The Hollywood Runaway ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was such an easy read with writing that flowed beautifully. For something more novella than novel, it managed to cover so much without ever feeling rushed.

I loved the way the book slowly unravelled the past — it almost felt like I was right there with the characters. It gave me major Taylor Jenkins Reid vibes, so if you’re a fan of hers, I think you’ll really enjoy this too.

The ending wrapped everything up perfectly, leaving me feeling completely satisfied. The author did an amazing job telling such a rich story in so few pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fabulous little novella! I’d loved the sound of Alexandra Weston’s previous two novels but hadn’t had chance to read them yet, so this was the perfect introduction.
The Hollywood Runaway follows Olivia Swift, a nightclub singer, running away from her wedding to a bounder and boarding a ship to New York for a new life. Onboard, she meets a new friend and a potential love interest…
Although some of the tropes were familiar, the story felt fresh and interesting, moving between life on the ship and flashbacks of what had happened to Olivia and why she was running way. It was a wonderful story, suspenseful and glamorous, and definitely made me want to read more of Alexandra Weston’s writing.

I wish I loved this one more! Olivia’s story was dramatic, and at times I felt myself scared for her safety - but it just didn’t quite grip me in the way I had hoped.

3.5 stars out of 5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the chance to read this novella . Even though the book is short there is lots packed into it. This is a gorgeous book set in Hollywood. This follow the main character Olivia as she embarks on a journey to Hollywood. As she travels we find out more of the back story of Olivia I enjoyed this Novella.

Although I usually don't read novellas, preferring something I can really get my teeth into, I did enjoy "The Hollywood Runaway". The storyline was inventive and there were some good characters, plus a great setting.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Hollywood Runaway is a short and heartfelt read set in the 1930s, following Olivia Swift, a nightclub singer from Liverpool whose life is upended by a devastating secret. She flees to America on the SS Ocean Empress, where she meets kind strangers who help her find her footing again.

The writing is smooth and the historical setting feels authentic, especially the descriptions of ship life and the camaraderie among passengers. I liked Olivia as a character and appreciated her determination to start over.

However, I went into this book expecting more of her journey into Hollywood—her career, her rise to stardom, the glamour and challenges of the entertainment world. Instead, most of the novella focuses on her past and her emotional recovery, with only a brief glimpse of her future success in the epilogue. I wanted more of the Hollywood sparkle!

It’s still an uplifting story of resilience and friendship, but for me, the heart of the premise—her Hollywood career—was over far too quickly. Readers looking for a gentle, hopeful escape will enjoy it, but those wanting the full showbiz arc might be left wishing for more.

A great tale of a runaway bride who heads away from a potentially bigamous marriage across the Atlantic to America and a new life. My only complaint is that the end felt a little rushed. I would have like more..

This was a gripping romance. A nightclub singer runs away from a gangster on the day of her wedding and is consumed by guilt and fear as she has stolen a large sum of money from him. She boards an ocean liner to the USA and meets two friends who teach he4 once again that normall6 people are decent, thoughtful humans. The leads character is great, feisty and principled ye5 vulnerable. There is an Hea which makes for a satisfying read. The big shame was that the book was short, I was left wanting more!

Loose links to the previous book which kept me interested at the start.
Interesting and engaging book, showing a darker side of relationships and what people need to do to survive.
An engaging read.

When Olive learns that her fiancé is already married, she takes a boat to New York to escape the brute. On the boat she meets Frank and Nell and they become friends who help her begin again. The Hollywood Runaway, by Alexandra Weston, is a novella that tells Olive’s story. It’s a sweet story, but not a great read. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

For what this was (a novella) I loved it. Weston always creates such interesting characters that you want to root for.

I liked that it was in the same world as the Hollywood Governess because that's my favorite Weston book. But it was too short, and I wanted more! more of Olivia and Nora in NYC! More of her story on how she made it to LA! More of her and Frank's reuniting / beginning to their relationship! More of her working with Aidan! This easily could have been a full novel!

But I will wait patiently for her next one.

The Hollywood runaway is a lovely book. A bit reminiscent of passengers on the titanic this is about sailing to better prospects and leaving your past behind (and hoping it doesn't catch up with you)
I absolutely loved it.

Having a narrow escape from an ill fated marriage night club singer, Olivia Swift makes a hasty decision to leave Liverpool on a one way ticket to America. Gradually over the 5 day voyage we learn more about Olivia, the fiancé she left behind and her growing friendship with two of her fellow passengers.

