I think I'm still in a little bit of shock from what this book became. I didn't look too deeply into the synopsis or into friends reviews, I only knew everyone said this was their best book of 2018. I went into this read with trepidation, worried the high praise would spoil my perspective.

I love how different this book was from anything I've read before. Maybe that's my own fault, for having a 'type', but it really allowed this story to take me on a ride. The format switched between present day, flashbacks, and article clippings. It allowed the story to not only flow, but to fly by.

The author created a main character who is likable and hate-able. While I was often rooting for her, I could sit back and judge her actions towards other people. The great thing is that, at this point in the characters life, she's self aware of her short comings. I'm not sure if that cultivates a redemption arc, but it was nice to see such a fleshed out, well rounded, and intelligent character.

I have to say I didn't get as emotionally trapped by the ending as I've seen others have, because I definitely saw the plot twists coming. The first plot twist I expected, but it was used in a way I should have expected and didn't. Kudos. The second plot twist, which honestly was a bold move having two huge twists within the last twenty pages, I saw coming from the first few pages of the novel, and was slowly preparing myself for.

Overall, I wasn't sure what to rate this. It's a novel so different from what I usually read, but I can't deny how utterly enraptured I was by this story, and this fictional woman's life. I think this has some really important messages and themes throughout, which helped boost my rating. I'm left wishing, in some ways, that Evelyn was a real person. Who knows, maybe she's out there. Maybe Evelyn represents a side of Hollywood we haven't explored until now. Either way, the things I learned from her life, her message about true love, I'll take with me everywhere.