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Can't We Be Friends
Award-winning author Denny S. Bryce and USA Today bestselling author Eliza Knight collaborate on a brilliant novel that uncovers the boundary-breaking, genuine friendship between Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Jazz, and iconic movie star Marilyn Monroe. One woman was recognized as the premiere singer of her era with perfect pitch and tireless ambition. One woman was the most glamorous star in Hollywood, a sex symbol who took the world by storm. And their friendship was fast and firm… 1952: Ella Fitzgerald is a renowned jazz singer whose only roadblock to longevity is society’s attitude toward women and race. Marilyn Monroe’s star is rising despite ongoing battles with movie studio bigwigs and boyfriends. When she needs help with her singing, she wants only the best—and the best is the brilliant Ella Fitzgerald. But Ella isn’t a singing teacher and declines—then the two women meet, and to everyone’s surprise but their own, they become fast friends. On the surface, what could they have in common? Yet each was underestimated by the men in their lives—husbands, managers, hangers-on. And both were determined to gain. Each fought for professional independence and personal agency in a time when women were expected to surrender control to those same men. This novel reveals and celebrates their surprising bond over a decade and serves as a poignant reminder of how true friendship can cross differences to bolster and sustain us through haunting heartbreak and wild success.
384 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2024
150 people are currently reading
18010 people want to read
About the author
Denny S. Bryce
8 books979 followersDenny S. Bryce is a best-selling, award-winning author of historical fiction. A former dancer and public relations professional, Denny is an adjunct professor in the MFA program at Drexel University, a book critic for NPR, and a freelance writer whose work has appeared in USA Today and Harper’s Bazaar. She is also a member of the Historical Novel Society, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and Tall Poppy Writers. Originally from Ohio, she likes to call Chicago her hometown but currently resides in Savannah, Georgia. You can find her online at DennySBryce.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
January 1, 2024
This is my favorite read in 2023. I finished it New Year's Eve and felt it a perfect way to ring in the New Year. It is a histfic marvel of a novel, bringing beloved jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald and iconic actress Marilyn Monroe to vivid life as it describes their surprising, enduring friendship.
Both women had traumatic childhoods, both had marriages and lovers who left them brokenhearted. Both had to negotiate with controlling managers and studios. Ella also endured racism and sizeism, while Marilyn was viewed by many as talentless and unintelligent. How they supported each other forms the heart of this revealing book, which made me turn the pages compulsively, and once done, left me pondering how crucial female friendships are during tough times.
If you read one book in 2024, let it be CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS. Most highly recommended!
I am so grateful to Camille Collins, Senior Publicity Manager at HarperCollins, for granting my wish for an ARC on Edelweiss; to the stellar authors for writing such a magnificent book; and to William Morrow for publishing it. Opinions are mine.
Both women had traumatic childhoods, both had marriages and lovers who left them brokenhearted. Both had to negotiate with controlling managers and studios. Ella also endured racism and sizeism, while Marilyn was viewed by many as talentless and unintelligent. How they supported each other forms the heart of this revealing book, which made me turn the pages compulsively, and once done, left me pondering how crucial female friendships are during tough times.
If you read one book in 2024, let it be CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS. Most highly recommended!
I am so grateful to Camille Collins, Senior Publicity Manager at HarperCollins, for granting my wish for an ARC on Edelweiss; to the stellar authors for writing such a magnificent book; and to William Morrow for publishing it. Opinions are mine.
August 19, 2024
Can’t We Be Friends by Eliza Knight and Denny S. Bryce is a historical novel that explores a little known friendship between a Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s. The story tells of the difficulties of sex, race, fame, and friendship during a time of social change in America.
The novel is based on a dual narrative, giving insight into both women's lives and the challenges they face. Marilyn Monroe, struggling with the pressures of fame, finds solace and strength in her bond with the singer, whose talent is often overshadowed by the racial prejudices of the 1950s. Their friendship highlights loyalty, resilience, and finding identity in a world that tries to define them.
The novel was good. It is a quick read. It didn’t wow me or move me. Most of what was told of Marilyn I already knew. She overshadowed Ella Fitzgerald. It follows the era where even friendships outside of race were frowned upon. Men still ruled relationships. Men of social standing or of influence such as Joe DiMaggio were above the law.
The novel is based on a dual narrative, giving insight into both women's lives and the challenges they face. Marilyn Monroe, struggling with the pressures of fame, finds solace and strength in her bond with the singer, whose talent is often overshadowed by the racial prejudices of the 1950s. Their friendship highlights loyalty, resilience, and finding identity in a world that tries to define them.
The novel was good. It is a quick read. It didn’t wow me or move me. Most of what was told of Marilyn I already knew. She overshadowed Ella Fitzgerald. It follows the era where even friendships outside of race were frowned upon. Men still ruled relationships. Men of social standing or of influence such as Joe DiMaggio were above the law.
January 10, 2024
Two women going in different directions in life, and both famous. Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Jazz, and Marilyn Monroe, a movie star. When Marilyn Monroe has an upcoming part in a movie where she will be singing, she appeals to Ella Fitzgerald in a series of letters to be her mentor. Marilyn Monroe has long idolized Ella Fitzgerald, and she is certain that she can learn much from her.
