The Roaring

by T. Katarina Tayler

Think Gossip Girl meets The Great Gatsby.

This is the world of The Roaring.

1925 New York City . . . where alcohol is illegal and speakeasies are all the rage. The Roaring follows the lives of six extremely wealthy, impeccably charming, and remarkably special Manhattan adolescents---focusing on the daughter of the Don of the most powerful mafia family in New York: Roxy Elliott.

Welcome back to the jazz age and into the illicit underground clubs where parties ran wild as police turned a blind eye. The Roaring brings you center stage to the glitz & glamour, murder & scandal, and love & heartbreak they all endure---all while living in the ever so daring roaring 20s.

This isn't just one story. There is no ‘beginning, middle, and end’ to this story, but instead, a collection of many alluring stories, all pertaining to this special six between 1925 and 1926.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Young Adult, Contemporary

451 pages, Paperback

First published April 17, 2021

About the author

Tasi Tayler is the founder of indie publishing house Stormy House Press, and the author of her debut novel, The Roaring.

Reviews

[Maegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOD FRANKIE MATTHEWS HAS MY HEART PERIOD. AND THE ENDING??? SO GOOD

[cossette · Rating 1 out of 5]

well this ... this sure was ... a book.

[Chelsea Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book early to review, and boy, let me tell you, it exceeded my expectations. The book is very unique, and definitely reads different and is set up differently than most books, but in a good way, if that makes sense? The narration/ voice is fantastic and I enjoyed reading it. It has all of those gossip girl elements: the wealth, privilege, scandal, blah blah blah, but mixed in with Great Gatsby vibes, just as the synopsis describes. I knew I would probably like it going into it, but I didn’t realize that I’d LOVE it. The writing was fantastic, which also exceeded my expectations. There were times where the narration was hilarious, and then times where it was beautiful, then times where it makes you want to cry. I liked the whole “a bunch of stories thrown into one” aspect too, which is what I mean by it reads different, but in a good way. I loved all the characters (except for Claire Reed, which you will understand why when you read it) and really built a connection to Roxy, Frankie, and Johnny. But the whole main six is really great. The ending was amazing, and definitely unexpected, so get ready for that. I also loved the duo perspective with the diary entries, and I LOVE Roxy’s personality. Overall, I think it’s such a fun read and I’m hoping that another one comes out, because I’d love to see what happens after the book ends. A second book that picks up right after it ends would be AMAZING. Anyways, go read it, you won’t be sorry. I finished it in like 5 days too, read it quickly.

[ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. gossip girl meets gatsby.... literally. but even better than gossip girl, if that’s even possible (better than the books, the show is ofc amazing) but this book was legit everything that makes gg so good with the rich teenagers and scandal and parties and stuff, but make it darker and even more fun. it was so freaking good I loved it so much and read it in a day. super SUPER fast paced and really entertaining, all the stories were so fun. the ending was a super plot twist too, which was amazing. it’s a brand new book too, and from a brand new cute little publishing company! so definitely go check it out

OHHHHH and I LOVED frankie and roxy so much. super slow burn but BOYYY are they just, amazing. and frankie is so hot. so is johnny. dalton is alright.

[Chelsea Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to get this book early in exchange for an honest review, and let me tell ya, it puts you through a lot of emotions. I thought, firstly, that it was so entertaining and fun, but it isn’t just a “fun” cute read, meaning, there are some deep and like crazy stories Ans things that happen, so be prepared for that. I surely didn’t expect to cry in this book, but that super plot twist ending had my in TEARS. By the end of the novel I was so connected to the characters that it put me through so much oh my God.

I will say, I didn’t particularly like Marie so much (one of the 6 MC) because of how she ended up treating Roxy later in the book, and I didn’t think she really had much to her or was THAT interesting, but overall, I did take a liking to the characters. I felt they were all very distinctive and different from each other, which is great.

Frankie, Johnny, and Roxy were my favorite, in particular. But Dalton and Virginia had their times as well.

This book is set up differently than most, so make sure you know that before you get into it, because it’s a bunch of stories thrown into one novel. I LOVED the way it was written, but it is definitely different. But it also tells you that at the very start of the book.

Overall, I thought it truly was the perfect mix of Gossip Girl and The Great Gatsby, and the characters were very interesting and unique (although all spoiled entitled Manhattan elites) but truly had a lot going ok for them, and you could tell they had true feelings and compassion, besides knowing they were the hottest teenagers in New York.

It was great writing, so fun, although I did find a few typos. But that happens with EVERY book, especially in its first edition.

Anyways go read it, you should get through it fast. The roaring is such a fun world too, and I really do hope this gets developed as a show soon. It would be so perfect!

Also— this is more 4 1/2 stars! But Amazing!

[Kaden Cable · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH A FUN READ!! i was a huge gossip girl fan and this aligned with the same scandal and romance, and the historical aspect, being set in the 1920s, really added to the storyline. kept me on the edge of my seat a few times, made me laugh and cry, and always kept me wanting to read more!

[Jelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was better than expected! I started reading it a while back, but gave up on it a few chapters in. I’m glad I gave it a second chance because it was REALLY ROARING!!

Two things:
Johnny is great
Glad Frankie is not dead and he ended up with Roxy.

Also, I love the ending and how the author gave a short summary of the continuation of the special six’s lives, it made the book even better!

[kelly greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was such an entertaining read in so many ways. I was selected and able to get an early copy before the release date, in exchange for an honest review. I loved it so much. It’s def exactly as it says, GG meets The Great Gatsby, which is exactly a world that we need both as a book and then hopefully a tv show, as tasi tayler says she is working on. I loved the characters, Roxy and Frankie the most, and all of the stories. I also didn’t expect the ending, it was quite a double plot twist, but that was awesome. I also didn’t think I was gonna cry in this type of book, but I did 😂😂. Overall I think it was pretty good and well worth the read. I might even read it again sometime.

Oh and I also liked the format and how fast paced it is. I mean it’s a bit chaotic but in a good way. And it was certainly unique.

And I liked the style of the writing, and the authors voice.

EDIT: I just read it for a second time, and just realized how many clues to the ending there were 😳😳😳 and Whoah that was amazing

[Veronica Tuico · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
Good book

[Samaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an amazing book. So glad I picked it up and I could not have been more hooked. I could not put this book down!!! 💓

[Sarah Mancusi · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW.
Just wow. I did not expect that ending. This book was so so so good. I fell in love with Roxy and her whole lifestyle including the other 5; Virgina, Marie, Dalton, Johnny and FRANKIE. The mafia input gave it a bit of spice along with a touch of Gossip Girl. It truly was "Think Gossip meets The Great Gatsby."

[Tessa Mierczuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much! I don’t usually go for this genre but it was amazing! Would definitely recommend! 🥰

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no words to describe the ending of the book. It was so good! Frankie Matthews has my heart.

[Christine Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you're going to market your book as an homage to one of the greatest American novels, you should be writing at a level above junior high fanfic.

[Kaitlin Stubbs · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, I loved the plot and characters, but the writing style and perspective was jarring.

[chess · Rating 4 out of 5]

maybe not the best book i’ve ever read but i sure was entertained and that’s what’s important