All the Beautiful Girls by Elizabeth J. Church – a Review

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Description:
It was unimaginable. When she was eight years old, Lily Decker somehow survived the auto accident that killed her parents and sister, but neither her emotionally distant aunt nor her all-too-attentive uncle could ease her grief. Dancing proves to be Lily’s only solace, and eventually, she receives a “scholarship” to a local dance academy–courtesy of a mysterious benefactor.

Grown and ready to leave home for good, Lily changes her name to Ruby Wilde and heads to Las Vegas to be a troupe dancer, but her sensual beauty and voluptuous figure land her work instead as a showgirl performing everywhere from Les Folies Bergere at the Tropicana to the Stardust’s Lido de Paris. Wearing costumes dripping with feathers and rhinestones, five-inch heels, and sky-high headdresses, Ruby may have all the looks of a Sin City success story, but she still must learn to navigate the world of men–and figure out what real love looks like.

With her uncanny knack for understanding the hidden lives of women, Elizabeth J. Church captures both the iconic extravagance of an era and the bravery of a young woman who dances through her sadness to find connection, freedom, and, most important, herself.

There may be spoilers in this review:

Review:

All the Beautiful Girls by Elizabeth J. Church is a standalone novel.  I did not know what to expect when I decided to read this book, and I was totally surprised at how much I enjoyed it.  All the Beautiful Girls was a different type of read for me, but I am glad I read it.

Lily Decker is our heroine, and we meet her at the age of 8 years old. Her parents and sister were killed in a car crash, and Lily was sent to live with her Aunt and Uncle.  Her life changed drastically, as her Aunt was very strict and not very loving.  Her Uncle was a nightmare for Lily, as he sexually abused her.   Lily would look for a friendship with ‘the Aviator’, a man who survived the accident that killed her family.  Though he felt responsible, Lily knew it was an accident, and soon he would become a friend who would make her life bearable.  The Aviator would send her books, as Lilly loved to read, and also paid for her to go to dancing school.  When she reached 18, Lily leaves her home in Kansas, to find a job dancing in Las Vegas.

When she arrives in Vegas, Lily changes her name to Ruby Wilde, and loves the bright lights of 1960’s Vegas and showgirls galore.   Not knowing where to go, Ruby will luck out meeting the father of a girl who is a showgirl, and soon Ruby will find two friends (Rose & Vivid) who will teach her the ropes. Life as a showgirl in Vegas, turns Ruby into a successful entertainer, with all the costumes (noted in description above: costumes  dripping with feathers and rhinestones, five-inch heels, and sky-high headdresses).  She learns to become strong, independent and know how to handle men, without being sexual. Ruby’s success, enables her to make a lot of money, and her friendship with Rose and Vivid becomes a bond between the girls.  This part of the story we very well done, as we got to see life on the stage, and all the stars of those days; Sammy Davis, Tom Jones, and others.  I really enjoyed all the glitz and glamour. 

Despite her happiness and contentment, Ruby still has a sense of loneliness, and when she meets someone she  feels is true blue, Ruby’s life will change, as things will unexpectedly turn for the worse.  Though her friends are still there for her, it is the Aviator (who she continued to keep in touch with) who will be there for Ruby again. 

Lily Decker will move  to New Mexico, as she recovers from the sad end of her Vegas career.  Lily will finally find peace, especially as the Aviator (Stirling) and Jack are both gay lovers, and she learns to love both of them as family.  Finally, Lily has people who love her for who she is. Stirling and Jack were totally awesome, and I also loved the time she spent living with them. Lily will heal over time, and explore her love of designing, which will eventually lead her into a sweet happy life.

All the Beautiful Girls was a very good book, with some excellent characters, both good and bad. It is a story of loss, survival, healing, tragedy, innocence, forgiveness and love.  This  was also a fun story, with some intense and sad moments.  I loved Lily/Ruby and throughout the book, I found myself rooting hard for her.  Elizabeth J. Church has written a story that was so very well done.  I wholly suggest you read All The Beautiful Girls.  It is a gem.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher