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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
bashahn5's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Minor: Sexism, Death, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
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
1jessicabearx'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
This book broke my heart and mended it at the same time. The character arcs and relationships were gripping and shocking and beautiful. Harry Cameron you have my absolute heart.
There were lots of twists and turns, some expected and some completely out of the blue.
There were a few chapters that felt a little slow so that's what dropped this down to a 4 star - but looking back, all was necessary and made perfect sense at the end.
I’ve learnt so much from this story, I think a little part of me has changed because of this story.
Graphic: Car accident, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Death
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Racism, and Pregnancy
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
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
badbadwolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Miscarriage, Outing, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Homophobia, Suicide, Abortion, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Cancer, Drug use, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Sexual content
amandaacat'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: Physical abuse, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Miscarriage, Toxic friendship, Grief, Child death, Abortion, Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Sexism
jess_always_reading'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
I'm writing this after just finishing this incredible novel and there are still tears drying on my face because THAT ENDING.
If I could rate higher than 5 stars I would, this story is beautiful. Jenkins Reid has crafted a suite of characters that are so completely human, complex and evolving, lovable and flawed. A story of love in all its forms, of survival and the way the wounds of our childhood stay with us. Of the pain of living in hiding and in fear. Of a life filled with love, struggle, and loss.
Lastly, I love the way Jenkins Reid writes Evelyn telling her story. It reads like someone sharing their truths and, in its telling, reveals even more about Evelyn's incredible character.
100/10 would recommend!
Graphic: Alcoholism, Grief, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Blood, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Cancer, and Sexism