- Historical Fiction
- Romance
- Fiction
This novel follows legendary actress Evelyn Hugo as she unexpectedly contacts magazine reporter Monique Grant to write her long-awaited biography. Monique is baffled as to why someone as famous and glamorous as Evelyn would choose her over countless respected journalists. But as Evelyn begins to unravel the story of her extraordinary life, Monique soon realises the connection between them is far closer to home than she ever imagined.
Evelyn herself is a truly unforgettable character — the quintessential 1950s Hollywood starlet you both admire and fear. She is glamorous, ambitious, complex, and unapologetically herself. You cannot help but become completely captivated by her. She knows exactly who she is and what she wants, and there’s something incredibly compelling about her confidence and determination.
People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realise you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you can stand in front of them bare and their response is “your safe with me” – that’s intimacy.
Evelyn Hugo
I had been excited to read this novel for a long time, although I must admit the huge amount of hype surrounding it made me slightly nervous. Thankfully, I can honestly say it did not disappoint.
This is a genuinely unputdownable book. Every chapter leaves you desperate to know more, and I found myself completely immersed in Evelyn’s world. I’ve also heard it is being adapted into a film, and I honestly think it is perfect cinematic material.
The novel captures the glamour and scandal of old Hollywood brilliantly, making you feel as though you are living amongst movie stars, secrets, and dramatic headlines. Beneath the glamour, however, the story explores much deeper themes, including bisexuality, the misogyny of classic Hollywood, and the sacrifices people make for love, ambition, and success. It highlights how personal happiness can sometimes come at the cost of moral compromise.
You do not know how fast you have been running, how hard you have been working, how truly exhausted you are, until someone stands behind you and says, “Its OK, you can fall down now. I’ll catch you”
Evelyn Hugo
There is never a quiet moment in this story. Every revelation is shocking, emotional, or heartbreaking, and the ending completely caught me off guard.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves old Hollywood glamour, dramatic relationships, and strong female characters. If you enjoy stories filled with scandal, ambition, and emotional depth with a touch of Great Gatsby-style extravagance, this is absolutely worth reading.
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