferred Vivian's tale, and I couldn't stop reading to find out how things would end for her. I figured out the connection between Vivian and Margot before the reveal, but that didn't stop it from being impactful, and although I was initially annoyed with Margot's attitude towards Vivian in the wake of the reveal, I'm glad things took a turn for the better. The ending felt a little abrupt, but I liked how it all wrapped up. With a stunning leading lady, optimism, true love, and lots of laughs, The One and Only Vivian Stone shines as bright as a Hollywood star.

Does the era of big Hollywood studios, the glamour, the glitz and the stars, amaze you? Well be prepared to be amazed by this book! Very well researched, very well written this book puts all the Hollywood dirt on the table. From shady agents to mega stars, this book has it all and touches on them in the most intimate way! Delving into the way old Hollywood was and how the actors and actresses not only worked together but lived together, this book shows you up front and personal how all things that glitter doesn’t always last and how the dullest fake can outshine them all. With everything Hollywood this book goes into studio life, being on set, agents asking for benefits to further actresses’ careers, and all the repercussions if they did not comply. It will make you understand why the “me too” movement began and bring you into the living room of every star you ever thought you knew. At once pragmatic and endearing, this book pulls out all the stops and shows you everything that Hollywood really was. The question is: Are you ready to bring your idols down to earth? This book will not only do that, but it will bring the whole Hollywood lifestyle crashing down around you so be prepared to step out of the thought that you know what it was all about. You are getting a real look at the REAL Hollywood, and you might have to give up your preconceived notions of what Hollywood is like. Are you up for the challenge?

The One and Only Vivian Stone was a very enjoyable read. The book alternated between present day and the 1950s. Margot finds some hidden tapes in her late Grandmother’s home and proceeds to listen to them with her old high school friend, Leo. The tapes tell Vivian’s story. Some of the story reminded me of the late Lucy Ball and husband Desi Arnez. There’s a mix of historical fiction, especially in regard to how the movie studios controlled your life and how the studio heads treated women.
Definitely a book worth reading.

Thank you to the publisher for my eARC!

I absolutely loved this book. I was hooked from the first few chapters. It was a great blend of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. I think readers who love the following will love it:

-Women ahead of their time
-Historical Fiction
-"It's always been you" trope
-Dual timelines

The book does have some heavier content so readers should be careful and do their research if certain triggers are upsetting.

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.