Review: Not Without You by Harriet Evans

Book: Not Without You

Author: Harriet Evans

Pages: 448

I Read: The paperback copy pictured above

I Read It In: 4 hours

Plot Summary: From internationally bestselling author Harriet Evans comes an intriguing and fresh new novel about a famous modern-day actress whose fate becomes intertwined with a glamorous movie star from the 1950s who vanished many years earlier.
Sophie Leigh’s real name is Sophie Sykes. But she hasn’t been called that for years, not since she became an A-list movie star. Living in Hollywood, she can forget all about her old life in England and the tragedy she left behind. But in the process, she’s lost something of herself, too.

Eve Noel didn’t choose her name. A Hollywood producer did. In fact, he makes all the decisions for her—what to wear, when to smile, who to love. A product of the 1950s, Eve has none of Sophie’s modern self-confidence, but she knows she must follow her heart. One day, she simply vanishes: no one knows where she went, or why…
As Sophie’s perfect-on-the-outside world begins to crumble, it seems her life might be linked to Eve’s. And when past and present collide, Sophie must unravel the mystery around Eve’s disappearance to save them both—but is she already too late? 

What I Liked: A quick list:

• The premise of this book is interesting- two Hollywood A-listers, separated by 50-odd years- and somehow their lives are inter-connected. 
• Eve Noel's story is just lovely. There are glimpses of old Hollywood- the good and the bad- which make for an engrossing read. I loved reading every little bit about her life. I wished there was so much more of her and her story and significantly less of Sophie! 
• The book shifted between the two time periods quite effortlessly, so that was good. 
• The actual mechanics of being a movie star- what is real, what is crafted and fake.. and how fickle this beast called 'fame' is- are very written and well-captured. So, well written that you begin to feel pretty disgusted reading about it. Always a good thing if an author can evoke that sort of a reaction! 

What I Didn't Like: 

• Sophie- she was very blah! Sorry, that is not helpful at all.. but I don't know how else to explain it. There is nothing really interesting about her.. she is not particularly smart or intuitive or has a deep well of sadness or anything which makes her.. (and there is that word again!) interesting. She somehow becomes an A-list star.. does romantic comedies, which she is not proud of.. is seen as a bimbo.. which, er, um, she rather sounds like.. so, why not embrace it?! Anyway, she is not fun. I didn't connect with her and that ruined a big part of the book for me. 
• The big twist. The big thing that connects the two actresses. It was STUPID! And so eminently guessable! 

Rating: 3.5/5 (Read it if you enjoy historical fiction and want to soak in some charming and not-so-charming tales of Hollywood in the 50s)