Great story and superb narration

I was unsure about this book as the title and cover just did not inspire. However this is where audibles members ratings and reviews come into play and I took a chance.

I am so pleased I went ahead and made the purchased, this is an outstanding book.

No spoilers.... Monique a not well known journalist working on a popular US magazine is requested to write a piece about a charity dress auction of the fictious Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo.
What happens during the meetings of the two is Evelyns untold story is gently revealed, like the peeling of an onion. The layers are carefully unfolded to show the true Evelyn Hugo, who is the character her adoring fans know, but also so much mor than they imagined. There are many touching moments in the book of Moniques and Evelyns life that will fill you with emotion.

I highly recommend this marvelous book.

19 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Chick Lit

I don't know what I was expecting going into this but it wasn't this. Possibly the most over-hyped and cliched book I've ever read. Lost track (and interest) in husbands after husband 3 or 4. All characters have no redeeming qualities, except from Harry. The meandering timeline means we only get occasional plot-driven insight into Evelyn's relationship with Celia, so they seem to fight a lot. I couldn't root for them.

Monique was an extremely unlikeable character, and her surprise link with Evelyn was not much of a surprise. On top of this, the author was keen to include a lot of identity politics in this book, which was detrimental; Evelyn's experience of being biracial was a non-story when it could have been so much more, whilst the mentions of bisexual-erasure were over the top for a story in this setting.
I would recommend this book for your mother to read on the beach, or if you like soap operas and chick-lit.
I would not recommend this book to anyone who is interested in literary fiction or gay/lesbian fiction.

8 persone l'hanno trovata utile

OMG

This book is incredible and made me cry. A million stars. I will be buying the paperback of this book just so I can read the gorgeous words that Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote. Thank you for creating this book Taylor.

7 persone l'hanno trovata utile

I’m in love

I’m in love with this book...
I didn’t realise it was an LGBTQ+ novel before I purchased it, I’m Bisexual myself so identified with a number of points in this book on that topic. I am always in the lookout for more stories which are about more then sex for LGBTQ+ women,so this was a spectacular find. It’s in my top 5 book right now... I really am in love... Thank you, Thank you, to Taylor Jenkins Reid for writing this!!

12 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Engrossing story, but some performances distracted

Alma Cuervo does fantastic taking over the narration of Evelyn's story.

Unfortunately the chapters where Robin Miles takes the lead are difficult to listen to. This is the second book I've listened to with her narration. Often her voice sounds clipped or rushed, as if it's over edited but that may be her natural cadence. It does not sound natural to listen to.
Some may like this but I don't : she hams it up to convey extra emotion. I feel her performance lacks nuance and every affected feeling is dialled up to 11.

Love the story, love Alma Cuervo's narration but I'm going to be careful about choosing books including Miles in the future.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

very emotional

I really enjoyed this - the reading was excellent and the story engaging.
I can't say much more without spoliers, but a great listen overall.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

I was so hooked, I had my earphones at all times

Although 2019 has only started, I can safely pronounce this book will be one of my favourites of the year - because it is already one of the best books I've read in years. It is incredibly engrossing and beautifully written (and narrated). I've gone into this book expecting a lot, having seen it absolutely everywhere since it came out and followed only by great reviews. And I was not let down. Evelyn Hugo is an Old Hollywood movie icon, she's gorgeous, she's a sex symbol (and she knows how to use it), she's ambitious, manipulative, so much smarter than she'll ever let you know, ruthless and unappologetic, and she will do everything to get what she wants. And now, at the end of her life she is telling the story of her scandalous life, all dirty detail included. Apart from Evelyn's point of view, the story is also told through the eyes of Monique Grant, a journalist Evelyn picked to write her biography. Monique herself is a biracial woman, recently separated and in front of an impending divorce, trying to climb her way up in the magazine she's working for. She is supposed to be objective, impersonal, but she finds herself learning from Evelyn, judging her, admiring her and hating her. The story deals with content that is not always easy to deal with, it talks about prostitution (in a form), alcoholism, domestic abuse, cheating, lgbtq+ rights and homophobia, racism, betrayal, but also love, friendship, the glamour of old Hollywood... and so much more. It is one of the most diverse and best minority-represented novels I have ever read. I dont even want to say too much because I dont have the words except READ THIS BOOK.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Brilliantly written and performed

I loved this from beginning to end. Evelyn and Monique are brilliant, very real characters. The book is extremely entertaining while exploring all the complexities involved with being a woman. Highly recommend!

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

love love love ❤

couldn't get enough.. highly recommended! Great story, read well, fantastic twist! 👍 download it!!

Brilliant performances, terrific twists!

Slow start, repetitive in parts, could do with some editing but an intriguing storyline with a fantastic twist at the end. Great characterisation, really enjoyed the actors' dulcet tones!