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Strangers in the Night
It was the tumultuous romance that scandalized the world: Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner fought, loved, and lived life to the hilt. Now their unbridled story is brought vividly to life by Heather Webb, the bestselling author of Meet Me in Monaco and The Next Ship Home.
In the golden age of Hollywood, two of the brightest stars would define--and defy--an era...
She was the small-town southern beauty transformed into a Hollywood love goddess. He was the legendary crooner whose voice transfixed the world. They were Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra. Separately they were irresistible; together they were an explosive combination.
Ava's star is rising just as Frank's career--and public image as a family man--is taking a hit. Gone are the days of the screaming bobbysoxers and chart-topping hits. Ava, however, finds herself gracing the front page of every tabloid in America. Jealousy and cheating abound, and when the two succumb to their temperaments and their vices, their happiness is threatened at every turn.
As the pair ride the rollercoaster of success and failure, passion and anger, they both wonder if the next turn will be the end of their careers, and most devastating of all--the end of all they've shared.
A captivating novel with a star-studded cast spanning continents and decades, Strangers in the Night brings to life the most riveting love story of the twentieth century.
In the golden age of Hollywood, two of the brightest stars would define--and defy--an era...
She was the small-town southern beauty transformed into a Hollywood love goddess. He was the legendary crooner whose voice transfixed the world. They were Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra. Separately they were irresistible; together they were an explosive combination.
Ava's star is rising just as Frank's career--and public image as a family man--is taking a hit. Gone are the days of the screaming bobbysoxers and chart-topping hits. Ava, however, finds herself gracing the front page of every tabloid in America. Jealousy and cheating abound, and when the two succumb to their temperaments and their vices, their happiness is threatened at every turn.
As the pair ride the rollercoaster of success and failure, passion and anger, they both wonder if the next turn will be the end of their careers, and most devastating of all--the end of all they've shared.
A captivating novel with a star-studded cast spanning continents and decades, Strangers in the Night brings to life the most riveting love story of the twentieth century.
432 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2023
About the author
Heather Webb
14 books1,144 followersHeather Webb is the USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of historical fiction, including Strangers in the Night, The Next Ship Home, Last Christmas in Paris, Meet Me in Monaco, Rodin's Lover, and more. In 2017, Last Christmas in Paris won the Women's Fiction Writers Association award, and in 2019, Meet Me in Monaco was shortlisted for both the RNA award in the UK and also the Digital Book World Fiction prize.
Heather's currently hard at work on a novel releasing in early 2024 called Queens of London about a true-to-life, all-female gang led by the most notorious criminal, Diamond Annie, set in grimy and glamorous 1925. Also, look for her fourth collaboration with her beloved writing partner, Hazel Gaynor, Christmas with the Queen releasing in the fall of 2024
When not writing, Heather flexes her foodie skills, geeks out on pop culture and history, or looks for excuses to head to the other side of the world.
***Heather's review policy on Goodreads is to only rate books that she enjoys. She believes there's enough negativity in the world and would rather share the positive with her reader friends. The negative she lets swirl down the drain of her bathtub.
Heather's currently hard at work on a novel releasing in early 2024 called Queens of London about a true-to-life, all-female gang led by the most notorious criminal, Diamond Annie, set in grimy and glamorous 1925. Also, look for her fourth collaboration with her beloved writing partner, Hazel Gaynor, Christmas with the Queen releasing in the fall of 2024
When not writing, Heather flexes her foodie skills, geeks out on pop culture and history, or looks for excuses to head to the other side of the world.
***Heather's review policy on Goodreads is to only rate books that she enjoys. She believes there's enough negativity in the world and would rather share the positive with her reader friends. The negative she lets swirl down the drain of her bathtub.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
October 26, 2023
Oh my gosh. I loved this book. Heather Webb has become a favorite author, and I always mention this - someone I used to work closely with was a student of hers. Onto this book.
About the book: “It was the tumultuous romance that scandalized the world: Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner fought, loved, and lived life to the hilt. Now their unbridled story is brought vividly to life by Heather Webb, the bestselling author of Meet Me in Monaco and The Next Ship Home.”
I’ll admit I previously knew little about Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. To my knowledge, I had not watched any of their movies, nor did I own any Sinatra music…I’m also not sure I knew they were married and possibly the greatest loves of each other’s lives. While reading, I bought Frank Sinatra vinyl (and really fun- my mom discovered a Sinatra record of my dad’s from the 60s or 70s), and I’ve watched from Here to Eternity with many more movies added to my list. Some time during my childhood, a billboard was erected near Ava Gardner’s small hometown museum in North Carolina. We often passed the billboard on our way to the beach, and I remember thinking how stunning she was and how fun it was that she made it all the way to Hollywood. I had no idea just how full her life was.
I was obsessed with Ava and Frank’s story, which in some ways was a novel of their obsessions for/with each other. I have to mention the writing because I blew through this book fast because it was written so well. Star-crossed lover stories are among my favorites. As toxic as their relationship could be, I felt the push and pull right along with them, wanting them to be together. No, no, wanting them to be apart. Sad for their longing for each other.
Hist fic fans, you have to read this. Classic movie fans, this one is for you. A favorite of mine this year. A must read.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
About the book: “It was the tumultuous romance that scandalized the world: Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner fought, loved, and lived life to the hilt. Now their unbridled story is brought vividly to life by Heather Webb, the bestselling author of Meet Me in Monaco and The Next Ship Home.”
I’ll admit I previously knew little about Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. To my knowledge, I had not watched any of their movies, nor did I own any Sinatra music…I’m also not sure I knew they were married and possibly the greatest loves of each other’s lives. While reading, I bought Frank Sinatra vinyl (and really fun- my mom discovered a Sinatra record of my dad’s from the 60s or 70s), and I’ve watched from Here to Eternity with many more movies added to my list. Some time during my childhood, a billboard was erected near Ava Gardner’s small hometown museum in North Carolina. We often passed the billboard on our way to the beach, and I remember thinking how stunning she was and how fun it was that she made it all the way to Hollywood. I had no idea just how full her life was.
I was obsessed with Ava and Frank’s story, which in some ways was a novel of their obsessions for/with each other. I have to mention the writing because I blew through this book fast because it was written so well. Star-crossed lover stories are among my favorites. As toxic as their relationship could be, I felt the push and pull right along with them, wanting them to be together. No, no, wanting them to be apart. Sad for their longing for each other.
