My first thought after reading this book was total shock that this is the author’s debut novel. It is so well written and the characters are so charismatic. You’ll enjoy a dual time line story, one of which drops you into 1950s Hollywood, and the other present day where a woman tries to piece together cassette tapes recorded telling stories from the 1950s and how they connect to her family. With so many moments of perseverance and triumph, this is easily one of my favorite books of the year.

3.5 stars

I enjoyed this romp through old Hollywood with its past and present timeline and dual timeline. The story has mystery, romance and lots of drama. I felt like the two timelines didn’t quite fit as well as I’d like, but overall this was quite an entertaining read.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

4.25⭐️. A wonderful debut! The story follows, Margot, who discovers old cassette tapes at her deceased grandmother’s home. The tapes chronicle the life of, Vivian, an actress who is navigating love and her career in Hollywood in the 1950s.

I’d characterize this one as historical fiction and romance with a twist of mystery. The story was so immersive - the author made you feel like you were in Hollywood back in the day. The characters were well-developed and the writing was flawless. I really enjoyed the mystery of how Margot’s grandmother came in possession of the tapes about Vivian … it kept me turning the pages late in to the night.

On a more serious note, this book highlights the darker side of Hollywood and the struggles and pressures of actresses in the film industry.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for inviting me to read this book early in exchange for my honest review.

The One and Only Vivian Stone by Melissa O'Connor

This book has a dual timeline that works for me. In the present day we have Margot DuBois packing up the home of her grandmother, a home where Margot was raised by her grandmother and her mother. Margot is hurting at her loss and also feeling guilt for not giving her grandmother her full attention, especially during their last phone call together, when Margot was anxious to get back to a book she was reading. Now Margot is finding out there is so much she didn't know about her grandmother but that at least her grandmother stayed busy and active in her little community.

Margot learns about an earlier time when she finds some cassette tapes among her grandmother's belongings. The tapes were made by a actress who had a very rough start and Margot has no idea why she would have sent those tapes to her grandmother. We spend the most time with the actress, Vivian, and we learn of the abuses and vices of Hollywood. An actor or actress is faced with giving up so much to probably never reach the level of a star and the ladder to stardom, or not, is one that allows the big wigs of Hollywood to abuse the hopeful in so many horrible and disgusting ways.

Vivian never gives up, she keeps on fighting, although she does "pivot" at times. What she wanted when she started her attempt to conquer Hollywood is not what she got but what she got surpasses anything she would have managed without being willing to change. There are two men in her life who are victims of Hollywood, too. The story is so interesting and the side characters are also interesting. Plus, for all the bad men who women can encounter, this story helps us to see that there are good men, too.

I was able to read this book with DeAnn and even Jayme jumped into our discussion and commented on how much we had to say. This book stirred up a lot of thoughts and feelings for the characters in this story. The present day story gives us the closure we need for the earlier story and I enjoyed seeing some parallels to a famous real life actress and the shows she starred in over the years.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

I’m a sucker for anything Old Hollywood, so I was sure I was going to enjoy this and I did. The glitz, the secrets, the larger-than-life characters…it was all there. That said, the “tape” framing didn’t quite work. They’re meant to be recordings, but they read like regular first-person prose, not like someone talking into a recorder or even telling their story out loud. It pulled me out a little, since I expected more voice and immediacy.

Still, it was an easy, entertaining read with a fun setting and plenty of glamour and mystery. I recommend it!

This book does a nice job of mixing old and new timelines. It was really interesting to learn of the past, especially the film and TV world aspects. You really get to know the characters. The problems they face are not only realistic, but also heartfelt. While the story modern day, the majority is set in the past and those parts were the most interesting. If you like the set up of Evelyn Hugo or GBBL, you’ll enjoy this!

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!
I am super picky with my 5 ⭐️s, I don’t give them out easily, but this one had me hooked from the start! I loved everything about it…the 1950s Hollywood glitz and glamour, the dual timeline, the love story and of course the mystery that has me guessing till the end!
My heart ached for Vivian, for Ruth, and for Ginger. I loved both Kit and Hugh. It was such an interesting take on fame and the cost that comes with it.
This was an absolutely fantastic debut novel and I highly recommend it!!

Thank you #NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Margot leads a predictable life in her thirties, and when her grandmother dies, decides to sell her grandma's house. Her plan is to quickly return to Santa Barbara, where she can hide from her professional and personal failings. While cleaning out the attic, she comes across eight cassette tapes. Since the cassette player is broken, she reaches out to Leo, her former love. He agrees to fix the cassette player in exchange for hearing what is on the tapes. The soon learn that the life story of Vivian Stone, a comedic legend, is on the tapes and wonder how her grandmother managed to acquire the tapes. Margot and Leo learn about all of the personal and professional details of Vivian, and in the process remember their own memories together. What they learn is that Vivian was a fighter for what she wanted, and never gave up, and that becomes inspiring for Margot in her own life.

I really enjoyed reading the dual timelines in this book. Vivian was written wonderfully and you could really sense her spunk and drive within the pages, essentially showcasing a woman beyond her time. I enjoyed also how Margot figured out there were parallels with her own life. That being said, there was a ton of emotional connectivity in this book, which the author portrayed well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Gallery Books and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought using the tapes to tell the story was a clever idea. After a recent divorce, Margot DuBois is cleaning out her deceased grandmother's house when she comes across some tapes. Leo, a great friend and a lost love, helps her clean the tapes and find a machine that will play them. It turns out they are tapes made by actress Vivvian Stone about her time in Hollywood. Along the way, Margot discovers some secrets and learns to love again. I thought this was a really good debut novel, and I hope to hear more from this author!

This was an engaging read. I enjoyed the characters and the dual timelines.

Thank you to netgalley for an advance copy. My opinions are my own.

Margot’s grandmother dies, so she is cleaning out the house when she finds a box of tapes. The tape player doesn’t work, so she has Leo, her old boyfriend, help her out. They listen to one tape at a time. This is where old Hollywood comes into play and focuses on young Hollywood actors and actresses, mainly Vivian Stone.
The POV is goes back in time with Vivian to the current Margot and Leo story.
Great story. Well-written debut novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a great read. A unique look at old Hollywood. Some parts I felt like the author was trying to convey the magic of Evelyn Hugo. But in other parts this book was completely its own. A tale of strong women in a world and time that didn’t acknowledge them.

The One and Only Vivian Stone is the debut novel from Melissa O'Connor.

"After her grandmother's death, Margot finds a box of cassettes while cleaning out her house. She asks her old friend, Leo, to help fix the tape player. Margot and Leo have a history but Margot is determined to keep him in the 'friend zone' no matter what emotions threaten to erupt. The voice on the cassettes is comedic legend, Vivian Stone. What was her connection to Margot's grandmother? Margot is inspired by Vivian's story but everything changes when Vivian reveals a secret tied to her past."

Vivian is one of those characters you just want to hang out with and hear their stories. She wants drama but is told she can't act - then she discovers a talent for comedy and her career takes off. There's some Lucille Ball vibes here. And the stories she tells of the men in power and control of her career - the things she had to do just to get her foot in the door. It's awful what women actors had to endure and O'Connor doesn't hold back. And Vivian is realistic about reaching her dream - to a point. She'll have her revenge later.
I was glad that Margot and Leo finally had the conversation they needed to have. The connection was a surprise - I tried to guess but wasn't close.

Enjoyable, entertaining, eye-opening debut from O'Connor.

Well written fun novel that kept you on the edge of your seat to find out Vivian's story. Such a good read, I couldn't put it down and a quick read.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

Thank you to Gallery Books and author Melissa O'Connor for the free e-ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction, dual-timeline story about Vivian Stone, born Vivian Mackenzie, an actress trying to find her path in 1950s Hollywood and in life. I'll say up top that this book invites Evelyn Hugo comparisons - and therefore Great Big Beautiful Life, as well. Unlike those books, however, the modern-day storyline does not involve any journalists writing about the past. Instead there is Margot, who discovers a series of tapes left behind by Vivian as she grieves the recent loss of her own grandmother. There was some romance in that timeline which I enjoyed, but I was most captivated by Vivian's story. Along those lines I'd say the balance of timelines is flipflopped from GBBL, with Vivian's life taking the main stage.

