All aboard the bandwagon! As always, I have come very late to this trend so there’s every chance you’ve beaten me to this read. Taylor Jenkins Reid blew me away with Daisy Jones and the Six, so I’m honestly surprised it took me this long to see what all the fuss about Evelyn Hugo was about.
Evelyn Hugo lived a bodacious life on the big screen, a spotlight only enhanced by the speculations and rumors that surrounded her personal life and her many partners. Amidst the bright lights, she maintained a certain reserve and secrecy that only enhanced the allure of her life. Having become more reclusive in her later years, she’s ready to tell all… to Monique. Monique has a lacklustre love life and a moderately successful career but it comes as a surprise to everyone, especially Monique, when she’s handpicked by Evelyn Hugo to cover her story.
Through the days that follow as Evelyn details her life and the story that created the star, the two women form an understanding, if not a friendship, all of which is jeopardized by the end of Evelyn’s tale and the fallout it brings.
I’ll start with the good news: I thought Evelyn’s character was wildly refreshing. A poised woman who had to make her own way in the world, I found her surprisingly complex, rarely relatable and continually fascinating. Evelyn’s character is what brought this to a 3-star Goodreads rating, which brings me to the bad news. While I was drawn to the parts of the book that told Evelyn’s story, I felt Monique’s side (and thus the conflict) was breezed by and not fully developed. I think this book had more potential than the final product, but still feel the work done to bring Evelyn’s character to life was worth the read.
2% Rating: 6/10
Recommend? Maybe
Re-Read? No
Time: 1:38