Vivian Morris has lived one eventful life. Kicked out of Vassar College at the age of 19, her wealthy parents send her to Manhattan to live with her eccentric theater owning Aunt Peg. There in that crumbling midtown theater, Vivian is exposed to things she's never dreamed of. Everyone from glamorous showgirls to her Aunt's straight-laced stage manager become her teachers and friends. But all that comes to a head after Vivian is swept up in a very professional scandal that turns her new world upside down. It's this mistake that ultimately leads Vivian to understand what sort of life she wants to live and what courage and strength it'll take to pursue it. Now, at 95-years old, Vivian is finally recounting her whirlwind life and how her choices impacted and shaped her into the woman she is.

I absolutely adored this book. I was fully captivated from the very first page. Vivian is such an interesting and complex character. She is full of flaws and doesn't always make the right decisions, is naive and hurtful, but she learns as she grows and develops into a strong, smart, independent woman. Her life had so many ups and downs which you really feel as you're going through her memories with her. I thought all the side characters she meets at the theater were great as well. I'd love to see a spin-off following Celia. The imagery is also so well done and vivid that you feel as if you're there on the streets of 1940's New York. This is both lighthearted and deep, full of tender beautiful moments and angry complicated ones as well. You really feel like you went on this journey along with Vivian, and I enjoyed every minute of it.