Scandalous Women: A Novel of Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann By Gill Paul

In The Two Jackies, international bestselling author Gill Paul delves into the glamorous yet tumultuous world of publishing in the 1960s, focusing on the lives of two iconic writers and the young woman caught in their orbit. Set against the backdrop of New York City and London, the novel intertwines the stories of Jacqueline Susann and Jackie Collins, two trailblazing authors who faced fierce backlash for their provocative novels.

In 1966, Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls is causing a stir, but she is anxious whether it will achieve the commercial success she desperately needs. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Jackie Collins's The World Is Full of Married Men is launching her career in London, marking the beginning of her own controversial literary journey. Both women confront intense criticism from the literary elite and feminist circles, their bold explorations of sexuality drawing both acclaim and ire.

The novel also follows Nancy White, a recent college graduate embarking on her dream job at a Manhattan publishing house. As she navigates rampant sexism in the industry, she forms a close friendship with Jacqueline Susann and facilitates the connection between Susann and Collins, hoping to advance her own career in a male-dominated field.

The Two Jackies explores the challenges these women face as they struggle to succeed in a world that undermines their achievements. With its rich historical context and complex character dynamics, the novel vividly captures their battles for recognition and the sacrifices made to protect their personal lives and ambitions.