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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
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
gabi_715'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
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Medical content, Child death, Sexual content, Blood, Biphobia, and Death
Minor: Abortion
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
fierygecko'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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Car accident, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Misogyny, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Eating disorder, Alcoholism, and Biphobia
Minor: Pregnancy and Grief
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
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
madisynn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Biphobia, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Homophobia
Minor: Cancer and Car accident
bellasierra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Biphobia, Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Addiction, Chronic illness, Death, Abortion, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Outing and Suicide
jillyclaire23's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Biphobia, Cancer, and Domestic abuse