The One and Only Vivian Stone by Melissa O’Connor (July 22, 2025) Huge thanks to Gallery Books and Simon Audio for the gifted advanced print and audio copies of this ABSOLUTELY STUNNING DEBUT!
After her grandmother’s passing, Margot DuBois returns to the house she once shared with her mom and grandma to prepare it for sale. While sorting through the attic, she discovers a mysterious set of cassette tapes – but who even owns a cassette player anymore? Enter Leo, her childhood sweetheart and owner of the local music store. When Margot asks for his help, they stumble into a decades-old mystery: the tapes are narrated by none other than Vivian Stone, a famous 1950s comedic actress.
As Margot and Leo listen, we’re swept into Vivian’s world – bold, clever, and heartbreakingly honest – recounting a story of sexism, secrets, ambition, and betrayal in golden-age Hollywood. But the deeper the story goes, the more Margot wonders: what connection did her grandmother have to Vivian? And why were these tapes hidden away for so long?
Told through a compelling structure of dual timelines, press clippings, and handwritten notes, The One and Only Vivian Stone never loses momentum. The “eight tapes” structure gives the story a natural rhythm, and each one peels back a layer of both Vivian’s past and Margot’s present. Vivian is one of the most vivid historical characters I’ve read in years – sharp, vulnerable, and full of surprises. And while the heart of the novel belongs to Vivian, Margot and Leo’s slow, nostalgic reconnection adds depth and warmth to the modern-day arc.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: This is how dual POV audiobooks should be done! Narrated by the incomparable Alex Finke and Patti Murin, this production brings both women’s stories to life with heart and nuance. A truly immersive listen!
If you love stories that blend historical fiction, mystery, and second-chance romance – with a bold feminist streak – The One and Only Vivian Stone is not to be missed.
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧 Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️
Book Smart Kate 