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savvyrosereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m sobbing in my bed at 2am as I write this, and I adore this book so much.
Original review (May 2022):
Rating: 5/5 stars
Lowly staff writer Monique Grant is stunned and confused when she is personally requested by aging Hollywood superstar Evelyn Hugo to write an article for Monique’s magazine—and she’s even more confused when Evelyn reveals that what she really wants is for Monique to tell her life (and love) story to the world.
Before picking this one up, I regularly felt like the last person on earth who hadn’t read it, so there’s not much I can say here that hasn’t already been said elsewhere, and you almost certainly don’t need me to convince you to read this one. That said, I’m adding my voice to the chorus to say I absolutely loved this book and all the glowing reviews and rave tributes are 100% correct. It’s a thing of stunning beauty, hilarious wit, and breathtaking heart, and if you haven’t read it yet, you should.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: historical fiction; LGBTQ+ stories; Hollywood glamour vibes.
CW: Homophobia; misogyny; death (including death of child and death of parent); terminal illness; suicide.
Graphic: Child death, Sexual violence, Death, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Suicide, Car accident, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, and Physical abuse
elieska's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Car accident, Homophobia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Cancer
Hollywood, memoir, life story,livreittoashley's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Cancer, Addiction, Domestic abuse, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, Alcohol, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Abortion, and Suicide
Minor: Pregnancy
jessoftheemeraldsea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
"People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is 'you're safe with me'- that's intimacy.
"It’s always been fascinating to me how things can be simultaneously true and false, how people can be good and bad all in one, how someone can love you in a way that is beautifully selfless while serving themselves ruthlessly.
I diverged from my usual genres with this book. Its reflective nature was heartbreaking at times. Dissecting a life of love and loss in hindsight can be brutal, and it makes me want to hug the ones I love all the more. I was impressed by the complexity of the relarionships and emotions.
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Homophobia
mmoranag's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Grief, Suicide, Death of parent, Homophobia, Sexual content, Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Car accident, and Domestic abuse
graceybookster's review against another edition
5.0
This is the third book I’ve read by TJR and I was all set to give it 4 stars because I thought it was a great story and the endless explanations of her movies started to become a little tiresome towards the end but I understood why they were there. Then the ending just FLOORED me, especially the last line, so changed my mind to 5 stars!
Although I did guess one of the major twists early before it was announced, the very ending just got me and it’s lingering with me still as I’m writing this. THAT is what makes a 5 star for me. TJR is just so clever and she has such a way with words and themes that just hit you to your core. This was a fascinating story as it gave you a glimpse into old Hollywood, but it wasn’t just glitz and glam. It was eye opening, heartbreaking and absolutely raw. It was yet again another story that makes you look inwards and learn life lessons. It was beautiful and ugly all at the same time. Amazing.
Moderate: Abortion, Car accident, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Suicide
zediant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Drug use and Racism
louisa_pre's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Minor: Car accident, Cancer, Abortion, Suicide, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Sexism
maiamill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Mental illness and Addiction
Minor: Homophobia
maritareads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Cancer, Domestic abuse, and Car accident
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Lesbophobia, Alcoholism, and Biphobia
Minor: Suicide, Drug abuse, and Abortion