Separate from any comparisons, though, there are plenty of reasons to read this book! The plot kept me hooked as Vivian navigated multiple romantic relationships and plenty of professional obstacles. The book examines the seedy underbelly of Hollywood from multiple angles. And while I'd like to think it's better now, I somehow have the sense that not nearly enough has changed.

I ate this plot up. I cared about Vivian on both a professional and personal level. Once I got into the back half of the book I had that "stay up late, need to finish the book" feeling that we all love. The book planted so many seeds for future conflict early on that I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop and had to keep reading. Melissa incorporated reflections on so many important issues, like sexism and misogyny among others, but she deftly wove them into the plot such that it never felt distracting. If the synopsis and my review piqued your interest, I highly recommend that you give this one a try!

I almost chose not to read and review The One and Only Vivian Stone because it is blatant in its attempt at trying to pull me in, in every possible way as an Evelyn Hugo lover. But I am quite glad I ended up giving it a chance. I think you would be too. It may remind you a tad too much at one or two places but not enough in my opinion, for it to stop your enjoyment of Vivian and her own story.

3.75⭐️ Charming and intriguing debut novel. I am excited to see what else this author has in store for us. But to compare this debut novel to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo I think did it a disservice, it set my expectations too high for these tapes and to be honest it just wasn’t the vibe for me. Vivian’s voice at first came out as young and naive, but her story grew on me and I found myself really taken by the old Hollywood scene she painted and the mystery of it all. The mystery of who she was and how she related to Margot kept me going.

I wanted a bit more at the end with the reveal and for the present timeline with Leo and Margot, it got better as it went, but felt underdeveloped.

Thank You to NetGalley, Gallery Books and the author Melissa O’Connor for the advanced reading copy, all my opinions are my own.

A huge thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review. This was an incredibly well written debut novel reminiscent of Evelyn Hugo as well as All the Stars in Heaven, by Adriana Trigiani. I am sad to have to say goodbye to these characters.
I truly enjoyed the dual timelines and love stories and the story telling through cassette tapes and newspaper headlines. The story's focus is old Hollywood and its treatment of women in the 1950's. At the start Margot is tasked with cleaning out her grandmother's house after her passing. She finds a box of cassette tapes and reaches out to her old high school love to restore them. As the couple listens to the tapes they learn of Vivian's history and romances. Of note is her relationship with Hugh an unrequited love perhaps? This as well her determination to succeed in the male dominated dark side of Hollywood provides a beautiful and emotional story.
The mystery deepens as Margot must determine Vivian's relationship with her grandmother and their connection. Will she solve this mystery and determine who Vivian is? A must read for historical fiction fans and those who admire phenomenal writing. What a beautiful book!

ARC Review: The One and Only Vivian Stone by Melissa O'Connor
Pub Date: July 22nd

Thank you @Gallerybooks for the eARC and to @just_talking_to_myshelf and @bookswithnopictures for arranging the traveling ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Oh my GOSH, you guys!! This is a book that will stick with me for quite some time - and it gets the rare honor of making me cry!!

When Margot's grandmother dies, Margot is tasked with cleaning out her house to sell it. She hasn't been back to town much since leaving and little does she know that her best friend and first love Leo is still in town. Margot finds some cassette tapes in the house but can't find a way to play them to see what might be on them. She gets help from Leo and they listen to the tapes together, only to find that they are from Old Hollywood star, Vivian Stone. On the tapes, Vivian walks through her life story from trying to make it in Hollywood to becoming a household name. As they listen, they wonder how Margot's grandmother got these and what the connection could be.

I don't always love dual timeline stories because I'm typically much more invested in one over the other but since this one spent most of it's time in the past with just a few chapters here and there in the present, it worked super well for me. I was so compelled by Vivian's story and it felt like I was really transported back to Old Hollywood. This book was immersive and I just couldn't put it down! And of course, there was just enough romance in both timelines to keep my little romance loving heart invested.

I could not recommend this enough - I have gone away from reading as much historical fiction in the last couple of years but this one reminded me of everything I love about the genre.

kinda Evelyn Hugo-ish, with a very traditional plot, but still a very solid read with some interesting vibes. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.