Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Stephanie at Atria Books

Goodreads:  From Taylor Jenkins Reid comes an unforgettable and sweeping novel about one classic film actress’s relentless rise to the top—the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.

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 through the decades—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.

Filled with emotional insight and written with Reid’s signature talent, this is a fascinating journey through the splendor 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.

Ope’s Opinion: If you are a historical / Hollywood reader, you would probably give this book a five!  As I am not usually a historical reader nor old Hollywood reader, but I am a Taylor Jenkins Reid reader, this book intrigued me.

I did not like or enjoy Evelyn Hugo.  She was self centered and egotistical from the beginning to the very end.  All of her decisions, even having her book written, and who was to write it, was all about her and how she wanted to be portrayed to the public.

Taylor Jenkins Reid brought this story to life for me, she is such an awesome writer.  To me each of Reid’s books are unique.  She weaves wonderful story lines and her characters become real people. – she did it again this time.  Although this one did not hit a home run for me, I will read another TJR without reading the synopsis, I like her so much.