Hist fic fans, you have to read this. Classic movie fans, this one is for you. A favorite of mine this year. A must read.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
December 2, 2022
This is a historical fiction presentation of the intense romantic relationship between Frank Sinatra and actress Ava Gardner. There are dueling chapters narrated by "Frank" and "Ava" telling their story. At the time these two met Sinatra was still married to his first wife Nancy with whom he had three young children. He divorced her to marry Ava, but their marital union was very tumultuous and fiery- filled with jealousy, suicidal attempts and affairs. Apparently, Frank considered Ava "The One". Even though their love for each other was fierce, they ultimately just could not live with each other. This made for a very emotional and fraught storyline, the book ending upon Ms. Gardner's death. The author strengthened the authenticity of her characters by employing the diction and flavor of Mr. Sinatra talking, along with historical accuracy based on her research. I found myself performing internet researches for photos of various notable events such as Frank and Ava's wedding. I really enjoyed the book for its personal touch of narration, as well as learning about the golden days of Hollywood and this iconic couple.
Thank you to the publisher William Morrow who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
Thank you to the publisher William Morrow who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
May 1, 2023
1-1/2 /5
Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardener – real people and a very real tumultuous love affair.
The author has written alternating chapters in the first person. I’m not a fan of this type of writing because, forgive me, but I find it presumptuous to put into the mouth of real people you don’t know and are long dead, no matter how much research you have done, their personal conversations, thoughts and feelings.
There are bits and pieces about Frank and Ava that can be picked up from any movie magazine or tabloid newspaper from 1950/60’s.
In order to read this book you must suspend any knowledge that these were real people and read it as if it was a story about two fictional characters.
Please do not take my 2-star rating as a recommendation for this book. I have rounder up from one and a half only because I read the book to the end.
Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardener – real people and a very real tumultuous love affair.
The author has written alternating chapters in the first person. I’m not a fan of this type of writing because, forgive me, but I find it presumptuous to put into the mouth of real people you don’t know and are long dead, no matter how much research you have done, their personal conversations, thoughts and feelings.
There are bits and pieces about Frank and Ava that can be picked up from any movie magazine or tabloid newspaper from 1950/60’s.
In order to read this book you must suspend any knowledge that these were real people and read it as if it was a story about two fictional characters.
Please do not take my 2-star rating as a recommendation for this book. I have rounder up from one and a half only because I read the book to the end.
September 5, 2022
Heather Webb writes illuminatingly about a love story that could easily have lit up the silver screen, but played out backstage instead. I raced through this book, drawn into the passion and the tumult and the tenderness too. Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra and the golden age of Hollywood are wonderfully portrayed and readers will find themselves wishing that the director didn’t have to call, ‘Cut!’, that “the end” didn’t exist, and that they could stay immersed in this sumptuous story forever.
March 6, 2023
Providing a flashback to the golden glory days of Hollywood, I found this story to be an enjoyable and indulgent peek into the turbulent and tempestuous lives and loves of Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. The reader is given a ringside seat to a literary display of the music and movie industries, warts and glamour intertwined, with an emphasis on stars behaving badly.
I became quickly fascinated by this fictionalized true Hollywood romance between Sinatra and Gardner. They celebrated their accomplishments on their rise to fame, while also giving in to their jealousy and insecurity. Their stormy relationship repeatedly centered around alcohol fueled arguments, both public and private, followed by one of them angrily storming out, and ending in extended separations.
Following Frank and Ava's lives from 1946 to 1990 also took me down a rabbit hole to read about other onscreen personalities that were mentioned, such as Mickey Rooney, Lana Turner, Artie Shaw, Ingrid Bergman, and Grace Kelly, to name a few. Fans of Hollywood royalty should definitely add this book to their TBR list.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I became quickly fascinated by this fictionalized true Hollywood romance between Sinatra and Gardner. They celebrated their accomplishments on their rise to fame, while also giving in to their jealousy and insecurity. Their stormy relationship repeatedly centered around alcohol fueled arguments, both public and private, followed by one of them angrily storming out, and ending in extended separations.
Following Frank and Ava's lives from 1946 to 1990 also took me down a rabbit hole to read about other onscreen personalities that were mentioned, such as Mickey Rooney, Lana Turner, Artie Shaw, Ingrid Bergman, and Grace Kelly, to name a few. Fans of Hollywood royalty should definitely add this book to their TBR list.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
What makes a book a good book? I think it has something to do with the emotions you confront once it is time to leave the book behind. The book has come to an end, but you know a part of it is going to stay with you. This is absolutely the case with Heather Webb’s Strangers in the Night.
Everyone knows the name Frank Sinatra, but not everyone knows exactly who the man was. He was a man suffering from emotional demons, drink, and the temptations of various women. For much of this novel, he certainly is NOT at his prime. The book unveils the aspects that were not all glitz and glamour in a reflective light. A man of four wives; was number two, Ava Gardner, his one true love?
This was a beautiful fictional rendering of Frank and Ava’s relationship, and the author even reveals which bits were true and which bits in which she “filled in the blanks” in her author’s note. I learned so much about the two stars and about Hollywood / Los Angeles in the fifties. I was left with an ache in my chest and a need to read more about them. I’m still not certain they should have ended up together in the end, but they had a beautiful, tragic run nonetheless.
What makes a book a good book? I think it has something to do with the emotions you confront once it is time to leave the book behind. The book has come to an end, but you know a part of it is going to stay with you. This is absolutely the case with Heather Webb’s Strangers in the Night.
Everyone knows the name Frank Sinatra, but not everyone knows exactly who the man was. He was a man suffering from emotional demons, drink, and the temptations of various women. For much of this novel, he certainly is NOT at his prime. The book unveils the aspects that were not all glitz and glamour in a reflective light. A man of four wives; was number two, Ava Gardner, his one true love?
This was a beautiful fictional rendering of Frank and Ava’s relationship, and the author even reveals which bits were true and which bits in which she “filled in the blanks” in her author’s note. I learned so much about the two stars and about Hollywood / Los Angeles in the fifties. I was left with an ache in my chest and a need to read more about them. I’m still not certain they should have ended up together in the end, but they had a beautiful, tragic run nonetheless.
July 17, 2022
Full review to come and in the meantime, I devoured this book. Bravo!! Highly, highly recommend!
