I admit to avoiding this book because it seemed too mainstream. It showed up on my social media feeds too often, nagging at me. This always makes me apprehensive.

I was wrong to avoid this one. It wasn’t what I expected at all.

---

---

---

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.

---

REVIEW

I loved all the snippets of newspaper & media. I loved the interviewing format. It created such a realistic alternate universe, it was easy to forget Evelyn Hugo doesn’t really exist. I almost started to talk/think of her as a real person a few times.

One of my favourite surprises about this book: in my avoidance of it, I had never realized it was tagged LGBT. I was so pleased when it was revealed Evelyn was bisexual. Queer historical fiction always makes me so happy. Celia was my favourite character.

I really loved this book, but it left me wanting more. I expected more from the final reveal (her connection with Monique Grant, the interviewer) & more about Monique in general. I wanted to know much more about her daughter (their relationship felt too simple). For an interview about Evelyn’s life, it focused too much on romance and not enough on her family/work.

---

---