Library Staff Recommendation
Evelyn Hugo was one of Hollywood’s biggest names from the 50s to the 80s before retiring into relative obscurity, but other than her movies and her scandalous seven husbands, not a lot is known about her. Journalist Monique Grant is offered the opportunity for a tell-all account of every secret in Hugo’s life, but why was this little-known writer selected for such an amazing opportunity?
Frankly, I waited too long to read this! The blurb did not catch my attention, but the constant praise this book received eventually convinced me to read it. What I found was an excellent read. This was one of those books where the further in you get, the harder it is to put down.
Evelyn is a fascinating and deeply flawed character. She did whatever it took to achieve her goals in Hollywood, which often cost her deeply in other areas of her life. As the lies and scandals pile up, the stakes get higher, and the story gets harder to pull away from.
There is also the question of Monique: why did Evelyn choose her? The author periodically raises this question, to ensure the reader is constantly asking it of themselves. The final reveal was satisfying and complex enough to feel justified.
Personally, I found the latter parts of the book quite emotional. I cried every chapter for about the last 40 pages. I had become invested in the characters and, as tragedies befell them, I felt Evelyn’s pain.
5/5 Stars
Reviewed by Rebecca.