At first, Ella's cousin and assistant answers Marilyn's letters, as Ella is no teacher, and she has a lot on her plate. She experiences both bigotry and sexism, and this is despite her incredible talent. She is also judged for being a full-figured woman. However, her talent is second to none and she works hard at her career, all while her personal life goes through many changes.
Not only does Ella have her battles, Marilyn does as well. Her relationships are filled with trouble and with more than one marriage and divorce, Marilyn continues to reach for happiness. With regard to her career, she is thriving...if only she could feel confident in her singing.
After a bevy of letters from Marilyn, Ella eventually responds personally. This is the beginning of an incredible friendship. While the women are literally as different as night and day, the time they spend together grows more special each time they meet. As they lived in a time where women were not treated as fairly as men, and this included the salaries paid to them compared to their male counterparts, each woman fought for her career. Their friendship continued to thrive, but tragically, Marilyn died young, at the age of 36 years of age, as she lost her battle with drugs.
Although this book is written as historical fiction, with more than a bit of literary license, it proved to be an excellent read. It was like looking into a window during the 1950s when the two women were friends. This book proved the intense research the authors must have done as they penned this marvelous book. Not only was this a stellar read, the authors' notes at the end provide even more insight. I thank both Ms. Bryce and Ms. Knight for writing this incredible book.
Many thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
At first, Ella's cousin and assistant answers Marilyn's letters, as Ella is no teacher, and she has a lot on her plate. She experiences both bigotry and sexism, and this is despite her incredible talent. She is also judged for being a full-figured woman. However, her talent is second to none and she works hard at her career, all while her personal life goes through many changes.
Not only does Ella have her battles, Marilyn does as well. Her relationships are filled with trouble and with more than one marriage and divorce, Marilyn continues to reach for happiness. With regard to her career, she is thriving...if only she could feel confident in her singing.
After a bevy of letters from Marilyn, Ella eventually responds personally. This is the beginning of an incredible friendship. While the women are literally as different as night and day, the time they spend together grows more special each time they meet. As they lived in a time where women were not treated as fairly as men, and this included the salaries paid to them compared to their male counterparts, each woman fought for her career. Their friendship continued to thrive, but tragically, Marilyn died young, at the age of 36 years of age, as she lost her battle with drugs.
Although this book is written as historical fiction, with more than a bit of literary license, it proved to be an excellent read. It was like looking into a window during the 1950s when the two women were friends. This book proved the intense research the authors must have done as they penned this marvelous book. Not only was this a stellar read, the authors' notes at the end provide even more insight. I thank both Ms. Bryce and Ms. Knight for writing this incredible book.
Many thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
March 31, 2024
I wanted to like this more than I did. The friendship between two women (doesn't matter who they are actually supposed to be) is lovely. The fact is, though, that we don't have much information about the friendship between Ella and Marilyn, and the story suffers because of that. The authors say outright in their notes that so much of what they've written is made up; I understand why that is the case, and you could say that about so many of the historical fiction books I read and enjoy. Maybe because these women are just so prolific in today's culture, that I feel like... I don't know, that it's completely made up, an absolute falsehood. I can't seem to put into words the way I feel about this book. When I finished it, I just felt... let down.
March 12, 2024
Can't We Be Friends: A Novel of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe is a novel based on the real life friendship of the great jazz singer, Ella Fitzgerald and the legendary Marilyn Monroe. The book is in chapters that alternate between the two women, co-written by two authors: Denny S. Bryce writing the chapters in Fitzgerld's voice and Eliza Knight the Marilyn ones.
The tone is easy and engaging, the prose as smooth as music itself. The two voices complement each other, each bearing a sound matching my vision of the woman it embodies.
I was caught up in all of the strands the novel weaves--each woman's narrative of her own life and the strand of their relationship. Both share the battle of living in a very public way, with an image to maintain, each struggling as a woman in the 1950s (and early 60s) to maintain control of that personal and of their career in the face of male power and public pressure.
The women share other struggles as well--in particular the desire for a loving relationship with a man--while maintaining their own autonomy. The narrative is shadowed with the knowledge of Monroe's failed relationships, abuse, and her ultimate fate.
I entered the giveaway because I am a hute fan of Fitzgerald (who is not?) and fascinated by Marilyn Monroe--as well as appricating the quality of her work in films. I was worried the writing wouldn't live up to the subject matter but it more than did.
My only concern is what it always is with historical fiction: how much is true and how much is invented? Obviously the conversations are invented but it is difficult to know how close to the reality of them and their relationships with others.
That being said, it felt real. The women feel 3 dimensional; the authors have both created a powerful presence unique to each persona.
I was completely captured by the story (or stories) and despite my familiarity with the facts of each woman's life, felt as though I were discovering them for the first time.
A vivid and personable novel: strongly recommended.
The tone is easy and engaging, the prose as smooth as music itself. The two voices complement each other, each bearing a sound matching my vision of the woman it embodies.
I was caught up in all of the strands the novel weaves--each woman's narrative of her own life and the strand of their relationship. Both share the battle of living in a very public way, with an image to maintain, each struggling as a woman in the 1950s (and early 60s) to maintain control of that personal and of their career in the face of male power and public pressure.
The women share other struggles as well--in particular the desire for a loving relationship with a man--while maintaining their own autonomy. The narrative is shadowed with the knowledge of Monroe's failed relationships, abuse, and her ultimate fate.
I entered the giveaway because I am a hute fan of Fitzgerald (who is not?) and fascinated by Marilyn Monroe--as well as appricating the quality of her work in films. I was worried the writing wouldn't live up to the subject matter but it more than did.
My only concern is what it always is with historical fiction: how much is true and how much is invented? Obviously the conversations are invented but it is difficult to know how close to the reality of them and their relationships with others.
That being said, it felt real. The women feel 3 dimensional; the authors have both created a powerful presence unique to each persona.
I was completely captured by the story (or stories) and despite my familiarity with the facts of each woman's life, felt as though I were discovering them for the first time.
A vivid and personable novel: strongly recommended.
March 29, 2024
My rating is 3.5 stars. I enjoyed learning about Ella and Marilyn as women; however, the depiction of their friendship was very fictional.
My favorite quote from Marilyn's chapter entitled "Monkey Business."
"Why can't a woman work hard and be good at what she does and be respected and applauded when she does it?"
My favorite quote from Marilyn's chapter entitled "Monkey Business."
"Why can't a woman work hard and be good at what she does and be respected and applauded when she does it?"
May 17, 2024
A true friendship can endure heartbreak and success.
January 16, 2024
Can’t We Be Friends
I was delighted when Netgalley excepted my request to read an early copy of Can’t We Be Friends A Novel Of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe by Denny S Bryce & Eliza Knight. It’s a historical fiction novel about Ella Fitzgerald the Queen of Jazz & Marilyn Monroe iconic movie star & sex symbol their lives and their friendship. On the surface many wonder what the two ladies have in common? Oh they have quite a bit in common! They were underestimated by the men in their lives whether they were husbands, managers, and hanger on’s. Both women were determined to gain professional & personal independence.
Writing, Research & History
I love the fact that the book alternated between Ella and Marilyn’s point of view. I did enjoy the fact that when you read Ella’s point of view it was from the first-person perspective as though she was talking to you. I liked Marilyn’s point of view too, knowing what Marilyn’s life was like, it was sad at times reading her parts. I, like Ella, wanted to help Marilyn avoid her tragic fate we’d all know came upon her. As well as the writing being descriptive and making you feel as though you were in the time period, Denny S Bryce & Eliza Knight did an excellent job of putting in the research. There were a lot of details that I didn’t know that I learned about too, but I don’t want to spoil too much.
Overall
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, especially about old Hollywood stars, I recommend Can’t We Be Friends by Denny S Bryce & Eliza Knight, coming out on March 5th! Thank you ladies for writing such a stellar historical fiction novel. I can’t wait to do the Behind The Book Q&A with you both. If you don’t have a netgalley copy or a physical copy, I would preorder the book now.
I was delighted when Netgalley excepted my request to read an early copy of Can’t We Be Friends A Novel Of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe by Denny S Bryce & Eliza Knight. It’s a historical fiction novel about Ella Fitzgerald the Queen of Jazz & Marilyn Monroe iconic movie star & sex symbol their lives and their friendship. On the surface many wonder what the two ladies have in common? Oh they have quite a bit in common! They were underestimated by the men in their lives whether they were husbands, managers, and hanger on’s. Both women were determined to gain professional & personal independence.
Writing, Research & History
I love the fact that the book alternated between Ella and Marilyn’s point of view. I did enjoy the fact that when you read Ella’s point of view it was from the first-person perspective as though she was talking to you. I liked Marilyn’s point of view too, knowing what Marilyn’s life was like, it was sad at times reading her parts. I, like Ella, wanted to help Marilyn avoid her tragic fate we’d all know came upon her. As well as the writing being descriptive and making you feel as though you were in the time period, Denny S Bryce & Eliza Knight did an excellent job of putting in the research. There were a lot of details that I didn’t know that I learned about too, but I don’t want to spoil too much.
Overall
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, especially about old Hollywood stars, I recommend Can’t We Be Friends by Denny S Bryce & Eliza Knight, coming out on March 5th! Thank you ladies for writing such a stellar historical fiction novel. I can’t wait to do the Behind The Book Q&A with you both. If you don’t have a netgalley copy or a physical copy, I would preorder the book now.
March 11, 2024
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for this digital advance copy in exchange for my honest review. This book was published on March 5, 2024.
The first thing that caught my eye about this was its beautiful cover; it felt like I was being pulled in by the magnetism of these two American icons. I discovered this book while hunting for a memoir or biography about Ella Fitzgerald, one of my favorite artists. I had no idea she and Marilyn Monroe were friends. I’ve always been fascinated by Monroe, as well, so it felt like a bonus that this was a fictional take on their real friendship.
