The Chateau on Sunset

by Natasha Lester, Anthea Greco (Narrator)

In 1957, newly orphaned Aria Jones is sent to live with her aunt, a fading star who hides away in Hollywood’s infamous Chateau Marmont. There, two aspiring actresses, Calliope and Flitter, take the grieving Aria under their wing.

But the Marmont isn’t meant for small girls with big hearts, and Aria’s first few nights reveal an insidious secret that continues to haunt her as she grows up in the hotel’s halls, where the bright lights of Hollywood cast even darker shadows. If Aria can just stay invisible and invite no trouble as she saves money, then she can leave the Marmont and live life on her own terms—alone but free.

Her carefully laid plans fall apart when the hotel is bought by Theo Winchester, a reclusive rock star turned unexpected caretaker of his daughter, Adele, and unlike any man Aria has met before. To earn the last bit of money she needs to escape, Aria becomes Adele’s tutor, which brings Aria closer to Theo and ignites a passion she never expected.

Suddenly, Aria finds herself wondering if she still wants to remain invisible—and if inviting trouble is a risk she’s willing to take to pursue what she truly desires.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Retellings, Romance, Book Club

12 pages, Audiobook

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.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of her parents, Aria Jones is sent to Los Angeles to live with her reclusive aunt at the Chateau Marmont on Hollywood Blvd. With vibes of Jane Eyre 14 year old Aria explores the hotel on her own. She finds places to hide like the library and the secret turret. She discovers that her aunt has not left her room in many years.
This novel is written in two parts. First part was hard for me to engage in the story. I originally thought I wasn’t going to enjoy this book. The second part was very good as Aria gets to discover herself. It was very enjoyable. I am glad I kept reading this book.
Although it had the elements of Jane Eyre the real story is the dark side of Hollywood. How women were treated to get that audition I really appreciated the authors notes in reference to this.
It is a compelling story.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this advanced readers copy.
.

[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.

[Penny (Literary Hoarders) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another work of historical fiction using a dual timeline. Another work of historical fiction where the dual timeline didn't work for me. While this timeline is only 7 years apart and has the same characters in each, it would have been much better, in my opinion, had it been broken into Part 1 and Part 2 only without the jumping around in Part 1. The jumping between two timelines that were only 7 years apart made it quite confusing and distracting. "Part 2" stays in one timeline and by then made it just too difficult to settle into the style of writing and this story fully.

I appreciated the feminist retelling of Jane Eyre somewhat, but more so the exploration of the darker side of Hollywood and what it does to young girls and women. But the narrative style detracted from my overall enjoyment. I look forward to reading historical fiction again where the annoying employment of the overused dual timeline is banished.

[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

[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.

[Kelly - readinginthe419 · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all want something more than what we have in our skins. Why aren't we enough for ourselves?

The Chateau on Sunset is my new favorite Natasha Lester novel! But unlike many of her novels, set across Europe during WW II, this one is set in old Hollywood of the late 50s/early 60s. It features gothic overtones inspired by Jane Eyre and the likes of Hollywood’s starlets Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, and Audrey Hepburn.

I reread Jane Eyre just a few years ago. As a teen, it seemed unbearably romantic. As an adult, it felt like Jane deserved more or better than caring for Rochester. As Lester points out in her author's notes, she came to the same conclusion. It's Rochester and the madwoman in the attic who readers remember. She felt it was time for Jane to be the heroine of her own story.

And here she is, in the form of Aria Jones, a young teen sent to live with her reclusive starlet aunt at the Chateau Marmont, the hotel on Hollywood Boulevard with a notorious reputation. Aria lives her teenage life there and is raised by the residence and staff of the chateau. When the chateau is sold to rock star Theo Winchester, Aria's world veers into new territory as she becomes tutor to Theo's troubled teenage daughter Adele.

Aria is brilliant as the lost young girl who hides herself away in the library and turret of the chateau. She is befriended by aspiring young actresses Calliope and Flitter, not much older than Aria herself, and the three become fast friends. I loved watching Aria's development over the years as she grows into a young woman, wielding secrecy, strength, and power in a way no one expected. The story is propulsive as it hurdles toward a seemingly inevitable conclusion but then takes off in new directions.

My heart broke for the young wannabe starlets and what they suffered. It is even more haunting knowing that the stories are based on actual alleged events and assaults at the chateau. For those who recall the #metoo movement and the likes of Harvey Weinstein, predation of young starlets was sadly happening long before his story came to light, and it adds some heavier tones to the story.

This is truly an unforgettable story of old Hollywood, new friendships, glamour, scandals, found family, and true love. Rounding up to 4.5 stars.

