Land of Dreams

by Gian Sardar

In the 1930s, scandal, secret loves, and murder shatter a woman’s Hollywood dream

It’s 1933, and though the country is stuck in the Great Depression, movies are the ultimate escape. But Hollywood is skilled at selling lies, and nothing is as it seems.

Frankie Donnelly is scrappy, smart, and ambitious. Her knack for spinning any story into stellar publicity has made her an invaluable “fixer” at RCO Studios, where she works under the tutelage of powerful Nico Marconi. Frankie’s latest fix is the upcoming marriage of Hollywood royals Jack Sawyer and June Finney, and millions of fans can’t wait to see their favorite silver-screen lovers tie the knot. But Frankie knows the truth: The marriage is an artful cover for Jack and June’s darkest secrets.

When a shocking murder occurs, allegiances fracture, the tabloids go wild, and a devastated public is left reeling. Frankie uncovers new layers of scandal and deception and is forced to choose which Hollywood player to protect and who to destroy. Now, more than ever, the country needs a happy ending—but at what cost?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Historical, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks

299 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2026

About the author

I'm the author of the upcoming novel LAND OF DREAMS, as well as the novels WHEN THE WORLD GOES QUIET, TAKE WHAT YOU CAN CARRY and YOU WERE HERE. In addition, I co-authored the book PSYCHIC JUNKIE.

Currently I live in Los Angeles, but have also lived in Colorado and Minnesota, two states that are big in my heart. I'm obsessed with reading, gardening, football, baking, and any form of procrastination.

If you have any questions, I'd love to answer them. :)

Reviews

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good old Hollywood historical mystery, and this one hit the spot. 1930’s, our ambitious main character Frankie, works in Hollywood as a “Fixer”, and when a murder occurs, she gets caught up in drama and secrets. The setting of the times in Hollywood was vivid and enjoyable. The mystery was suspenseful, and although I kind of had an idea of where it was heading, I was still left surprised by the outcome. A really well written story, and I would definitely recommend it to historical fiction lovers. 

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy.

[Christine Nolfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set against the glittering backdrop of Hollywood’s golden age, Land of Dreams delivers a dazzling story of ambition, betrayal, and redemption. When young PR fixer Frankie Donnelly sets out to uncover the truth behind a shocking death, she’s drawn into a web of secrets that test her courage—and lead her to unexpected healing. I was captivated from start to finish.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gorgeous cover, perfect for the story of 1930s Hollywood with murder, public disgraces, and shameful secrets that gripped me from page one. An intriguing must-read!

[Tereza · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Land of Dreams took me by surprise. It started out slowly and — dare I say — it was quite monotone. I couldn’t always remember who was who, and everything felt a bit messy at first. The book really picked up around the 50–60% mark, and the story became truly interesting and wild. I loved this second part. Yes, it was a murder mystery, but also a deep dive into various issues of Hollywood, as well as love and understanding.

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Overall rating: 3.5 stars

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring. It was only 297 pages but somehow it dragged out as long as possible. It took me longer to read this than the 400 page book I finished just days before.

The writing is redundant and verbose, but somehow if you skip one line you miss something vastly important that comes up a few pages later. It’s all not great. I don’t know why this has such a good rating

[Diane C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the ARC of Land of Dreams and it’s magnificent. So beautiful and moving. A work of art I couldn’t put down.
The writing is beautiful and the plot perfectly paced. Frankie, the protagonist, loses her mother and dreams of a better life for herself-which she thinks she’s found working for an executive at a Hollywood studio. Set in the golden age of film in 1933, Land of Dreams is more than historical fiction, so much more. And I loved the parrots!
Thank you Lake Union for letting me read.

[Cori-lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazon Prime first reads.
Truthfully this is a 3.5 star but not enough for a four.

I really enjoyed this read, especially the portrayal of a strong female lead in a time when women were rarely seen as anything other than background characters. She was intelligent, capable, and unapologetically herself, which added real depth and made the story more compelling.

The setting and atmosphere were well done, and the overall pacing kept me turning the pages. That said, while the journey was engaging, the mystery itself was a bit too easy to unravel. I found myself guessing everything well before the reveal, which took some of the suspense out of the ending.

Still, the strength of the characters—particularly the female protagonist—and the thoughtful depiction of the era made this an enjoyable read overall. A great choice if you’re looking for historical fiction with a refreshing female voice, even if the mystery doesn’t quite keep you guessing until the end.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Land of Dreams
By: Gian Sardar
Pub date: Feb 1, 2026
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Your: Suzy Approved Book Tours

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Golden Days of Hollywood filled with all the glitz and glamor. Sardar immerses the reader in this fascinating world.

After Frankie has some losses in her life and needs a new direction in life. Nico offers Frankie a job in Hollywood. She soon realizes nothing is as it seems.

Hollywood is a dream of many! Frankie will realize all the studios will do to protect their stars. Contracts come at a high price.

Get ready for an interesting story which will take you back in time.