One of the issues I had while reading was that I needed to continually remind myself that it is a work of historical fiction and that the authors took creative license when writing it. I love reading historical fiction, however, sometimes I don’t enjoy books that fictionalize actual historical figures because I like to separate fiction from real events. I felt I needed to constantly look up events that happened in the novel to see if they really occurred, and I think that detracted from my reading experience.
The disjointed structure of the book was another issue for me. Switching between Ella’s first person and Marilyn’s third person made the writing hard to follow at times. Additionally, there isn’t a cohesive plot; it’s mainly vignettes of fictionalized meetings between Ella and Marilyn, ending with Marilyn’s death. At worst, it felt a little forced, like shoving two different timelines together. There are certainly some similarities between Ella’s and Marilyn’s lives; they each endured some unspeakable hardships and it was nice to think their friendship helped them overcome some struggles. I appreciated that the authors took time in the end to acknowledge their research in addition to what they fictionalized.
Overall, I would recommend this to fans of Ella or Marilyn who want an escape into historical fiction. But if you’re on the hunt for strictly facts about these iconic women, I would be wary of this.
The first thing that caught my eye about this was its beautiful cover; it felt like I was being pulled in by the magnetism of these two American icons. I discovered this book while hunting for a memoir or biography about Ella Fitzgerald, one of my favorite artists. I had no idea she and Marilyn Monroe were friends. I’ve always been fascinated by Monroe, as well, so it felt like a bonus that this was a fictional take on their real friendship.
One of the issues I had while reading was that I needed to continually remind myself that it is a work of historical fiction and that the authors took creative license when writing it. I love reading historical fiction, however, sometimes I don’t enjoy books that fictionalize actual historical figures because I like to separate fiction from real events. I felt I needed to constantly look up events that happened in the novel to see if they really occurred, and I think that detracted from my reading experience.
The disjointed structure of the book was another issue for me. Switching between Ella’s first person and Marilyn’s third person made the writing hard to follow at times. Additionally, there isn’t a cohesive plot; it’s mainly vignettes of fictionalized meetings between Ella and Marilyn, ending with Marilyn’s death. At worst, it felt a little forced, like shoving two different timelines together. There are certainly some similarities between Ella’s and Marilyn’s lives; they each endured some unspeakable hardships and it was nice to think their friendship helped them overcome some struggles. I appreciated that the authors took time in the end to acknowledge their research in addition to what they fictionalized.
Overall, I would recommend this to fans of Ella or Marilyn who want an escape into historical fiction. But if you’re on the hunt for strictly facts about these iconic women, I would be wary of this.
April 4, 2024
*4.5 // Can't We Be Friends is a story about two real-life famous friends who find kindred spirits with each other. I loved watching Ella and Marilyn let their guards down with each other and learn to be true friends. Marilyn's story was heartbreaking, as we watch her try to build the best life for herself, since she came from nothing, and then to still crumble at the end. I also NEVER knew she was married to Joe Dimaggio (pro baseball player) or Arthur Miller (playwright). Ella's story was also touching, and I really got to witness her strength in facing the challenges in her personal life and her career. The writing really brings you into the time period, with references to pop culture, world events, and even fashion. Highly reccomend for historical fiction lovers and those who appreciate Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe!
CW: racism, domestic violence
*Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for an electronic advanced reader's copy. All opinions are mine.
CW: racism, domestic violence
*Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for an electronic advanced reader's copy. All opinions are mine.
March 27, 2024
A glitzy, glamorous read about two bigger than life stars, but at its core, a unique story about the heartwarming yet at times tumultuous friendship between two brilliant, famous, flawed women forgotten until now.
March 15, 2024
Wow I can’t believe the research that must have gone into this book. For me this was an interesting and engaging read, there was so much to learn and think about while reading this book. I am glad I picked it up, it was really good.
July 7, 2024
AHH finally a Marilyn Monroe book that treats her like an actual intelligent human being. And Ella Fitzgerald is there, too! Icing on the cake! Male authors have a horrific habit of focusing only on her addictions and ignore ... you know, literally everything else. Grateful to read a story that saw the whole picture, the good and the bad.
January 10, 2024
First of all I'd like to give a huge thank you to Harper Collins Publishers and the authors, Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knight for the advanced copy of Can't We Be Friends. This book had me hooked right from the start. I've always loved both Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe and I never realized they shared such a dear friendship.
Everything I've ever read about Monroe has been completely heartbreaking. She endured so much tragedy during her short lived life. I somehow felt better realizing she and Fitzgerald shared a special friendship with one another during their struggles of trying to survive in a male dominated world.
Fitzgerald and Monroe appeared to have leaned on one another and helped one another when no one else could. I also loved how their friendship first started through letter correspondence. They were there for each other during love and heartache just like any other best friends would be. It warmed my heart to see how they gave one another an unconditional love they seemed to both be lacking from their male counterparts.
