When We Chased the Light Audiobook By Emily Bleeker cover art

When We Chased the Light

A Novel

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When We Chased the Light

By: Emily Bleeker
Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan
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A Hollywood legend. A legacy of secrets. An epic and emotional novel about forgiveness, fame, family, and truly unconditional love by the bestselling author of When We Were Enemies.

Christie’s auction house, Beverly Hills. The effects of Hollywood icon Vivian Snow are up for bid. In the collection is a set of hand-drawn postcards spanning six decades. The sender is Antonio Trombello, a soldier, POW, priest, and Vivian’s confidant. Each postcard sheds new light on a deeply private woman the public only thinks it knows.

It’s World War II. Vivian is a USO showgirl traveling the world when her husband goes AWOL, disappears, and is presumed dead. Facing increasing suspicion, she leans on her dear friend Father Trombello for support. He’s her confessor, her savior, the elusive love of her life, and when it comes to her husband’s death, the keeper of Vivian’s secrets.

As Vivian rises from canteen dream girl to starlet to bona fide legend, she navigates the highs and lows of Hollywood, new romances, and tumultuous family relationships—all in the shadow of her past and the guilt, unmet longing, and buried truths that could still upend the lives of everyone she loves.

©2024 by Emily Bleeker. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Historical Fiction Women's Fiction

Critic reviews

“Bleeker’s compelling, heart-wrenching sequel to When We Were Enemies masterfully portrays Vivian Snow’s complex personality. Her tumultuous life is vividly revealed through well-developed characters, tension-filled scenes, and engaging dialogue…A worthwhile read!”—Historical Novels Review (Editors’ Choice)

“A thoroughly fun and memorable read from start to finish…Unhesitatingly recommended.”—Midwest Book Review
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Spoiler alert. This was a very interesting story! But the heroine and her true love never really end up together. For me, if you want to make a 5 star book, a lot of us need a HEA!

Why I’m only giving it three stars

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I honestly wanted to like this book, but it was just very confusing and disappointing. I wanted so much more from the Antonio storyline, so the end just frustrated me. In the end, it was very depressing. Too many marriages, too much mental illness, too much everything. The narrator spoke very good Italian, but a strong Canadian accent (I guess) spoiled the reading for me. Just messy.

Very confusing

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Listening to the narrator pronouns certain names and words was painful. Tom, Larry and Zanuck were partially bad. I was 75% finished with the book when I finally decided to shelf it and not finish it. The story isn’t bad. Though the main character isn’t particularly likable. The story is entertaining enough that I want to finish it. But I just couldn’t get past the narration.

The narrator really ruined this book

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This book drew me in immediately! The characters were well developed and interesting. I loved how it started in the 40s and ended in the present time with time jumping throughout. This book is worth the read.

Loved it!

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When We Chased the Light by Emily Bleeker follows the life of Vivian Snow, from her days as a USO girl to her rise as a Hollywood legend and into her later years.

Oh my word. Unfortunately, this one nearly put me in a reading slump. Without giving too much away, it moves from sadness to sorrow and back again. As someone who enjoys at least a glimmer of happiness amid heavy themes, this just wasn’t for me.

That said, everyone’s reading tastes are different, so I wanted to share my perspective for those considering it. If you enjoy deeply emotional, somber narratives, this might be right up your alley—but if you need moments of lightness, you might want to pass.

From sorrow to sadness and back again

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