Thank you Sardar and Suzy Approved Books for
Having me on tour.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Samantha Able · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a book filled with lies and murder, I was so bored. It was decently well written but I just wasn’t a fan.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Land of Dreams is a thoroughly captivating read. The narrative is packed with unexpected twists that held my attention from start to finish. I especially appreciated the way the story unfolds entirely through Frankie’s perspective—this unique viewpoint allows the reader to catch some of Nico’s deceit and manipulation early on, while still being caught off guard by others. This narrative technique cleverly mirrors the experience of the public he misleads, making the story both immersive and intellectually engaging.

The enigmatic storyline and underlying mystery is skilfully interwoven from the outset, making it hard to step away from the book. Beyond the suspense, I admired how the novel delves into deeper themes, such as the tension between professional ambition and personal integrity, and how well-intentioned actions can sometimes lead to unintended harm.

The book is rich in atmosphere, subtle in its complexity, and intellectually stimulating. I found myself immersed in every chapter, gradually pulled into Frankie’s world and the unsettling circumstances she faces. What truly resonated with me was the rich atmosphere. I found myself immersed in every chapter, gradually pulled into Frankie’s world and the unsettling circumstances she faces. It’s far more than a simple mystery — it’s a poignant exploration of desire, self-discovery, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of ambition. The romantic thread is gentle and nuanced, offering a subtle warmth that balances the darker themes beautifully. Loved it and one of my favourite books of this year

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received Land of Dreams through Amazon First Reads and was drawn to its premise, but the writing style made it a challenging read for me.

I often had difficulty following what was happening on the page. The sentence construction felt unclear at times, and I frequently had to reread passages just to understand basic plot movement or who was doing what. That lack of clarity created distance and made it hard to stay emotionally engaged with the story.

I appreciate the importance of the story being told, and other readers may respond differently, but for me the prose ultimately got in the way of the narrative.

[Ruth A Tesanovich · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not Worth My Time Reading

Unlikeable characters who are self centered and lie to cover lies. Unconvincing & unbelievable plot. No redeeming qualities right up to the end of the book.

[adina ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m such a huge fan of books that cover old Hollywood and the studio system (for better or for worse), and Land of Dreams was one of the best books I’ve read to cover that recently. It felt like you were sucked into Los Angeles in the 1930s, on something like the MGM lot, milling around with the stars and learning their pains and secrets. I really appreciated the more “behind the scenes” perspective of the studio system combined with the actors and their perspectives on contracts and shady business. It makes you wonder what exactly was kept hidden about the stars - with a focus on how to handle a scandal and the lengths people will go to in order to protect a reputation.

I enjoyed Land of Dreams a lot, more so in the second half as I felt it took a bit too long to get to the mystery. I also found the ending to be a bit unsatisfying - it wrapped things up too quickly for me, and I wanted to see more from some minor characters. Honestly, I’d read a book about the reporters too; I wanted them to have a bigger role, but maybe that’s just because I like a bit of drama.

3.75 rounded to a 4. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!

[Mary Dykstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ January First Reads pick, for a short book there were more slow points than I was expecting but I liked it

[Monica Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a short book, it took a long time to read as it just wasn't that interesting. Little character development and the "story" driving the book wasn't very interesting.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good Hollywood golden age murder mystery. Frankie Donnelly is an excellent ‘30s protagonist - a woman who grew up in poverty, given a comfortable life as an RCO Studios fixer on the condition it will be taken away if she steps a toe out of line. Even so, Frankie has a strong moral compass, and this is what drives her to look into the murder of a Hollywood starlet after suspicions start to surface. I guessed the killer midway through the book, but Sardar turned my own guess back on me and then managed to shock me AGAIN. This is a great book to pick up if you’re looking for a quick but engaging read.

[Gabby Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehhh I hope for this since it’s a historical fiction in Hollywood 1930s. But it read more like just a plain fiction, fiction book. I was really interested but the characters felt so flat and not fleshed out.

[Mollie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this as an early release from NetGalley. I really enjoyed the author’s writing. It was engaging. This just wasn’t a book for me. While engaged I just never felt for the characters. I found them mostly to be unlikable and had a hard time feeling invested as a result.

[Kourtney Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge history buff, Land of Dreams was a total delight. The Great Depression era setting and the authentic callbacks to Old Hollywood with the stars, the fixers, and the media circus felt incredibly well researched and immersive. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, action packed thriller this isn't it. I repeat THIS. IS. NOT. IT. This is a deliberate slow burn. It’s refreshing to read a mystery that doesn't rely on whiplash inducing twists, but instead draws you in with atmospheric writing and a soft approach to the genre. Don't get me wrong, I do love those type of books, but I do find this style refreshing.

I will agree, some characters are a bit one-dimensional and even the FMC (Frankie), could be more fleshed out. However, I don't think that hurt the story. The book functions as a vivid snapshot of what life could have been like during that era, blending fiction seamlessly with reality. I was hooked from page one and never once felt bored. I'm glad I picked this for my January First Reads.