Both of them had to deal with being female in an extremely prejudiced and male dominated world of entertainment. Fitzgerald encountered a double whammy since she was not only a female, but a black woman trying to push forward with her singing career when both black men and women were shunned from many public venues. She also struggled with her weight (as did Monroe) and she was apparently looked over for other more petite female artists. They not only helped one another with these prejudices, but they embraced one another and enjoyed sharing meals and outings in public with one another. Yay for female friends providing unconditional love (and food) where and when it was needed! ;)
It was such an amazing story about two famous women who shared a wonderful friendship and helped one another to see how valued each of their lives were. Both of them made great strides and fought hard to be treated fairly in the world of entertainment. Unfortunately, Monroe had too many demons and she eventually died from a barbiturates overdose.
Again, thank you to Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knight for writing and sharing this touching story of friendship between two of the most beautiful and talented women of all time. *This book would make a perfect gift between best friends.
Everything I've ever read about Monroe has been completely heartbreaking. She endured so much tragedy during her short lived life. I somehow felt better realizing she and Fitzgerald shared a special friendship with one another during their struggles of trying to survive in a male dominated world.
Fitzgerald and Monroe appeared to have leaned on one another and helped one another when no one else could. I also loved how their friendship first started through letter correspondence. They were there for each other during love and heartache just like any other best friends would be. It warmed my heart to see how they gave one another an unconditional love they seemed to both be lacking from their male counterparts.
Both of them had to deal with being female in an extremely prejudiced and male dominated world of entertainment. Fitzgerald encountered a double whammy since she was not only a female, but a black woman trying to push forward with her singing career when both black men and women were shunned from many public venues. She also struggled with her weight (as did Monroe) and she was apparently looked over for other more petite female artists. They not only helped one another with these prejudices, but they embraced one another and enjoyed sharing meals and outings in public with one another. Yay for female friends providing unconditional love (and food) where and when it was needed! ;)
It was such an amazing story about two famous women who shared a wonderful friendship and helped one another to see how valued each of their lives were. Both of them made great strides and fought hard to be treated fairly in the world of entertainment. Unfortunately, Monroe had too many demons and she eventually died from a barbiturates overdose.
Again, thank you to Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knight for writing and sharing this touching story of friendship between two of the most beautiful and talented women of all time. *This book would make a perfect gift between best friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2024
All the stars 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I absolutely loved this one. I am a fan of Ella’s music and Marilyn’s movies. A friendship was formed after Marilyn wanted to learn how to sing for a movie and she wrote to Ella. They both endured so much in their careers. Marilyn had mental health issues and men objectifying her and a string of bad relationships. Ella dealt with racism and Marilyn stood up for Ella. They had a friendship where they could share their experiences and a love for food. Thank you @elizaknightfiction and @dennysbryce for bringing their story to us. #cantwebefriends, #ellafitzgerald, #marilynmonroe, #friendship, #williammorrow, #bookreview, #stamperlady50, #booksconnectus
March 14, 2024
I was so excited to read this because while admittedly I don’t know much about Ella Fitzgerald, I adore Marilyn Monroe. I’ve loved her since the nineties when I first heard Candle in the Wind and started reading whatever I could about her. My love for her hasn’t waned over the years and I still get excited when I see a book written about her. Anyway, I digress; this isn’t meant to be a thesis on my love for this wonderful and misunderstood woman but rather a review of this book.
Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knight have written a very comprehensive book about the long and loving friendship of these two iconic women. While I love historical fiction, I always have such a hard time when the subject is a real person since clearly not everything written is fact. I love how the majority of this book is factual, but it makes the fictitious parts and speculations of the authors a little hard to stomach.
I really wanted to like this book but the overall writing of this was so dull and slow that I found myself bored to tears while reading the majority of it and it truly dampened the joy I felt when I first picked it up. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for an advanced copy of this. Can’t We Be Friends hit the shelves on March 5th.
Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knight have written a very comprehensive book about the long and loving friendship of these two iconic women. While I love historical fiction, I always have such a hard time when the subject is a real person since clearly not everything written is fact. I love how the majority of this book is factual, but it makes the fictitious parts and speculations of the authors a little hard to stomach.
I really wanted to like this book but the overall writing of this was so dull and slow that I found myself bored to tears while reading the majority of it and it truly dampened the joy I felt when I first picked it up. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for an advanced copy of this. Can’t We Be Friends hit the shelves on March 5th.
July 3, 2024
I really wanted to love this book but there’s no connecting with it. Disappointing. I was hoping to get a glimpse into E. Fitzgerald’s inner self but the author does little to create a connection with either leading lady.
June 17, 2024
This was just okay. Wonderful idea; iconic women, but not the best writing or execution. I've read other books about Mayilyn Monroe that were better.
January 22, 2024
A beautifully written book about a fictional tale of friendships. The friendships between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe were seen in this book. The authors did a pretty good job telling a story of friendships between two famous icons.
Thanks to the publishers at William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book and do a review.
Thanks to the publishers at William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book and do a review.
May 7, 2025
A thoughtful, respectful, and well-researched novel between two timeless classics from the Old
Hollywood days. I have a big soft spot and respect for both of these women and to hear further insight of their friendship was an honor. The world was cruel to them both for different reasons and I’m glad they had each other for love and support.
Hollywood days. I have a big soft spot and respect for both of these women and to hear further insight of their friendship was an honor. The world was cruel to them both for different reasons and I’m glad they had each other for love and support.
May 29, 2024
This was a totally fun read. As a longtime fan of Marilyn and a more recent fan of Ella, I enjoyed the alternating chapters and the reimagining of what this friendship may have looked like.
February 9, 2026
3.5
From the first pages of Can’t We Be Friends, it’s clear that this novel is a loving tribute to two towering figures of 20th-century culture: Ella Fitzgerald, the unparalleled queen of jazz, and Marilyn Monroe, Hollywood’s most luminous yet tragically fraught star. For readers like me—somebody whose life has been soundtracked by Fitzgerald’s sultry, immaculate voice since childhood and who has long been fascinated by the vulnerable complexity behind Monroe’s glamorous façade—this book promised something special. Almost immediately, however, it became apparent that what makes the book compelling is both its heartfelt emotional grounding and the very thing that complicates it: the degree to which the story walks the line between historical reality and imaginative fiction.
The novel centers on a premise that will excite fans of both women: the idea that Fitzgerald and Monroe shared a deep, decade-long friendship. Bryce and Knight build this relationship from a scaffolding of known historical touchpoints—Monroe’s documented admiration for Fitzgerald’s music, their mutual encounters in Los Angeles in the 1950s, and Monroe’s real-life intervention in getting Fitzgerald booked at the Mocambo nightclub—but they expand these facts with rich fictional detail, imagined conversations, and invented letters that bring their emotional world vividly to life on the page.
It’s well established that Marilyn Monroe was a huge fan of Ella Fitzgerald and repeatedly praised her as her favorite singer. Monroe’s appreciation wasn’t merely casual; she actively sought opportunities to support Fitzgerald’s career. Most famously, in the mid-1950s Monroe lobbied the owner of the Mocambo nightclub in Hollywood to book Fitzgerald—at a time when many jazz greats, especially African-American performers, found doors closed by discrimination or simple indifference. Whether the lore around exactly how this happened is told with historical precision or has become somewhat mythologized over time, the essential fact remains: Monroe’s star power brought renewed attention to Fitzgerald and helped open doors that had been stubbornly shut. Ella herself would later say, “I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt,” crediting her for helping to elevate her career.
This real historical friendship—partial, sometimes intermittent, and not public in the way that friendships of celebrities often are today—is the beating heart of the novel. Bryce and Knight take these fragmented historical glimpses and imagine not just the public moments, but the private scaffolding of confidences, insecurities, and shared dreams that could have united these two women. The alternating narrative voices—Fitzgerald in first person and Monroe in third—effectively mirror the differences in their personalities and public personas: Ella grounded, precise, and observant; Marilyn emotive, restless, and searching for connection.
The strengths of Can’t We Be Friends lie chiefly in its character work and emotional resonance. The novel excels when it brings to life the inner struggles of both women: Ella’s lifelong battle against racial prejudice in America and the music industry, her drive to be seen as an artist on her own terms, and the emotional resilience it took to maintain her dignity and professionalism amid constant second-guessing from promoters, club owners, and audiences. Similarly, Monroe’s arc is portrayed with empathy—her struggle to balance being perceived as a “dumb blonde” sex symbol while harboring deep intellectual and emotional complexity, and her ongoing fight to find respect, love, and stability in an industry that commodified her image while discarding her agency.
As someone who has always been mesmerized by Fitzgerald’s voice, the book often made me return, in my mind, to that sound: the effortless phrasing, the crystalline tone, the quiet power behind every note she sang. Fitzgerald’s career spans decades and a transformative era of American music; her body of work stands as one of the greatest achievements in jazz history. Knowing this, the scenes that frame her as both a celebrated public figure and a woman grappling with the sting of segregation and prejudice feel particularly poignant. In contrast, Marilyn’s spotlight is relentless but corrosive: her career was meteoric, her talents undeniable, yet her personal life was marked by instability, abusive relationships, and an unforgiving media gaze. Her tragic death at just 36 underscores the fragility that the novel does not shy away from exploring.
Where the book falters—ironically, because it strives so earnestly to give life to these women—is in its reliance on conjecture where the historical record is thin. Because Fitzgerald and Monroe kept much of their real friendship private, the authors necessarily fill in gaps with imagined dialogue, invented letters, and reconstructed scenes that may not have occurred as described. Some of this imaginative work feels authentic and rooted in plausible emotional truth, but at other times it teeters toward melodrama. Indeed, readers on review sites have noted that the fictional letters and imagined scenes, while beautifully rendered, sometimes drift far from verifiable events, and that the narrative occasionally feels more speculative than historical.
Yet this is a challenge inherent to historical fiction as a genre: the need to balance respect for what really happened with the desire to tell a fully realized story. Bryce and Knight do an admirable job of this balance more often than not, and the novel’s authors’ notes at the end—detailing sources and the decisions they made in fictionalizing aspects of the friendship—underscore their thoughtful approach.
