bookaddictlt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Graphic: Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Domestic abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Death, and Body shaming
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Racism, Infidelity, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Suicide
Minor: Chronic illness, Alcohol, Cancer, Car accident, and Alcoholism
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s quite shocking that it took me so long to read this, though I suspect a lot of it had to do with the fact that I had such high hopes and had heard so much unadulterated praise. Ever the pessimist, I was afraid it would disappoint me.
I’m VERY GLAD to report, that it did not disappoint me at all, and actually was much more than I hoped for. An incredible epic of a story-within-a-story, a biographical account of a fictional starlet with many marriages and headlines, but only one true love kept secret for most of her life.
I love TJR’s writing, her layered and complicated story building eclipsed only by the bold and complex characters she creates. Evelyn isn’t supposed to be someone you just love, but she is someone you absolutely root for, despite all her flaws. Because there’s Celia, the truth behind it all. (And Harry, whom I adored so much.)
One of the best novels I’ve ever read that accurately tackles the duality of humanity and fame, with a central focus on the LGBTQ+ community. Phenomenal.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Chronic illness, Classism, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Racism, Suicide, Homophobia, Injury/injury detail, Terminal illness, Drug use, Outing, Physical abuse, Cursing, Infidelity, Misogyny, Grief, Medical trauma, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Bullying, Car accident, Death, Self harm, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Sexism
Moderate: Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Abortion, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, and Eating disorder
katiea714's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug use, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Addiction, Alcohol, Classism, Alcoholism, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content, Sexism, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Injury/injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual assault, Grief, and Terminal illness
loongbooy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Physical abuse, Grief, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Sexism, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Body shaming, Sexual content, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Lesbophobia, Cancer, and Suicide
hannux's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Car accident, Cancer, and Suicide
Minor: Injury/injury detail, Homophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Fatphobia, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Abortion, and Lesbophobia
gab_l23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Abortion
Minor: Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
sophiemag's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Car accident, Suicide, and Death
Minor: Homophobia, Abortion, and Fatphobia
katesio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed the reflective aspect of being gay, lesbian, bisexual and navigating this as a celebrity in the public eye through the 1950s to 2000s. There are culturally significant moments in the books where the characters have to decide how they want to engage to support LGBTQIA+ rights without affecting their own careers.
From Husband five onwards there was a rollercoaster of emotions and plots happening that I couldn't leave this book until the last page had been read.
What a sensation and what a book to start your reading journey on!
Graphic: Infidelity, Outing, Physical abuse, Sexism, Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Body shaming, Grief, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Racism, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Blood, Cancer, Car accident, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
prairieraven's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Biphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Injury/injury detail, Lesbophobia, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, and Misogyny
Minor: Car accident, Classism, Pregnancy, Abortion, Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Death
spacepiratequeen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Fatphobia