Sunday, May 24, 2020

We Came Here To Shine Review


Author: Susie Orman Schnall
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: St. Martins Press
Release Date: June 16, 2020
Order Link: Amazon

My Rating: 3.5 Inspirational Hearts

*Special thanks to the publisher for an arc of this book via Netgalley

Synopsis & Author Bio can be found following the review


Review:
We Came Here To Shine is the inspiring story of two women who challenged the role and limited expectations of women in the 1930's.  Inequality in the workplace was common with all prestigious jobs held by men.  Women who dared speak of the disparities were viewed as disgruntled employees and most often dismissed.  The title "We Came Here To Shine" says it all . . . Vivi, an aspiring actress, and Max, a journalist intern, are intent on confronting and conquering a misogynistic world to shine brightly on their own merits.  Under circumstances beyond their control, both women find themselves "demoted" to work the 1939 World's Fair in their respective professions for the summer.  Both are ambitious, tenacious, and optimistic.  Both determined to take control of their own destiny by challenging their designated roles in a male-oriented society.  When the two women cross paths, they recognize something in each other and a bond of sisterhood forms.  The story that unfolds is told through alternating chapters and points of view as these two women join forces, daring to reach for the stars.

Readers are transported back in time to the vibrant 1939 World's Fair in We Came Here To ShineSchnall's historical details and descriptive passages engage all five senses with all the excitement and anticipation associated with this place and time in history.  You can see and feel the sense of awe and wonder on fair-goers faces as they enter this new magical place.  The story progresses at a steady pace as readers watch both women persevere and grow stronger in their purpose.  The plot line focuses mainly on these two women and their journey to be recognized as equals and reach seemingly unachievable goals.  Fans of historical fiction will love We Came Here To Shine.  Highly Recommended!

My Rating:  3.5 Historical Hearts

Cross My Heart . . . xxx
Sandra

Synopsis:
Vivi Holden is closer than she's ever been to living her dream as a lead actress in sun-dappled L.A., but an unfair turn of events sends her back to New York, a place she worked so hard to escape from. She has one last chance to get back to Hollywood--by performing well as the star of the heralded Aquacade synchronized swimming spectacular at the World's Fair. Everything seems to be working against her, but her summer in New York will lead to her biggest opportunity to find her own way, on her own terms...

Maxine Roth wants nothing more than to be a serious journalist at the iconic New York Times, but her professor has other plans. Instead, she's landed a post at the pop-up publication dedicated to covering the World's Fair--and even then, her big ideas are continually overlooked by her male counterparts. Max didn't work this hard to be the only--and an unheard one at that--woman in the room. 

When Max and Vivi's worlds collide, they forge an enduring friendship. One that shows them to be the daring, bold women they are, and one that teaches them to never stop holding on to what matters most, in the most meaningful summer of their lives.
Author Bio:
I am the author of two works of historical fiction: WE CAME HERE TO SHINE and THE SUBWAY GIRLS along with two earlier works of contemporary fiction: THE BALANCE PROJECT and ON GRACE. I grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. My writing has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Huffington Post, POPSUGAR, Writer’s Digest, and Glamour. In addition, I have spoken extensively on work-life balance and I'm the founder of The Balance Project interview series. I live in Purchase, NY, with my husband and our three sons. I love to read, hike, see movies, and make elaborate cheese plates for Friday night happy hour at my house. I'm learning how to watercolor and trying to figure out how to knit. For more about me, please visit www.susieschnall.com or follow me at:

Instagram: @SusieOrmanSchnall
Facebook: SusieOrmanSchnall
Twitter: @SusieSchnall 

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