Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jump-start her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

3.5 stars

I have a lot to say about this book, so I shared more of my in-depth thoughts in the full-length review that has been posted on the podcast.

I didn’t hate this book, and I wasn’t disappointed, but I did have problems with it, and that’s why I rated it the way that I did. I don’t think this story is for everyone, so I’m still a bit confused by all the hype around it. However, I do understand why people like this book and give it rave reviews. It pushes the boundaries of certain taboo subjects and could be seen as controversial. I know Netflix is adapting this book into a movie. 

I was not a fan of the big, overall subject matter, nor do I agree with that lifestyle, but I do feel everyone should love who they love and live their best lives in whatever way makes them the happiest. I may not personally agree or like their choices, but I can accept and respect them. (And I’m being very vague here because I don’t want to spoil any big reveals for those who haven’t read the book yet.)

Overall, it was an okay story for me. It was well-written and pulled me in. In fact, it only took me two days to read it. It was compelling and a page-turner, where I wanted to know what was going to happen next. There were a lot of layers to peel back, and TJR did a great job of weaving this tapestry of a story together about this big Hollywood movie legend, who was a pretty complex character. But if you’ve watched any of these types of movies, like I have, it’s your typical rise and fall of a star, and it’s not a happy story. In fact, I would call this a tragedy, but it did have its unique twists. The big reveal at the end was a little shocking, but it made sense, brought the story together, and answered questions that were brought up at the very beginning. 

As for the characters, I didn’t think any of them were likable. They were all pretty terrible people. They all possessed traits that would be a turnoff to most people, and they constantly made stupid, bad choices. I didn’t even feel bad for them because their reasons behind their choices and actions were selfish, greedy, and immoral. There was no redemption for any of them. And that was hard to get my head around. It was easy not to like any of these characters, and maybe that’s what TJR wanted us to feel. If so, bravo, ma’am, you did your job well. I felt the same way when I read Daisy Jones, where all the characters were unlikable and made bad choices. Maybe she just likes to write these types of books. But I did have a hard time caring about anyone. It wasn’t until the end, when I was at about the 95% mark, that I felt a slight tinge of compassion and empathy for a couple of the characters. 

This story was also an interesting commentary about the machine that is Hollywood. It really shows us how it lures people in with glitz and glamor with the promise or hope of fame and fortune. But then you see the vile, evil, disgusting side of this industry. We see how the machine chews people up and spits them out, moving on to its next victim. It changes people and usually not for the better. It was like we were in OZ, and we pulled back the curtain of Hollywood. Everyone and everything is fake, contrived, orchestrated, and shallow. It’s all an illusion, but fans just continue to eat it up. If there was one aspect that I actually did like about this story, it would be this – seeing the exposure of Hollywood and getting this interpretation of a behind-the-scenes look into this rather dark world that looks so shiny from the outside. Why anyone would want to live that life is beyond me. I get the desire for fame and fortune, but honestly, most stars today sell their souls to become famous but yet still feel empty and hollow inside. 

It was really hard at times to be objective with this review because my personal thoughts, views, and biases were getting in the way with many of the controversial subjects. I wanted to rate it lower. I wanted to write a book rant and criticize the heck out of this book. But, I tried very hard to keep an open mind and be objective with this story and see it for what it is – a story that was well-crafted and very immersive, whether I liked the subject matter or not, or whether I liked the characters or not. 

Do I recommend this book? I’m not sure. Like I said, I don’t think it’s for everyone, but maybe to some, yes, I would. Will I read anything else by TJR? The jury is still out on that. I’ve read her two most popular titles and wasn’t impressed by either one, and I still don’t really understand the hype around these books. Right now, I have no desire to read more by her, even though she is a good writer, but who knows? Maybe down the road, I’ll be open to trying another one of her books.