I liked the format of the book and I loved the chapter titles about her husbands. While I didn't like everything that Evelyn did, I did like that she was in charge and successful, especially coming from nothing, but man, she was ruthless!!

I did not see the twist with Monique at the end. I felt bad for Monique, but I felt worse for her mother and wished Jenkins had let us in on Monique telling her poor mother about her dad.

I ended up using this book for PopSugar's 2018 prompt, "A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist."

Off on its travels as part of the USA & Canada Wishlist Tag Game 2019 .

USPS Tracking #: 9549011018379271348731

I can't believe I forgot to journal this when I got it! I also can't believe that it took me so long to read it, because it was SO GOOD!

I'm sending this out in relation to the USA & Canada Wishlist Tag Game 2020
Sorry it took so long!

The book arrived safely today; thanks much! I'd wanted to read it since stumbling across its short TV Tropes page.

Later: I really enjoyed this novel, though I agree that Evelyn was one tough lady! I mean, she kind of had to be to succeed in her chosen profession, but the trait appeared early on; seems she accepted that her looks meant she'd be getting a lot of attention, and she could either reject it and struggle or make use of it, at the cost of some unpleasant experiences.

I loved the walk through the Golden Age of Hollywood, with Evelyn and her friends, lovers, and foes all showing traits of a number of actual celebrities, mixing and matching episodes from their lives and weaving them into Evelyn's own story. I felt her frustration with the way the film industry worked, and how easy it was for a star's reputation to rise or fall based on one big success or failure (or one big rumor!). Evelyn - with some help from the delightful Harry - learned to manipulate the press, and several of her marriages were made expressly to boost her reputation and/or to fend off nasty rumors.

The story's told by Evelyn, narrating her memoirs to Monique - who I wish we'd gotten to know a little better. Oh, we do get some tidbits about her own past, which pay off in a big way once Evelyn finally reveals why she chose her (that was a twist I did not expect at all!), but even after the big reveal, when Evelyn is sure that Monique will hate her, I didn't get a strong sense of just how Monique felt about it all. (Though I did appreciate the steps she took at the very end!)

For all her machinations, I was happy to find that at least some of her relationships were for love - though one of those turned out abusive, and another was a marry-a-friend-as-a-beard situation. That she got to spend as much time as she did with the person who was the true love of her life was great, even if it wasn't as long as they might have had if they'd met in a different era...

I'm sending this book to BCer kaila-ann for the US/Canada wishlist-tag game. Enjoy!

*** Released for the 2020 Pride LGBTQ challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2020 June Brides challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2020 Keep Them Moving challenge. ***

Arrived safe and sound today, thank you!!

Really enjoyed this one. I did not see the twist at the end coming and agree that I wish there would have been a little more time devoted to how Monique felt/chose to deal with it.

Reserved for the wishlist tag game.

Sent off today as part of the wishlist tag game.

Thanks so much for the tag. This is also on my daughter’s wishlist so it will going to the top of Mt. TBR!

I agree wholeheartedly with everything that has been journaled about this story. I too did not see the ending coming! What a twist, you did keep wondering throughout the story what would cause Monique to hate Evelyn.
I have chosen this as my bookclub’s January read, then it will be off to my granddaughter and the daughter.

Returned to me. Now available.

Sending to echode as soon as I have her address for the International Wishlist tag game.

Sending to echode for the wishlist tag game.

Arrived lightening quick!
Thank you for tagging me, spoiledrotten!