November 8, 2022
To take two indomitable and iconic figures and express them in a whipsmart first person whirlwind through their volatile and passionate relationship is a harrowing task for any author. But Webb excels at finding ways to paint a portrait of two largely unsympathetic characters with the deft grace of her beguiling pen and a clear tapestry of an absolutely fascinating world of celluloid and tabloids. While both Gardner and Sinatra sacrifice ethics and integrity to feed their addiction of each other, their chemistry sizzles in good times and bad and leaps from the page with dizzying aplomb. We may not understand their choices but we're given a straight shoot into how they see themselves and the sacrifices they make for this ostracizing, magnanimous affair. And for all of the tempers and fists flying and bottles of Jack and career missteps, there is a grace and poignancy in the longevity of their relationship: as they mistreat lovers and spouses and their careers in pursuit of this all-consuming decades-long tryst. Written with a gut punch, dizzying speed and never once wavering from a candour I believe would please the book's sources, Strangers In The Night is what bio fiction should be: lovingly written, attentively told and, of course, steeped in honesty of the Faibles and fallacies of two lost souls who just happen to snag the public consciousness and spotlight.
April 2, 2023
Wow! I admittedly knew very little about Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner's passionate, turbulent relationship before I picked up this book. And this was only a little slice of both their lives! I was so drawn into this wild tale of two star-crossed lovers that I finished it in just two days. Heather Webb gives readers an absolutely phenomenal recreation of Frank and Ava's head-over-heels, fight-and-reconcile, decades-long love affair. If you are a fan of great love stories, glitz and glamour, the thrill of the stage, and the drama of old movies, this novel needs to go right to the top of your to-read-pile.
April 23, 2023
“Strangers in the Night” is a biographical fiction novel about the lives of legendary crooner Frank Sinatra and his tempestuous affair with lifelong lover, actress Ava Gardner.
Told from the points of view of both Frank and Ava in alternating chapters, we follow their volatile lives from 1946 to 1990. What made this story so much more entertaining and fascinating was how we heard, both their feelings and emotions as working situations arose and also during their regular heated arguments. It couldn't have been easy falling in love with a married man in Hollywood and you could really feel the emotional pain Ava felt, when Nancy Sinatra kept refusing to divorce Frank.
The meticulous research carried out for this book to enable it to read as close as factually possible was truly incredible and I honestly felt like I was privy to the intense life of these two well known legends in a way that no biographical book or movie could. I came away with all sorts of mixed emotions about them but feeling like I was a lifelong friend to them both. Fact and fiction was blended seamlessly and aside from their relationship we see an insight into the workings of the big movies of the day, various well known film stars and their personalities and how the public audience and journalists perceived these stars within their private lives.
#StrangersInTheNight - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Told from the points of view of both Frank and Ava in alternating chapters, we follow their volatile lives from 1946 to 1990. What made this story so much more entertaining and fascinating was how we heard, both their feelings and emotions as working situations arose and also during their regular heated arguments. It couldn't have been easy falling in love with a married man in Hollywood and you could really feel the emotional pain Ava felt, when Nancy Sinatra kept refusing to divorce Frank.
The meticulous research carried out for this book to enable it to read as close as factually possible was truly incredible and I honestly felt like I was privy to the intense life of these two well known legends in a way that no biographical book or movie could. I came away with all sorts of mixed emotions about them but feeling like I was a lifelong friend to them both. Fact and fiction was blended seamlessly and aside from their relationship we see an insight into the workings of the big movies of the day, various well known film stars and their personalities and how the public audience and journalists perceived these stars within their private lives.
#StrangersInTheNight - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 27, 2023
Review to come…..
Update: A well researched, gripping depiction of the passionate and volatile relationship between legendary crooner Frank Sinatra and movie star Ava Gardner and the highs and lows of during respective careers.
My thoughts: Strangers in the Night was incredible. The book has dual POV and you can tell that the author did a lot of research to capture Frank and Ava’s voices. They were the loves of each others lives but they brought out the worst in each other. I could feel how exhausting this relationship must’ve been for them.
It’s also interesting to see how the press hasn’t changed in its treatment of entertainers. When Frank and Ava first get together, Ava is the bigger star and Frank is seen as a D-list actor/singer with a temper. The fact that Frank is a married man with kids doesn’t exactly improve his reputation. For the first part of their relationship and even during the beginning of their marriage, he’s known as “Mr. Ava Gardner.” It’s one of the biggest issues in their relationship, that the traditional Frank feels inferior to his wife. Ava is the one who pulls some strings to get Frank is Oscar-winning role in From Here To Eternity. The press is incredibly fickle lol at the start of the affair, Frank and Ava are written as evil cheaters who are hurting Frank's Saint of a Wife but later, they're Romeo and Juliet and Frank's evil wife is keeping them apart by refusing to sign the divorce papers. Also, JUSTICE FOR NANCY I would love to read a historical fiction novel from her perspective in the same vein as "The Paris Wife" another book I would highly recommend about Hadley Hemmingway, Ernest Hemingway's first wife.
It's clear that Frank and Ava are way too similar. They're both passionate people who had to claw their way to the top. They're both underestimated by the movie studios and the press. Before we knew Frank Sinatra as THE Frank Sinatra the press and studios saw him a mediocre singer and an even worse actor. Ava's seen as a pretty face, and she's trapped in vixen roles when she has a hunger to hone her craft. It’s a case of “can’t live with you, can’t live without you.” You can understand why even after their divorce, they couldn't stay away from each other... now I'm rambling ha!
There is ONE thing that bugged me....and yes, I'm aware this is Historical FICTION, not a biography. The author has a storyline about Lauren Bacall and Sinatra having an affair behind Bogie's back while he was dying?!? Now, Bacall and Sinatra did have a relationship and get it engaged, but it took place AFTER Bogie's death. There was enough cheating in this book, you didn't have to add an affair that probably didn't take place.... or maybe I'm just oversensitive because I'm currently reading Bacall's memoir lol
I would definitely recommend this book to people who love history, historical fiction and celebrity memoirs from the "Golden Age of Hollywood."
So I don’t usually do songs for real life couples but Diet Mountain Dew by Lana Del Rey is definitely Frank and Ava’s song 😩
Update: A well researched, gripping depiction of the passionate and volatile relationship between legendary crooner Frank Sinatra and movie star Ava Gardner and the highs and lows of during respective careers.
My thoughts: Strangers in the Night was incredible. The book has dual POV and you can tell that the author did a lot of research to capture Frank and Ava’s voices. They were the loves of each others lives but they brought out the worst in each other. I could feel how exhausting this relationship must’ve been for them.
It’s also interesting to see how the press hasn’t changed in its treatment of entertainers. When Frank and Ava first get together, Ava is the bigger star and Frank is seen as a D-list actor/singer with a temper. The fact that Frank is a married man with kids doesn’t exactly improve his reputation. For the first part of their relationship and even during the beginning of their marriage, he’s known as “Mr. Ava Gardner.” It’s one of the biggest issues in their relationship, that the traditional Frank feels inferior to his wife. Ava is the one who pulls some strings to get Frank is Oscar-winning role in From Here To Eternity. The press is incredibly fickle lol at the start of the affair, Frank and Ava are written as evil cheaters who are hurting Frank's Saint of a Wife but later, they're Romeo and Juliet and Frank's evil wife is keeping them apart by refusing to sign the divorce papers. Also, JUSTICE FOR NANCY I would love to read a historical fiction novel from her perspective in the same vein as "The Paris Wife" another book I would highly recommend about Hadley Hemmingway, Ernest Hemingway's first wife.
It's clear that Frank and Ava are way too similar. They're both passionate people who had to claw their way to the top. They're both underestimated by the movie studios and the press. Before we knew Frank Sinatra as THE Frank Sinatra the press and studios saw him a mediocre singer and an even worse actor. Ava's seen as a pretty face, and she's trapped in vixen roles when she has a hunger to hone her craft. It’s a case of “can’t live with you, can’t live without you.” You can understand why even after their divorce, they couldn't stay away from each other... now I'm rambling ha!
There is ONE thing that bugged me....and yes, I'm aware this is Historical FICTION, not a biography. The author has a storyline about Lauren Bacall and Sinatra having an affair behind Bogie's back while he was dying?!? Now, Bacall and Sinatra did have a relationship and get it engaged, but it took place AFTER Bogie's death. There was enough cheating in this book, you didn't have to add an affair that probably didn't take place.... or maybe I'm just oversensitive because I'm currently reading Bacall's memoir lol
I would definitely recommend this book to people who love history, historical fiction and celebrity memoirs from the "Golden Age of Hollywood."
So I don’t usually do songs for real life couples but Diet Mountain Dew by Lana Del Rey is definitely Frank and Ava’s song 😩
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2023
4.25/5
I love Heather Webb and Strangers in the Night is another amazing historical fiction novel from her that I could not put down. Once I started the audio, I knew I was going to finish in one day and that is exactly what I did. I really didn't know anything about Gardner and Sinatra's relationship, and I loved the way Webb filled this fictional book with so much information about them both as a couple and as individuals. I haven't seen any movies Ava has been in, but I have listened to my fair share of Sinatra songs, and it was nice getting to know these two better. Reading this actually made me want to check out biographical material, especially for Sinatra, and it sounds like they had a loving but incredibly toxic relationship that seemed to be made a bit better once they were no longer married.
The novel spans many years and is broken into specific parts with each one being the title of a Frank Sinatra song. I thought this was a wonderful touch and it also gives the reader a bit of an idea of what you can expect from each section. I don't think you need to be an Ava Gardner OR Frank Sinatra fan to enjoy Strangers in the Night, but I think it would certainly help if you at least knew who they are. The audiobook is exceptional, and I adored Chris Andrew Ciulla & Cassandra Campbell as the narrators. Even with such an iconic voice as Sinatra's, Ciulla was able to really put me in his shoes and it was easy to imagine him as Sinatra himself. Campbell was already a favorite of mine, and her voice was basically made to be Gardner. She sounds so classy and if I didn't know any better, I would just assume that's what Gardner actually sounded like. If you enjoy historical fiction, old Hollywood, and reading about well-known people's relationships you definitely need to pick up Strangers in the Night.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I love Heather Webb and Strangers in the Night is another amazing historical fiction novel from her that I could not put down. Once I started the audio, I knew I was going to finish in one day and that is exactly what I did. I really didn't know anything about Gardner and Sinatra's relationship, and I loved the way Webb filled this fictional book with so much information about them both as a couple and as individuals. I haven't seen any movies Ava has been in, but I have listened to my fair share of Sinatra songs, and it was nice getting to know these two better. Reading this actually made me want to check out biographical material, especially for Sinatra, and it sounds like they had a loving but incredibly toxic relationship that seemed to be made a bit better once they were no longer married.
The novel spans many years and is broken into specific parts with each one being the title of a Frank Sinatra song. I thought this was a wonderful touch and it also gives the reader a bit of an idea of what you can expect from each section. I don't think you need to be an Ava Gardner OR Frank Sinatra fan to enjoy Strangers in the Night, but I think it would certainly help if you at least knew who they are. The audiobook is exceptional, and I adored Chris Andrew Ciulla & Cassandra Campbell as the narrators. Even with such an iconic voice as Sinatra's, Ciulla was able to really put me in his shoes and it was easy to imagine him as Sinatra himself. Campbell was already a favorite of mine, and her voice was basically made to be Gardner. She sounds so classy and if I didn't know any better, I would just assume that's what Gardner actually sounded like. If you enjoy historical fiction, old Hollywood, and reading about well-known people's relationships you definitely need to pick up Strangers in the Night.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 11, 2022
I read an advanced reader copy. The book started well and had a decent finish, but the whole middle was too monotonous and predictable for me. Every chapter was the same, over and over and over. Their relationship was rooted in controlling codependency, paranoia, and complete lack of accountability or trust (not that either of them were deserving of trust) - I get it, but I don’t need 350 pages of the same jealous fight/make up sex scene on endless loop.
January 28, 2024
STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT
BY: HEATHER WEBB
About 4.5 Stars!
This historical biographical or historical fictional portrait of both Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra's tumultuous love is quite emotionally moving. "Strangers in the night," written by Heather Webb is both meticulously researched and also to some extent uses creative license I'd assume, because it is told in first person, with alternating chapters from both Ava and Frank. At first this took a little getting used to, but ultimately it's my favorite way of crafting any genre of novel. The main reason that I state that is because it always feels more intimate to me when an author chooses this style of writing or storytelling that's character orientated..
There is a helpful Author's Note included which I always appreciate since it clarifies in the best ones crafted, what is fiction and what is factual. I didn't expect to have tears in my eyes or get choked up when I got to the end of reading this. That almost never happens--in fact, I can't remember the last time it did happen. This was due to Heather Webb's gifted ability to make these two icons come alive on the page. Her characterization of both Ava and Frank is depicted in such vivid detail that I felt like I knew both of them. This has me interested in seeking out more of her other novels immediately jumping them to the top of my list.
As I stated above, since this isn't an ARC but the finished copy in Heather Webb's Author's Note she has stated that for every scenario included in this book about Ava and Frank there were two others that were omitted. She listed the sources that she drew her material from which didn't all agree with one another, leaving it up to her discretion which one she has chosen to depict of them. I'm pretty sure all of her sources are available for those who are interested to further their pursuit of learning more about these two very flawed but fascinating and relatable legends.
At first I found the pacing slower than my personal preference, but what amazing lives these two who were each famous and talented in their own way, ultimately chose to get romantically involved. And what interesting trajectories their choice of getting involved led them to do what each of them did. I knew about each of them, but I didn't know about their romance, and so much more that I learned about it from reading this fantastic book. It starts out when Ava and Frank first meet each other. The narrative mostly focuses on when Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra's romantic relationship begins. Ava is breathtakingly beautiful but not getting the more coveted acting roles she desires under contract with MGM. Frank is immediately smitten by her even though he is still married to his first wife Nancy. At this point Ava is more successful career wise than Frank. They spend some time getting to know each other at first. Ava didn't want to get more involved knowing Frank was already married.
To reiterate this mostly explores Ava and Frank's relationship from becoming romantically involved through their marriage and the years after they get divorced. It does include their careers before during and after their marriages, but it's not an all encompassing and comprehensive historical timeline of their entire lives. While it does delve into briefly what they're each doing in their careers, it mostly is built around their remarkable deep and enduring love story. It left me with the question of asking myself whether or not they were both the loves of each other's lives?
I don't usually like the romance genre and rarely read them, but this was just so incredible and epic. I'm so moved by how this one was so expertly told that I highly recommend this. Like I said I'm ecstatic to have discovered this terrific new to me author. The more that I read the more emotionally involved I became and by the end I was left extremely moved and affected by it. There's so much I'm not saying because I don't want to give any spoiler material away. I will be thinking about this for quite some time. It's extremely sad, so I'm hoping for something lighter or not reading anything else so I can ponder about this some more. It's both Haunting & Unforgettable!
BY: HEATHER WEBB
About 4.5 Stars!
This historical biographical or historical fictional portrait of both Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra's tumultuous love is quite emotionally moving. "Strangers in the night," written by Heather Webb is both meticulously researched and also to some extent uses creative license I'd assume, because it is told in first person, with alternating chapters from both Ava and Frank. At first this took a little getting used to, but ultimately it's my favorite way of crafting any genre of novel. The main reason that I state that is because it always feels more intimate to me when an author chooses this style of writing or storytelling that's character orientated..
There is a helpful Author's Note included which I always appreciate since it clarifies in the best ones crafted, what is fiction and what is factual. I didn't expect to have tears in my eyes or get choked up when I got to the end of reading this. That almost never happens--in fact, I can't remember the last time it did happen. This was due to Heather Webb's gifted ability to make these two icons come alive on the page. Her characterization of both Ava and Frank is depicted in such vivid detail that I felt like I knew both of them. This has me interested in seeking out more of her other novels immediately jumping them to the top of my list.
As I stated above, since this isn't an ARC but the finished copy in Heather Webb's Author's Note she has stated that for every scenario included in this book about Ava and Frank there were two others that were omitted. She listed the sources that she drew her material from which didn't all agree with one another, leaving it up to her discretion which one she has chosen to depict of them. I'm pretty sure all of her sources are available for those who are interested to further their pursuit of learning more about these two very flawed but fascinating and relatable legends.
At first I found the pacing slower than my personal preference, but what amazing lives these two who were each famous and talented in their own way, ultimately chose to get romantically involved. And what interesting trajectories their choice of getting involved led them to do what each of them did. I knew about each of them, but I didn't know about their romance, and so much more that I learned about it from reading this fantastic book. It starts out when Ava and Frank first meet each other. The narrative mostly focuses on when Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra's romantic relationship begins. Ava is breathtakingly beautiful but not getting the more coveted acting roles she desires under contract with MGM. Frank is immediately smitten by her even though he is still married to his first wife Nancy. At this point Ava is more successful career wise than Frank. They spend some time getting to know each other at first. Ava didn't want to get more involved knowing Frank was already married.
To reiterate this mostly explores Ava and Frank's relationship from becoming romantically involved through their marriage and the years after they get divorced. It does include their careers before during and after their marriages, but it's not an all encompassing and comprehensive historical timeline of their entire lives. While it does delve into briefly what they're each doing in their careers, it mostly is built around their remarkable deep and enduring love story. It left me with the question of asking myself whether or not they were both the loves of each other's lives?
I don't usually like the romance genre and rarely read them, but this was just so incredible and epic. I'm so moved by how this one was so expertly told that I highly recommend this. Like I said I'm ecstatic to have discovered this terrific new to me author. The more that I read the more emotionally involved I became and by the end I was left extremely moved and affected by it. There's so much I'm not saying because I don't want to give any spoiler material away. I will be thinking about this for quite some time. It's extremely sad, so I'm hoping for something lighter or not reading anything else so I can ponder about this some more. It's both Haunting & Unforgettable!
April 13, 2023
They can’t live with each other, and can’t live without each other. That was my impression after reading of the volatile, passionate and turbulent relationship between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. Beginning in the mid 1940s and going through to Ava’s death in the 1990s, their life together was a constant merry go round of jealous fights, endless next chances and passionate reunions. In the early years of their relationship, Frank’s career was dwindling to nothing, whilst Ava’s star slowly rose with her MGM movies and photo shoots.
The amount of research required to write about these two giants of the entertainment business must have been tremendous but Heather Webb has pulled it off quite magnificently. She blends fact and fiction so well that I felt as if I were reading an autobiography and really delves into their lives to bring these people to life. There are numerous other famous people who appear in the book – including Grace Kelly, and Howard Hughes whose obsessive behaviour included stalking Ava. In addition, the insight into the power and control of the major studios over their actors professional – and personal lives, was rather revealing. The culture of jealousy, lewdness and just general exploitation was something that you had to put up with if you wanted to be a ‘star’ it seemed.
When Ava first met Frank, she was married to Mickey Rooney and took an instant dislike to him. However after two failed marriages, she fell for his so called charm and chat and so embarked on a volatile love affair. Everyone else called him Frank but to her he was Francis. He apparently seemed to have the worst temper but Ava could hold her own and really they both appeared to be as bad as each other with drunken spats, crazy stunts and jealous rages. Frank’s alleged links to the Mob are also touched upon, as well as how the story of The Rat Pack (his singing partnership with Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr) began.
I very much enjoyed the old Hollywood glamour and glitz of the story and the look inside an industry that cared more for reputation than people. Infidelity, addiction and mental health crisis’ feature heavily in the story. Theirs was the epitome of a toxic relationship, which despite loving each other almost to the point of obsession, caused each so much angst.
