Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry.
Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years–or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century.
When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.
One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.
Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication
Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.
But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.
And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it.
Audiobook Review
5 stars for the narration by Julia Whelan
3 stars for the story
I never thought I would one day give three stars to Emily Henry but here we are.
May so far has been a month with some disappointing reads.
I won’t write a long review on this one.
In a nutshell: we follow two timelines while two journalists (Alice and Haydan) compete for one month to know who will interview the famous Margaret Ives about her life story.
The book alternates between the present with a love story in the making and between Margaret’s memories, retelling her wealthy family saga and her marriage to a famous singer.
Some compared the book to Evelyne Hugo from Taylor Jenkins Reid but I wouldn’t do that as the plot was completely different, even if you have some shocking elements.
What bothers me is that I was bored.
I didn’t believe in Haidan and Alice’s love story. It was too sudden. Lust yes love…it takes more time to build. I would have preferred a slow burn with more tension.
I enjoyed Margaret story but the word says it all: enjoy. Even with some shocking revelations I never felt her depth, I never fell into her story. It was more like reading about tabloids or facts that were told to me but never showed. I wasn’t invested.
Why did I feel like that? I have no idea.
I just know that I will read Emily Henry’s next book as I loved hers so far and hope her next one will make magic happen for me.
Thanks for reading.
Sophie
I’m sorry to hear this was disappointing for you Sophie! I’m a bit hesitant to pick it up myself, even if I loved her previous books.
Maybe it will work better for you?
I’m glad that I wasn’t the only one who didn’t enjoy this Emily Henry book as much as I had her others.
It seems a mixed bag review wise!
I wasn’t bored, but I couldn’t understand why we were getting so many details in that second timeline. But I must admit, when the pieces all came together, I loved it. I just think it took too long to get there, and I really wanted more time with the couple. They were great! I did shed tears that last 10%-ish of the book. It ended on a high note for me.
I did shed tears in the end too Sam!
I didn’t love (though there were things I did enjoy) the one book I read by Emily, but maybe someday I’ll give another of hers a chance. Time will tell! Sorry this one didn’t work as well for you – and thanks for sharing your thoughts! :)
Thank you for commenting Rissi!
I am sorry this hit you differently. I loved it. Great review!
Well Kimberly I totally get why other people love it! And I am glad for it as Emily Henry is an amazing writer. I guess it’s a case of “it’s not the book, it’s me”.