I simply love the way Taylor Jenkins Reid crafts such multifaceted, deep, human, and interesting characters. Just following Evelyn Hugo through her life would be captivating enough—but on top of that, we get fascinating insights into old Hollywood, movie sets, complicated relationships, and fame. Every side character is compelling too. TJR doesn’t sugarcoat her characters—they’re far from perfect, sometimes even downright unpleasant. But they feel real, and by the end, I cared so deeply about every single one of them. This book beautifully explores friendship and different kinds of love and relationships—romantic, platonic, complicated—all portrayed with such depth and nuance.
This book is a masterpiece. Watching Evelyn recount her life, reflect on her decisions (especially the wrong ones), and wrestle with moral conflicts—it’s raw, honest, and unforgettable. It’s not just a story about glamour and fame: it’s a story about life itself: identity, love, ambition, sacrifice, and regret. I felt every emotion: from adoration, pride, and joy to disappointment, anger, and pain.
Taylor Jenkins Reid didn’t just tell Evelyn’s story—she made me feel it. And beyond that, Evelyn’s story raises questions and inspires reflection about one’s own life, values, and priorities.
I couldn’t put this book down. It completely drew me in and stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
