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The Roaring Days of Zora Lily

A Novel

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
"Noelle Salazar captures the hazy, liquor-soaked days of the Jazz Age in this mesmerizing tale . . . of family, ambition, love, and self-discovery." —Entertainment Weekly
"Beautifully written and vividly drawn . . . [a] dazzling and sexy, dangerous and inspiring journey through the speakeasies of the jazz age to the glamour and darkness of Hollywood." —Jillian Cantor, USA Today bestselling author of Beautiful Little Fools
The discovery of a hidden label on a famous gown unearths the story of a talented young seamstress in this glittering novel of family, love, ambition, and self discovery by the USA Today bestselling author of The Flight Girls.
2023, The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History: A costume conservator is preparing an exhibition featuring movie costumes from the 1920s to present day. As she gingerly places a gown once worn by Greta Garbo on a mannequin, she discovers another name hidden beneath the designer's label, leaving her to wonder—who is Zora Lily?
1924, Seattle: Poverty-stricken Zora Hough spends her days looking after her younger siblings while sewing up holes and fixing hems for clients to bring in extra money, working her fingers to the bone just to survive. But at night, as she lies in the bed she shares with one of her three sisters, she secretly dreams of becoming a designer like Coco Chanel and Jeanne Lanvin.
When her best friend gets a job dancing in a club downtown, Zora is lured in by her stories of music, glittering dresses and boys. She follows her friend to the underground speakeasies that are at once exciting and frightening—with smoke hanging in the air, alcohol flowing despite Prohibition, couples dancing in a way that makes Zora blush and a handsome businessman named Harley. It's a world she has only ever imagined, and one with connections that could lead her to the life she's always dreamed of. But as Zora's ambition is challenged by tragedy and duty to her family, she'll learn that dreams come with a cost.
Don't miss Noelle Salazar's next sweeping story, THE LIES WE LEAVE BEHIND, where a fearless nurse must leave love behind when duty calls her back to the front...
More from Noelle Salazar:

  • The Angels of Resistance
  • The Flight Girls

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      • Library Journal

        May 1, 2023

        In 2023, costume conservator Sylvia Early is unfolding the centerpiece gown of an exhibit she is readying for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History when she spots the name Zora Lily hidden beneath the designer label. The narrative then unfolds the story of Seattle-born Zora Hough from a poverty-shriveled childhood to Seattle's Jazz Age speakeasies to the star-spangled couture houses of Hollywood. Best-selling Flight Girls author Salazar was inspired by the life of her own great grandmother; with a 175,000 paperback and 10,000-copy hardcover first printing. Prepub Alert.

        Copyright 2023 Library Journal

        Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

      • Library Journal

        September 1, 2023

        A discovery at a present-day costume exhibition leads into the story of Salazar's third novel (after Angels of the Resistance). In 1924, living in a poor neighborhood of Seattle, Zora Lily Hough is the second oldest of seven children. Her seamstress skills and eye for design are often sought by wealthier women in town, and she dreams of owning a boutique where she can sell her own creations. Zora's childhood friend Rose introduces her to the local nightlife, where Zora discovers great music, makes good connections for her chosen career, and finds love. Zora faces plenty of obstacles on her way to fulfilling her dreams but they're pretty easy to overcome and often lead to better choices for her. Even the novel's secondary characters have rapid changes in their emotional responses, allowing easy transitions between romantic connections and lifestyle choices. Many ideas are touched on, from interracial dating to unjust labor practices to Hollywood glamour, giving the story a fast-paced feeling. The contemporary narrative bookending past events adds good context for reflection on Zora's journey. VERDICT Filled with likable characters and a few villains, this quick read will have a special appeal to those interested in historical fashion or Hollywood.--Stacey Hayman

        Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

      • Booklist

        Starred review from September 1, 2023
        Salazar's best novel yet, following Angels of the Resistance (2022), brings the roaring 1920s to life in a heartfelt tale about a young woman coming into her own in Prohibition-era Seattle. Zora Hough grew up in poverty, but her childhood was always happy, at least until her father's lumberyard accident. Now her days are spent sewing with her mother, corralling her younger siblings, and trying to get by. When tragedy strikes again, she is forced to look outside the home for a better job to support her family. Her new position as a live-in nanny gives her more free time, and she is introduced to the exciting and sultry Seattle underworld. Zora has always wanted to be a fashion designer, and the diverse clubs filled with beautiful people provide infinite inspiration. There are also seemingly infinite suitors, but Zora finds that she is only drawn to the dapper Harley Aldridge, and the feelings are mutual. Her rise to the top as Zora Lily is not without trials, and Salazar expertly entrances readers with Zora's dramatic story, which is bookended with a modern-day reflection on her achievements. While this is a work of fiction, Salazar brings the 1920s to historically detailed life in this inspiring, feel-good tale.

        COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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