Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “The Show Girl” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

The Show Girl

Nicola Harrison (Goodreads Author)

4.21 · Rating details · 47 ratings · 39 reviews

It's 1927 when Olive McCormick moves from Minneapolis to New York City determined to become a star in the Ziegfeld Follies. Extremely talented as a singer and dancer, it takes every bit of perseverance to finally make it on stage. And once she does, all the glamour and excitement is everything she imagined and more--even worth all the sacrifices she has had to make along t ...more

Get A Copy

Hardcover, 400 pages

Expected publication: August 10th 2021 by St. Martin's Press

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Show Girl, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about The Show Girl

Lists with This Book

Historical Fiction 2021

352 books — 404 voters

Best Books Set in New York City

286 books — 385 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.21 ·

Rating details

· 47 ratings · 39 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of The Show Girl

Apr 14, 2021 Val rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-books, uno-challenge-reads

I was immediately drawn to this gorgeous cover and title. I am attracted to reading books set in the 20’s and I was intrigued to read a story told by a Ziegfeld Follies Showgirl. It sounded like an original plot line, which I always adore.

The story is told through Olive’s perspective. She discovered at a young age that she loved the attention and accolades she receives when singing and acting. Her family is conservative, traditional and I would say extremely poor communicators. By that, I mean t I was immediately drawn to this gorgeous cover and title. I am attracted to reading books set in the 20’s and I was intrigued to read a story told by a Ziegfeld Follies Showgirl. It sounded like an original plot line, which I always adore.

The story is told through Olive’s perspective. She discovered at a young age that she loved the attention and accolades she receives when singing and acting. Her family is conservative, traditional and I would say extremely poor communicators. By that, I mean they never talk about the important stuff, they just keep it light and day-to-day. It felt like the only things that came out of her parents mouths toward her were negative and demeaning. Try as she might to win their affection and approval, it never worked. This plays a big part into the person she becomes.

Image finding out you are pregnant at 19 by a pervert who got you drunk and took advantage of you. Imagine if that was your daughter? You would be heartbroken, supportive and disgusted only at the man, right? Unfortunately that was not the case for poor Olive. Her mother was horrified and said the family was disgraced by her, sent her away to have and give away the baby, and never told Olive’s father of the situation or pregnancy. Now imagine you are Olive - where is the only place you feel good? Feel accepted? Feel loved? On stage of course. This story follows her quest to find the attention she craves through performing. Was she a likeable character? Not 100 percent – but I reminded myself that she was between 19 and 24 when the story is being told and if you remember that time in your life…it was mostly only about you and surely you also didn’t always make the smartest choices. She also had no real support system at home. She was on her own at an early age and had to fight and work hard to make her way.

Olive consistently makes bad choices throughout this book. Mostly based on her low self esteem and lack of confidence. She puts on a good face and others believe she is confident – but that is just not the case. I loved hearing about the Follies and about the infatuation with them back then. My favorite part in the book is when she is at the height of her career as a Ziegfeld girl. Once she meets Archie, a new storyline develops. As is her M.O. she creates havoc in her life and makes choices I cringed at.

The story was so engaging and I loved that I really couldn’t guess what was going to happen next. The costumes, clubs, and settings were described beautifully. My only regret with this book is that it wrapped up too quickly and perhaps too perfectly for my taste. But then, I guess that the hallmark of a good story is one that you don’t’ want to end, right? I rated this as a 4 1/2 star read, rounded down only due to the .rushed ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. Pub date: August, 2021. ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2021 Anne rated it really liked it

I adored Harrison's novel Montauk so when I was offered this ARC, I jumped at the chance. And it was lovely! Olive is a young performer who moves with her family to New York and joins the Ziegfeld Follies. She's dynamic and fans love her. When she meets suave and handsome Archie, she believes she has found the man of her dreams. But she's hiding a secret from her past that prevents them marrying and having children. There are lots of surprises and the book is deftly written, revealing the inequi ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 05, 2021 Janet rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021-rev-when-i-read, k-e-k

Date reviewed/posted: February 5, 2021
Publication date: August 10, 2021

When life for the entire galaxy and planet has turned on its end, you are continuing to #maskup and #lockdown to be in #COVID19 #socialisolation as the #secondwave is upon us, AND it is a loverly minus 26 degrees, snowy and icy where I am currently stuck living, so superspeed readers like me can read 300+ pages/hour, so yes, I have read the book … and many more today.

I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Date reviewed/posted: February 5, 2021
Publication date: August 10, 2021

When life for the entire galaxy and planet has turned on its end, you are continuing to #maskup and #lockdown to be in #COVID19 #socialisolation as the #secondwave is upon us, AND it is a loverly minus 26 degrees, snowy and icy where I am currently stuck living, so superspeed readers like me can read 300+ pages/hour, so yes, I have read the book … and many more today.

I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher, as I do not repeat the contents or story of books in reviews, I let them do it as they do it better than I do 😸.

Nicola Harrison's The Show Girl gives a glimpse of the glamorous world of the Ziegfeld Follies, through the eyes of a young midwestern woman who comes to New York City to find her destiny as a Ziegfeld Follies star.

It's 1927 when Olive McCormick moves from Minneapolis to New York City determined to become a star in the Ziegfeld Follies. Extremely talented as a singer and dancer, it takes every bit of perseverance to finally make it on stage. And once she does, all the glamour and excitement is everything she imagined and more—even worth all the sacrifices she has had to make along the way.

Then she meets Archie Carmichael. Handsome, wealthy—the only man she's ever met who seems to accept her modern ways—her independent nature and passion for success. But once she accepts his proposal of marriage he starts to change his tune, and Olive must decide if she is willing to reveal a devastating secret and sacrifice the life she loves for the man she loves.

What a great read - I loved the mix of history and the ladies we used to call showgirls as they were almost the Kardashians of their time ... they were that famous. (But not full of implants, Botox,plastic-sugeried to death nor fake tanned within an inch of their lives!) The story was well researched and it will be a wonderful and entertaining read if you have never heard of the Zigfield Follies before. I will suggest it to friends, family, patrons and strangers on mass transit alike as it is that good.

Unfortunately, you cannot read it until August - Take this book to the beach (or your back yard, porch or balcony) and enjoy it - just wear a tonne of SPF110 as you will lose track of time as you read this. - If we are in the 3rd or 4th wave/mutation of COVID19 by then, stay inside: no tan is worth dying for.

As always, I try to find a reason to not rate with stars as I simply adore emojis (outside of their incessant use by "🙏-ed Social Influencer Millennials/#BachelorNation survivors/Tik-Tok and YouTube Millionaires/snowflakes / literally-like-overusers etc. " on Instagram and Twitter... Get a real job, people!) so let's give it 🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚

...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 24, 2021 Celia Kim rated it it was amazing

Received an ARC via Goodreads, March 2021. Trigger warning for rape (it's not descriptive but enough of it is portrayed that made me think "hm, this probably would disturb ppl who have had a similar experience").

I went into this book with zero expectations other than (okay, so this is basically City of Girls but Zeigfeld), and despite it being exactly my parenthetical remark, this book easily won my heart.

I fucking love Olive, our main girl of the story. I thought I loved her when I was starting Received an ARC via Goodreads, March 2021. Trigger warning for rape (it's not descriptive but enough of it is portrayed that made me think "hm, this probably would disturb ppl who have had a similar experience").

I went into this book with zero expectations other than (okay, so this is basically City of Girls but Zeigfeld), and despite it being exactly my parenthetical remark, this book easily won my heart.

I fucking love Olive, our main girl of the story. I thought I loved her when I was starting the book (she's got one hell of an opening chapter), but wow, I had no idea how much more I would be made to love her. Because of how easy Olive is to like and root for, when she hits a low point, you feel it in your gut, and there are SO many low points in her life. And then, when she hits her highs, goddamn, you wanna scream and shout for her, tell all the scummy assholes in this book that tried to either look down on her or take advantage of her to go fuck themselves in a muddy ditch and drown, cause man, Olive deserves the world.

And if I sound like I like this book because it's a kick-ass story about a woman who achieves her dreams and then some, then you're only half right. This book served some unexpected commentary about loyalty in the family, friendship, and what it means to be a woman whose passions and talents don't fit in with society's image of what a good woman is supposed to be. Women in the entertainment business get a whole lot of shit just for participating in it, and the general expectation is that all this is supposed to be temporary means to securing a marriage. This book went in on exploring that notion, and didn't disparage women for agreeing or disagreeing it. Which makes me realize that this story doesn't have any catty drama in it either, and instead celebrates women supporting other women time and time again -- except for those nuns, they suck >:( (jk, I understood where they were coming from too)

Addressing loyalty in the family was such a fascinating topic for me, because I couldn't believe that Olive still stayed in contact with her family. I mean, if I were in her position, I probably would also stay connected; but usually in these stories, characters in Olive's position have that "I've made this decision to leave, so I'm leaving and I won't turn back" thing going on, but this book does NOT do it. Family is still so important to Olive, and I found it so touching to see how Olive and her family grew together. They're all such flawed people, but I still found it so easy to love them all.

