All the Beautiful Girls

Praise

“An exquisitely crafted novel of love discovered and friendship found.”—Martha Hall Kelly, author of the New York Times bestseller Lilac Girls

“[Elizabeth] Church’s lively coming-of-age tale transports us to a world of ostrich-plumed headdresses and pinky-ringed mobsters while tracing a tumultuous quest for acceptance and love.”—People

“A gorgeously written novel with the bite of a gin martini, All the Beautiful Girls goes beyond the splashy, gaudy dazzle of Las Vegas in the sixties to reveal the beating heart beneath the glamorous façade of the showgirl with big ambitions. Our protagonist Lily’s grit, determination, and grace as she discovers the heady possibilities and dark perils of the American dream make Elizabeth Church’s second novel unforgettable.”—Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author of At the Water’s Edge

“A stirring bildungsroman that follows a girl from trauma in 1957 Kansas to self-discovery in 1960s Las Vegas . . . Church paints an unflinching, frequently heartbreaking portrait of a resilient young woman’s coming-of-age set against an exciting, glamorous backdrop.”—Publishers Weekly

“Church’s appreciation of language is apparent as she masterfully creates pictures with words . . . All the Beautiful Girls provides a delightful antidote to cold and dark mid-winter days.”—Associated Press

“A beautifully rendered tale of personal redemption filled with friendship, loss, extravagant furs, and feathery headdresses.”—Kirkus Reviews

“On the run from misery, eighteen-year-old Lily Decker transforms herself into Ruby Wilde, devouring Las Vegas in glittering bites. Church has given us a true heroine, both flawed and beautiful, who rises even as she falls.”—Juliette Fay, USA Today bestselling author of The Tumbling Turner Sisters

“A razzle-dazzle novel about loss, love, and friendship . . . All the Beautiful Girls pulls back the curtain on the glamorous, titillating world of showgirls, revealing the emotional bruises hidden beneath the dazzling costumes.”—Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue

“A riveting novel, at once raw and tender, of a woman’s struggle to heal the wounds of a devastating childhood . . . Church makes us feel Ruby Wilde’s pain and root for her to survive. This is a heartbreaking story, passionately told.”—Ellen Feldman, author of Next to Love

“A brave and powerful novel that captures the very soul of a young woman coming of age . . . With heart-wrenching immediacy and gorgeous prose, Elizabeth Church examines the often desperate choices women must confront, and the secrets they must protect.”—Lauren Belfer, New York Times bestselling author of And After the Fire

“Church brings 1960s Vegas to life in this delightful, moving read. Lily/Ruby, two sides of a complex woman, pulls us through her dance of life. And what happens in Vegas stays in Lily’s heart.”—Library Journal

“All the Beautiful Girls is a delightful and poignant novel. . . . It’s the kind of book that remains with the reader long after the final page is turned, and while the feelings it evokes might not always be warm and fuzzy, the story is captivating.”—All About Romance