Evelyn Hugo, one of the most renowned and enduring symbols of beauty from midcentury Hollywood, known for her several marriages hires a relatively unknown journalist to write her coveted tell all biography named Monique. The book is split into two narratives, one that focuses on Monique and her interactions with the elderly Evelyn, and Evelyn telling her own story.

I think both were excellent stories, which is very difficult to do in a split narrative and it had powerful themes regarding abuse, race, and sexuality. I was extremely impressed with the characters and the mystery surrounding why Evelyn actually hired Monique was compelling. I strongly believe that Evelyn Hugo is one of the most complex characters I've read in a very long time.

The ending was so shocking that I had to sit with it for a while. Taylor Jenkins Reid masterfully foreshadows the climax of the story, which makes it that much more fun to re-read. I felt that both characters deserved better, but I understand the direction Reid was taking. Unexpected and heartbreaking.