Fallen Angels

From the poverty of post-war England and Ireland to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood's golden age, a beautiful, sweeping family drama that illustrates that the bonds between a mother and daughter can never be broken.

An unwanted child: San Francisco, 1958. On a dark December night, a baby girl is left at the Sisters of Charity Orphanage on Telegraph Hill.

A mysterious suicide: One year later, movie star Frances Fitzgerald takes her own life. Her husband, wealthy businessman Maximilian Stanhope, is rumoured to know more about her death than he's letting on, but nothing is ever proved.

A terrible secret: What is the connection between these two events? That's what Frances's daughter, Cara, wants to find out. Abandoned by her mother when she is just seven years old, her childhood is filled with hardship and loss. As a young woman she finds professional success as a journalist, but on a personal level, she still struggles to trust those around her. Soon Cara becomes convinced that uncovering the secret behind her mother's death is the only way to lay her demons to rest, but learning the truth may end up tearing her apart.


My rating: 4.5/5
Comment: I wasn't surprised at how utterly drawn into the story I became from the very first page. I've first came to know Tara Hyland was through her first novel, Daughters of Fortune. I was actually attracted to the book because of the cover. It attracted me cause it's pretty -.- But then after reading through the synopsis, i found out that it was a good read too! This novel, Fallen Angels is even better. *although for the second time, it was the similar cover that caught my eyes, again.* This is a big, sweeping story. It's almost like two, or even three books in one. There were so much going on!  I was surprised at the unexpected twist and turns and was never expecting this book to end how it did. The ending was a very satisfying surprise! Now i realise how much i prefer historical settings more than the modern ones. I would highly recommend this book for those interested in the historical fiction. In fact, this book was an absolute joy to read that I'd definitely recommend it to everyone! Hehe. Tara Hyland is undeniably beloved by readers for her exquisite talent at weaving family sagas that journey through the rocky roads of secrets, lies, and betrayals, only to show that no challenge, no matter how difficult, can ever truly sever the bonds of love. I love everything about this book. Simply stunning!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tara Hyland was born in Surrey, England, in July 1976. Her writing career kicked off at the age of thirteen, when she won an award in the WHSmith Young Writer Competition. As well as netting her a cheque for £40, her short story on vengeful ghosts and reincarnation was published in an anthology along with the works of thirty other major prizewinners - one of which included future Hollywood actress Kate Beckinsale.   At nineteen, she managed to get her first by-line in a national newspaper during a work experience placement at The Times. After reading History at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, she worked briefly as a journalist before moving into the world of high finance. Several years later, she finally decided to pursue my first love: writing. She currently live near Tower Bridge in London with her husband, Tom. Daughters of Fortune was her first novel.



ALSO BY TARA HYLAND:

William Melville's daughters are heiresses to the world's most exclusive fashion dynasty. Beautiful and rich, they are envied by all. But behind the glittering facade of their lives, each girl hides a dark secret that threatens to tear their family apart. Smart, ambitious Elizabeth knows how to manipulate every man she meets, except the one who counts: her father. Gentle, naive Caitlin, the illegitimate child, struggling to fit into a world of privilege while staying true to herself. Stunning, spoilt Amber, the party girl with a weakness for bad boys; more fragile than anyone realises. As each of them seeks to carve out her own destiny, Elizabeth, Caitlin and Amber face difficult choices, which will take them in wildly different directions. But as old wounds resurface and threaten to destroy the foundations of the Melville empire, their paths will cross again. Because the simple truth is that, no matter how far you go, you cannot escape the claims of family.  

Praise for Daughters of Fortune  

"Spanning English countrysides, glittering L.A. red carpets, and chic Paris runways, Hyland’s first novel intricately and effortlessly dramatizes the lives and loves of a rich and glamorous cast of characters." —Booklist   

“Sparkling with Gossip Girl sizzle and Barbara Taylor Bradford melodrama.” —Publishers Weekly   

"Lots of sex, fashion, and drama add glitter to this family saga, which will appeal to fans of Jackie Collins, Judith Krantz, and Judith Michael."  —Library Journal   

"Emotionally moving… The characters—even the ones that aren't so likable—are intriguing…This is a difficult book to put down!"  —Romantic Times   

“Sex, glamour and fashion-perfect.” —The Sun   

“An exciting read.” —Closer   

“A fantastic read.” —Image Magazine   

“A fast-paced, drama-filled tale.” —Woman    

The novel opens in 1946, when Franny Healy is a beautiful and spirited teenager living in the poverty of County Cork, Ireland. Franny wants nothing more than to escape to the excitement of London. But when she discovers she is pregnant, her boyfriend abandons her. Undeterred, Franny flees to the city, where she finds work as a nightclub performer. She shines onstage and is soon propelled into a life she’s only dreamed of, filled with Hollywood stars, glamorous parties, furs and fashion, plus a new husband—who must never know of the daughter she left behind in County Cork with her mother. 

I think this is somehow similar to Fallen Angels judging from the synopsis just differs in the title. *wasn't 100% sure cause i've yet to read this yet*