4/5 stars. Genre : General fiction

It is rare for me to pick up a book that is so enthralling, I end up finishing it in a matter of days. The appeal of old school Hollywood glamour and the secret lives of it's beauties when you contrast it with the current age of social media and easy access certainly pulled me in but this book is an endearing love story at its heart.

Evelyn Hugo, retired Hollywood star, seeks out a young journalist, apparently out of nowhere for a tell-all about her scandalous life including offcourse, the seven husbands. Evelyn as character is fleshed out with great care even if it all seems too filmy at times. The love story that anchors this entire book is so tender and pure that you can't help rooting for them. I wouldn't call this a mystery by any means but the twist tied up everything quite nicely.

A memorable read about love, glamour, friendship and the price of fame.


4 stars because there are some convenient accidents, side characters that could have been explored further and a very obvious lack of paparazzi that I couldn't get past ( maybe that's thanks to my 2026 brain )

ORIGINAL