Tune in Tomorrow

Blaze Collection

by Melanie Benjamin

An enterprising woman in a man’s world. A vision that changed daytime television. A galvanizing short story about ambition and sacrifice in the 1950s by New York Times bestselling author Melanie Benjamin.

From a triumph in radio serials to persevering in a burgeoning, male-dominated television industry, Abby Taylor has a million stories she’s dying to tell. The soap opera is her brainchild. Championed by her mother and sisters, nothing can stop Abby from becoming an aspirational voice for every woman in the country. Her life behind the scenes, however, is just as dramatic as any she could have invented. Stay tuned for an engrossing story of determination, grit, and love.

Melanie Benjamin’s Tune In Tomorrow is part of Blaze, a collection of short stories about incendiary women across the decades who dare to defy convention. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction, Audiobook, Historical, Feminism, Novella

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2024

About the author

Melanie Benjamin is the author of the New York Times bestselling novels THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE and THE AVIATOR'S WIFE, as well as the national bestseller ALICE I HAVE BEEN, and THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MRS. TOM THUMB, THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE, MISTRESS OF THE RITZ and THE CHILDREN'S BLIZZARD. Her next novel is CALIFORNIA GOLDEN, a dazzling saga of mothers, daughters and sisters set in the vibrant surf culture of 1960s California. It will be out in August 2023.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please read the description of the book. It’s written far better than I ever could.

[micky :) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad. Boring. For a story that’s supposed to be about inspiring women, it was lowkey very anti-woman. Like the main character literally said that women are never superior to a man. Maybe I’m confused? Idk but I didn’t like it.

[Alina · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of seven short stories in the Blaze collection from Amazon, about women who dare to defy convention, some of them historical female pioneers. The stories are not related and can be read in any order.

This one is inspired by Irna Phillips, (wiki:) American scriptwriter, screenwriter, casting agent, and actress who pioneered a style of daytime soap opera.
I didn't like this story as much as the others because I didn't like the main character's voice, it was maybe too haughty and annoying for me. Still, the idea behind is nice and the story is a nice addition to the collection.

[Taury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tune in Tomorrow by Melanie Benjamin is a captivating dive into the golden age of television, blending historical fiction with a deep emotional core. Benjamin's storytelling vividly brings to life the era's glamour and challenges, centering on the lives of the characters who drive the early days of TV. With rich, well-researched details, the novel explores themes of ambition, love, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of dreams. The characters are relatable and complex, making their journeys compelling. Benjamin's prose is engaging and evocative, making "Tune in Tomorrow" a delightful read that immerses you in a bygone era while resonating with timeless human experiences.

[Kim (BritishLass929) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was raised in the 1970s by all women. Each day, my mother and grandmother watched “their programs”. When my great aunts babysat me, there were no interruptions during those afternoons. I remember watching on old, grainy black and white TVs and on sprawling stereo-sized color sets. They talked about these women as if they were friends. And those shows lasted for generations.

This is the fictionalization of the mother of soap operas, Irma Phillips. Phillips (whose name before today I didn’t know) not only created daytime radio dramas, she migrated them from radio to television. The story isn’t particularly long, but it’s full of characterization. Phillips is a true trailblazer, centralizing her work around the lives and dreams of women.

I have several of Melanie Benjamin’s other novels and she doesn’t disappoint here. The only part that could have used further flushing out is the part about parenting.

I really enjoyed the story as it took me back to a dining room table littered with ashtrays and coffee cups, where if I was good I could hear about Victor’s or Marlena’s latest antics while eating a slice of Aunt Bea’s walnut cake. I still watch soaps to this day, as my husband was kind enough to get me BritBox to get me my daily Eastenders fix.

