Elizabeth and Marilyn

by Julie Owen Moylan

Available to pre-order now, the new novel from Julie Owen Moylan. It's 1956, and the two most famous women in the world are about to meet for the first and only time...

London, October, 1956. A glittering Royal Film Premiere. The whole world is watching . . .

Tonight, Elizabeth II will formally greet an array of stars. Though she was not born to be Queen, this young mother and wife has embraced her patriotic duty and its unforgiving demands.

A limousine pulls up. Out steps a vision in dazzling Marilyn Monroe. A money-making machine for Hollywood, with curves that drive men wild and a smile that lets women know she’s in on the joke.

As the two most famous women in the world come face to face, they look to be worlds apart. Yet beneath the glamorous costumes, both are fighting to keep the men they love, while trying to do their work in a man’s world. And they have spent the summer of 1956 battling secret demons the public could never imagine.

Now, Marilyn steps forward. These photographs will be on the front page of every newspaper in the morning.

But this isn’t their first meeting. And the story behind the headlines is even more sensational...

Perfect for fans of American Wife, The Christie Affair and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, this stunning novel imagines the secret lives of two of the 20th century’s most famous women – set during a momentous summer that brought them face to face, and publishing 100 years after their births.

Genres: Historical Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 2, 2026

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth and Marilyn by Julie Owen Moylan is a great historical fiction that focuses on the brief, infamous introduction between Queen Elizabeth II and Marilyn Monroe.

This is such a great book. I knew that Queen Elizabeth II and Marilyn Monroe had briefly met once, but that was literally all. The author does an amazing job at placing us into each character as we read through alternate chapters that mainly take place the few months leading up to the introduction on October 29, 1956. There are a few chapters where we go back to 1936 and 1946 as well. All of these concepts allow us as an audience to be able to find many similarities between the two unique women. Both, when stripped of their professions, titles, and personaes are just real women like the rest of us. Both women have flaws, fears, hopes, anger, frustration, and determination. Both women just want to find a place where they belong, a purpose and want to be accepted and loved. Both are also so much stronger than they realize.

The author really brought all of this home while weaving fact and fiction. I think she did an excellent job crafting the backstory and events behind the scenes that did, and may have even, taken place during that summer and fall in London and at Windsor Castle.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Ballantine | Ballantine Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/7/26.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal book from start to finish. Although it is historical fiction, the author does an amazing job of creating a tale where you feel you actually know both Queen Elizabeth and Marilyn Monroe. You will also get to know them as Lilibet and Norma Jean. I have read many non-fiction books on both of these women and truly feel that the author did a great job of capturing the reality of both of them in this book. The parallel of their lives was very interesting and I loved how, at certain times, the story would reflect on earlier times in their lives. One of the best books I've read this year. Be sure to read this when it is released it's not to be missed! Thanks to the author, NetGalley and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Beth Gerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because GoodReads adds this crazy long "standout novel about the friendship that might have blossomed between the world's two most famous women" tag IN the title of the book, I felt a little misled about what was actually going to happen here. I thought this was well-written, and following the two characters' lives while Marilyn was in England filming and showing how they each got to where they are in flashbacks was interesting. While I've read a lot about that point of Elizabeth's life, I don't really know anything about Marilyn Monroe per se, so this viewpoint was new to me. From the title given, I thought we would see more overlap aside from the one meeting in the park and a well-captured photo. If there might have been a friendship, then the reader is really on their own to imagine it. I think without the leading blurb from the GoodReads title I might not have been left wanting more.

Either way, the book was well-paced and interesting to read, and while some similarities in the two women's lives can be made, I'm not sure it really achieves the thesis.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

[saint forest99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth and Marilyn's meeting during the late 1950s became one of legend. Two iconic women, the top of their occupations, come together for a brief moment of introduction and familiarity. Moylan does an excellent job mixing together the lives of Elizabeth and Marilyn by highlighting similarities and shared struggles that come with the roles they've been placed in.

It was an enjoyable and well thought out story based on an event in history that lasted only a few moments. I would like to think it was possible that Elizabeth and Marilyn had met prior to the night at the theater. Had they continued to meet afterwards, I think both would have positively impacted eachothers lives and character.

Though they couldn't be themselves with family, Norma and Lilibet could be themselves with each other.

[Emma Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've read in such a long time and I absolutely devoured it.

Whilst you may think you know these women, this shows a hidden side to them both. I like how the chapters alternated between them, and how we saw some backstory too.

My favourite part was seeing them finally meet and it was perfection. Chefs kiss to the author for this portrayal. It was wonderful to see the Empire meeting brought to life from both perspectives too.

In true Elizabeth and Marilyn style, this is a pearl of a read and they shine like diamonds.

Elegant writing, resilient women, and I just wish it had lasted for so much longer.

Dazzling.

[SuzieQuzie7973 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine and Julie Owen Moylan for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.

Elizabeth and Marilyn tells the story of, in my opinion, the 2 most famous women of that era. Ms. Julie's way with words and world building, paints such a picture that I was wishing I could have been there. I was hooked from the very beginning all the way til the end.

I highly recommend that y'all get this book. Y'all won't regret it.

[Dog&CatMomBooksNicorette&tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth and Marilyn by Julie Owen Moylan is an impeccable historical fiction read that will allow you to really get to know Queen Elizabeth 2 and "Norma Jean" Though it feels like two separate books compiled together to bring you to their one meeting in the late 1950's, I highly appreciated this story and I highly recommend it!!!!


Disclaimer: I received an e-copy ARC of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. No positive review was required. All opinions are my own.

[Beachcomber · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars. Lovely and enjoyable look at what might have been, the summer of 1956 when Queen Elizabeth and Marilyn Monroe were briefly neighbours in Windsor, and then finally meet at a film premiere. We see how their lives might be considered from their perspectives rather than the press’ spin, and how in many ways they were alike, thrust into the public eye so prominently. You really felt for both of them, and the Queen in particular.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

[Megan Beech · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting take on a meeting of two of the world's most iconic women in history! Although I did feel that I was reading two books simultaneously, the link between the two stories melded well enough where I could still enjoy it! As someone who loves historical fiction books, this one I do recommend for others to check out and enjoy.