*summarizes the beautiful love story between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner
*easy to read
*kept my interest from cover to cover
*well-written
*a must read for all Sinatra and Gardner fans
*highly recommend ( )

First sentence: Every important moment of my life could be measured in notes and captured by a song. That was never truer than the first night I saw her across the room, belonging to someone else.

Premise/plot: Historical fiction starring Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. Historical romance [of the graphic sort] starring Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. It roughly begins circa 1946. (I say roughly because the prologue is undated.) It follows the "tragic" "star-crossed" lovers across several decades and around the globe. He was a global singing star AND a movie star. She was a movie star. Together they were one hot mess.

My thoughts: Is the book flattering to Frank? Not really--in my own personal opinion. Is the book flattering to Ava? Again, not really--in my own opinion. I do think the book was meant to be flattering to both. I get the impression that the author enjoyed [greatly appreciated] both personalities--flaws and all. I think the "tragic romance" element was supposed to hook readers into sympathizing with these lovers. Was I sympathetic to Frank and Ava as a couple? NO! I thought together they were obviously extremely toxic. Individually, I think there was some toxicity. I will say that I never got the impression that it was all his fault or all her fault. I think they as individuals made repeated bad decisions. There were things he did that I would find unforgivable. There were things she did that I would find unforgivable.

I do wish that this one had been CLEARER about dates. Each "part" was given a range of years. The first part covers three or four years. That's not so bad, I suppose. But other sections cover DECADES. And there's no specific years mentioned at all. Like "1950 to 1966" or "1966 to 1990." And HOW is that even remotely helpful???? I think the book would have been greatly improved if there were more connections to specific times--dates, months, years, events.

There were some movies mentioned for each. There were a few songs and/or albums mentioned for him. If it had been more historical fiction and less graphic romance novel, perhaps it would have done a better job doing tribute to the life and times. I do think the potential is there to tell great stories in this time period. ( )

This book was a stunning look at the love story between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. I knew a bit about them before starting this book - probably more about Sinatra because my mom loved his music and played it all the time. I had no knowledge of their marriage and tumultuous affair and how scandalous it was. This was a great look at two talented people set in the glittering and glitzy world of Hollywood during its golden age.

When Frank and Ava first met, they were both married. He felt an instant spark but she was not too impressed with him and his ego. She was a small town beauty from rural North Carolina. Going to Hollywood was a long time dream but she had a lot to learn. When she met Frank, she'd already been married several times and once her marriage to Mickey Rooney ended, she had no intention of getting involved with Frank because he was a married man. At the time, Frank was legendary and his voice was heard all over the world. He was married to the girl from back home and had three children but that didn't stop him from romancing some of the most legendary women in Hollywood. Their lust for each other overpowered their common sense and they started an affair that was full of love and nasty disagreements. As she became more popular in Hollywood, his career was on a downward spiral. During the good times, they were both tender and supportive of each other but when they argued, there were a lot of hateful words spoken, doors slammed and phone calls going unanswered. Both the good times and the bad times were fueled with large quantities of alcohol and a few pills. I found it very interesting to see how tightly the movie studios controlled the people under contract to them and the movie studios in turn could and did manipulate the press.

This book was a well researched fictionalized story based on the lives of Frank and Ava. It brings to life one of the most riveting love stories of Hollywood during the Golden Years of Hollywood. It's told in first person in alternating chapters by Frank and Ava and gives readers a good view of not only their lives, their fears and their passions but also a look at life in Hollywood during this time. ( )

The relationship between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner was volatile, with plenty of ups and downs. The author captures a sense of the chemistry that drew these two icons together, who were more similar than either one of them likely wanted to admit. I didn't like Frank for much of the novel, but he mellowed enough by the end that I had some sympathy for him. An interesting read, especially for anyone interested in historical Hollywood. ( )

Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra had a special relationship. Each have their own issues, but put the two together and you have an explosion of emotions…anger, love, creativity and passion.

This novel is so well researched! And there is so much more I wanted to know. I knew very little about Frank and Ava. I knew a bit about each individually but I had no idea about their relationship. So, I found myself researching both of them as I read their story. Heather Webb has done an awesome job compiling their stormy and intense relationship.

Frank Sinatra was definitely an emotional mess. I had no idea how many times he threatened or tried suicide. This was just one of the many eye-opening revelations I discovered. This story is full of astonishing information.

Need a good biographical, historical fiction…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )