The Chateau on Sunset

by Natasha Lester

Epic Love. Tragic Loss. Beautiful Friendship. The entrancing story of an orphan who grows up surrounded by the beautiful and the broken in the world's most infamous hotel.

After her parents' deaths, Aria Jones is sent to live with her reclusive starlet aunt at the Chateau Marmont, the hotel on Hollywood Boulevard with a notorious reputation.

Left alone to wander the hotel, Aria sees everything-all the ways people wheel and deal for fame. But the Marmont isn't meant for young girls with big hearts, and Aria discovers an insidious secret that will haunt her childhood.

As she matures, she finds solace in the hotel's library. Her sole goal is to be as inconspicuous as possible. Until one day, the hotel is sold to mysterious rock star Theo Winchester and his troubled daughter, Adele. Will Aria realise there's more to life than being invisible?

Captivating from its very first page, The Chateau on Sunset blends the beloved Jane Eyre story with the rich and colourful history of the entertainment industry from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Praise for the Natasha Lester bestseller The Mademoiselle Alliance:

'Entertaining and engrossing . . . Natasha Lester uncovers stories of women from history and drapes them in velvet' The Australian Women's Weekly

'Lester writes with razor-sharp research and admiration for a woman whose name deserves to be blazed across the pages of history' KATE QUINN

Genres: Historical Fiction, Retellings, Historical, Fiction, Mystery, Adult Fiction, Historical Mystery

422 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2026

About the author

Natasha Lester is the multi-award winning and New York Times best-selling author of THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS, THE PARIS ORPHAN, THE PARIS SECRET and THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ASTRID BRICARD. Her new book, THE MADEMOISELLE ALLIANCE, the story of Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, the only female leader of a French Resistance network in WWII, is coming in April 2025.

Prior to writing, she worked as a marketing executive for L’Oreal, managing the Maybelline brand, before returning to university to study creative writing.

Natasha's books have been translated into twenty-one different languages and are published all around the world. She lives in Perth, Western Australia with her 3 children and loves fashion history, practising the art of fashion illustration, collecting vintage fashion, travelling and, of course, books.

Reviews

[Sandysbookaday (on indefinite hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

EXCERPT: I'm beaming when I reach the lobby. And as if the Marmont has set this up just for me, a note sounds from the piano. Judith Crown is seated there in all her glory, long black gloves making us focus on her hands, which are as elegant and lovely as when she was sixteen and starring in her first movie. It's only her eyes and her skin that show the stain of reds downed with vodka, but false lashes, low lights and foundation do a good enough job of hiding that. She's wearing her rings over her gloves and the diamonds glisten beneath the chandelier.
Then she starts to sing and everyone who hadn't already been staring stops.
Her voice is like sunshine on the back of your neck after a cold, dark winter. The desk clerks, the other guests, all of us unfurl into the light and it's not just Judit's jewels glistening now, but our eyes too.
This place is so damn beautiful sometimes.

ABOUT 'THE CHATEAU ON SUNSET': After her parents' deaths, Aria Jones is sent to live with her reclusive starlet aunt at the Chateau Marmont, the hotel on Hollywood Boulevard with a notorious reputation.

Left alone to wander the hotel, Aria sees everything-all the ways people wheel and deal for fame. But the Marmont isn't meant for young girls with big hearts, and Aria discovers an insidious secret that will haunt her childhood.

As she matures, she finds solace in the hotel's library. Her sole goal is to be as inconspicuous as possible. Until one day, the hotel is sold to mysterious rock star Theo Winchester and his troubled daughter, Adele. Will Aria realise there's more to life than being invisible?

MY THOUGHTS: An entertaining and absorbing, if somewhat unlikely, story. It is, apparently, a retelling of Jane Eyre which I never picked up on because I don't think I have read Jane Eyre since I was a teenager and that was a lonnnnng time ago!

I'm not usually a fan of stories about film stars and Hollywood, but Natash Lester drew me into Aria's world and then wouldn't let me leave. I was enthralled, even if Aria did seem to have a perspicacity far beyond her years.

Long before the #MeToo movement, Aria was exacting her revenge on behalf of the stars and starlets at the Marmont on the producers and directors who expected 'favors' for handing out roles in their movies. Let's just say she is very inventive.

Almost everything in this book is based on something that actually happened, but it is also fiction. It is an intriguing blend that was very close to being a five-star read for me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#TheChateauonSunset #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: NATASHA LESTER lives in Perth, Western Australia with her 3 children and loves fashion, history, practicing the art of fashion illustration, collecting vintage fashion, travelling and, of course, books. Prior to writing, she worked as a marketing executive for L’Oreal, managing the Maybelline brand, before returning to university to study creative writing.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Hachette Australia and New Zealand for providing an DRC of The Chateau on Sunset by Natasha Lester for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
The Chateau on Sunset by Natasha Lester is so different from Lester’s usual style which surprised me, it really showcases Lester’s versatility. The author weaves a beautifully crafted story of rich detail with a gothic atmosphere in The Chateau on Sunset.

I enjoyed the story, it creates the glitz and glamour of Hollywood as well as the seedy side, the overindulgences, the casting couch, ambitions and the cost paid by vulnerable actresses in the movie industry.

After the tragic death of her beloved parents thirteen year old Aria is sent to LA to live with her reclusive and famous aunt. Aria’s aunt lives at the iconic Chateau Marmont hotel which I felt had its own starring role in the story. Chateau Marmont is a hideaway for celebrities and industry elites and if you must get into trouble you do so at the Chateau Marmont on Hollywood Boulevard.

Left to fend for herself Aria roams the hotel freely and invisibly most times, she learns a lot about fame and discovers a secret that will haunt her childhood. I liked Aria’s character, the sisterhood that embraced her and watching her grow into a confident adult at the hotel.

Then we have mysterious and reclusive rock star Theo Winchester who arrives at the hotel with his troubled teen daughter Adele and Aria offers to help. Aria faces desires and danger.

An unforgettable story of Hollywood tragedies, loss, friendship, glamour, revenge, scandals, found family and love.

Publication Date 31 March 2026
Publisher Hachette Australia

Thank you so much Natasha Lester & Hachette Australia for an early copy of the book.

[Reading Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aria Jones becomes an orphan and is sent to live with her famous Aunt that's an actress. They live in a hotel that's also full of actors and actresses. Her Aunt is a drunk and can't take care of her so Aria has to care for herself however she can.
I liked this book and all of the old Hollywood stories. I also loved the romance and the Jane Erye vibe. The only thing I didn't care for is the fact that it was so easy to forget what time period this was supposed to be set in. I would personally have liked more descriptions and more of the language used in that time.

[Helen - Great Reads & Tea Leaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Natasha Lester is an author whose work I have followed and loved for years. While I always appreciate when a writer feels it’s time to venture into new ground, her latest release, The Chateau on Sunset, was a departure that didn’t quite work for me. This novel is Natasha’s interpretation of a more contemporary "Jane Eyre" retelling, centred on the coming-of-age story of a young woman named Aria. Set at the iconic Chateau Marmont hotel in West Hollywood - often a glittering but predatory backdrop of mid-century Hollywood - it follows Aria as she navigates the industry’s dark side. It blends the classic gothic elements of Jane Eyre with the real-life history of the entertainment industry, exploring themes of ambition, secrets, and the constraints placed on women in the Golden Age of Hollywood - highlighting the sad exploitation of women in the film world and Aria’s journey to overcome these obstacles and find her own path to success.

While I respect the ambition behind this project, the execution felt very different from Natasha’s usual fare. I found myself struggling to truly settle into the narrative, partly because even the writing style itself felt as though it had altered to fit this new direction. The book utilises a dual timeline structure, but because the two periods - 1957 and 1964 - are so close together chronologically, I found the jumping back and forth to be somewhat confusing. One aspect I appreciated was the Author’s Note where Natasha explains her intentions behind certain plot points and her desire to highlight how women have been historically taken advantage of in the arts; and also, her respect for the resilience of these women and a hope for a better future.

Ultimately, while I admire the effort to tackle a classic through a different lens, this particular shift in style and structure didn't resonate with me as much as her previous historical novels.

[Rachel C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha Lester has done it again! My first 5 ⭐️ read for the year! 🎉

Set at the famous Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard, Aria Jones has been sent to live with her famous aunt, now recluse and drug addict, Miss Devine Rey, after her parents die in a fire. At 13 years old, Aria finds solace in the stories and friendship of two aspiring actresses, 18 year olds Calliope and Flitter. Told in dual timeline in 1957 and then 1964, the story delves into Aria's reclusive life and her need to escape by the time she turns 21, but the Chateau (which presents as a character itself) has other ideas. Then along comes Theo Winchester, a recovering alcoholic and music superstar who buys the Chateau and moves in and offers Aria a job as governess to his daughter. But the more time they spend together, the more she realises he sees her, she is no longer an invisible girl wandering the halls of the Chateau, but she still has dreams to leave its walls.

I savoured this book. I love the way Lester writes so succinctly about a topic I didn't think I'd be that interested in. I did not know of the Chateau Marmont, a real life getaway for Hollywood's rich and famous that are usually on their way up or down. The culture of needing to "sleep your way to the top" was embedded in the storyline and I loved the resolution and outcome. This book made me smile, it made me cry and it made me learn something new - which equates to a 5 ⭐️ read for me! 😍

Thank you Hachette Aus for providing me with this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Book Clubber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first writing course I ever did was with Natasha Lester. Those lessons were also my first Zoom meetings in the time of Covid. (Funny what we remember!) Since then I've become a fan of her books and even had her sign one at an author event. She remembered my name. I was blown away!

But I digress...

As with Natasha's back catalogue of historical fiction, The Chateau on Sunset is a combination of deep research and skilful prose. While many of her books are set around fashion and war-time espionage, this one takes us back to Old Hollywood in the 1950s and '60s, when men wielding power in the film industry took advantage of young women desperate for a break, a narrative that's still relevant today. Aria is only a young girl when her parents are killed in an accident and she is sent to live with her aunt at the Chateau Marmont on Hollywood Boulevard. A once-famous actress, her aunt has become an addict and a recluse after her career was cut short. The reason why remains a secret, one of many that only the hotel and a handful of its occupants know.

Aria is left to fend for herself and - thanks to two aspiring actresses who take her under their wing and all that she witnesses firsthand - she's given a front-row seat to the inner machinations of the movie business. This 'education', together with the connections she's made while being a resident of the hotel, arm her with more power than she realises. That is, until she runs away from her wedding and the only life she knows to carve out a new story for herself and, subsequently, the starlets back in Hollywood.

I adore Natasha's writing style. Every sentence is crafted with precision and elegance, and I find myself stopping to savour her words the same way our main character Aria savours hot dogs. This is a coming-of-age, rags-to-riches story with a passionate romance at its heart. The Chateau Marmont (which exists in real life) is written not just as a setting but as an almost sentient being that's aware of all the goings-on within its walls. This lent a gothic and moody vibe to the book that served the story well. In her author note, Natasha reveals that this story is, in its own way, a retelling of her favourite Charlotte Bronte classic, Jane Eyre.

For me, this book wasn't quite as strong as her historical war fiction, and I found the first part slightly confusing with the time jumps between chapters switching from first-person to third-person, but I still found it highly enjoyable. If you love well-written stories full of mystery, intrigue, glamour and power, this one's a winner. 4.5 stars.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating :4.5

A huge thank you to @hachetteaus for sending me an ARC of The Chateau on Sunset by @natashalesterauthor

Ok so first off, I LOVED Natasha’s writing style and storytelling (swipe to see spoiler free example), it’s immersive and makes you FEEL things.

Natasha cleverly weaves the motifs of fire into the story as well as personifies the Marmont (the hotel where the book is set) to tell our protagonist’s tale.

The book does a great job exploring friendship, self growth and relationships in general. Set in the 60s we see a world where although glamourised on the outside, there are so many messy and hidden truths behind the scene. It shows what people are willing to do for fame and power and how men think they can get away with it.

Release date: 31 March 2026

[Camilla Liberatore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chateau on Sunset by Natasha Lester is set inside the famous Chateau Marmont Hotel in 1950’s - the Golden Years of Cinema Hollywood through to the 1970’s brash rock and roll music scene.

Aria an orphaned teenager whose parents were killed in a car accident, comes to the hotel to live with her Aunt a retired actress who has become secluded in the halls of Chateau Marmont.

Aria grows up surrounding herself from afar with many of Hollywood celebrities and the elite. Many of whom are the industry leaders - beauty, glamour, fashion, wealth and fame will be remembered. However, Aria sees the reality of the industry and the broken hearted lives these celebrities have after the limelight and fame is gone.

Aria becomes friends with two aspiring actresses Calliope and Flitter and also discovers a secret hidden in the hotel. She is frightened by this mysterious secret and is determined to remain silent, invisible, earn money enough to runaway to live her life the way that she wants.

All is going to plan when along comes Theo Winchester the new owner of the hotel and a recluse rock star. Theo has a daughter Adele - trouble, scandal, follows and he feels burdened by caring for her.

Aria is employed to tutor Adele but will this be the road to the way out for Aria and will it lead her to the freedom she seeks? Passion ignites between Aria and Theo that may change everything that Aria had dreamed about. Will she decide to go and follow her dreams or will she be persuaded to stay?

Natasha Lester has written and retold the story with an atmospheric twist to the classic tale of Jane Eyre by Emily Brontë. It’s gothic style influenced feminine protagonist main character Aria Jones (Jane Eyre) on her journey from an orphan to a women who supports the moody Mr Rochester being represented by Theo the 1970’s washed up rockstar. The Chateau on sunset Hotel with its hidden secrets is of course the sun-drenched Thornfield Hall from Bronte’s classic.

The parallels to the original classic Brontë novel shows the symbolic way the industry treated women who refused to accept and conform to the way of the Hollywood lifestyle.

This novel is for fans of historical fiction with cinematic history and mystery.

I thank NetGalley, the Publisher Hachette Australia and Natasha Lester for generously providing me with the advanced copy of this book. I rate this novel 4 stars as it took me back to the classic novel by Brontë that I read many years ago but was brilliantly transported to a more modern era.

This book is due to be released on 31st March 2026.

[MrsHarvieReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Chateau on Sunset by Natasha Lester is a feminist reimagining of Jane Eyre. This tragic coming of age story explores female friendship, romantic love, and female empowerment through revenge. In 1957, at the age of 13 and 3/4, and after the deaths of her parents, Aria Jones is sent to live with her reclusive starlet aunt at the notorious Chateau Martmont in Hollywood. The story is told in alternating chapters between 1957 and 1962, when Aria arrives and leaves the hotel. While living essentially unsupervised at the hotel, Aria is exposed to glittering parties, desperate wannabe starlets, and the toxic reality of industry power. She is taken under the wing by two aspiring actresses who encourage her to find a life outside of the hotel.

This novel has so many of the elements of a story I enjoy: a strong female protagonist, a mid-century timeframe, found family, romance, and feminine rage. Unfortunately the plot didn't quite come together the way I hoped. Following two closely related timelines featuring the same characters didn't quite work for me. But it picked up once the timelines finally merged. I liked the gothic style of the novel, but didn’t think that the Chateau being its own character added to the narrative. I also struggled with the insta-love between Aria and Theo, the decade older recovering addict rock star. Once Aria left the hotel however, I cheered for her journey of self discovery and desire to end the exploitation of women. The ending came together a bit too neatly for my taste, but I appreciated the author's choice to aim for a hopeful resolution. While the novel is ambitious and atmospheric, the overall delivery fell somewhat short for me 3/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a gifted advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own

[Dee Furey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored The Chateau on Sunset by Natasha Lester. This story hooked me from the moment Aria and her parents wished upon the star and we learned what hew mom and dad wished for and then that Aria had wished for nothing because she could not imagine being happier. I knew then that something horrible was about to happen and so it did. I absolutely loved this story that is gothic and yet it more, it is a retelling of Jane Eyre, but completely reinvented. It is happy and sad, and it is dramatic and completely plausible. Exactly my kind of historical fiction. Thank you so much Net Galley and Ballantine Books for my e-arc. I loved this book!

[Anna Loder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! am a huge Natasha Lester fan, I just think she gets better and better! The Chateau on Sunset is 1950 Hollywood and I ate the story up with a icecream spoon! What a Jane Eyre nod, what gothic atmosphere, what a sisterhood!!!!
Aria Jones is everything you want in a hero and I can absolutely see her living today, eating hotdogs surrounded by water…actually I can see her fighting today but this is a spoiler free review 😎
Big themes, big characters all beautifully told! Couldn’t have loved it more

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Written as a feminist reimagining of Jane Eyre, The Chateau on Sunset is full of old Hollywood fame, glamour and secrets, but Aria’s story is what gives it heart.
After losing her parents and growing up inside The Chateau Marmont with her Aunt, she learns to survive by staying quiet and unseen. Watching Aria grow from someone who hides in the shadows into a woman brave enough to find her voice, face the truth, and choose herself, made this story feel deeply emotional and empowering. Pub. 6/2/26

I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - 5 ⭐️
This was a departure from Natasha Lester’s usual style and, while I enjoyed it immensely, not everything worked for me (mainly insignificant things that wouldn’t bother anyone else). This novel is a reimagining of the Jane Eyre story into 1950s and 60s Hollywood, specifically at the Chateau Marmont. Newly orphaned Aria Jones is sent to live at the hotel with her aunt, a reclusive film star. There she befriends young startlets who take her under their wings. Told over two timelines (teenage Aria and young adult Aria) the story is engaging and fast paced.
If you enjoyed City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert, you’ll enjoy The Chateau on Sunset.

[Renae · Rating 4 out of 5]

An utterly mesmerizing and exquisitely written novel, this story sweeps readers into the gilded yet shadowed corridors of 1950s and 1960s Hollywood — where glamour dazzles, secrets fester, and innocence rarely survives untouched.

In 1957, fourteen-year-old Aria Jones is suddenly orphaned and shipped off to Los Angeles to live with her legendary actress aunt. Instead of sanctuary, she finds decay — a once-radiant star now cloistered in despair, hidden away in a suite at the iconic Chateau Marmont. A hotel whispered about in reverent tones, famous for protecting the indiscretions of the rich and powerful — because at the Chateau, what happens inside its walls never escapes.

Lost and unmoored, Aria is taken under the wing of two aspiring actresses, Calliope and Flitter, bright-eyed dreamers clinging to their own Hollywood ambitions. The Chateau becomes both refuge and cage — a world unto itself, humming with starlets, fading idols, producers, predators, and broken promises.

Told in dual timelines — shifting between Aria’s arrival in 1957 and 1964, when she stands on the cusp of twenty-one — the novel traces her strange coming-of-age within those velvet-draped walls. What begins as temporary exile turns into seven cloistered years. Aria barely steps beyond the hotel’s threshold, becoming almost spectral — present, watching, absorbing, but never fully living. The Chateau keeps its secrets… and slowly, it keeps her.

Everything changes with the arrival of Theo, the hotel’s magnetic new owner — a former rock star with a scandal-laced past and a dangerous kind of charm. His presence unsettles the delicate ecosystem of the Chateau and ignites something long dormant in Aria. As her attraction to him deepens, so does her awareness of the invisible life she has been living. Questions rise like smoke: Who has she become? Who decided her fate? And why has she allowed herself to remain in the shadows?

But Hollywood is no fairy tale. Beneath the sparkle lies something predatory. Aria becomes entangled in a secret that does not belong to her — one that makes her vulnerable to the sharks circling the industry’s murky waters. The Chateau may protect reputations, but it does not protect innocence.

What unfolds is a gripping portrait of a young woman awakening — to desire, to danger, to her own agency. Aria’s journey toward self-liberation is the blazing heart of the novel. Can she burn down the invisible walls that have confined her? Can she step beyond the Chateau’s seductive grip and claim a life that is wholly her own?

Lush, haunting, and intoxicatingly atmospheric, this is a story about survival in a world built on illusion — and about the courage it takes to walk out of the shadows and into your own light.

I was completely captivated. This is Old Hollywood drama at its finest — glamorous, scandalous, and impossible to look away from.

Many Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!

[Marianne Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just so beautiful. A story about a Hollywood hotel and the girl who ends up living there and impacting so many lives.

[Hu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha Lester has written something truly special with The Chateau on Sunset. This book completely swept me away and left me emotional, inspired, and honestly a little in awe by the time I turned the final page.

Aria Jones is an absolute force to be reckoned with. Watching her navigate the dazzling but deeply fractured world of Hollywood made for such a powerful reading experience. Lester doesn’t just show the glamour, she exposes the cracks beneath it, and the Weinstein-like elements woven into the story made parts of this feel chillingly real. At times it was terrifying, at times heartwarming, and at times so emotional I had to stop and wipe away tears. Quite a few tears!

One of my favourite parts of this novel was the way Lester writes flawed characters with so much compassion. The fractured lives, the broken paths, the friendships that slowly become family — these were the moments that stayed with me the most. The found family bonds gave the story so much heart, and they made the triumphs feel earned and the heartbreak hit even harder.

The writing style itself is stunning. Tender, immersive, and incredibly emotional, with moments that feel soft and comforting followed by moments that completely shatter you. This book left me feeling empowered, like I could face anything head on, and that is something truly special.

The world needs more stories like this. Stories about resilience, courage, friendship, and women refusing to be silenced.

I already know I’ll be reading much more from Natasha Lester, and I’ve even preordered my own official copy because this is one I need on my shelf.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette for the advanced reader copy. This was an unforgettable five-star read. This title will publish on March 31st !

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a 1960's story set in Hollywood that also has the vibes of Jane Eyre then I would recommend that you check out The Chateau on Sunset. I will say it is a wonderful story of a orphan making the best of her situation. I really enjoyed how it depicted that behind all the glamor in Hollywood there was a dark side that came with it. Besides the current 1960's timeline there is a shift to the 50's when our main heroine first becomes a orphan and overall it is also a perfect coming of age story.

We first meet Aria who was recently orphaned and comes to live with her aunt who is a burnt out Hollywood actress. For the next several years she witnesses the ins and outs of what it takes to make it in Hollywood. From there she will realize that everything in that sort of life comes with a price and sometimes leaving that sort of life behind isn't always easy.

[Janereads10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chateau on Sunset was the kind of story where you root for the underdog from the first page and never stop. Watching the protagonist face her fear of the outside world, fight back against her tormenter, expose him, and find her true calling—all while building a friendship with two women who became her people—was deeply satisfying. Lester set this against the harsh realities of Hollywood in the 50s and 60s, and it never flinched. Nothing fell short for me.

The audiobook narrated by Anthea Greco made it even better. Her voice matched the era so perfectly I couldn't stop listening.

Thank you to Ballantine Books, NetGalley, and Penguin Random House Audio for my early review copies.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about love, friendship, power, justice, psychological control and overcoming the odds. A book full of wishes and dreams, with characters who desire to be remembered and admired.

When Aria’s parents tragically die, she is sent to live with her reclusive starlet aunt at the famous Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. This intriguing place was built in 1929 and modelled after the Chateau d’Amboise of Loire Valley in France. Aria is both a victim and a heroine for she not only lives and grows up in a difficult setting as an orphan in a chateau built for stars but she goes on to make amends for those who have suffered under corrupt hands of male dominance.

Aria meets some intriguing people at the chateau and meaningful friendships develop. These three friends share their aspirations. Calliope wants to be a star, ‘hung forever sparkling for all the world to see.’ Aria wishes she could see her parents again but now all she has left is a promise they made to take her to the coast. So her dream is to live by the sea, allowing her to feel close to her parents in memory. Flitter wants power. So that nobody can ever hurt her: an undercurrent message running throughout the novel. But what do these girls each need to fulfil their dreams? Aria says she needs to earn money or she cannot leave the chateau. Calliope says she needs a part in a movie or she cannot be famous if she never has a starring role. Flitter says ‘no amount of fame or money matters without power.’ Her idea of obtaining power is marrying the owner of the Marmont! But they all realise that without the freedom to choose and be chosen, nothing can come of their wishes.

The Chateau on Sunset has to be Natasha Lester’s most literary title to date. Its references to Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre are monumental and deliberate as this is a reimagining of that Gothic classic woven together with the tragic and competitive world of Hollywood of the 1950s and 1970s. Many comparisons exist in character and plot to Jane Eyre. (I could list them all but it would take away the fun for other readers!) One difference I will note is how Aria has a larger presence in The Chateau on Sunset. Her influence continues to increase over time so we get a more satisfying and positive outcome. Jane Eyre, on the other hand, is overshadowed or eclipsed by the larger than life personality Edward Rochester whose erratic presence, Gothic melodrama, shocking secrets and self-centred actions dominate the narrative. Jane is quiet, honest, ethical and tries to carve out her own space, but is often passive and reacts only to the chaos caused by those around her.

Natasha Lester, in her historical fiction, gives women power who ordinarily would not have a voice or who have been silenced. In The Chateau on Sunset she has not only provided a strong voice in Aria but made her an icon of true power for women who seek to change how they are viewed and treated. This novel exposes unfair and discriminatory, abusive systems that have governed the world under corrupt male leaders. And although it happens in the entertainment field, it has been seen in many industries. But this novel not only shows us the disadvantages such evil creates but it also reveals what it would be like if women have equal opportunity to take charge and put things back into balance—and get the respect they deserve.

Aria in the beginning seems powerless, without parents, a real home or money, but in time she rises above all the things she thought she lacked. And obtains more than she ever imagined possible. She learns from her environment (including living in the chateau), from others’ mistakes and witnesses the cruelty that exists. It ignites a desire in her heart to help those in need. And when a romantic conflict happens in her own life, she flees the castle turrets and goes out into the world and discovers who she is without the towers and facades surrounding her. (A bit of a fairy tale scenario and imagery going on in my mind here!) She begins to live her own life, becomes a writer and tells an important story that has huge ramifications. She makes a difference, gets the fairy-tale ending she never dreamed possible. Not only for herself but for many others. Justice is served and change happens. She out shines and conquers the male manipulators. She becomes the star of hope and maker of her own destiny—and helps others on the way. I loved this ending and the steady strength Aria exhibits. The once invisible girl, an orphan who tragically lost her parents and whose world was turned upside down after being sent to live with her famous starlet aunt in a castle on Sunset Blvd, suddenly is very visible for all the right reasons. And although her life takes on some dire and twisty directions, these trials make her into the powerhouse for change she becomes. Someone who has influence, creates her own opportunities, and develops a safe place for others in the entertainment industry.

Friendships remain important to Aria throughout her journey. Some of the actresses think of her as an angel in how she helps each one who comes to her. She is not perfect, of course, and she has wounds. And fears that loom large. Fire being one of them for what and who it took from her. Actually fire is one of the vital symbols in both The Chateau on Sunset and Jane Eyre. Fire has a dual meaning: it can represent both passion and destruction. And for Rochester’s first wife Bertha Mason in Jane Eyre it also means rage and vengeance. But as in both novels, the fire that burned buildings down, also paves way for new beginnings. As it did for Jane Eyre and Aria. And this blaze that destroys, also becomes a purger. For the old life passes away. Everyone who has read Jane Eyre knows what happens as a result of the fire. But I won’t say what happens in The Chateau on Sunset as you need to read the story!

Chateau Marmont is a small scale version of Hollywood but represents many things. To Aria, who thinks of her aunt who never leaves her residence, it is both a dangerous and a safe place. But it is the setting where most everything happens for a good portion of the novel—until Aria escapes. And what makes her flee? Think Jane Eyre and her epic tragic love—and compare it to Aria and Theo, a famous rockstar who makes a fatal mistake that sends Aria running away. But this departure will prove fruitful.

The Chateau on Sunset is a rich and rare telling of a world that wears many facades. The story shines a light on the pitfalls. Those who enter the chateau’s domain, smile on cue. The line between make-believe and reality here is thin. And those that partake of this illusionary realm, become damaged due to the puppeteers who run the shows. Women have had to pay a price for their fame. And Aria wants to change this.

I admire Natasha for her skill, bravery and imagination which shines in her creation of The Chateau on Sunset. As always, she excels in concept, characters, plot and writing style. This novel does jump back and forth in timelines with a seven year space between them. It may be a little more challenging for some to follow but I had no issue. I enjoyed the story immensely and I have more note tags on the pages than I have ever placed in a novel! There are numerous brilliant lines I read and re-read many times. And there are some unique poetic and original descriptions too, such as: 'Her voice is like sunshine on the back of your neck after a cold, dark winter.’

This is a novel that needs to be read more than once. There is a lot packed into this story. Its depth and exceptional delivery may not be appreciated at first glance. I often go back to the beginning of novels and re-read the first few chapters. Somehow it always helps bring everything into focus. But even during the initial reading of the novel, the messages, themes, comparisons, symbols and truths leaped off the pages for me and I found myself constantly thinking about what I read. I saw so many things that moved and inspired me and aligned with my own vision to see women excel, be released to shine in their own gifts, and to be free to make choices. The Chateau on Sunset is a powerful reminder of these and other important matters. It stirs up hope to believe that more positive changes in the world might come. But we must be aware, first, there will be many fires to purge the wrongs, before new life begins. As Isaiah of the Bible says: Beauty for ashes… 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Hachette Australia for the ARC.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha Lester’s The Chateau on Sunset emotionally body-slammed me into the glittering, smoke-filled underbelly of old Hollywood and then had the audacity to leave me staring into space questioning how women survived that era without collectively setting the entire industry on fire. Published by Ballantine Books, thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC because this book completely consumed my thoughts, wrecked my sleep schedule, and made me weirdly want to wander the halls of the Chateau Marmont at midnight carrying a martini and unresolved trauma.

This story is part gothic mystery, part feminist reckoning, part coming-of-age survival story, and somehow also a deeply emotional exploration of loneliness, invisibility, friendship, and the desperate need to be truly seen. Natasha Lester took the bones of Jane Eyre and transformed them into something cinematic, haunting, furious, glamorous, and painfully relevant. The second I stepped into the Chateau with Aria Jones, I knew this wasn’t going to be one of those fluffy “old Hollywood sparkle and champagne” stories. This was Hollywood with cracked mascara, locked doors, whispered secrets, casting couches, addiction, manipulation, and women quietly trying to protect each other while powerful men controlled the entire machine.

Aria absolutely owned my heart from the beginning. After losing both of her parents in a horrific fire, she’s sent to live with her aunt, the once-famous Devine Rey, hidden away inside the infamous Chateau Marmont. But Devine is barely surviving herself, numbed by pills, alcohol, grief, and the destruction Hollywood leaves behind once it’s done using women. So Aria basically raises herself inside this strange, glamorous prison of movie stars, starlets, producers, addicts, dreamers, and predators.

What absolutely worked for me was watching Aria slowly become this quiet observer of everyone around her. She survives by becoming invisible. She watches. She listens. She helps people when nobody else will. Meanwhile, underneath all the beauty and excess of the Chateau is this constant tension humming beneath the surface. Every hallway feels haunted. Every party feels dangerous. Every glamorous interaction feels like it’s hiding rot underneath. Natasha Lester wrote the Chateau itself almost like a living creature, and honestly? It became one of my favorite “characters” in the book.

And then there’s Calliope and Flitter. Oh my God, these women. Their friendship with Aria carried so much emotional weight for me because they become the sisters she desperately needs. They’re ambitious and messy and vulnerable and trying so hard to survive an industry designed to break them. The scenes between the three of them had this bittersweet tenderness to them because underneath all the glamour, they’re really just young women trying to protect one another from a world that keeps demanding pieces of them.

I also loved how this story tackled female rage and empowerment without turning into a lecture. It felt raw and human instead. Aria sees what happens to women in Hollywood. She witnesses the humiliation, exploitation, manipulation, and violence that powerful men casually inflict on aspiring actresses while everyone else looks away because “that’s just how Hollywood works.” And the way those experiences slowly shape her into someone determined to fight back? Incredible.

Then Theo Winchester storms into the Chateau like a broody emotional support disaster wrapped in musician energy and complicated grief. Recovering addict. Reclusive rockstar. Single father unexpectedly raising his teenage daughter Adele. Basically Natasha Lester created a man specifically engineered to ruin my emotional stability. Theo absolutely carries shades of Rochester, but what I appreciated most is that Aria’s story never becomes secondary to his. Their romance simmers with tension, longing, and emotional intimacy, but this book ultimately belongs to Aria and the women around her.

And Adele? Loved her. The relationship between Adele and Aria added so much heart to the story because Aria sees herself in this lonely girl. Watching her become a safe place for Adele while still trying to figure out how to save herself emotionally hit me harder than I expected.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“That to be truly seen by one person is better than being seen on a screen by millions.”

That quote alone deserves to be framed on a wall somewhere with dramatic jazz playing in the background.

I will say the dual timelines occasionally required me to pause and reorient myself, especially early on, but once the rhythm clicked for me, I was completely locked into the story. Honestly, the atmosphere, the emotional depth, the layered female friendships, and the dark Hollywood commentary more than made up for any pacing issues.

This book feels perfect for readers who love atmospheric historical fiction, complicated heroines, old Hollywood scandals, feminist retellings, gothic vibes, found family, emotionally layered romances, and stories where women quietly gather their power before finally refusing to stay invisible anymore.

Also… I now fully believe every historic hotel probably has secrets hidden in the wallpaper and at least one emotionally damaged musician wandering the halls at 2 a.m.

Have you ever read a book where the setting felt so vivid and alive it completely swallowed the story whole?

#TheChateauOnSunset #NatashaLester #BallantineBooks #NetGalley #HistoricalFiction #WomensFiction #JaneEyreRetelling #OldHollywood #BookReview #BooksCoffeeBrews #HistoricalFictionBooks #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #FoundFamily #FemaleFriendship #HollywoodHistory #GothicFiction #ARCReader #BookRecommendations #LiteraryFiction #ComingOfAge #OldHollywoodGlamour #BookCommunity #FeministFic

[JensBookishWays · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Eyre is my favorite book, so when I saw this book was a feminist reimagining/retelling, I jumped at the chance to request it through Net Galley. Thank you to Ballantine Books for the eARC to read and review.

The Chateau on Sunset is a coming-of-age story that follows Aria Jones, an orphan who is left to live with her reclusive aunt in a famous Hollywood hotel. The hotel, the Chateau Marmont, is its own sentient character in this book. For seven years, Aria grows up at the Chateau and becomes an invisible protector of Starlets from predation and harm. She creates a found family with the employees and actors/actresses at the hotel. Her best friends, Calliope and Flitter, are actresses and essentially big sisters to Aria. Aria's life goal is to save enough money to escape the Chateau. Before she can see this dream to fruition, Theo Winchester and his 15-year-old daughter arrive at the Chateau Marmont, and Aria is faced with life choices.

This book is written in dual timeline format for the majority of the book, all from Aria's perspective.

Trigger warning: This book discusses sexual abuse and exploitation of minors, sexual assault of adults, and death/poisoning of pets.

I liked Aria Jones (Jane Eyre) as a character. She is smart, bookish, lonely, quiet, and focused on being invisible. She never recovered from the loss of her parents and lives a fearful half-life focused on never being hurt again. She has read Jane Eyre and sees the patterns in her own life. This book often shows Aria's reactions to fire, stars, birds, and rain, acting as symbolism to further define her growth and changes as events progress. I think this author portrayed Theo Winchester (Mr. Rochester) very accurately. His responses were spot on. Her supporting character work for the women in Aria's life is excellent! Calliope, Flitter, and Miss Devine Rey were dynamic and lively characters.

Part of the plot focuses on the casting decisions associated to making a movie adaptation of Jane Eyre. The author also included her own versions of several main events from Bronte's Jane Eyre, from a meet cute ruined by a sprained ankle, to bedroom items being set on fire, to creepy breathing outside a bedroom door, a fortune teller, a marriage proposal, and a hidden woman, with a "Reader, I kissed him."

The plot was slow to medium paced throughout but really caught its stride when the timelines combined. I liked this author's writing style and the woven in, reoccurring themes. I really liked the gothic feel and tension to this story. One small issue I had: this author writes in long sentences, and I found myself having to reread some of them to make sure I understood what she was saying.

This book is successful in exploring feminist themes. The treatment and exploitation of women in Hollywood and beyond is clearly depicted. The industry was (and kind of still is) designed and run by unchecked men, allowing for a constant power imbalance. Aria and her friends see firsthand the lengths actresses will go to get a part, and the injustices accompanied by this pursuit. For Aria, she journeys to find her true self, to face her past and become a whole human being for the first time in her life. She then channels her skills into making lasting changes for actresses in Hollywood. I was happy to see women in this book work together and use their intellect and tenacity to obtain revenge and justice. I liked the discussion of what causes a woman to be mad, and the ease with which a man can portray a woman as mad to discredit and disgrace her. Anyone woman could become a "madwoman."

This book also shows the normalized use of drugs and alcohol and its impact.

This book has closed door spice and reference to off page inappropriate sexual behavior; I'd give it one chili pepper.

This is the first book I've read by this author. In the Author's Note, Natasha writes she didn't feel Jane Eyre got to be the real star of her story, being outshone by Mr. Rochester and the Madwoman. I appreciate this view, but I personally feel differently. I am sure there are several different interpretations, and that's ok. For me, Jane shines throughout Jane Eyre. Jane is a survivor who suffers greatly but doesn't break. She overcomes every person who tries to hold her back. She forgives and survives through sheer will. Only when she can be her own woman, not dependent on anyone, no longer in a cage, does she truly choose what makes her happy on her terms. She turned down travel as a missionary's wife. If she wanted to climb a mountain, nothing could stop her. For her, she chooses being with Edward. "I'd rather be happy than dignified."

Overall, I enjoyed this read and will add it to my collection of Jane Eyre retellings.

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 Stars

One Liner: Beautiful!

1950s to 1970s

Aria Jones is sent to live with her reclusive starlet aunt at the Chateau Marmont (the hotel on Hollywood Boulevard with a notorious reputation) after her parents’ death. Left alone to her devices, Aria wanders through the hotel and stumbles upon an insidious secret that changes her childhood.

As an adult, she prefers the library and stays out of sight. However, one day, the hotel is sold to a mysterious rock star, Theo Winchester, and his troubled daughter, Adele. Will they help Aria realize there’s more to life than hiding away from people?

The story is presented in a dual timeline with the (relatively) older one in third-person and the then-present one in the first-person. Both are in the present tense. It is also divided into two parts. Marmont also gets a POV.

My Thoughts

TBH, books about Hollywood (or any film industry) and rockstars are not my thing. But this has a lovely cover, and the blurb calls it a retelling of Jane Eyre. Not a favorite, but I needed one for a reading challenge prompt.

The book is not exactly a retelling. It uses the important elements in the original to build her story and runs the events in parallel. At the same time, the characters are hers and follow their arcs while adhering to the plot development influenced by the original. I like how this is done.

The prologue gives the setting a gothic vibe, which I loved, though it came as a surprise. The setting continues to be a character in itself. It has such a strong presence and supports the MC so well!

Using two different POV choices for the timelines was a tricky move. With only a few years' gap between the two, it could have gone either way. But since we get them in alternate chapters, it helped to have a third-person POV for the past and a first-person POV for the present. It would have been way too confusing otherwise.

Given the premise, you can expect to see the dark side of the industry, especially what it has been doing to women for decades. The ‘woods’ are not really different when it comes to this aspect. A sad reality!

Of course, it is also about friendships, women bonding with each other, secrets of the past, ambitions, wishes, and a love story.

The MC's characterization is terrific. She is both naïve and smart, vulnerable but determined, and strong. Yet, she has flaws that make her appear realistic and relatable.

Among the side characters, I loved Calliope and Adele. The MMC was actually a decent guy. If I remember the original (abridged version) right, this guy fares much better.

Though some aspects are easily resolved and things move quickly in the second part, I didn’t mind that. There are enough real-life stories that ended as tragedies. I prefer proper revenge in fiction and got it. The love track is also satisfactory, though I wanted to know what the FMC’s letter to him was (it could have been mentioned/shared in the last chapter, the one before the epilogue).

The epilogue is great. Bittersweet, as it should be, and ends at the right moment with the focus on the right people. The circle completes perfectly.

The author’s note was an interesting read. When she says the events (in the hotel) in the book are both real and fiction, I know exactly what she means.

To summarize, The Chateau on Sunset is a wonderful story of the secret side of Hollywood, female friendships, finding oneself, and finding love in the process. It’s a story of kindness, resilience, and choices. This is my first book by the author. Though I’m still not back to reading war fiction, I will keep an eye out for her future releases.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #TheChateauOnSunset

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Aria Jones, Natasha Lester’s ‘Jane Ayre’ for a more modern era, set within a rich gothic backdrop at the Chateau Marmont. As a first time Natasha Lester reader, I wasn’t sure what to expect, knowing this book was a change from her usual subject of women war heroines in WW2 France. The Golden Age of Hollywood is not a subject I’m usually drawn to, but I kept returning to this book, partly because of its clear dialogue with Jane Eyre and the way it reworks that structure in a contemporary setting, with some deliberate diversions strategically placed.

The dual timeline and split narrative voice carried by the main character, orphan Aria Jones moves between a more distant third-person past and a first-person present, which creates a deliberate separation between experience and interpretation. At times I found this slightly disorienting. This dual timeline changes to a strong single timeline in the strong second part of the book, which I felt really helped to unify the narrative, and I could see more clearly what the earlier complexity had been building towards. The ending, for me, largely justifies the dual-timeline approach.

Interestingly, this is a novel that deepened for me after I finished it; some of the structural choices that created distance while reading seem to be what allowed the book’s meaning to unfold more fully in retrospect.

What I found particularly interesting is how the novel engages with the #MeToo era but does so in a more stylised and reflective register rather than a gritty one. I didn’t feel it was trivialising these issues, but there were moments where the lighter tone sat slightly uneasily alongside the seriousness of what was being explored. At the same time, that stylistic choice makes the book more accessible, possibly even to younger readers, while still contributing meaningfully to the conversation.

I found myself questioning how the novel handles the age-gap relationship at its centre, particularly as, like Jane with Rochester, Aria’s relationship with Theo Winchester appears to be the protagonist’s first significant romantic experience. Without a broader sense of relational context or freedom of independence beforehand, I was almost convinced that the balance of power within that dynamic had been fully explored, but then sometimes saw the balance as slightly romanticised.

Where the novel felt slightly less convincing to me was in some of the contemporary equivalents it uses to echo ‘Jane Eyre’. Elements like the “tutor” role carry strong symbolic weight in the original, but in a modern context they don’t always provide the same structural pathway to independence, which at times made parts of the narrative feel a little more imposed or symbolic than fully organic.

This is also a book that rewards a slightly different reading approach. Many of it’s elements operate at a stylistic or symbolic level, even the front cover artwork on the Australian version. The structure asks the reader to engage with it as a constructed form rather than a purely immersive narrative. Once I adjusted to that, I found the reading experience more rewarding.

Overall, this is an ambitious and thoughtful novel. Many readers will enjoy it, and particularly those who have befriended Jane in the past! Reading this book made me want to explore other books that relate back to the Jane Eyre story.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the full review with representation information and trigger warnings on my blog.

Orphaned Aria Jones has been living with her addict aunt at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood for seven years and planning how to get out when she comes of age when it’s purchased by a new owner. Since her aunt can no longer afford the room, she makes a deal with the mysterious new owner to be a governess for his daughter in exchange for rent and some additional money, but finds herself falling for him despite the dangers of Hollywood.

