The One and Only Vivian Stone by Melissa O’Connor – a Review

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Description:
After her grandmother’s death, thirty-something Margot DuBois prepares to sell the house quickly so she can go back to her predictable life in Santa Barbara. There, no one knows she used to write and that her lack of success wrecked her confidence. But while cleaning out the attic, she comes across eight unlabeled cassette tapes. Unable to use the damaged tape player, she calls in a favor from Leo—her first love and first epic heartbreak—and they strike a deal: he’ll fix the player if he can hear what’s on the tapes. When they manage to listen, the two are shocked to hear the voice of comedic legend Vivian Stone. Why did she record these tapes and how did Margot’s grandmother get them?

Between listening to Vivian recount everything from her forbidden love for Hollywood’s leading actor, to working under a misogynistic exec, to her chemistry with her costar-turned-husband on TV, Margot and Leo fall down a memory lane of their own. Margot is inspired by Vivian’s tenacity and courage to keep fighting for the life she wants, but everything changes when Vivian reveals a secret from her past in this moving exploration of how it’s never too late to start over.

Review:

The One and Only Vivian Stone by Melissa O’Connor is a wonderful debut standalone novel. We meet Margot DuBois, who is planning on selling her grandmother’s house, and return home to Santa Barbara.  While cleaning out the attic, Margot comes across 8 unlabeled cassette tapes: which is damaged, and she calls an old friend, Leo to help fix the player. When the tapes are set, both Leo and Margot are shocked that the voice they begin to hear is that of comedic legend Vivian Stone.

The story revolves between two POV’s, that of Vivian Stone and Margot slowly becoming close to Leo, as well as understanding how her grandmother had those tapes.   But the majority of the story does concentrate on Vivian Stone, during her successful career in the 1950’s Hollywood. Vivian Stone was a terrific woman who rose from nothing to fame. In those days, the studios controlled the actors, being demanding and cruel. All the characters had emotional connections, from Vivian, rising on her own to fame; and her close friends, Ruth, Dean and Hugo. She fell in love with Kit (whom she married for a number of years), and together their careers escalated; especially when she wanted to perform dramatic movies, but ended up being a successful comedian. Both Vivian and Kit for many years had a popular tv show loved by many.

I really did like Vivian’s closeness with Ruth, as they always supported each other.  I also loved how much she adored Hugo, and when things began to fall apart with her and Kit, it was Hugo who was also there for her. I also loved how in the later years, Vivian made it her business to fight the studios/executives to help struggles that female actors had to face; such as body shaming, diet pills, and taking advantage of them.

Many years later, Margot and Leo having read most of the tapes, discover that Vivian Stone was still alive, and they got to meet her. They do learn the connection between Margot’s grandmother and Vivian.

The One and Only Vivian Stone was a fantastic wonderful and emotional story that takes place in the 1950s Hollywood. I did love Vivian falling in love with Kit, and eventually Hugo, who was always there for her.  The One and Only Vivian Stone was so very well written by Melissa O’Connor.  I suggest you read this awesome story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher