Published by Atria Books on June 13th, 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 388
Format: Audiobook & Hardback
Source: Overdrive via Brooklyn Public Library
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My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Goodreads Synopsis:
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 jumpstart 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 near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways.
Written with Reid's signature talent for creating "complex, likable characters" (Real Simple), this is a mesmerizing journey through the splendor of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means—and what it costs—to face the truth.
This is the second book of Taylor Jenkins Reid I have completed in 2 days. I am in love with her writing. I just want to listen and read all of her books! I listened to this book on audio via overdrive through my library. I loved the audiobook. I loved the narrators. They did a great job telling this story.
I heard so many great things about this book and have had it on my TBR since last year and thought it was time to read it while I was also reading Daisy Jones & the Six. I could not put either one down. By far 5 out of 5 stars.
“Never let anyone make you feel ordinary.”
Evelyn Hugo is known for her beauty not as much for her acting. The guys loved her and wanted to be with her, girls wanted to look like her. She was stunning. But now that she is older, she wants to do a tell all and the only person she will talk to is Monique Grant (white and African-American) - a nobody basically from unknown reporter. When this story started I did question myself why Monique and I knew there would be reveal at the end.
Who was Evelyn Hugo's greatest love? That was the question of the book. Out of seven husbands who did she love more. You might be surprised with the answer you get.
“I spent half my time loving her and the other half hiding how much I loved her.”
“And it will be the tragedy of my life that I cannot love you enough to make you mine. That you cannot be loved enough to be anyone’s.”
Sometimes loving someone is harder than what you think when you are in the eye of everyone. She was famous and always made the headlines with every choice she made. Mostly it was the seven husbands she married. You will the hear the high and lows of her life and the heart breaks that I could feel as I listened to this book. Evelyn is great woman, you just have to see the honesty in her.
“Sometimes reality comes crashing down on you. Other times reality simply waits, patiently, for you to run out of the energy it takes to deny it.”
This book was heartbreaking. This book makes you think about how short life can be and how much time we waste on things that are not important. What will all the money in the world get yo in the end if you don't have your true love. The true love story hid in these pages are done so great and then why - oh why - did she pick Monique to write her tell all. You might be surprised.
This is two different timelines - You have Evelyn and Monique in the present time and as Evelyn tells her story - it takes you to that time and you see the story unfolded then. Beautifully done.
“When you write the ending, Monique, make sure the reader understands that all I was ever really looking for was family. Make sure it’s clear that I found it. Make sure they know that I am heartbroken without it.”
We are also told the story of Celias - which stared in the same movie - Little Women - as Evelyn Hugo. People were afraid of her because of her talent. She was the one they feared at Oscar time. But not Evelyn. Evelyn was happy for her. Evelyn had the biggest heart. She just had to do things she did not want to do to protect the very person she loved so much because she would do anything to not to hurt that love! Celias. but Celias could not get passed the face that Evelyn was bi and even though Evelyn's love was strong for Celias - somethings just hurt no matter how much someone loved another.
“Please never forget that the sun rises and sets with your smile. At least to me it does. You’re the only thing on this planet worth worshipping.”
This story is breath taking and so very well written. The story ended in such sweet tragedy. My heart hurts for all that was lost but everything that was gained. I have by far moved Taylor Jenkins Reid to my tops of my favorite authors. I highly recommend you to pick up her books.
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