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Historical Fiction Books About Old Hollywood

There’s something undeniably magical about Old Hollywood. The glamour, the scandals and the larger-than-life personalities create a perfect backdrop for historical fiction.

If you’re a fan of the golden age of cinema, these books about Old Hollywood will transport you back to an era where stars were born and legends were made.

Here are some must-read historical fiction novels about the golden age of Hollywood that you won’t want to miss. .

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Buy: Amazon | Waterstones

Published: 2017

Amazon Rating: 4.6/5

Aging Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo is ready to reveal the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life and chooses unknown reporter Monique Grant to write her biography.

As Evelyn recounts her journey from the 1950s to the 1980s, including her seven husbands and forbidden love, Monique discovers a deep connection to the star, realizing their lives are intertwined in tragic and irreversible ways.

Finding Dorothy

Author: Elizabeth Letts

Buy: Amazon | Waterstones

Published: 2019

Amazon Rating: 4.6/5

In 1938 Hollywood, Maud Gage Baum, widow of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author Frank Baum, learns M-G-M is adapting her late husband’s masterpiece and visits the set.

Hearing Judy Garland sing “Over the Rainbow,” Maud recalls her own life story and resolves to protect Judy from the pressures of the studio and her ambitious mother, just as she once tried to protect the real Dorothy.

All the Stars in the Heavens

Author: Adriana Trigiani

Buy: Amazon | Waterstones

Published: 2015

Amazon Rating: 4.0/5

Los Angeles, 1935. On the set of The Call of the Wild, Loretta Young meets Clark Gable, who, despite being married, instantly falls for her.

Meanwhile, Sister Alda Ducci, having left her convent, becomes Loretta’s secretary and must navigate Hollywood with her strong moral code.

Over the decades, Alda and Loretta build a deep bond of love and loyalty, which faces a severe test when they encounter their greatest challenge.

Stars Over Sunset Boulevard

Author: Susan Meissner

Buy: Amazon | Waterstones

Published: 2016

Amazon Rating: 4.1/5

Los Angeles, Present Day. When Christine McAllister receives Scarlett O’Hara’s iconic hat at her vintage boutique by mistake, her quest to return it leads to an enchanting journey.

Los Angeles, 1938. Seeking a fresh start, Violet Mayfield lands a job on the Gone With the Wind set and befriends Audrey Duvall, a former star turned secretary.

Their thrilling Hollywood adventures deepen their bond, but clashing desires test their friendship and shape their futures.

A Touch of Stardust

Author: Kate Alcott

Buy: Amazon

Published: 2015

Amazon Rating: 4.2/5

Julie Crawford dreams of becoming a Hollywood screenwriter, but her new life gets off to a rocky start when she’s fired by the demanding director of Gone With the Wind.

Rescued by Carole Lombard, who is having a scandalous affair with the married Clark Gable, Julie becomes Carole’s assistant.

She gets a front-row seat to two of the world’s greatest love affairs and is swept up in the whirlwind of Hollywood drama and a budding romance of her own.

The Brightest Star

Author: Gail Tsukiyama

Buy: Amazon | Waterstones

Published: 2023

Amazon Rating: 4.0/5

In the early 20th century, young Wong Liu Tsong, later known as Anna May Wong, defies her traditional upbringing to pursue Hollywood dreams.

Despite facing racism and stereotypical roles, she fights for lead parts, supports her family, and finds stardom abroad.

The Second Life of Mirielle West

Author: Amanda Skenandore

Buy: Amazon | Waterstones

Published: 2021

Amazon Rating: 4.5/5

This novel delves into the true story of Carville, America’s sole leper colony, where individuals were isolated and stripped of their rights throughout the 20th century.

Mirielle West, a 1920s socialite married to a silent film star, faces a drastic shift from her glamorous Hollywood life to the powerlessness of Carville after being diagnosed as a leper.

Branded and exiled, she navigates the confines of the colony, seeking community and purpose while grappling with her self-worth in the face of an incurable fate.

The Girls in the Picture

Author: Melanie Benjamin

Buy: Amazon | Waterstones

Published: 2018

Amazon Rating: 4.0/5

In 1914 Los Angeles, Frances Marion pursues her passion for writing stories for the emerging film industry.

She befriends actress Mary Pickford, and together they aim to revolutionise cinema.

However, they face challenges from gender limitations and the pressures of fame and love, testing their friendship amidst Hollywood’s dramas.

The Garden on Sunset

Author: Martin Turnbull

Buy: Amazon

Published: 2011

Amazon Rating: 4.1/5

As Hollywood braces for the advent of talking pictures, a silent screen star transforms her estate into a haven for Hollywood hopefuls.

The story unfolds with its first residents: Marcus Adler, a writer seeking his own voice; Kathryn Massey, a determined newspaper reporter breaking into the male-dominated industry; and Gwendolyn Brick, a Southern beauty vying for a big break.

In a town where success is hard-won, the Garden on Sunset offers a chance to step into the spotlight.

Hollywood

Author: Gore Vidal

Buy: Amazon | Waterstones

Published: 1989

Amazon Rating: 4.1/5

In 1917, Caroline Sanford, a former newspaper magnate, becomes a Hollywood star while also working as a government agent.

Meanwhile, in Washington, President Woodrow Wilson’s influence is fading, and Warren Harding’s rise marks the dawn of an era of scandal and cinematic extravagance, blurring the lines between politics and Hollywood.

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Historical Fiction Books Set During the 1920s