[James Scheid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining murder mystery that takes place in the glamorous Hollywood of the early 1930's. They say don't judge a book by its cover, but the colorful cover evoked the atmosphere created by the author. The stars had fame and fortune, but their lives were not always their own. The stars' public persona, created by the studios marketing departments, sometimes took precedence over their personal lives. But sometimes they benefitted from the devil's bargain, for sometimes their scandals were buried with cash. The novel had a glamourous film noir quality to it.

An event that propelled the story to a resolution was an earthquake that occurred on March 10, 1933.
The earthquake actually occurred in the LA area on that date and was centered in Long Beach. I thought this was a really clever devise to reveal what really happened on the night of the murder.

[Anna McNally · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ I really did enjoy this book but I didn’t get into it quite as much as I hoped I would! The beginning starts off slow but it picks up about half way through. But the overall themes in the book I think are important!

[Deity World · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time author I enjoyed it would recommend if you like historical mystery

[Shawna Mayerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golden age of Hollywood

If you love the sparkle and mystery behind "oldies" Hollywood this should be on your list. While a work of fiction, it is steeped with references and facts people don't often like to think about from the days when Hollywood was "golden". Wonderful complex characters will keep you rooting and a thrilling web of events will keep you engaged with this new novel. I'm glad I selected it for my January First Reads.

[Barbara Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Great Story

This one grabs ahold fast and takes you on a journey through the middle of the Great Depression and the Golden Age of Hollywood. Seen through the eyes of a young woman, literally starting from scratch, Hollywood is a fantasy world inhabited by perfect people. But there’s an undercurrent that no one is allowed to talk about. There are truths that cannot be told.
I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would. The author did a fantastic job of capturing the struggles and exploring the complexity of the socioeconomic landscape in that time period. I loved it - beginning to end.

[BonLivre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like a theatrical trailer which proves to be the movie's only worthy clips equaling a measly 3-minutes, this novel lacked any promised glitz and excitement. While the premise had potential, the heavily character driven plot fell short of embracing the Golden Age of Hollywood era or an exciting scandalous mystery. Likewise, all of the fast-paced drama within the story (which weirdly made for slow reading) was hard to follow, and I found that it was easy to get confused or miss elements that turned out to be key points in a somewhat predictable ending. Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gian Sardar, the Author of “Land of Dreams” has written an intriguing and captivating Historical Romantic Novel set in the 1930’s in Hollywood. In this well written novel, Gian Sardar vividly writes about the historical times, the scenery, and the dramatic and colorful characters. Every young girl’s dreams at the time are to be an actress, or part of the action in Hollywood. During the Depression, the competition for jobs in such a “magical world” are fierce and fixed. The leading female protagonist Frankie Donovan is known as the “fixer”. With her connections to her boss, Nico Marconi, the scripts of the real character’s lives as well as the characters in the movies are manipulated and written. Friends, relatives, the Police, and the Press all are fed certain information to ensure newsworthy and successful films, where the viewers become part of the characters lives.

Frankie often cleans up messes when a character gets drunk or gets into trouble, so that message doesn’t make the newspapers. Frankie is ambitious, intelligent, and capable. Often she wonders who her real parents are, and why she was adopted. Frankie is part of the chain of command that produces the “lies” and “cover-ups” in Hollywood. When this hits to close to home for Frankie, she has reservations about what she is doing. Sometimes things go wrong, but when an actor/actress is murdered, it is difficult to change the true narrative.

I was very engaged in reading about the tunnels under certain homes, betrayals, and danger. There are twists and turns and unbelievable activity. I highly recommend this thought-provoking novel.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s amazing how many books you can read on an international flight! This one was a First Reads book from Amazon. It was a slow start for me but grew on me as the story progressed. The main takeaway for me was that things are not always as they seem from outward appearances. The things we give up to chase our dreams often leave us with regrets and once we proceed down that path it is hard, if not impossible, to go back. I applaud the main characters for finding a way out and choosing to live the life that brings happiness if not fame and fortune.

[Carol Engler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars, lovers and the truth. Hollywood twist and turns.
Started out slow so I had a hard time getting into it . But my take away was people deserve to know that what was presented to them wasn’t always truth. The ability to dream and imagine a life that’s different than your own is no small thing. Films are extraordinary and important. They are a gift when world is going through hard times. But these "stars" people deserve the ability to dream, they also need the truth that makes dreams attainable. Perfect is not possible. Not for anyone who has that desire.

[Rosemary Dreyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a good film noir novel about a studio and its stars during the early 1930s. What I liked: the history woven throughout; the acknowledgment of “studio fixers;” the idea that the public has a right to know the private lives of its Hollywood stars; the concept that manipulating things somehow helps and the fallout from that belief; the ending. What I didn’t like: there were several anomalies that really jarred; the unnecessary rollercoaster at times between Frankie, Nico and Jack. Overall, I would recommend this book.