Elizabeth and Marilyn
by Julie Owen Moylan
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Pub Date 2 Apr 2026 | Archive Date 2 Apr 2026
Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House | Michael Joseph
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Description
Available to pre-order now, the new novel from Julie Owen Moylan. It's 1956, and the two most famous women in the world are about to meet for the first and only time . . .
‘Bold, original and captivating. I loved it!’ Daisy Buchanan
‘Julie is a writer you can ALWAYS trust in the way she portrays women … they are believable, flawed, complex and fascinating' Georgina Moore
'Gorgeous, glamorous and moving' Anna Mazzola
'A vibrant imagining of the inner lives of two iconic women’ Charmaine Wilkerson
***
London, October, 1956. A glittering Royal Film Premiere. The whole world is watching . . .
Tonight, Elizabeth II will formally greet an array of stars. Though she was not born to be Queen, this young mother and wife has embraced her patriotic duty and its unforgiving demands.
A limousine pulls up. Out steps a vision in dazzling gold: Marilyn Monroe. A money-making machine for Hollywood, with curves that drive men wild and a smile that lets women know she’s in on the joke.
As the two most famous women in the world come face to face, they look to be worlds apart. Yet beneath the glamorous costumes, both are fighting to keep the men they love, while trying to do their work in a man’s world. And they have spent the summer of 1956 battling secret demons the public could never imagine.
Now, Marilyn steps forward. These photographs will be on the front page of every newspaper in the morning.
But this isn’t their first meeting. And the story behind the headlines is even more sensational . . .
Perfect for fans of American Wife, The Christie Affair and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, this stunning novel imagines the secret lives of two of the 20th century’s most famous women – set during a momentous summer that brought them face to face, and publishing 100 years after their births.
Advance Praise
‘Bold, original and captivating. I loved it!’ Daisy Buchanan
‘Julie is a writer you can ALWAYS trust in the way she portrays women … they are believable, flawed, complex and fascinating' Georgina Moore
'Gorgeous, glamorous and moving' Anna Mazzola
'A vibrant imagining of the inner lives of two iconic women’ Charmaine Wilkerson
'An immersive and emotionally complex portrait of two brilliant women under unimaginable pressure. I loved the way the stories interwove to explore how the world’s adulation for Marilyn was so crushing for the vulnerable Norma Jeane, and how the power Elizabeth had was so reductive for the woman Lilibet wanted to be. Brava!' Caroline Lea
'We think we know these iconic women but Julie reveals them in a whole new way. Atmospheric, glamorous and fun. A hugely enjoyable read' Jodie Chapman
'A unique premise, perfectly executed, and utterly addictive' Louise Beech
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780241651568 |
| PRICE | £18.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 368 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 15 members
Featured Reviews
Book Trade Professional 1864534
I wanted to read Elizabeth and Marilyn from the moment I heard about it. I was excited to see how the author would connect these two contrasting figures, and I thought how the author tied their stories together was very heartfelt and believable. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this, although my favourite was definitely Marilyn's, as you could see the pressure she was under trying to live up to her bombshell image, while also trying to retain her sense of self.
Librarian 1081599
I love books like this! How exciting to have a detailed story of two absolute legends and their imagined interactions in one of the most incredible times in the world. I always was a huge fan of both and I highly enjoyed reading what that experience would have been like. The writing was dl detailed and vivid I felt as if I was there.
Hayley R, Educator
There was much to love in this tale of two icons and I felt the author managed to channel both women admirably. Having watched The Crown and read The Little Princesses, there wasn’t much of Elizabeth’s story that I didn’t already know so I was more drawn to the Marilyn chapters. The author crafts a quiet sense of foreboding as Marilyn becomes gradually more and more addicted to the pills that we know will eventually lead to her death. Knowing how it ends for Marilyn makes her desperate struggle to belong all the more tragic for the reader.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
Reviewer 526728
This is a remarkably tight and well-constructed story that doesn't waste a single word. I really loved the way the author focused on the immediate emotional reality of the characters, making the plot feel urgent and personal. The world-building is handled with a light touch, allowing the reader to pick up on the nuances through the actions of those involved. I found the prose to be very rhythmic and easy to read, making it the perfect choice for a long journey or a quiet weekend. It is a very high-quality and professional piece of work.
Stephen K, Educator
I really enjoyed this book as it was well informed and emotional. Two women struggle with the pressures of fame, work and marital problems while living close to each other during one eventful summer. This is a brilliant concept, and Julie Owen Moylan has pulled it off perfectly, capturing the voices, vulnerabilities and inner lives of two icons of the twentieth century. I couldn't put it down.
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