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 in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn's Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn's life unfolds-revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love-Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn's story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways.
Written with Reid's signature talent for "creating complex, likable characters" (Real Simple), this is a fascinating journey through the splendour of Old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means-and what it takes-to face the truth.
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Film legend and '60's It Girl, Evelyn Hughes has just announced that she will auction off 12 of her most memorable gowns through Christie's to raise money for breast cancer research.
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(@simonschusterUK, 14 October 2021, 398, borrowed from @GlasgowLib via @BorrowBox, # POPSUGARReadingChallenge, a #BookTok recommendation)
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This has been on my radar for ages since I've read so many glowing reviews. I'm glad I finally got a chance to read it. I've read other books by the author and enjoyed them so I expected to like this. I thought this was a terrific read. I loved the way the books weaves through time gradually revealing Evelyn's heart-breaking life story. I also loved the fact her reason for choosing Monique as a ghost writer isn't revealed until almost the end of the book. It floored me. This is the kind of book that makes you keep turning the pages. I thought it was great.