This is a loose re-imagining of Jane Eyre, and you can definitely tell there’s inspiration from many different genres in this book, from psychological thriller to gothic romance. Despite the mundane-sounding description and it partially being an alternate history novel, it also has magical realism elements, with the hotel itself having some degree of sentience and desire to protect the women living in it. This made the setting of the Chateau Marmont even more immersive.

The Chateau on Sunset dives deep into the dangers and manipulation behind the glamor of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Despite the beautiful descriptions, this book is not one you want to read if you’re looking for the romanticized elements of Hollywood and fame. Yes, Aria does encounter a lot of items that are displays of extravagant wealth, but it’s repeatedly emphasized how dangerous it was to be a woman in Hollywood. The novel does end on a hopeful note with alternate history elements, but it’s more of a daydream-type ending than a realistic one. It feels somewhat out of place with all of the dark elements from earlier in the book, especially that a character who has never written a novel before gets an expensive book deal almost immediately after finishing her first draft. That’s not a problem if you’re, as a reader, looking more for feminist wish-fulfillment than a realistic picture of historical Hollywood, but it might be frustrating if that’s not what you’re looking for.

The shifting between two different timelines was mostly well done but could sometimes be confusing as well. It may be confusing to some other readers, or maybe I just had difficulty with it. I don’t know that it needed as many chapters from Aria’s past, and wonder if it could have been written in a more linear way without sacrificing important information or the spirit of the book. If you like dual-timeline novels and don’t mind taking a bit of time to get your bearings in the narrative, though, it’s a pretty good example of one.

I surprised myself with how much I liked Theo/Win, the love interest, given that The Chateau on Sunset was promoted as a Jane Eyre re-imagining. He was a flawed but sympathetic character, and he was genuinely pretty romantic at times and seemed to care for his daughter (who I wish had gotten more time on the page). Aria’s aunt who she moves in with when her parents die was less sympathetic, and I didn’t entirely like how her relationship with Aria was resolved at the end.

The Chateau on Sunset releases June 2 from Ballantine Books. Thank you to NetGalley, Natasha Lester and Ballantine for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy for review.

Fire was the theme of this book. It played a very big part in the story. A late 1950s, early 960s take on the Jane Eyre classic, the author did an excellent job weaving in elements of the source material in this coming of age tale.

The young orphan, Aria Jones, after her parents died in a fiery automobile accident, comes to live with her aunt at the Chateau Marmot, an icon in Los Angeles. The aunt, a former actress has turned tranquilizer user after a mysterious event a number of years ago. She stopped acting and holed up in a set of rooms in the chateau when her engagement to a Hollywood producer ended. She wasn’t much of a substitute parent for her fourteen-year-old niece, the child of her brother.

Left to her own devices in the hotel, Aria tries hard to not make a nuisance of herself. Two young actresses sort of take her under their wings and act kind of like big sisters for her.

Over the years, Aria doesn’t leave the hotel much. She works to stay low profile but a lot of people in the chateau rely on her sensibleness. She calls the hotel doctor to help a lot of the young actresses who find themselves in bad situations. She also babysits a lot of the actors’ and actresses’ children and hordes money to save to live in Hawaii when she is an adult. Her biggest desire is to escape the hotel but she never seems to want to even walk all the way down Sunset Boulevard.

When she is almost an adult, a rock star purchases the chateau. He has a child whose mother passed away. Aria asks to babysit the child who happens to be the same age as Aria was when she moved to the chateau herself. She has success bonding with the teen and forms an attachment with the rock star father.

Several mysteries exist in the chateau. Why a friend of Aria’s aunt died in an apparent suicide; who lives in one of the bungalows secretly; what secrets does the famous producer hide; what does the rock star hide from his past as well as his present; and why did Aria’s aunt go from wildly popular as an actress to a recluse living on Quaaludes and other drugs?

Fire appears on the regular in this book and it haunts the protagonist’s life.

I absolutely loved this book. Lots of good, meaty, drama in the story. The protagonist was very likable and the two friends she made when she first came to the chateau were complicated young women who had deep side stories themselves.

The rock star who was based on Rochester was an enigma as well and the protagonist drew him out in the same way Jane Eyre drew out Rochester.

The protagonist’s story traces—in a 1960s fashion—the path of Jane Eyre. As someone who has been to the Marmot, I enjoyed the fact that the writer made the hotel itself a real character in this novel.

Overall, this is an excellent read and a very good, mystery heavy, take on the classic tale.

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The setting you ask? The Chateau Marmont (a real landmark residence in LA for Hollywood Who’s Who on the screen & in the studio front offices) during the late 1950s into the 1960s. If you needed to lie low or sought privacy, this was the destination. (It is still operational & opened in 1929 on Sunset Boulevard).

Rarely do I kick off a review with raving about the ending, but no spoilers here. By the ending, I mean this is one of the few times I have seen such thought-provoking discussion questions. They will prod your recall & this is a read to consider for your book club. I personally found the author’s acknowledgements & final note dear & current to what women still face in 2026.

As if that wasn’t the cherry on our Schwab’s Ice Cream Sundae, the author includes her suggested film & music play list & book shelf selections to set the mood from this period at The Chateau. What good is all that without the beverage mixology for your Schwab’s Mint Julep! These all appear in the ending, but recreate the proper mood.

Hunger is a constant theme on these pages. Whether it is a hunger for fame or riches & a wish for getting that chance in Hollywood (enter Calliope & Flitter) OR a hunger to reclaim one’s stolen fame (Aria’s Aunt Devine Rey), it is ever present. For our main character, Aria Jones, who arrives at The Chateau as a 13-year orphan who only recently lost both Parents to fire – She is simply hungry from crossing the country for nourishment.

Any care & hope from these strangers runs secondary at first step into The Chateau. Calliope & Flitter are a mere 5/6 years older than Aria, but they have plenty of mileage from Hollywood. Her Parents entrusted these needs to her once famous Aunt, Miss Devine Rey, who remains a recluse in The Chateau. Aria isn’t wrong for questioning her deceased Parents’ judgement. Are Miss Devine Rey’s better days in the rearview mirror & did her late Parents unintenionally sabotage Aria?

Through no fault of their own, the majority of the female characters possess strength but fall victim in one way or another with a film industry that is run entirely by men. These men are self-serving & any good intentions are secondary to power & profit. I think in today’s world we’d refer to them as bullies.

The females may attain some part of their ultimate wish, but the result may be more of a punishment than a sweet dream.

Too many arrivals at The Chateau expect a transformation & sadly end up with destruction. From Aria’s view, she is intent she will be the exception.

Aria is tasked with mapping out her survival, raising funds for her eventual escape while dodging all the landmines she encounters. Can she grow up to make dreams come true & finally be the female brave enough to make it a fair game? Will she stand up & say “how dare you” for all the female voices?

[Sam Still Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Chateau on Sunset is the latest historical fiction novel from Natasha Lester, marking a departure from many of her previous novels that had a significant proportion set in France. The focus this time is on the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood, in a retelling of Jane Eyre that puts Jane at the centre of the story.

The main character is Aria Jones, who is sent to live with her reclusive movie star aunt at the Chateau after the death of her parents. But her aunt lives her days in a haze of alcohol and pills, giving Aria only a warning not to draw attention to herself. So Aria is the eyes and ears of the Chateau, hearing and seeing many things of 1950s and 60s Hollywood that don’t match what’s on screen like secret abortions, sexual assault and drinking and drugs. As she draws closer to her twenty first birthday, she is preparing to leave her aunt and the Chateau, encouraged by two young starlets who are her friends. Those plans are shelved when she meets the new owner of the hotel, Theo Winchester. Aria becomes his daughter’s tutor and falls in love with him, only for her to be betrayed by the secrets and lies of the Chateau. Out in the world, will Aria find her feet?

