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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
With tears in my eyes, I finished this book. I devoured it in less than 24 hours. As a mom to two young, wild, and crazy boys, and as a woman incredibly devoted to and in love with her husband… this book shattered me in the best way. It reminds me of the depth of the value of love. Crazy intoxicating love. Raw and unending devotion kinda love. A must read!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Emily Henry, I’ll get you for this one. Yes, I sobbed. Gosh I don’t even know how to describe how beautiful this book was without spoiling it. Everyone needs to read this!
Alice Scott is a writer. Not a fiction writer, but a biographer, and she’s on the hunt for her next story. This hunt takes her all the way to a small island in Georgia at the doorstep of the reclusive heiress, Margaret Ives, widow of famous singer, Cosmo Sinclair (think Elvis). Alice soon finds herself in a one-month trial period with Margaret where the older woman will decide between Alice, and seasoned biographer, Hayden, as to whom she will allow to tell her story to the world. Bound by NDA’s and unable to discuss their time with Margaret, Alice and Hayden find themselves spending time together over the trial period, developing a relationship in the most unlikely of circumstances. When the secrets Margaret has been keeping from them both are revealed, will there be a chance for them once the cards are on the table?
Alice Scott is a writer. Not a fiction writer, but a biographer, and she’s on the hunt for her next story. This hunt takes her all the way to a small island in Georgia at the doorstep of the reclusive heiress, Margaret Ives, widow of famous singer, Cosmo Sinclair (think Elvis). Alice soon finds herself in a one-month trial period with Margaret where the older woman will decide between Alice, and seasoned biographer, Hayden, as to whom she will allow to tell her story to the world. Bound by NDA’s and unable to discuss their time with Margaret, Alice and Hayden find themselves spending time together over the trial period, developing a relationship in the most unlikely of circumstances. When the secrets Margaret has been keeping from them both are revealed, will there be a chance for them once the cards are on the table?
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
uhh so.. dnf…
literally first time ever i’ve not finished an emily henry book but i actually just can’t. the main characters just completely 180 how they feel about each other within the first 1/3 of the book and ig the story of margaret is supposed to carry forward interest but i just don’t care?
literally first time ever i’ve not finished an emily henry book but i actually just can’t. the main characters just completely 180 how they feel about each other within the first 1/3 of the book and ig the story of margaret is supposed to carry forward interest but i just don’t care?
Rating: 3.25 stars
We follow Alice and Hayden, two writers that are competing for the spot to pen the biography of Hollywood legend Margaret—a glamorous, enigmatic heiress with a lifetime of secrets. As Alice delves into Margaret’s past through a series of interviews, she finds herself drawn to Hayden, despite his reserved and sharp nature. The story alternates between present-day dynamic and flashbacks around Margaret’s family.
This book had all the ingredients for a compelling, emotionally rich story—Hollywood scandals, family secrets, and a slow-burn romance—but it never quite reached its full potential.
What worked for me
- Alice and Hayden’s dynamic was the strongest part of the book. Their chemistry felt genuine, and their personal struggles gave them depth.
- The present-day storyline was engaging. Watching Alice peel back the layers of Margaret’s history while navigating her own issues was compelling.
- The ending tied things together well, offering a satisfying, if not groundbreaking, resolution.
What didn’t work for me
- Margaret’s flashbacks dragged.
While her history as a Hollywood heiress had its moments, it often felt like a distraction from the more interesting present-day narrative. Comparisons to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo are inevitable, but Margaret’s story lacked the same magnetic pull. She just didn’t seem interesting enough.
- The romance, while sweet, could have been stronger. Alice and Hayden had great interactions, but their relationship sometimes took a backseat to Margaret’s past, which was frustrating when their dynamic had so much more room to shine.
- Pacing issues. The shifts between timelines disrupted the flow, making the book feel uneven.
Final Thoughts:
This wasn’t my favorite Emily Henry book—it lacked the razor-sharp wit and emotional punch of her best works. Still, Alice and Hayden’s journey was enough to keep me reading, even if Margaret’s sections often felt like filler.
We follow Alice and Hayden, two writers that are competing for the spot to pen the biography of Hollywood legend Margaret—a glamorous, enigmatic heiress with a lifetime of secrets. As Alice delves into Margaret’s past through a series of interviews, she finds herself drawn to Hayden, despite his reserved and sharp nature. The story alternates between present-day dynamic and flashbacks around Margaret’s family.
This book had all the ingredients for a compelling, emotionally rich story—Hollywood scandals, family secrets, and a slow-burn romance—but it never quite reached its full potential.
What worked for me
- Alice and Hayden’s dynamic was the strongest part of the book. Their chemistry felt genuine, and their personal struggles gave them depth.
- The present-day storyline was engaging. Watching Alice peel back the layers of Margaret’s history while navigating her own issues was compelling.
- The ending tied things together well, offering a satisfying, if not groundbreaking, resolution.
What didn’t work for me
- Margaret’s flashbacks dragged.
While her history as a Hollywood heiress had its moments, it often felt like a distraction from the more interesting present-day narrative. Comparisons to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo are inevitable, but Margaret’s story lacked the same magnetic pull. She just didn’t seem interesting enough.
- The romance, while sweet, could have been stronger. Alice and Hayden had great interactions, but their relationship sometimes took a backseat to Margaret’s past, which was frustrating when their dynamic had so much more room to shine.
- Pacing issues. The shifts between timelines disrupted the flow, making the book feel uneven.
Final Thoughts:
This wasn’t my favorite Emily Henry book—it lacked the razor-sharp wit and emotional punch of her best works. Still, Alice and Hayden’s journey was enough to keep me reading, even if Margaret’s sections often felt like filler.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced