As important and powerful as the subject matter of this book is, the storyteller left a lot to be desired.

Though a bit clunky, the dramatic story and hefty subject matter would make a fine adaptation to the silver screen.Paul’s sprawling multigenerational debut hits the ground running with a peek at the complicated family life of an iconic, privacy-seeking clan of Hollywood stars: the St. BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

But what she discovers in one of Kitty’s journals rocks her world harder than any other brewing scandal could―and between a cheating fiancé and the fallout from a controversial social media post, there are plenty.John, one of three sisters who have been rich and famous since birth because of their parents' talents.

So just keep that in mind that this novel puts you right in the middle of the action right away, at least for Elise’s storyline.A multigenerational saga that traverses the Jim Crow South, the glamour of old Hollywood, and the seductive draw of present-day showbiz as secrets split a family tree into Black, white, and something in between. I feel like every time I’m not overly impressed with the BOTM picks, I wind up loving the one that I picked. But that doesn’t stop Elise from being under an immense amount of pressure to answer their questions. Paul’s debut is a riveting, often heartbreaking tale that explores race, privilege, and celebrity in America through the eyes of a one-of-a-kind character.

Underdeveloped and/or Boring Main Characters: Elise, the older sister and our main point of view, seemed miserable in her life yet also unwilling to do anything about it until Kitty's gift which made for a chore to read.

Sequestered for a week already, Elise found her stress now was compounded by her sisters’ pending arrival. There were many things about this book that caused me to pause in ponder weather I wanted to continue reading it for one thing why would you make an affluent family the pot smokers I thought that was so odd and then when Hazel gave Mary all that money to go away and live as a white woman that’s the first time I really considered to stop reading the book for one thing Hazel didn’t know Mary would become a famous actress so she is essentially giving her daughter up to go live a life with strangers is it a life with no family but as a white person is much better than a life with family and being around those you love. From segregation, to passing, to the Black lives matter movement, the author really shined in the thematic elements of the novel. When the white television and film icon, reclusive in her later years, leaves behind her entire multi-mullion dollar estate to Elise, Giovanni, and Noele St. We welcome that, but Elise and Aaron, together, as a unit, were listed as an asset in the marketing of this thing.