Can’t We Be Friends

I was delighted when Netgalley excepted my request to read an early copy of Can’t We Be Friends A Novel Of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe by Denny S Bryce & Eliza Knight. It’s a historical fiction novel about Ella Fitzgerald the Queen of Jazz & Marilyn Monroe iconic movie star & sex symbol their lives and their friendship. On the surface many wonder what the two ladies have in common? Oh they have quite a bit in common! They were underestimated by the men in their lives whether they were husbands, managers, and hanger on’s. Both women were determined to gain professional & personal independence.

Writing, Research & History

I love the fact that the book alternated between Ella and Marilyn’s point of view. I did enjoy the fact that when you read Ella’s point of view it was from the first-person perspective as though she was talking to you. I liked Marilyn’s point of view too, knowing what Marilyn’s life was like, it was sad at times reading her parts. I, like Ella, wanted to help Marilyn avoid her tragic fate we’d all know came upon her. As well as the writing being descriptive and making you feel as though you were in the time period, Denny S Bryce & Eliza Knight did an excellent job of putting in the research. There were a lot of details that I didn’t know that I learned about too, but I don’t want to spoil too much.

Overall

If you’re a fan of historical fiction, especially about old Hollywood stars, I recommend Can’t We Be Friends by Denny S Bryce & Eliza Knight, coming out on March 5^th!  Thank you ladies for writing such a stellar historical fiction novel. I can’t wait to do the Behind The Book Q&A with you both. If you don’t have a netgalley copy or a physical copy, I would preorder the book now.