Can''t We Be Friends: A Novel of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe

Award-winning author Denny S. Bryce and USA Today bestselling author Eliza Knight collaborate on a brilliant novel that uncovers the boundary-breaking, genuine friendship between Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Jazz, and iconic movie star Marilyn Monroe. 

One woman was recognized as the premiere singer of her era with perfect pitch and tireless ambition.

One woman was the most glamorous star in Hollywood, a sex symbol who took the world by storm.

And their friendship was fast and firm

1952: Ella Fitzgerald is a renowned jazz singer whose only roadblock to longevity is societys attitude toward women and race. Marilyn Monroes star is rising despite ongoing battles with movie studio bigwigs and boyfriends. When she needs help with her singing, she wants only the bestand the best is the brilliant Ella Fitzgerald. But Ella isnt a singing teacher and declinesthen the two women meet, and to everyones surprise but their own, they become fast friends.

On the surface, what could they have in common? Yet each was underestimated by the men in their liveshusbands, managers, hangers-on. And both were determined to gain. Each fought for professional independence and personal agency in a time when women were expected to surrender control to those same men.

This novel reveals and celebrates their surprising bond over a decade and serves as a poignant reminder of how true friendship can cross differences to bolster and sustain us through haunting heartbreak and wild success.