I’ve read Heather’s books before and she is excellent at historical fiction. Rich with detail and told by way of alternating chapters voiced by both Ava and Frank, often with their own perspective on a situation, Strangers in the Night is a captivating all encompassing study of two Hollywood greats. I’d obviously heard of both, Frank Sinatra was my grandparent’s favourite, but knew very little about their lives. This fictionalised story based on fact, brought them to life and once I’d finished the book, the Google rabbit hole beckoned as I wanted to find out more.
The amount of research required to write about these two giants of the entertainment business must have been tremendous but Heather Webb has pulled it off quite magnificently. She blends fact and fiction so well that I felt as if I were reading an autobiography and really delves into their lives to bring these people to life. There are numerous other famous people who appear in the book – including Grace Kelly, and Howard Hughes whose obsessive behaviour included stalking Ava. In addition, the insight into the power and control of the major studios over their actors professional – and personal lives, was rather revealing. The culture of jealousy, lewdness and just general exploitation was something that you had to put up with if you wanted to be a ‘star’ it seemed.
When Ava first met Frank, she was married to Mickey Rooney and took an instant dislike to him. However after two failed marriages, she fell for his so called charm and chat and so embarked on a volatile love affair. Everyone else called him Frank but to her he was Francis. He apparently seemed to have the worst temper but Ava could hold her own and really they both appeared to be as bad as each other with drunken spats, crazy stunts and jealous rages. Frank’s alleged links to the Mob are also touched upon, as well as how the story of The Rat Pack (his singing partnership with Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr) began.
I very much enjoyed the old Hollywood glamour and glitz of the story and the look inside an industry that cared more for reputation than people. Infidelity, addiction and mental health crisis’ feature heavily in the story. Theirs was the epitome of a toxic relationship, which despite loving each other almost to the point of obsession, caused each so much angst.
I’ve read Heather’s books before and she is excellent at historical fiction. Rich with detail and told by way of alternating chapters voiced by both Ava and Frank, often with their own perspective on a situation, Strangers in the Night is a captivating all encompassing study of two Hollywood greats. I’d obviously heard of both, Frank Sinatra was my grandparent’s favourite, but knew very little about their lives. This fictionalised story based on fact, brought them to life and once I’d finished the book, the Google rabbit hole beckoned as I wanted to find out more.
March 25, 2023
I was already familiar with the story of the romance between these two legends; however, it quickly became apparent that Heather Webb was meticulous in her research about their relationship. It certainly grabbed me from the beginning. I was easily able to envision each moment that was described within the pages. No punches were pulled. While it would be impossible to cover all the events, good and bad, in one book about two such flawed personalities, those that were highlighted contributed to the whole picture of their reckless and tempestuous association. There is no doubt they were deeply in love with each other. They certainly never got over each other. But, without giving more away, you have to read it to understand why their personalities, their upbringing, the industry, the studio system, alcohol, immaturity, insecurities and immense egos thwarted them at every turn. Yes, it is historical fiction. Having read much on both superstars, she nailed it. Excellent, emotional read.
March 18, 2023
I went into this not knowing much about Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner’s relationship but have only heard the utmost praise about Heather Webb’s writing, and now I can finally see why. Not only did I learn a ton through Webb’s meticulous research, but I was engrossed by the bingey, fast-paced writing and on-again-off-again fictionalized love story. I loved how Webb alternated chapters between Frank and Ava’s point of views, giving you insight into their individual lives and their perspectives on the same situation as well as the highs and lows of Hollywood. I didn’t expect to feel so many emotions at the end and am now eager to dive into Webb’s backlist.
Read if you like:
-1950/60s US Historical Fiction
-Hollywood life
-Drama, heartbreak and scandal
-Alternating POVs
-Short chapters
Thank you William Morrow for the ARC. Pub date: 3/21
Read if you like:
-1950/60s US Historical Fiction
-Hollywood life
-Drama, heartbreak and scandal
-Alternating POVs
-Short chapters
Thank you William Morrow for the ARC. Pub date: 3/21
September 22, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up, only because it’s 1:30 in the morning and I just finished it.
Here’s a summary of the book:
Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner meet. They drink too much, have sex, fight, make up, drink too much, have sex, fight, make up. Rinse and repeat. They fall in love, get married, drink too much, have sex, make up, drink too much, have sex, fight, make up. Rinse and repeat. They divorce, drink too much, have sex, fight, make up, drink too much, have sex, fight, make up. They go on to have sex with a lot of other people, especially Frank, though Ava seems to hold her own in this regard. Frank remarries twice. They remain friends.
They are supposedly the great love in each other’s lives. Or so the story goes.
The writing is incredibly sappy. The author doesn’t give much depth to either character and seems to rely on the “rinse and repeat“ to the point where it was boring and almost silly. This might have been a really good story in another author’s hands, but it was overall a very disappointing book.
Here’s a summary of the book:
Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner meet. They drink too much, have sex, fight, make up, drink too much, have sex, fight, make up. Rinse and repeat. They fall in love, get married, drink too much, have sex, make up, drink too much, have sex, fight, make up. Rinse and repeat. They divorce, drink too much, have sex, fight, make up, drink too much, have sex, fight, make up. They go on to have sex with a lot of other people, especially Frank, though Ava seems to hold her own in this regard. Frank remarries twice. They remain friends.
They are supposedly the great love in each other’s lives. Or so the story goes.
The writing is incredibly sappy. The author doesn’t give much depth to either character and seems to rely on the “rinse and repeat“ to the point where it was boring and almost silly. This might have been a really good story in another author’s hands, but it was overall a very disappointing book.
October 30, 2023
I will change this rating as soon as I finally receive this book I won from goodreads giveaways. I was dying to read this book.
@williammorrow, please give me my book I won on March 10/29/23
@williammorrow, please give me my book I won on March 10/29/23
June 14, 2023
Many thanks to the author/publisher via NetGalley for the free copy.
Something that is baffling me about this book is that the author was approached to write it; the idea came from someone else. I think that was a cute idea, but the execution was poor. I haven’t read anything else by this author, so it’s hard to say how much to blame she is. I liked the idea but I think it was a hard story to write. It was too repetetive. That may have been the nature of their relationship, but it isn’t pleasant to read. It was a cycle of the same behavioral patterns, reading over and over, to the point that I genuinely think the book could have been cut in half (and that’s over 200 pages cut!!). Some events were written twice but from different perspectives, which would be fine (maybe?) if the rest of the book wasn’t so repetetive. I felt like we were going in circles… almost the whole time.
The book was supposed to be about their relationship and not their careers, but the parts about their careers were far more interesting. Again—because their careers weren’t repetetive. Way too much of the same thing over and over in this book. The parts I liked about it are basically just that I learned a lot about Frank and Ava (and their peers), which I did enjoy, but the book was not enjoyable.
As for the writing style, I do have a feeling this contributed to what made this book so unbearable (I can read almost anything, but I had to take breaks from this one). It felt forced and, to be completely honest, extremely juvenile. It felt like the way a teenager might describe these adult matters. I like YA when it’s meant to be YA, but I’m not a fan of sloppy descriptions in an adult novel. There were also a lot of character inconsistencies, but in fairness, that’s real life, as the author very much admits.
I wanted to enjoy this book, but I can’t recommend it in the slightest.
(R rating)
Something that is baffling me about this book is that the author was approached to write it; the idea came from someone else. I think that was a cute idea, but the execution was poor. I haven’t read anything else by this author, so it’s hard to say how much to blame she is. I liked the idea but I think it was a hard story to write. It was too repetetive. That may have been the nature of their relationship, but it isn’t pleasant to read. It was a cycle of the same behavioral patterns, reading over and over, to the point that I genuinely think the book could have been cut in half (and that’s over 200 pages cut!!). Some events were written twice but from different perspectives, which would be fine (maybe?) if the rest of the book wasn’t so repetetive. I felt like we were going in circles… almost the whole time.
The book was supposed to be about their relationship and not their careers, but the parts about their careers were far more interesting. Again—because their careers weren’t repetetive. Way too much of the same thing over and over in this book. The parts I liked about it are basically just that I learned a lot about Frank and Ava (and their peers), which I did enjoy, but the book was not enjoyable.
As for the writing style, I do have a feeling this contributed to what made this book so unbearable (I can read almost anything, but I had to take breaks from this one). It felt forced and, to be completely honest, extremely juvenile. It felt like the way a teenager might describe these adult matters. I like YA when it’s meant to be YA, but I’m not a fan of sloppy descriptions in an adult novel. There were also a lot of character inconsistencies, but in fairness, that’s real life, as the author very much admits.
I wanted to enjoy this book, but I can’t recommend it in the slightest.
(R rating)
March 22, 2023
Strangers in the Night
By: Heather Webb
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have always loved old Hollywood and Frank Sinatras music. This novel was so entertaining. We follow how Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner met and how they enter into a relationship while he is still married.
They both had so many insecurities and like everyone just want to be loved. They both had their share of faults, affairs and fights. They were like two firecrackers attracted to each other with sparks constantly flying!
He was an only child and she came from a large family. A New Jersey boy and a North Carolina girl who would make their mark in Hollywood!
This was one of my highly anticipated novels this year and Webb did not disappoint. She captured their personalities perfectly.
#strangersinthenight, #heatherwebb, #harpercollins, #bookstagram, #bookreview, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50
By: Heather Webb
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have always loved old Hollywood and Frank Sinatras music. This novel was so entertaining. We follow how Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner met and how they enter into a relationship while he is still married.
They both had so many insecurities and like everyone just want to be loved. They both had their share of faults, affairs and fights. They were like two firecrackers attracted to each other with sparks constantly flying!
He was an only child and she came from a large family. A New Jersey boy and a North Carolina girl who would make their mark in Hollywood!
This was one of my highly anticipated novels this year and Webb did not disappoint. She captured their personalities perfectly.
#strangersinthenight, #heatherwebb, #harpercollins, #bookstagram, #bookreview, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50
May 9, 2023
Written in the style of a 1960s potboiler this is a fictional story of the Ava Gardner/ Frank Sinatra life long love affair. Fueled by egos, booze and ambition this was a doomed affair from the beginning. Told from the POVs of each main character it's glossy and selectivly abridged. Ok book for the casual readers; a waste of time for anyone interested in the facts. 3 stars
November 13, 2023
I love this book. I've read Heather Webb's work before, one of her works with Hazel Gaynor, and I need to read more of her books. I enjoyed this so much.
May 1, 2023
Who would have thought that this would be the book to put me in my first reading slump in years? Certainly not me! But it did. It has.
I devoured it. I loved it. And I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
5 stars.
I devoured it. I loved it. And I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
5 stars.
March 30, 2023
TITLE: STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT: A Novel of Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner
AUTHOR: Heather Webb
PUB DATE: 03.21.2023
REVIEW:
In STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT: A Novel of Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner, author Heather Webb gave her readers a glorious glimpse of the gilded age of Hollywood - in its finest romance and scandal. I have always been fascinated with Sinatra and Gardner, and this fictionalized true Hollywood story was incredibly eye opening as I never really knew much about these Hollywood Royalty more than their music and movies. The incredible research that took to write this incredible story of two very famous people was evident and quite the joy to read!
What a triumph!
AUTHOR: Heather Webb
PUB DATE: 03.21.2023
REVIEW:
In STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT: A Novel of Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner, author Heather Webb gave her readers a glorious glimpse of the gilded age of Hollywood - in its finest romance and scandal. I have always been fascinated with Sinatra and Gardner, and this fictionalized true Hollywood story was incredibly eye opening as I never really knew much about these Hollywood Royalty more than their music and movies. The incredible research that took to write this incredible story of two very famous people was evident and quite the joy to read!
What a triumph!
April 26, 2023
I am a massive FS fan so there is very little about the greatest interpreter of the American songbook that I don't know. I always knew Frank and Ava's relationship was, as the song says, "too hot not to cool down". I am relatively certain that both of them were bipolar so there was no chance of two such volatile people staying together yet they remained devoted to each other their entire lives despite the hurt they caused themselves and others. This novel is a fairly good depiction of what may or may not have happened during their relationship. Several sources have stated that although "Strangers in the Night" was a massive hit for FS he never liked the song. Perhaps the book should have been titled "I'm A Fool to Want You", a song FS co-wrote about his enduring torch for Ava. This was an enjoyable read for me but didn't bring anything new to the stories I was already familiar with so perhaps if I had known less about the subject I would have graded the book higher.
March 27, 2023
Interesting, sad, human. Great ending, made me cry. Webb is a mesmerizing writer. Loved learning more about old blue-eyes and feisty Ava Gardner. And the audio hits all the right notes.
August 6, 2023
In Heather Webb's latest historical fiction novel Strangers in the Night, the curtains get pulled back on my summer's "hottest" show . . . the Frank & Ava show!
The novel is broken up into different parts by years starting in 1946-1949, culminating in 1966-1990. I enjoyed that the author decided to alternate the chapters for the most part between Frank Sinatra & Ava Gardner's perspective using a first person perspective as it allows the readers to get into their minds, and reminds us that there are always two sides to a story, especially in relationships.
