The Roaring Days of Zora Lily by Noelle Salazar

The Roaring Days of Zora Lily by Noelle Salazar, 416 p.

"2023, The Smithsonian's National Museum of American A costume conservator is preparing an exhibition featuring movie costumes from the 1920s to present day. As she gingerly places a gown once worn by Greta Garbo on a mannequin, she discovers another name hidden beneath the designer's label, leaving her to wonder—who is Zora Lily? 

1924, Poverty-stricken Zora Hough spends her days looking after her younger siblings while sewing up holes and fixing hems for clients to bring in extra money, working her fingers to the bone just to survive. But at night, as she lies in the bed she shares with one of her three sisters, she secretly dreams of becoming a designer like Coco Chanel and Jeanne Lanvin.

When her best friend gets a job dancing in a club downtown, Zora is lured in by her stories of music, glittering dresses and boys. She follows her friend to the underground speakeasies that are at once exciting and frightening—with smoke hanging in the air, alcohol flowing despite Prohibition, couples dancing in a way that makes Zora blush and a handsome businessman named Harley. It’s a world she has only ever imagined, and one with connections that could lead her to the life she's always dreamed of. But as Zora's ambition is challenged by tragedy and duty to her family, she'll learn that dreams come with a cost." --Goodreads blurb

 This was my first Salazar book, and it was an extremely pleasant surprise. I couldn't get enough of Zora's life story and following her through the ups and downs of life, love, and family. The setting of the 1920s speakeasies and Hollywood, the friendships and family relationships together made this story un-put-downable. Narrators Natalie Duke and Jesse Vilinsky did a phenomenal job, and I will be picking up anything written by Salazar! Fantastic story.

Until We Meet Again by Renee Collins
336 pages

Cassandra and Lawrence are the main characters of the story. Cass is from 2015 and Lawrence is from 1925. Through a chance meeting on the beach they get to know each other. They fall in love, learn each others dreams and Cass does everything in her power to save Lawrence from a deadly situation. 
The publication date is November 3, 2015

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

564 pp. In an old run-down house in 1920's London, Frances and her mother reluctantly open their home to the Leonard and Lilian Barber, a young middle-class couple. Frances unexpectedly falls in love with Lilian and begins an affair with her, which leads to a shocking crime that changes all of their lives forever. An absolutely wonderful novel.

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella, 448 pages

OH MY GOODNESS! I have never laughed so hard when reading a book. This book intends to be a comedy and it plays it out so very well. I was snorting, guffawing, chuckling and crying. The writing draws you in and sends you spiraling through waves of laughter, tears of sorrow, shocks of dismay and moments of sheer irritation and panic.
Lara Lington is a young, vibrant twenty-something year old Londoner who finds herself without her partner in business (who's suppose to be her bestfriend), without her longtime boyfriend (who she's not over) and without a whole lot of prospectives on the horizon. Surmounting bills, stress and no prospective future is adding much distress to her life. Then she finds herself, her parents, sister and very successful uncle at her 105 year old great-aunt's funeral -- which no one visited or seems to remember. She listens to the rude comments of her uncle and aunt who just wish to "burn the body and leave" when suddenly a voice calls out, "where's my necklace?"  Lara is shocked to find a young woman in 1920s garb babbling at her about a lost necklace in the middle of the funeral. Lara tries to  ignore the voice but finds she cannot - realizing that the woman is in fact her great-aunt's ghost. So she stops the funeral proceedings stating that she thinks her 105 year old aunt was murdered and thus begins an emotional roller coaster of fun. As Lara and her great-aunt Sadie work together to solve the mystery of a missing necklace, they find a lost love, new love, a sleazy thief and very amazing friendship along the way. Without giving too much away, the absolute best part of the book is when Sadie interferes with Lara's life and forces her to dress in 20s garb for a hot date. I laughed so hard I had tears coming down my face. The saddest (but absolute sweetest) part of the book is the end. Have a box of tissues ready because you will need it. I don't generally stray from favorite genres but decided to give this one a try. I'm so very glad I did. I love the author's style of writing! I had to get use to the British, but it did make the book much more hysterical and fun.