Things I really liked… and a few things I didn’t. ~Sheila
Alicia Cross has dreamed about becoming a writer. When she believes she finds a contact for none other than the unreachable Margaret Ives, tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century, she can not believe her luck. Alicia definitely thinks the stars have aligned when she is not only correct about finding Margaret, but Margaret has invited her to Crescent Island to talk about Alicia writing her biography.
Yet, as Alicia knows all too well, nothing is that easy. While it is true that Alicia has been given access to Margaret, she is not the only one.
Enter Pulitzer-Prize winner Hayden Anderson, who has also been invited to the island – ALSO to be interviewed by Margaret to potentially write her story – and in the words of Margaret, may the best person win the right to do so.
With an iron-clad NDA, Margaret meets with both writers separately to tell her story, but the real story genre – mystery, historical, tragedy, or romance… may depend on the writer…. and if Alicia and Hayden steer clear of the obvious attraction to each other.
Ok – first *sigh*. I am not a fan of romance… well, let’s say fluffy romance. While this at times borders on a little too much eye fluttering and stammering for my taste, I am pleased to say there is more likable parts to this book.
I did like the back story and the camaraderie between Hayden and Alicia as they find themselves in situations that pull them together, even when they are trying to stay in their own lane. This, and Margaret’s telling of her story, was fun ( a reminder of something else I have read in the past few years – cover has a woman in a green dress… that I can not recall the title of) – but not in a bad way.
My biggest peeve, and sorry if this is a spoiler- the sex. Not a prude – but I also do not need to have the full play by play in my fiction (or perhaps it seemed more detailed in audio). Every time.. yeah, there is more than one occurrence… it pulled me out of the story. Obviously, my opinion, but I feel there are ways to get the picture without the full PICTURE.
Overall, mostly enjoyed. Would love others’ thoughts on this one.
Rated: 2.75 out of 5
Read Author Before: yes – Funny Story
Read Author Again: Probably she has some fun titles and Im a little surprized I have not read more of her books
Where Read: Audio – gardening/mowing/commuting


I was bored. I thought the back story was dull. The whole idea of why or why not would their relationship work was silly
Emily Henry is tiktok’s darling. Kind of like Colleen Hoover was. Very overrated
She is a hit or miss read for me and now reading your review I am going to put this on the miss pile. I don’t mind fluffy romance but not lots of sex scenes which I generally skip but no this one is not for me I think.
I have this on my TBR shelf and am looking forward to it as I’ve liked the previous Emily Henry books I’ve read, but I do feel warned by your review, so thank you! Eye fluttering galore may drive me crazy.
Was the green dress book the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Something?
Anyway, I enjoyed this one, I’m a bit hit and miss with E.H. but I thought she’d got some depth in her writing here with the double plot. I didn’t love all the sex bits though! My review here: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/04/28/fun-light-reads-emily-henry-great-big-beautiful-life-and-jane-linfoot-the-cosy-croissant-cafe/