[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

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chateau on Sunset is a fascinating glimpse into the Golden Age of Hollywood, seen through the eyes of the young Aria Jones. 14-year-old Aria's parents were killed in a fiery car accident, and she is sent to the Chateau Marmont to live with her reclusive Aunt, who is rarely functional enough to leave her room. Fortunately, she is befriended by two aspiring actresses who also reside at the Chateau. She finds solace in their friendship, as well as the extensive library at the hotel. When the hotel is sold to a rock star with a young daughter, Aria's world is changed yet again. Natasha Lester has written a captivating, character driven story of the glittering, glamourous movie industry of the 50's and 60's, and the darkness and corruption underneath that golden facade, and has woven into the story, a homage to Jane Eyre. Aria's young life is told in dual timelines, that are, at times, a bit hard to follow, but reflect the upheaval in her young life. The latter part of the book recounts Aria's maturing into adulthood, her travels, her career, her hopes for love, and the revenge she wishes to seek for all the women she has known who have been abused. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and all the very memorable characters Natasha Lester has created! Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.

[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.

[A_Stylish_Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have driven past Chateau Marmont and heard of it being famous for Hollywood stars staying there. This was a great historical fiction set on the 50s, when Hollywood was thriving and everyone wanted to be a star.

Aria becomes an orphan overnight and is sent to LA to her aunt, who is her guardian. Except her aunt isn't just a housewife, she is former Hollywood actress who is now a recluse living in Chateau on Sunset. Aria lives her teenage life there and is raised by the residence and staff of the chateau.

Aria hates living at the Chateau and is quite resourceful in making friends and making sure she gets what she needs to be able to move when she is old enough.

Things change when the Chateau is sold to Theo, a famous rock star.

I really enjoy seeing Aria grow into a young adult and felt so bad on how sheltered she was despite being so intelligent. Her role models were 2 young women that is trying to make it big in Hollywood.

My heart broke for these young girls trying to make it big. They were taken advantage of and really trapped in their situation.

I loved the last 25% of the story when Aria comes into her own and knew what she wanted.

This was a great historical fiction of behind the scene of Hollywood life.

Thank you @ballantinebooks for the ARC.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A loose Jane Eyre retelling set in 1960s LA, follows a young woman who lives in the Hotel Marmot. There's romance, found family, female friendship, excellent gothic vibes and important women fighting against the #MeToo BS in Hollywood rep. Great on audio and perfect for fans of the classic Jane Eyre story. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

CW: addiction/alcoholism, SC with terminal brain tumor diagnosis

[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.

[Jean Kolinofsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one thing that I am sure of is that when I open a book by Natasha Lester I will soon lose myself in her characters and settings. In her latest, she takes you to Hollywood’s Golden Age. Thirteen year old Aria Jones lost her parents and arrived at the Chateau Marmont, where her aunt was a permanent resident. At one time her aunt was the toast of Hollywood. Now she has become a recluse who has her food brought in and rarely leaves her rooms. She still has her Friday soirées, where power brokers make deals and young girls hope to be discovered. Aria’s education is provided by the books in the hotel”s library and she is warned to stay invisible and out of trouble. Her plan is to save whatever money she can make watching the guest’s children or doing odd chores so that she can leave when she becomes an adult. Seven years later she is nearing her twenty-first birthday when she learns that the Marmont has been sold and her aunt may lose her home. The new owner, Theo Winchester, is a rock star with a young teenage daughter who has been thrown out of her school. Aria offers to become her tutor and chaperone in exchange for her aunt’s room, a room of her own and a small stipend. While she always planned to leave, she finds herself growing close to Theo and his daughter. When she finally finds love, a betrayal will have her starting a new life far away from everything she has known.

On Aria’s first day she was befriended by Calliope and Flitter, two Hollywood hopefuls who work at the Marmont between auditions. They become Aria’s supporters and sisters, sharing hopes and sleepovers. Through them, Aria also witnesses the hold that producers have over their lives and the abuses that young actresses suffered. Aria intervenes when she can, but her interference brings the wrath of a well known producer. Aria’s story is a journey to independence. From the young orphan who arrives at the Marmont to the woman who finally realizes her own dream of helping those young starlets, she will deal with her aunt’s growing dependence on pills and finally discover what led to her to become a recluse. Aria is quick witted and continues to grow stronger as she finds love and suffers betrayal. Lester’s story is filled with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and characters who come to life on the pages. I have enjoyed each of her novels and look forward to wherever she takes me in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing this book.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1957, a young, recently orphaned girl named Aria Jones finds herself at the Chateau Marmont, moving in with her aunt, a former actress that she doesn't really know. She makes friends with two young starlets living at the hotel and is shocked on a regular basis by how different life in 1950's Hollywood is from the quiet life she was used to in New York. The book flashes between Aria as a young girl and later as a young woman in the 1960's. It is loosely inspired by Jane Eyre.