[Rose | Adventurous Bookworm · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so obnoxiously feminist. I don’t have an issue with feminist books if they are written well, however, I feel like I was just hit over the head with a sledgehammer.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off interesting enough. Tells the story of the lady who started soap operas, but then it became not so much about that as it was about her sad, depressing life. Didn't really enjoy it that much.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ambition and sacrifice. Even today this story resonates as many women are confined to societal standards that are unfair and unrealistic. I give praise to this short story bringing forth the ideas of being not a great mother, focusing on career, and just plain not taking no for an answer. Empowering in its brevity, this story is a perfect novella for women of today and yesteryear.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the opportunity to provide my honest opinion on the Blaze Collection. This collection was published February 22, 2024!

[Elizabeth Behrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the main character and her strengths, faults, and weaknesses in this time capsule of a short story. How a woman built her radio and TV career, forgoing all the typical "female" life expectations of the time, but also filled with regrets and a sense of loss at not feeling like she could've done both.

[Katie’s Bookshelf · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️
A quick look at a woman behind the rise of soap operas, I would have enjoyed this more if weren't so unrepentantly awful

[Rachel-RN · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
This was a fictional story based on the woman who developed the soap opera (Irna Phillips).
Abby had an uphill battle from the get go because she was a woman. She was career orientated and decided to not marry (otherwise she would have had to quit or might have been fired). She did adopt a child (and I will not spoil whose child).

[Dannelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AWESOME!! I didn't want it to emd. I was greatly surprised and wanted more. This was a woman who excelled at a time when the industry was dominated by me. I enjoyed this book so much, that I researched Irna Phillips and now I'm down another rabbit hole.

[Caitlin (CMAReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting fictionalized look at the creation of soap operas.

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely captivated by this book. The way it portrayed a world dominated by men, yet still allowed a woman to rise above it all, was both powerful and inspiring. I loved how the author created a backdrop that felt so real and raw, filled with challenges and obstacles that seemed almost insurmountable. And yet, the protagonist’s journey showed such strength, intelligence, and resilience that I couldn’t help but cheer for her every step of the way. It’s a story that proves success is possible, even when the odds are stacked against you. I finished it feeling both empowered and deeply moved. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fifth short story read of the 7 story Blaze Collection (Amazon Original Stories).

I liked this better than The June Paintings, but it wasn't up to quite the same level as Amelia's Shadow, Fires to Come, and The Forgotten Chapter. 3 to 3.5 star read.

My first read of author Melanie Benjamin. I'll plan to check out one of her full-length novels to see if I like more of her material.

[Heather Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly what I was expecting, but in a good way. This was more than I expected it to be. I was expecting a cute and upbeat story about the woman behind soap operas and their start. What the reader gets is a much deeper story about the personal life behind the creation of soap operas. If you are looking for a short read with a little more depth than normal, this could be it!

[Tina (A Novel Time With Tina) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is but a Soap opera

A story about a woman who thrived in a male dominated industry, who put her career above being a wife and mother, and was villainized for it. Not in doing so she told the stories of women, by women, and for women.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy books that have a strong female lead character. Tune-In Tomorrow did justice did justice ⚖️ to the world 🌎 of 🧼 operas.

[Alyssa (Cozy.Soul.Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this short and impactful story really reminded me of the Marvelous Miss Masel on Amazon in connection to what women have had to go through in order to have careers, love, and help other women.

[Constance Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great short read about the woman who created the 'soap opera for radio' full of plenty of entertainment!

[Erikka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t bad. I feel like it’s a good book for fans of Marvelous Mrs Maisel. But the affair story line was stupid and interfered with the story about her tv show creation.

[Erin B SC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the past but ooh - timely, timely…. Too much unresolved for me. 3.5 stars.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't fully realize the history of soap operas, so I enjoyed this inside peak at their creation.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story based on a real woman who created daytime soap operas & what she sacrificed for the opportunity.

[Bayli · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time following the plot and there was just a lot going on.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short was loosely based on Irna Phillips a woman who is instrumental in creating the daytime soap opera.

[Jacque Stengel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a historical fiction of a woman making it in a man’s world. Good story. I liked it, but not real memorable.

[Alayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Blaze collection novella was okay. She was very ambitious and that was all that mattered to her.

[Caitlin Rydberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cool look into 1960’s television. I’m not quite positive I like the main character but maybe that was the point.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to this series.