Elizabeth and Marilyn

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 . . . 'A wonderful novel. Moylan nails it in this tender, insightful portrait' The Times 'Bold, original and captivating. I loved it!' Daisy Buchanan 'Julie is a writer you can ALWAYS trust in the way she portrays women ... they are believable, flawed, complex and fascinating' Georgina Moore 'Gorgeous, glamorous and moving' Anna Mazzola 'A vibrant imagining of the inner lives of two iconic women' Charmaine Wilkerson 'Everything I look for in a novel, I adored it. I felt like I was living the lives of these two iconic women, with all their vulnerabilities and pressures' Joanna Miller *** 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 gold: 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.

Julie Owen Moylan is the author of three novels: That Green Eyed Girl, 73 Dove Street and Circus of Mirrors. Her debut novel That Green Eyed Girl was a Waterstones' Welsh Book of the Month and the official runner up for the prestigious Paul Torday Memorial Prize. It was also shortlisted for Best Debut at the Fingerprint Awards and featured at the Hay Festival as one of its 'Ten at Ten'. 73 Dove Street was a Waterstones' Books of 2023 and a Daily Mail Historical Fiction Book of the Year. As a filmmaker Julie won the Celtic Media Award for her graduation film "BabyCakes" before going on to win Best Short Film at the Swansea Film Festival. Her writing and short stories have appeared in a variety of publications including Sunday Express, The Independent, New Welsh Review and Good Housekeeping. She has a Masters in Filmmaking and an additional qualification in Creative Writing & English Literature. Julie is an alumna of the Faber Academy. Julie can be found on Instagram: @JulieOwenMoylan and her website: JulieOwenMoylan.com