The Roaring Days of Zora Lily

By: Noelle Salazar

Narrated by: Natalie Duke, Jesse Vilinsky

“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

©2023 Noelle Salazar (P)2023 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Greatest story, captivating!

I loved all of the characters, the writing and narration. Absolutely superb!!! Don’t miss this one

Great story!

Could not stop listening to this one. Excellent story and great characters. The time period made it so interesting. Will read again!!!

A must read

This is one of my books I’ve read so far this year. It reminds me of Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but is quite different of course. The glitz & glam of the 1920s & all of the art-particularly fashion-were just a wonder to read, & the ending was so so sweet.

Transport to the 20’s

First time reading a book by this author and was pleasantly impressed by the level of descriptiveness. She creates a vivid picture of a time, place, people and things allowing you to visualize and transport to that era!

Beautifully written story

This author has written a beautiful story that draws you in and you don’t want to stop listening to it. The main character, Zola, is someone you would want to get to know. Someone I felt bonded to which made me love the story even more. She is someone who has a dream of what she wants for her life. designing and sewing beautiful clothes and she does it. This is a story that I will listen to again and highly recommend it.

great listen

great narrator. unique story. something I would never had imagine to be interested in. loved it.

Life in the Roaring 20's

I enjoyed this story! it was well thought out and well written by the author. I did not love the narration, but that is a personal preference, it had to do with a personal irritation with her pronunciation.

An Independent Woman

This book was marvelous! It featured a woman, Zorah Lilly, as independent woman in the 1920’s. Zora Lilly always chose the ‘right’ thing to do and when a plan failed or went awry, she dealt with it with the support of her family and friends. Zorah wasn’t perfect but she was a dependable daughter and friend.
She embraced life, going to the speakeasy and for the times, was quite open to her sexuality.
This character was multi sensational.
Loved the book! Thanks Noelle~

The design and sewing elements.

A great story about the 1920’s with emphasis on a humble beginnings of a fashion designer. Wish a Notebook of sketches went along with book.

A great tale

What a wonderful story. I waited at every moment traveling along with zora and seeing where he story would lead. The author has amazing detail and you can’t help but be swept up.