For readers like me whose fascination with Marilyn’s tragic life runs deep, the portrayal here rings with empathy. The novel doesn’t shy away from showing her vulnerabilities, her self-medication with pills and alcohol, and the constant tension she lived under as a symbol and a human being. Ella’s perspective, by contrast, offers a steadier compass: she is a figure of quiet strength, enduring and flourishing in spite of barriers that, on their face, should have held her back. Taken together, their imagined friendship becomes a compelling emotional anchor that makes the larger historical context feel immediate and human.
At its best, Can’t We Be Friends brings to life a friendship I had never truly known existed, rooted in real events and expanded into an evocative narrative of sisterhood across racial and cultural divides. At its most speculative, it reminds us how much about these women—particularly their private interactions—remains unrecorded, leaving space for imagination but also requiring caution in conflating fiction with fact.
Ultimately, this novel is a powerful tribute: to the enduring allure of Ella Fitzgerald’s voice, which has entranced me since childhood; to the tragic, luminous life of Marilyn Monroe; and to the possibility of unexpected connections between women navigating fame, prejudice, and profound personal challenges. Whether you approach it primarily as historical fiction or as a heartfelt exploration of human connection, Can’t We Be Friends succeeds in capturing the spirit of two icons whose real friendship, though lightly documented, was undeniably meaningful.
From the first pages of Can’t We Be Friends, it’s clear that this novel is a loving tribute to two towering figures of 20th-century culture: Ella Fitzgerald, the unparalleled queen of jazz, and Marilyn Monroe, Hollywood’s most luminous yet tragically fraught star. For readers like me—somebody whose life has been soundtracked by Fitzgerald’s sultry, immaculate voice since childhood and who has long been fascinated by the vulnerable complexity behind Monroe’s glamorous façade—this book promised something special. Almost immediately, however, it became apparent that what makes the book compelling is both its heartfelt emotional grounding and the very thing that complicates it: the degree to which the story walks the line between historical reality and imaginative fiction.
The novel centers on a premise that will excite fans of both women: the idea that Fitzgerald and Monroe shared a deep, decade-long friendship. Bryce and Knight build this relationship from a scaffolding of known historical touchpoints—Monroe’s documented admiration for Fitzgerald’s music, their mutual encounters in Los Angeles in the 1950s, and Monroe’s real-life intervention in getting Fitzgerald booked at the Mocambo nightclub—but they expand these facts with rich fictional detail, imagined conversations, and invented letters that bring their emotional world vividly to life on the page.
It’s well established that Marilyn Monroe was a huge fan of Ella Fitzgerald and repeatedly praised her as her favorite singer. Monroe’s appreciation wasn’t merely casual; she actively sought opportunities to support Fitzgerald’s career. Most famously, in the mid-1950s Monroe lobbied the owner of the Mocambo nightclub in Hollywood to book Fitzgerald—at a time when many jazz greats, especially African-American performers, found doors closed by discrimination or simple indifference. Whether the lore around exactly how this happened is told with historical precision or has become somewhat mythologized over time, the essential fact remains: Monroe’s star power brought renewed attention to Fitzgerald and helped open doors that had been stubbornly shut. Ella herself would later say, “I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt,” crediting her for helping to elevate her career.
This real historical friendship—partial, sometimes intermittent, and not public in the way that friendships of celebrities often are today—is the beating heart of the novel. Bryce and Knight take these fragmented historical glimpses and imagine not just the public moments, but the private scaffolding of confidences, insecurities, and shared dreams that could have united these two women. The alternating narrative voices—Fitzgerald in first person and Monroe in third—effectively mirror the differences in their personalities and public personas: Ella grounded, precise, and observant; Marilyn emotive, restless, and searching for connection.
The strengths of Can’t We Be Friends lie chiefly in its character work and emotional resonance. The novel excels when it brings to life the inner struggles of both women: Ella’s lifelong battle against racial prejudice in America and the music industry, her drive to be seen as an artist on her own terms, and the emotional resilience it took to maintain her dignity and professionalism amid constant second-guessing from promoters, club owners, and audiences. Similarly, Monroe’s arc is portrayed with empathy—her struggle to balance being perceived as a “dumb blonde” sex symbol while harboring deep intellectual and emotional complexity, and her ongoing fight to find respect, love, and stability in an industry that commodified her image while discarding her agency.
As someone who has always been mesmerized by Fitzgerald’s voice, the book often made me return, in my mind, to that sound: the effortless phrasing, the crystalline tone, the quiet power behind every note she sang. Fitzgerald’s career spans decades and a transformative era of American music; her body of work stands as one of the greatest achievements in jazz history. Knowing this, the scenes that frame her as both a celebrated public figure and a woman grappling with the sting of segregation and prejudice feel particularly poignant. In contrast, Marilyn’s spotlight is relentless but corrosive: her career was meteoric, her talents undeniable, yet her personal life was marked by instability, abusive relationships, and an unforgiving media gaze. Her tragic death at just 36 underscores the fragility that the novel does not shy away from exploring.
