All Joan had ever wanted was to be among the stars, but she never felt as if she were worthy enough to make it. She has always been introverted, in contrast to her beautiful sister, who is a single mum to Joan’s favourite person in the world, Frances. But Frances becomes more than just Joan’s beloved niece – she reflects the courage and potential Joan has always possessed but never recognised.
This is a story about love in all its forms: the familial love shared with her young niece, the romantic love discovered with a certain someone at work, and most importantly, the self-love that comes from discovering who you are.
The dual timelines between the past and present create foreshadowing, making this book nearly impossible to put down. It is abundantly clear how much time, research, and passion Taylor Jenkins Reid has invested in this story, creating a vivid portrayal of what life was like for women in the 1980s working in a male-dominated field. The dynamics between Joan and her sister offer a unique perspective, challenging the myth of unconditional familial love. Joan learns that loving someone doesn’t mean accepting their treatment of you and others, and that sometimes the most loving thing you can do is to set boundaries.
True to Taylor Jenkins Reid’s signature style, this novel is heavy on character development. Joan’s journey is one of quiet revolution, not the kind that makes headlines, but the kind that transforms a person from the inside out.
Reviewed by Tilly Kingsmill
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Taylor Jenkins Reid is the author of the New York Times Bestselling novels Atmosphere, Carrie Soto Is Back, Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones and The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, as well as One True Loves, Maybe in Another Life, After I Do, and Forever, Interrupted.
Her books have been chosen by Reese’s Book Club, Read with Jenna, GMA Book Club, Indie Next, Best of Amazon, and Book of the Month. Her novel, Daisy Jones and The Six, is now a limited series on Amazon Prime.
She lives in Los Angeles.
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