I didn’t find this novel as enjoyable as Lester’s previous novels. It felt at times that the narrative was being shoehorned to mirror the Jane Eyre plot. When it was allowed to deviate after Aria leaves the Chateau, I found that it was a lot more interesting, opening the both the reader and Aria’s eyes up to so much more. The Gothic tone worked quite well, with the shadows and secret staircases in the Chateau. What fell flat was casting the Chateau as its own character, being able to dictate the lives and paths of the residents. It felt clunky and put on to me, and didn’t add to the narrative – the building and its history (both real and that in the novel) has enough atmosphere to stand alone.

The story is told through two time periods. It starts in 1957 as Aria arrives at the Chateau, then jumps to 1964 and back in alternate chapters. I felt that these time periods were too close together, and given that both were set at the Chateau with primarily the same characters, it was confusing at times. The story flowed a lot better when it stuck to the same time period (possibly also because this was when the plot was stronger). I also had some niggles with typos in the book – there are multiple spellings of Beverly and a person’s name changes from Patrica to Patricia and back again over the course of a paragraph. (The copy I read was purchased from the shop, so it’s not an ARC issue). This detracted away from the story for me. I’d recommend The Riviera House or The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard for excellent novels by Natasha Lester.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Natasha Lester is a strong historical fiction writer, I've always loved her work for elaborate descriptions of scenery and being so well written you feel as if you are there. This book seems very different than her other works. The only word I can think is "lighter", though the topic is very heavy. This work feels more like a story telling than a historical fiction.

Aria is an orphan sent to live with her aunt in Chateau Marmont. The aunt is worthless as a parent, lost in her own world of addiction. The Chateau Marmont has been covered in many other books of various types (romance, historical fiction, biographies) and I did enjoy the stories within a story of living at the hotel and keeping its secrets. Aria becomes both the keeper of secrets and the solution of secrets. She is befriended by two wanna be stars, who do the raising, while Aria keeps her eyes out to do the rescuing. She is a go-getter while being a shy teenager, trying to hide in the shadows while becoming the blood that runs through the veins of the hotel.

The book is told in two timelines of 1957 when Aria first arrives and 1964 when she's planning her "escape", being free from being her aunt's charge. This was difficult to read as the characters were all the same, the setting was the same, and the life styles not all that different. I had to keep going back to check what time frame we were living in at the moment. There was also "secrets" eluded to I just wish they'd get to the point and spill it so we could get on with the story instead of the dancing around. I wasn't really into the book until the 75% mark, then WOW, the book really picked up. Got to the point, and I started really cheering for Aria.

The last 25% of the book was all in one time, and basically focused on only Aria in one setting- Europe - until she goes home to the Chateau and resolves her issues. This was much easier to follow and much more engaging, the characters a lot more straight forward. I would give the last 25% a 4 star rating, but wading through all the shadows and secrets to get to that poing was a bit of an uphill hike. I loved the ending and Aria coming into her own, the confidence she developed and the love and friendships that won out. But overall, the book was not up to what I've come to expect from Lester. The author notes were enlightening, I respected why she had the desire to read this book (which she framed as a modern version of Jane Eyre) A nice adventure for her to try, but I like her sticking with her style she previously published. The book was OK, but not different enough from other Hollywood glamour books to be memorable.

Thanks to Penguin Random House for the early release copy of this book in exchange for a review!

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is possibly my favorite of Lester’s novels to date. All her novels are deeply researched, deep in character, and often fascinating, but this one also has a hint of whimsy which really struck a chord with me.

In this novel, the Chateau is perhaps at least a little sentient, and the perspective that gives us adds a spark and charm which really appealed to me. The last few Lester novels I’ve read were based on real people, so perhaps Lester felt a little more freedom when dealing with fictional characters. There was certainly a lightness to the narrative tone which I don’t think I’ve seen from Lester before.

This is, loosely, a re-telling of Jane Eyre. It’s been many years since I read that novel, and I recalled only the broadest outline of the plot. I still enjoyed this immensely, so if you aren’t familiar with that novel, don’t let it deter you from reading this one.

This is a love story, but it’s also a story about women claiming power over their own lives. I found the narrative of Aria claiming her personal power in her life very moving, and a lovely coming of age story which will probably stay with me for a while. It gave a lot of dimension to the love story, and made that in turn both more believable and more moving.

Unfortunately not all the ways Aria stands up for herself and others feel realistic, but gee I’d like to believe the world could change that way.

The settings are vivid and believable. It’s easy to fall into Aria’s world, easy to understand how she allows it to circumscribe her life, and easy to picture. I enjoyed the portrait of the notorious Chateau Marmont, and of how Hollywood movers and shakers operated in the 1950s and 1960s.

The characters are crucial, of course, and many of them will claim both your sympathy and your empathy. There are few truly easy lives here, despite the glamour and glitz and money. Lester has a knack for using very few words to give us insight into a character’s life.

This is a historical novel, but it’s so close in time to today that a lot in it will be very familiar to readers. That helps to build sympathy for many characters.

I just really enjoyed reading this. I loved the characters. I enjoyed the way it felt like a light read, despite some dark themes. And I really appreciated the ending Lester brought her characters to. Highly recommended.

You may be interested in my reviews of other books by Natasha Lester:
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Chateau on Sunset,” by Natasha Lester, features the Chateau Marmont, the legendary Hollywood hotel, as a character in it’s own right. In the novel, the Marmont is filled with famous screenwriters, producers, actors, actresses and aspiring young vulnerable starlets. The main character, Aria Jones, enters the hotel a few months shy of her 14th birthday, moving there from her home in Manhattan after her parents die in a tragic fire at a gas station. Aria comes to live in an apartment with her Aunt Devine Rey, a reclusive former actress addicted to pills and alcohol. At her lowest point, Aria meets two aspiring actresses, Calliope and Flitter, who take her under their wing and make her their honorary sister.

In contrast to the other occupants of the Chateau Marmont, Aria wants to remain invisible and live a small life, hoping that by doing so she will avoid further disappointments and tragedies. The first 70 percent of the novel consists of her sequestering herself at the Marmont and on the Marmont’s grounds, never venturing further than Scwab’s diner down the street. The narrative jumps back and forth between 1957 and 1966, moving forward in both time frames. The most significant action doesn’t occur until the last 30 percent of the book.

Although the characters were vivid, and the dialog was sparkling, this novel, unlike Natasha Lester’s previous ones, felt a bit long due to the book primary focus on Aria’s narrow existence at the Marmont. Moreover, the frequent jumps in time prevent the reader from becoming absorbed in the story, jolting them out of one time line to dump them abruptly into another. In addition, because there was only a 7 year gap between the two time frames, which both included the same characters, it became somewhat confusing to reorient oneself in the current storyline.

However, despite the above mentioned shortfalls, the theme, which depicts Aria coming into her own and finding her own strength, at the same time as she finds a way to give back sexually exploited young actresses their own strength, makes up for any deficiencies. The well-drawn characters and dynamic dialog also contributes to the strengths of this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for providing me an ARC of the novel in exchange for my honest review.