This is an ideal summery sort of read and coming in at just 131 pages, it’s great escapism for a sunny afternoon by the pool or in the garden. The author captures the excitement of a long sea voyage and introduces us to the unpredictable world of the night club singer in 1930s. Olivia, and her friends, are all off to make a fresh start in a new world and this heady excitement is captured really well.

Small, but perfectly formed, The Hollywood Runaway compliments the other books in this enjoyable golden age of Hollywood series by this talented writer of historical fiction.

4.25 stars 🌟

Considering this was a novella just over 100 pages long, the story was well developed and didn't feel rushed or lacking. The characters are engaging and I was invested in the story from the start.

I liked how the prologue and epilogue gave snapshots into future events which let you know what happened in the perfect way without having to write it all in minute detail. It left you to think up what happened between times which was a nice touch.

This was my first time reading anything by this author and I enjoyed the writing style. I will be reading more from Alexandra Weston in future.

Thanks to NetGalley, Alexandra Weston and Boldwood Books for an eARC of this book, I enjoyed reading it amd writing this honest review.

Another gorgeous historical fiction set in d Hollywood. I enjoyed Alexandra’s last novel The Lavender Bride for its interesting character and glamours settings. I was excited to see had another book set in the same era. It was had to believe this was a novella, it packed so much in a was such a well rounded story.

It’s 1936 and Olivia Swift is about to make her big Hollywood break. The story then moves to 1932 and Liverpool, where we meet nightclub singer Olivia about to board the Ocean Empress, escaping from her past and hoping to start a new life in New York. Onboard she meets Nora and Frank and forms a great connections with them. We learn her secrets. The descriptions were fabulous, you could picture yourself onboard, the cramped cabins and all the entertainment venues. I loved how the story was bookended with news stories and how well fleshed out the characters were. A beautiful story of friendship, new beginnings and following your dream

When Olivia's wedding plans go wrong, she books a one way ticket to America. she is in a strange land with no friends. will she get a fresh start?

The Hollywood Runaway tells the story of Olivia, a British singer living in the UK in the 1930s. Olivia is planning to marry Jimmy - a flashy bookie and businessman who is not only controlling, destroying her self confidence, but also involved in many unlawful activities. On the day she was supposed to get married, she flees the UK and gets on a ship to NYC to start a new life. On board the ship, she meets two people she becomes close to - Frank, who is planning to travel to California to become an architect, and Nora, who has family in NYC and plans to work at Macy's. Will Jimmy follow Olivia? Will Frank become more than a good friend? And most importantly, will Olivia succeed as a singer in NYC? I felt that the ending was just too short and almost choppy - one minute they are landing in NY and the next chapter is five years later. I would have loved to have been able to read about what all three of them did in those five years. All in all, though, the story did have the happy ending I love so much. These are likable charaters - perhaps the author can write a longer sequel?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A transatlantic tale of escape, friendship, and fresh starts — The Hollywood Runaway is historical fiction with heart.

Set in 1930s Liverpool, this charming novella introduces us to Olivia, a miner’s daughter with big dreams and even bigger reasons to run. Fleeing a dangerous past (and an even more dangerous fiancé), she boards the SS Ocean Empress bound for New York with nothing but a suitcase and a dream of jazz stardom. Along the way, she befriends Frank, a kind-hearted architect heading to LA, and Nora, a fierce fashionista-in-the-making. Together, they become the kind of found family that makes new beginnings feel possible.

Though short in length, this story delivers a full serving of hope, healing, and the quiet courage it takes to walk away from the wrong life and chase the right one. The writing is elegant and easy, the pacing swift, and the characters stick with you like salt air on skin. I only wish we had more time with them — a full-length novel would be a treat.

4 ⭐️- I Love It
If you’re in the mood for a feel-good, fast-paced historical read about resilience, reinvention, and friendship that saves, this one’s worth the ticket.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

A very charming novella that definitely left me wanting more. I rapidly felt very invested in the storyline and hoping that Olivia did manage to evade “the bounder” and the setting of the cross Atlantic ship was fascinating as all the passengers planned their new lives.
I thought there was a lot of detail for such a short story and it was certainly engaging right to the end- I very much appreciated the update from a few years on!

‘A gripping new historical novel from a wonderful new voice. Perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins-Reid, Wendy Holden and Allison Pataki.’

While this was a little on the sweet side for my typical tastes, I’ll certainly recommend this to my friends who love hisfic and who I know will love this too.!

Big thanks to Boldwood Books for this arc in exchange for review!

Pub date: 8.30.2025.