Review of ‘The Hollywood Runaway’ by Alexandra Weston

Review of The Hollywood Runaway by Alexandra Weston

Release date: August 30th, 2025

Publisher: Boldwood Books

REVIEW

The Hollywood Runaway is an impressively delivered and fully formed story packed into such a small space of 90 pages. I have read a few complete novels by Alexandra Weston and enjoyed them but this novella manages to impress even more with its limited space to tell a comprehensive, moving story. Due to its length, it is a quick read but I was deeply engrossed in the plot and character development of Olivia Swift, a miner’s daughter, who is an exceptional singer. She has dreams of having a better life that has been promised to her by a businessman who swept her off her feet. But this man isn’t what he seems and when certain news is delivered to her that sends her into shock, she must make a quick and painful decision that will affect her future. The title gives away her next step, but her escape on a ship to America from England, brings her so much more than she can imagine. The story focuses heavily on her journey over with lots of thoughts and flashbacks of what led her to this predicament. So we get a meaty version of her life as it was, as it is and even a glimpse of her future at the end.

I really enjoyed meeting Olivia and imagining her singing as there are some wonderful performances well described in the novel of her stage appearances. A man she meets on the ship and other people who become friends with her, offer the encouragement she needs. They provide positive reinforcement that fuel her courage towards a new and better life where she learns to forgive herself and be free to love again. When truth and honesty are released in her heart, she becomes a triumphant woman fulfilling her purpose and dreams. There are very real moments of fear, though, but through kindness and encouragement from friends who truly love her, she is on the road to healing: giving her strength to climb above the trials along the way. This is an uplifting story set in the 1930s of second chances that I certainly recommend for lovers of fine historical fiction with emotional depth. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.