Scandalous Women

A Novel of Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann

By: Gill Paul

Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY BESTSELLING AUTHOR FREIDA MCFADDEN: "[A] must-read... equal parts heartwarming and empowering.” Mad Men meets the world of publishing in international bestselling author Gill Paul’s new novel about Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann, two dynamic, groundbreaking writers renowned for their scandalous and controversial novels, and the beleaguered young editorial assistant who introduces them.

1966, NYC: Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls hits the bookstores and she is desperate for a bestseller. It’s steamy, it’s a page-turner, but will it make the big money she needs? In London, Jackie Collins’s racy The World Is Full of Married Men launches her career. But neither author is prepared for the price they will pay for being women who dare to write about sex.

Jacqueline and Jackie are lambasted by the literary establishment, deluged with hate mail, and even condemned by feminists. In public, both women shoulder the outcry with dignity; in private, they are crumbling—particularly since they have secrets they don’t want splashed across the front pages.

1965, NYC: College graduate Nancy White is excited to take up her dream job at a Manhattan publishing house, but she could never be prepared for the rampant sexism she will encounter. While working on Valley of the Dolls, she becomes friends with Jacqueline Susann, and, after reaching out to Jackie Collins about a US deal, she is responsible for the two authors meeting.

Will the two Jackies clash as they race to top the charts? Will Nancy achieve her ambition of becoming an editor, despite all the men determined to hold her back? Three women struggle to succeed in a man’s world, while desperately trying to protect those they love the most. "A juicy and fun novel about the women who pioneered the sexy page-turner with Valley of the Dolls and Hollywood Wives." — LIBRARY JOURNAL

Loved it!

Truly the only thing I did not like is that this book ended too soon!

Amazing Story and loveable Characters

I spent every free moment I had listening to this book. I laughed, I cried, I got angry, and I had joy. it is a great story that will keep you enthralled. I didn't want it to end.

Perfection

My favorite Gill Paul, and a story I’ll likely return to often. The characters were so special, even those tangential to the plot. Also no one acts as you might expect in a way that infused love and warmth into storylines that normally would be treated with far less nuance. I love this book.

Remarcable story

i enyoed this book very much, a real and good story about 2 women that really made a difference to literature.

Loved it

This is a great story of women authors of whom I’ve read many of their books. They were groundbreakers. There’s a great story behind all of the characters. I highly recommend this book.