The Chateau on Sunset: a modern retelling of Jane Eyre against the backdrop of the Golden Age of Hollywood

The Chateau on Sunset by Natasha Lester is a story of tragic loss, beautiful friendship and an epic love with the backdrop of the Golden Age of Hollywood. After her parents’ tragic deaths, Aria Jones is sent to live with her reclusive aunt at the Chateau Marmont, a hotel on Hollywood Boulevard with a notorious reputation. She is left alone to wander, Aria sees everything that most people would overlook or ignore. She learns that behind the glitz and glamour lurks darkness secrets. Secrets that will haunt her childhood. She finds comfort in the hotel’s library, babysitting for the various residents with the goal to save enough money to strike out on her own. Until one day when the hotel is sold to the mysterious rock star, Theo Winchester and his troubled daughter, Adele. Aria begins to think there is more to life than being invisible. 

The Chateau on Sunset is described as a modern retelling of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, this story tells the rich, colorful and dark history of Hollywood from the 1950s to the 1970s through the eyes of a young girl. I picked up this book as Jane Eyre is one of my ultimate favorite classic books and I was intrigued how the author would weave the story elements with the bright lights of Hollywood. The story did have the elements of Jane’s story; however, I was a bit confused at the author’s notes at the end of the book when she claims that she felt Jane deserved a story in which she was the real star. I’m sorry, Jane wasn’t the star of her own story?!? Overall, I enjoyed the story as a modern retelling of Jane Eyre and the author certainly got the aspects right, especially the spooky haunting elements. I recommend The Chateau on Sunset. 

The Chateau on Sunset is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook