ExlibrisJessica

Book Synopsis:

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.

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.

This year, the only book I was UTTERLY DESPERATE to read and review early was this one! Emily Henry is one of my favourite authors and once it’d arrived I’d read it in less than 24 hours!

This is a little different to Henry’s other books but I love the new direction! Two writers competing for a chance the life story of a reclusive heiress with a lot of plot twists! Definitely a romance but with elements of historical fiction and occasionally a more literary fiction tone.

Unlike Henry’s other books, this story really had three main characters: Alice, Hayden, and also Margaret. I really enjoyed the mix of contemporary romance and ‘old Hollywood’ mystery and was actually reminded a lot of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s ‘Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’. However, I thought this was so much more enjoyable!! It had the same emotional backstory from Margaret but the romance between Alice and Hayden added so much joy.

Alice is one of my favourite EH characters as she is so optimistic and lovely all the time! She is very open and sure of the way she wants to act towards people (even if she isn’t always sure of herself). Hayden’s opposite moody personality creates for the perfect grumpy/sunshine/rivals to lovers partnership!

Something I found really brilliant was the pacing and tension! Whilst there are the usual cute moments and underlying steamy tension, there are also more quiet conversations that explore Alice and Hayden’s competing viewpoints and personal experiences; I think this blend works so well and continues to move the story along, even with the slower throwbacks to Margaret’s past.

I just know so many people are going to enjoy this book when it’s released next month! I can’t wait to discuss it with you all!! Once you start this book, you won’t want to put it down!

The biggest thank you to Viking Books for providing me with this early reader copy in exchange for my honest opinions🩷