Where the book falters—ironically, because it strives so earnestly to give life to these women—is in its reliance on conjecture where the historical record is thin. Because Fitzgerald and Monroe kept much of their real friendship private, the authors necessarily fill in gaps with imagined dialogue, invented letters, and reconstructed scenes that may not have occurred as described. Some of this imaginative work feels authentic and rooted in plausible emotional truth, but at other times it teeters toward melodrama. Indeed, readers on review sites have noted that the fictional letters and imagined scenes, while beautifully rendered, sometimes drift far from verifiable events, and that the narrative occasionally feels more speculative than historical.
Yet this is a challenge inherent to historical fiction as a genre: the need to balance respect for what really happened with the desire to tell a fully realized story. Bryce and Knight do an admirable job of this balance more often than not, and the novel’s authors’ notes at the end—detailing sources and the decisions they made in fictionalizing aspects of the friendship—underscore their thoughtful approach.
For readers like me whose fascination with Marilyn’s tragic life runs deep, the portrayal here rings with empathy. The novel doesn’t shy away from showing her vulnerabilities, her self-medication with pills and alcohol, and the constant tension she lived under as a symbol and a human being. Ella’s perspective, by contrast, offers a steadier compass: she is a figure of quiet strength, enduring and flourishing in spite of barriers that, on their face, should have held her back. Taken together, their imagined friendship becomes a compelling emotional anchor that makes the larger historical context feel immediate and human.
At its best, Can’t We Be Friends brings to life a friendship I had never truly known existed, rooted in real events and expanded into an evocative narrative of sisterhood across racial and cultural divides. At its most speculative, it reminds us how much about these women—particularly their private interactions—remains unrecorded, leaving space for imagination but also requiring caution in conflating fiction with fact.
Ultimately, this novel is a powerful tribute: to the enduring allure of Ella Fitzgerald’s voice, which has entranced me since childhood; to the tragic, luminous life of Marilyn Monroe; and to the possibility of unexpected connections between women navigating fame, prejudice, and profound personal challenges. Whether you approach it primarily as historical fiction or as a heartfelt exploration of human connection, Can’t We Be Friends succeeds in capturing the spirit of two icons whose real friendship, though lightly documented, was undeniably meaningful.
February 20, 2024
What do you say when a book is just too marvelous, too marvelous for words?
CAN’T WE BE FRIENDS has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 for so many reasons. With two of my favorite authors teaming up to write about two of my favorite icons, my expectations were sky high, and this stunner of a novel exceeded them. Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe are depicted at such a human level, it’s easy to forget when reading that they’ve been part of our cultural fabric for decades. Their friendship, who they are as women, and their struggles with their industries and the world’s view of them are so beautifully rendered. Fans of Ella and Marilyn will devour this book like I devoured a pastrami sandwich mid-read. (You’ll understand when you read it.) Those who don’t know much about these legends will be inspired to listen to their music, watch their movies, and learn more about them.
In short? It’s delicious, it’s delightful, it’s de-lovely!
CAN’T WE BE FRIENDS has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 for so many reasons. With two of my favorite authors teaming up to write about two of my favorite icons, my expectations were sky high, and this stunner of a novel exceeded them. Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe are depicted at such a human level, it’s easy to forget when reading that they’ve been part of our cultural fabric for decades. Their friendship, who they are as women, and their struggles with their industries and the world’s view of them are so beautifully rendered. Fans of Ella and Marilyn will devour this book like I devoured a pastrami sandwich mid-read. (You’ll understand when you read it.) Those who don’t know much about these legends will be inspired to listen to their music, watch their movies, and learn more about them.
In short? It’s delicious, it’s delightful, it’s de-lovely!
June 6, 2024
Waste of time. I knew this was a fictionalized account of the friendship between Ella & Marilyn, so I expected some of the private scenes & dialogues were just imagined from factual research, including the dozens of letters they exchanged over the years. Nope. In the afterword we learn that all their letters were fiction, as were some of their scenes together in public. I learned more about them from my fact-check googling than from reading this overly dramatized screenplay disguised as historical fiction.
April 14, 2024
I loved the concept of this book and thought it was well-researched. But the writing was sub-par. The authors said the same thing so many times, even in the same paragraph. At times the storylines dragged and it was often hard to keep track of where they were in history. These two beautiful, strong, talented, intelligent divas deserved better.
June 17, 2024
I'm well aware this is a work of fiction about what could have been/might have happened between these two women, but so much of it made it feel like two little girls playing pretend. That's by no means a commentary towards the writing, both authors did a great job creating the story but what I mean is that it didn't feel authentic, and it was just that: a creation.
June 2, 2024
I really wanted to love this book but it was just meh. It was distracting for the protagonists’ voices to switch between first and third person within the same chapter.
July 12, 2024
2 stars for the writing and drawn out story, 1 additional for the interesting topic
August 28, 2024
Just not as insightful or engaging as I thought it would be.
October 1, 2024
Absolutely terrible! Can’t believe this was a combined creation by legitimate writers.
And I’M the idiot that read to the end KNOWING it wasn’t going to get better!
And I’M the idiot that read to the end KNOWING it wasn’t going to get better!
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