I wanted to read The Chateau on Sunset because I love novels with a Mid-Century setting. I'm interested in old time Hollywood, and Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books.

This novel has so many interesting things going on at once -- it is a coming of age novel, a love story, a mystery. It deals with some darker aspects of life for young women in Hollywood long before the Me Too movement.

The historical details are vividly captured, and the writing is beautiful, verging on poetic, with passages like:

"But it’s raining as heavily as one of those Manhattan summer storms that would pour down from a sky that had been bright blue a moment before, magicking up puddles and umbrella hawkers where there’d once been dull concrete and souvenir stands" (eBook location 2482).

At the heart of the story there is Aria, who feels invisible as an ordinary girl in this star touched world. There is also the story of Aria and Theo, a rock star living at the Marmont with his young daughter.

I read this book late at night, staying up to read just another chapter, waiting for the next twist or surprise that was sure to come (and it did, it always did).

I recommend The Chateau on Sunset for readers who enjoy historical fiction, and especially old time Hollywood. The Jane Eyre references (and divergences) are sure to interest fans of that classic book as well.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Aria, a 13 year old girl who loses her parents to tragedy & is sent to live with her reclusive (former starlet) aunt at The Chateau Marmont in Hollywood … a hotel bursting at the seams with the who’s who of Tinseltown. Her coming of age years have taught her more than any child should know about the pursuit of stardom, fame, fortune & power. But now, as Aria is turning 21, she is ready to leave the hotel & live out the dream she has spent the last 7 years preparing for. However, the arrival of the hotel’s new rock star owner changes everything & Aria begins to question who she is & what she’s meant to become & if the plan she has waited so long to fulfill is still the right one for her.

The Chateau Marmont is absolutely the perfect setting for this historical mystery! It unashamedly oozes the gilded age of old Hollywood with its elegance & stature! The author did an amazing job of transporting me behind these walls where not only fame, money & prestige lived but also secrets, lies & the pursuit of power … no matter the cost.

Aria’s journey is captivating, heartbreaking & inspiring. The things she is witness to & has to endure over the years rip your heart out … but in the end, Aria’s smarts & resilience bring things around in such a satisfying way. I absolutely loved the storyline & was glued to the pages from start to finish!

The supporting characters range from endearing to frustrating to lovable to not so lovable & they all helped the story along with just the right feels. Even the hotel emerges as its own kind of character full of charm & class with mystery hiding in its shadows. So well done!

This book is heralded as a retelling of Jane Eyre (which I have never read, gasp!) … so I can’t comment on that. However, I still found it to be very enjoyable & complete on its own even without being able to compare it to the classic.

I have been collecting Natasha Lester books for a while now … but this is my first actual read. I loved it & it makes me even more excited to continue on with her backlist!

Thank you to Ballantine Books, Random House & Natasha Lester for the gifted arc!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The famous/infamous Chateau Marmont hotel in Hollywood is a fascinating place to set a novel. The story of 13-year-old Aria who is sent to live with her reclusive aunt after her parents die is absorbing with an array of interesting characters. Everyone knows that Hollywood is glamour and glitz, but there is also a menacing side that many young women seeking fame and fortune in the movie/TV business unfortunately have experienced.

I totally got the Jane Eyre angle of this story, but Ms. Lester certainly makes this historical fiction tale her own. A very good read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Ballantine Books for the eARC and the opportunity to read this novel. All opinions are my own.

[Barbara Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I canceled everything this weekend because I couldn't leave "The Chateau on Sunset"! Natasha Lester's 1950s/1960s Hollywood story creates fresh and thought-provoking parallels to my beloved "Jane Eyre." An important story worth retelling.

[Alyssa Palombo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeously written look at the dark side of Hollywood and the history of the legendary Chateau Marmont. I was fully invested in Aria's journey, as well as in the colorful cast of supporting characters, in all their glamor and tragedy. Don't miss this one!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out slowly for me, with characters that didn’t really beg to be loved, and then picked up a little, but not enough to be truly invested. The research and attention to detail for the Chateau Marmont brought it to life and created its own character, but the inhabitants were vapid and uninteresting to me. It did get better about halfway through but by then it was too late for me to really enjoy this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the review copy.