First published 2015
In 1935, twenty-one-year-old actress Loretta Young meets Clark Gable on the set of The Call of the Wild. Despite his marriage, the thirty-four-year-old star falls for the vivacious Young immediately. Meanwhile, Sister Alda Ducci leaves her convent and travels from Italy to become Young's assistant. The pious Alda must learn to survive Hollywood's brutal machinery while maintaining her moral compass. As Young's career soars, she and Alda form a deep friendship that spans decades. They navigate studio politics, passionate love affairs, and public scandals together. The bond between actress and assistant faces its greatest test when they confront a crisis that threatens everything they've built. Their story unfolds against the backdrop of cinema's golden age, featuring real stars like Spencer Tracy, Myrna Loy, and David Niven. This tale explores the price of fame and the enduring power of female friendship in an industry that devours its own.
Genres: drama, romance, historical-fiction, 20th-century, biographical-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Hollywood
Period: 1935
447 pages · Hardcover · Harper