Final thoughts: read this book or you're a loser (jk, we're all winners) ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 05, 2021 Desiree rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalleyreads-reqs

It's the Roaring 20's, and after a rough year and much determination Olive McCormick is finally making her way to New York City to try her hand at being a part of the infamous Ziegfeld Follies. When she finally makes it, Olive is more than happy to see that it is exactly what she wanted and so much more! When she meets a swoon-worthy suitor, Archie Carmichael, she is even more thrilled. When new paths, information, and details come to light, Olive will have some difficult decisions to make about It's the Roaring 20's, and after a rough year and much determination Olive McCormick is finally making her way to New York City to try her hand at being a part of the infamous Ziegfeld Follies. When she finally makes it, Olive is more than happy to see that it is exactly what she wanted and so much more! When she meets a swoon-worthy suitor, Archie Carmichael, she is even more thrilled. When new paths, information, and details come to light, Olive will have some difficult decisions to make about herself, her life, and what she may be leaving behind in the process.

This read was a solid 4 stars for me. Olive was a feisty, relatable, and easy to love character. There were times I would think "Girl what are you doing!?" but it was never to the point that I ended up disliking her or that it took away from her story. I absolutely loved that the whole story was very full circle for Olive's development as a young woman in the 1920's. Her tenacity and rise to fame honestly reminded me vaguely of Norma Jean/Marilyn Monroe in very subtle ways.
The main reason I can't give it a 5 star rating is that the ending felt way too rushed for me, I would have loved a bit more time for things to draw together or even see just a bit more of her future. I was glad that the main focus on the story was on Olive and her development, though I wish some secondary characters had a bit more fleshing out.

The description for this books makes it sound like the main plot of the story centers around her and Archie disagreeing about her time as a performer and what she does or doesn't do about his opinion about it. In reality, it really isn't a huge plot point. It's there, but there is so much more going on than just that and I wish the description of the book showed that a bit better because it is a tad misleading.

I'm a sucker for historical fictions so this book from the start was great in my eyes. I would definitely recommend to anyone who is also a lover of historical fiction with a touch of romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! This review is completely my own opinion. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 21, 2021 Anissa Telle rated it it was amazing

The Show Girl by Nicola Harrison is a riveting historical fiction book which features a star of the Ziegfeld Follies and Ziegfeld Frolic, Olive, in the years before the great stock market crash of 1929. While Olive is a fictional character she is based on the impeccable research of Harrison and you are transported into the life of a show girl in NYC. I am an a great lover of this genre as learning something while being entertained and inspired is my favorite pastime. I was unaware of much of the ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 28, 2021 Jena Henry rated it really liked it

Come meet the modern girl of the Roaring Twenties, Olive Shine, in Nicola Harrison’s Historical Fiction, “The Show Girl.” The snazzy cover of this book features a show girl, with her twenty pounds of feathers atop her head. America was coming of age in the 1920’s and so were young women like Olive. But new times can mean new challenges.

Olive dreamed of being a show girl and the books begins with her barging into Ziegfeld’s office at the New Amsterdam Theater in New York City to present herself a ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 21, 2021 Tena rated it it was amazing

The Show Girl by Nicola Harrison takes us back to the 1920's and the world of Ziegfeld follies and showgirls set in New York City. Leading up to the Great Depression the country was seeing freedom like they had never known. Women were becoming stronger in their efforts to maintain independence. Prohibition didn't really seem to slow anybody down. To be a Ziegfeld girl was the height of Independence for young women. Scantily dressed and dancing in public in front of admiring audiences was not wha ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 16, 2021 Karen M rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads, historical-fiction

I was always a fan of those old black and white movies about the Broadway shows with all the chorus girls and the elaborate costumes they wore. The unbelievable formations of girls created by the likes of Busby Berkeley and somehow filmed from above so we were treated to a kaleidoscope of females who glided in unison around the stage.

This book definitely brought back my memories of Saturdays as a kid spent glued to the TV watching George White’s Scandals and The Gold Diggers of 1933 and 1935.

The ...more

flag Like · see review

Mar 21, 2021 Kristin F rated it really liked it

When I saw the description for The Show Girl, I jumped at the chance to request an ARC. I spent the better part of my early 20s living in New York and working in theatre. The Ziegfeld girls have always been fascinating to me, the life of what I affectionately call "show trash" is endlessly nuanced and mysterious - who are these people who inhabit this fantasy world on stage after they've stepped out of the footlights? The setting of the late 1920s just added more intrigue.

When Olive, our main c ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 13, 2021 Kim Shepherd rated it really liked it

The Show Girl ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It's 1927 when Olive McCormick moves from Minneapolis to New York City determined to become a star in the Ziegfeld Follies. Extremely talented as a singer and dancer, it takes every bit of perseverance to finally make it on stage. And once she does, all the glamour and excitement is everything she imagined and more—even worth all the sacrifices she has had to make along the way.

Then she meets Archie Carmichael. Handsome, wealthy—the only man she's ever met who seems to acce ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 18, 2021 Janet Fiorentino rated it really liked it

“The Show Girl” was a great historical novel by Nicola Harrison. I adored the book “Montauk” so was excited to read this novel set during the Roaring Twenties.

Olive arrives in New York with aspirations of becoming a showgirl. While working at an event in California, she was approached by Mr. Ziegfeld who asks her to look him up if she ever makes it to the east coast. Yet, Olive’s road to stardom is more than Mr. Ziegfeld merely granting her a wish. Instead, she faces an unwanted pregnancy, estra ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 12, 2021 Sarah rated it really liked it

Olive wants to be a performer. She wants to sing and dance and put on a show. So when her family moves to NY for her father’s job, she sets her sights on being a Ziegfeld girl - one of the most prestigious shows on Broadway in the 1920’s. At first, it looks like she will not succeed but apparently, success follows Olive... who becomes Olive Shine as she needs a good show girl name. So much more will happen for Olive as she sets out on this adventure. There are friends to be made, routines to lea ...more

flag Like · see review

Mar 22, 2021 Dr. Barb rated it really liked it

All Olive ever wanted to do was perform. She sang and danced in small towns but when she arrived in Los Angeles to make it big, she wound up getting pregnant by someone guy she did not even know. Scared and ashamed, she went to live with her Aunt May. Only her mother knew why she was there. She had the baby, left May's house, and went to New York to be a Ziegfeld girl. She sang and danced her heart out and gathered quite a following until Archie, a successful businessman, claimed her heart. They ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 14, 2021 Linda rated it liked it

What I liked:
The Show Girl is a classic tale that stays true to the old-timely feels in the best way. It is reminiscent grandma’s spunky stories of alluring times, glamorous speakeasies, romantic drama, & family secrets driven by an avant-garde woman trying to find her own voice.

What I didn’t like:
I considered the first half of the book to be very plot-driven, which kept the pace fast, but it lacked sufficient character development. I enjoyed the conversations between characters but the most i ...more

flag Like · see review

Mar 10, 2021 Sandy rated it it was amazing

I loved The Show Girl! The combination of the historical background of the Roaring 20's and the Great Camps combined with the "rags to riches' story of Olive and her success on "The Great White Way" as a Ziegfeld girl was very entertaining and endearing.

Successful show girl Olive is romanced by Ohio millionaire Archie whose over the top lifestyle blinds her judgement and their romance's conclusion -- which takes place just after the Crash of '29 kept me engaged and enthralled.

I don't want to g ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2021 Natalie rated it it was amazing

Again, Harrison has written a beautiful, rich novel that details tge life of a young woman during the 1920’s. Her earlier novel, MONTAUK, was a favorite of mine. The protagonist is Olive who comes to NYC for a career in the theater after dealing with tumultuous experiences earlier. She represents the suppression of women and the totality of a woman’s dependence on husbands and fathers.

Olive is successful and rises to fame as a ZIEGFELD GIRL. Despite her success, she faces censure from her famil ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 16, 2021 Betfarm rated it really liked it

I received an ARC from Net Galley for my review

What if your family was against your dream? What if your family was ashamed of your dream? What if you felt like you could never live up to expectations?

Olive is a talented singer and dancer. While she was on what she promised her father would be her last performance tour, Olive finds herself in a difficult situation. Sent to live with her Widowed Aunt when her family moved to brooklyn from the midwest. When she returns to her family, she pursues he ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 03, 2021 Jennifer Moore rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021

The Show Girl by Nicola Harrison is a delightful ride through the world of a Ziegfeld girl in the 1920s. Olive McCormick Shine takes us along as she experiences the ups and downs of a stage performer. She works her way up to earn the recognition of her talents from Mr. Ziegfeld to get her own starring appearance in The Follies as well as The Frolics. Along the way, readers are introduced to her fellow performers and their dancing the night away fun after they finish on the stage for the night. O ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 15, 2021 Bethany McGill rated it really liked it

I love historical fiction, so I was very intrigued by this story. The book is about Olive, who comes to New York City with dreams of becoming a show girl. During her journey to become a successful show girl, she is faced with sexual harassment, an unwanted pregnancy, and a rift between herself and her family.
The author did an incredible job with describing the beautiful costumes and glamour of show business. The imagery was so vivid and the story was quite realistic. Nicola Harrison writes hist ...more

flag Like · see review

Mar 07, 2021 Leigh Ann added it

I loved Nicola Harrison's style in Montauk and The Show Girl may have managed to top it! The story of aspiring show girl, Olive, it captures the ups and down of life in New York City in the Roaring Twenties. Ziegfried Follies is such an iconic show for New York at the time and I loved the fictionalized struggle of the girls who populated this show. The writing is lush and full of great imagery and I found myself wanting to read more a learn where Olive's career, love life, and family drama would ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 14, 2021 Mrs. rated it really liked it

I received a complimentary copy of The Showgirl from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

As historical fiction, this was a great read! The characters were believable and the setting was pretty amazing. The main character, Olive begins as a reliable narrator, but somewhere in the middle, she lost her bearings. She made some terrible decisions to the point where parts of the novel were more difficult to get through than others! Great book, overall and now I would love ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 01, 2021 ROBIN RUIZ rated it it was amazing

Having read Montauk by this author and loving that book, I went into this book with high expectations and boy did she deliver! I devoured this book!
I absolutely loved Olive through it all, she was spectacularly written! The author did an amazing job not only with time period, but with Manhattan, the Adirondacks,
the Ziegfeld Follies, The New Amsterdam Theater , Speakeasies, the Village ....I felt like I was at every place and not just reading the words!
I highly recommend this book! I look forwar ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 07, 2021 Sara Jo rated it liked it

Shelves: netgalley

A great look at show girls of the 1920s! I wanted give this book a higher rating but I just couldn’t like the character. Olive wasn’t remotely relatable and most of the time she was a terribly selfish idiot. Her push of feminism and flying the face of tradition was admirable but generally poorly done. The added “secret” drama and the love interest were intriguing at first, but she ruined all of that with her immature behavior.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for a ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 05, 2021 Jenny Buchta rated it liked it

The story of Olive “Shine” McCormick started out in the typical “small town girl moves to the big city” fashion. With a few twists a turns thrown in, like an unplanned pregnancy and a millionaire fiancée, Olive comes out on top. While this story was fairly well-written, it was just an “okay” read. Olive’s character was a bit immature and I found myself rolling my eyes and thinking, “Just get your sh!t together already so I can be finished with this story.”

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 12, 2021 Mary rated it it was amazing

The Show Girl is an extraordinary, fast moving, and heart tugging book. The relatable characters come alive and into your life with their very human qualities, struggles, and yes, the triumphs. The story takes place during the 1920s which provided an interesting historical background. This is a ten star book! Highly recommended.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 06, 2021 Michelle rated it really liked it

This was a lovely novel with some twists thrown in to keep it interesting. Olive is quick on her feet (both literally and figuratively) and manages to mostly come out on top. I enjoyed reading about the showgirl life with all the sparkle and class and the speakeasys during Prohibition.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 30, 2021 Andria Sedig rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2021

I really enjoyed the overall premise and plot of the book. Olive was a feisty and determined protagonist. I loved watching her growth and the friendships she developed with the other Follies girls. I personally felt the middle section of the book dragged a bit and the ending felt incredibly convenient, but I ultimately enjoyed the read.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 05, 2021 Carol Dass rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arcs, netgalley-read

Olive is a very talented singer and dancer and her dream is to become a star in the Ziegfeld Follies. She is from Minneapolis, it is 1927 and her family do not approve at all. This is a story of determination and perseverance . It is also a story of love and sacrifices. I just loved it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 25, 2021 Dorre rated it it was amazing

An unputdownable historical novel which follows Olive in 1929 NYC . This novel was clearly fastidiously researched as the details were incredibly accurate . This book was graciously provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Historical > Historical Fiction

17 users

Historical

5 users

Romance

4 users

Fiction

4 users

New York

3 users

Literary Fiction

2 users

See top shelves…

About Nicola Harrison

Nicola Harrison

173 followers

Hi, Thanks for stopping by to visit. I'm the author of two works of historical fiction, MONTAUK (June 2019) and THE SHOW GIRL (August 2021). I'm originally from Hampshire, England, and moved to California when I was 14. I studied Literature at UCLA and received an MFA in creative writing at Stony Brook University. Soon after college I moved to NYC and worked in magazine publishing. I was the fashi ...more