Before reading this novel, I was familiar with the name of Frank Sinatra, but not so much with Ava Gardner. This novel also opened up the world of Hollywood & fame but also on the flip side of fame - drugs, booze and the pressure of being a famous celebrity.
The novel is broken up into different parts by years starting in 1946-1949, culminating in 1966-1990. I enjoyed that the author decided to alternate the chapters for the most part between Frank Sinatra & Ava Gardner's perspective using a first person perspective as it allows the readers to get into their minds, and reminds us that there are always two sides to a story, especially in relationships.
Before reading this novel, I was familiar with the name of Frank Sinatra, but not so much with Ava Gardner. This novel also opened up the world of Hollywood & fame but also on the flip side of fame - drugs, booze and the pressure of being a famous celebrity.
September 5, 2022
Is there anyway possible that I can give this book higher than 5 stars???? Full disclosure, i am a huge Frank Sinatra fan. I knew little about Ava except what I saw on the screen and I am also a huge fan of the author Heather Webb. Even with all that when I first heard that Heather was going to be taking on Sinatra in a book I was worried about what she would unveil about this man who was larger than life and who I am admittedly in awe of. I actually wrote to her and asked “will I be upset with Frank?” Now that I finished, I feel more in tune with the man than the legend. Through her words Heather Webb beings Frank to life again - both sides of him. The good and charming. The bad womanizing and almost demon like. But she shows his heart. And through Ava’s words she brings to light a siren, a starlet, and a misunderstood woman who simply fell in love and gave her whole heart.
Like their relationship this book was a roller coaster of emotions. Highs like their careers, lows like they felt when MGM or the press turned in them. There were moments that I felt like I was in the room with them. Like I could feel the heat that grew through them, the rages that brewed of jealousy and sheer desire. I could every note that Frank sang and my heart broke when both theirs did.
This book was so real to me as if they were sitting in the room with me. And telling me their story.
I loved it all the glamour. The glitz. The passion. The heartache. Every page. This should make anyone who knew Frank or Ava proud that it was immortalized - even the hard parts.
Also this is one book where you don’t want to miss the authors note. I read it first and it didn’t color the way I read it but it made sense as to why Heather Webb delves into aspects of their lives and not others.
Beautiful story. Beatiful, yet tortured. Beautifully written. Brava, Heather!
On a side note: I loved the Grace Kelly scenes (don’t miss Webb’s novel with Hazel Gaynor Meet me in Monoco).
Like their relationship this book was a roller coaster of emotions. Highs like their careers, lows like they felt when MGM or the press turned in them. There were moments that I felt like I was in the room with them. Like I could feel the heat that grew through them, the rages that brewed of jealousy and sheer desire. I could every note that Frank sang and my heart broke when both theirs did.
This book was so real to me as if they were sitting in the room with me. And telling me their story.
I loved it all the glamour. The glitz. The passion. The heartache. Every page. This should make anyone who knew Frank or Ava proud that it was immortalized - even the hard parts.
Also this is one book where you don’t want to miss the authors note. I read it first and it didn’t color the way I read it but it made sense as to why Heather Webb delves into aspects of their lives and not others.
Beautiful story. Beatiful, yet tortured. Beautifully written. Brava, Heather!
On a side note: I loved the Grace Kelly scenes (don’t miss Webb’s novel with Hazel Gaynor Meet me in Monoco).
May 5, 2023
Strangers in the Night is about the tempestuous love affair and marriage between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. Their mutual passion has been well-documented in song and biography, but after reading this 'fictional' recounting, one feels exhausted- I don't know how they survived each other. Sinatra almost didn't survive, with his suicide attempts, but ultimately Ava Gardner was the one who died first. Despite their short-lived marriage, they remained in each other's lives until Gardner died, and Sinatra paid for the funeral. Sinatra sang of a love "too hot, not to cool down" ('Just One of Those Things'), but he and Ava lived a love that never stopped being fiery.
Webb tells the story in alternate first person chapters - Ava, then Frank. I thought the first few chapters were bad: it sounded like it had been written as third person, and then rewritten as first person, because there were comments that Ava or Frank made that they would not have known. For example, Ava remarks that Frank was on her mind until her dying breath. That may be true, but she would not know that until her last moment, and thus, would not be alive to report it. There were also quite a few anachronisms that should have been edited out.
I enjoyed the narrative, although I knew most of the story, but I was disappointed that the two voices of the narrative were indistinguishable: 'Frank' and 'Ava' did not speak differently or think differently which is of course, not accurate. Ava was a Southern woman, Frank was from New Jersey, that alone should result in different tones. There was also a reference to the 'Ava' Album - the songs Sinatra recorded after their breakup. Strangely, Webb credited the songs to Jimmy Van Heusen, suggesting that Jimmy put the songs together, inspired by Frank's pain. The actual 'Ava' album was 'In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning', also known as one of the first concept albums. The songs were from the Great American Song Book, and chosen for their thematic texture by Sinatra and Nelson Riddle. The Jimmy Van Heusen album came later ("Sinatra Sings the Songs of Van Heusen and Cahn")
Overall, a great love story told with some errors and omissions by Webb. I recommend it for fans of Frank and Ava, but the novel is not as great as it's subjects.
Webb tells the story in alternate first person chapters - Ava, then Frank. I thought the first few chapters were bad: it sounded like it had been written as third person, and then rewritten as first person, because there were comments that Ava or Frank made that they would not have known. For example, Ava remarks that Frank was on her mind until her dying breath. That may be true, but she would not know that until her last moment, and thus, would not be alive to report it. There were also quite a few anachronisms that should have been edited out.
I enjoyed the narrative, although I knew most of the story, but I was disappointed that the two voices of the narrative were indistinguishable: 'Frank' and 'Ava' did not speak differently or think differently which is of course, not accurate. Ava was a Southern woman, Frank was from New Jersey, that alone should result in different tones. There was also a reference to the 'Ava' Album - the songs Sinatra recorded after their breakup. Strangely, Webb credited the songs to Jimmy Van Heusen, suggesting that Jimmy put the songs together, inspired by Frank's pain. The actual 'Ava' album was 'In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning', also known as one of the first concept albums. The songs were from the Great American Song Book, and chosen for their thematic texture by Sinatra and Nelson Riddle. The Jimmy Van Heusen album came later ("Sinatra Sings the Songs of Van Heusen and Cahn")
Overall, a great love story told with some errors and omissions by Webb. I recommend it for fans of Frank and Ava, but the novel is not as great as it's subjects.
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