Books About Singers and Showgirls

Marisol Polly-Rodriguez is floundering. Her boyfriend just dumped her for “not being a serious actor”, and no jobs are coming her way. When she gets booked for a role in an upcoming drama series, the last thing she expects is for sparks to fly between her and Jamila, her new costar. A tangled love story is woven against the backdrop of glamorous Hollywood in this funny and heartwarming Sapphic story.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl comes a riveting and thought-provoking YA historical fiction mystery. 1930s Hollywood: Lulu Wong is an unstoppable silver screen star and the darling of Chinatown … until she’s murdered. When it’s clear the police aren’t taking the investigation seriously, the Chow sisters — Lulu’s former classmates and neighbors — take matters into their own hands. Fast-paced and captivating with infusions of Chinese American culture, this gripping mystery is bursting with cinematic tension with a bit of “no body, no crime”.

After a humiliating dumping on live TV, Brazilian pop star Natalie’s reputation is in the gutter. Her expert PR team orchestrates a fauxmance with up-and-coming indie actor William as her road to redemption. As she wins the crowds again, her heart starts falling for William. But can a relationship that began fake turn into the real thing? Sweet and vulnerable with characters full of depth, this fake-dating romantic read is “The Archer” meets “Delicate.”

From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic comes a sensational historical epic set in glamorous 1950s Hollywood. Ingenue Vera Larios has just been cast in the role of a lifetime. Tinsel Town’s newest young star is poised to take over the business. Meanwhile, a bit actress, Nancy Hartley is ready to scheme her way into fame and success. As the two women collide, gossip and scandal follow. Deliciously dark and full of thrills, this page-turner features compelling characters and layers of drama that will keep you guessing until the last page.

Perfect for Casey McQuiston and Meg Cabot fans, this heartfelt and fearless debut novel follows Kia, the daughter of a reality star. After growing up in the spotlight, she craves a normal life. When she meets Cass, an up-and-coming star, their attraction is instant. But their growing relationship sparks gossip, threatening to smother the blossom of their love story before it can fully bloom. Can their fragile relationship survive the pressure and scrutiny of the spotlight? Smart, funny, and profoundly moving, this story of self-discovery balances sharp observation of fame, family, and first love.

In her latest novel, Ashley Poston, New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Year Slip and A Novel Love Story, gives us a musical story that reads like a country-pop bop from Fearless. Hit songwriter Joni Lark has a big problem — she can’t write. Creatively stuck and uninspired, she returns to her hometown of Vienna Shores, North Carolina, only to discover it’s nothing like she left it. The only thing keeping her going is a melody in her head. The last thing Joni expected was to run into music bad boy Sebastian Fell. And when he confesses to hearing the same song, they use their connection to finish the song haunting them both. Profoundly romantic and whimsical, Poston delivers a story that feels like a Fearless country-bop wrapped in Midnights yearning.

Meet Elsa Emerson, a small-town girl with big-stage dreams. She runs away to Hollywood and transforms into Laura Lamont, star of the silver screen. But like Taylor’s songs, fame isn’t always glamorous and beautiful, and balancing love with ambition is much easier said than done. Captivating and powerful, this story is about reinvention, the hidden cost of chasing the spotlight, and the ache of holding on to your true self. It’s as dazzling and bittersweet as a track from 1989 and as piercingly honest as “You’re On Your Own, Kid.”

1930s Hollywood shines with glamour — and danger. Henrietta may be young and slightly naive, but she’s determined to do whatever it takes to make it big. But as she climbs the fame ladder, she can’t ignore the growing number of disappearing young starlets. When her friend, Midge, becomes the next victim, Henrietta and Declan — her brooding costar — decide to uncover the truth. With sharp banter and a touch of the supernatural, this novel confronts sexism and the exploitation of young women in the industry that still exists today.

Bribery, blackmail, and murder – New York Times bestselling author Chris Bohjalian’s latest novel follows Crissy Dowling, a Las Vegas showgirl who spends her day impersonating the late Princess Diana. Her world is rocked off its axis first by the arrival of her estranged sister and then the savage killing of her boss, Richie Morley, the owner of the Buckingham Palace Casino. Addictive, propulsive, and full of twists, this whodunit shines as bright as the lights of Sin City and is perfect for fans of Taylor’s no-nonsense Reputation side.

A gripping novel about the whirlwind rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer, revealing the mystery behind their infamous breakup — from the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Malibu Rising, and Carrie Soto Is Back.

A PR partnership between a pop superstar and a pro-athlete bad boy turns into so much more in this swoony romance from the acclaimed author of When I Think of You.