Book Review for It Girl by Allison Pataki

 

It Girl by Allison Pataki

Published:   March 10, 2026 by Ballantine Books

Genre:  Historical Fiction, New York City

Taken from Goodreads:  A sweeping, sensational novel of America’s first “It Girl,” whose dramatic journey to center stage echoes through the decades—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post.

New York, 1900. At the dawn of a new century, the city’s streets teem with electricity, automobiles, a brash young President Teddy Roosevelt—and the It Girls. As artist’s muses and working models, these independent young women soar to stardom not because of their pedigrees or inherited wealth, but because of their talent, charisma, and irresistible beauty. Pop culture is born, and in a world alight with Mr. Edison’s new bulbs, no one shines brighter than America’s sweetheart, Evelyn Talbot.

But the journey to stardom was not simple or straight. As a young girl, a grieving Evelyn is forced to take care of her widowed mother and kid brother. While working as a shopgirl, she is recruited as a studio model, and soon catches the eye of the preeminent artists of her age. When Broadway comes calling, Evelyn solidifies her status as the first self-made American female celebrity, a “Gibson Girl,” the most sought-after face of her time. Enter a parade of powerful and power-hungry men, from world-famous architect Stanley Pierce, the visionary behind Manhattan’s mansions and iconic landmarks, to Hal Thorne, the shockingly wealthy railroad heir and premiere “playboy” of high society. Each man promises comfort, glamour, security—even love. But fame and fortune are cruel teachers.
When Evelyn finds herself at the center of a murder of passion declared “the Crime of the Century,” the sins of the men in her life are blamed on her. In the media frenzy that erupts, Evelyn realizes that—to survive—she will have to take charge of her own ending. But can this artists’ muse turned showgirl pull off the greatest act of her life? 

It Girl is a breathtaking ride inspired by a singular artist and survivor who captured the heart of American society. In Allison Pataki’s talented hands, we see Evelyn find the power to change not only the world around her, but her own destiny.

 

My Thoughts:  It Girl is a book that should come with warnings.   The first warning is that this is a book that will pull you in from the very first page and will not let you go.   You will become invested in Evelyn’s story, invested in her becoming the It Girl and what that means to her.   The second warning is the triggers.   The loss of family members, the relationships with the sponsors and her mother.   While I did not want to put the book down there were many times I cringed at what was happening to and around Evelyn.

I felt like I was living on the stage with Evelyn.   I lived through her poverty, her growth, and her being seen.  I felt her excitement, her fear, and all the other emotions she experienced.   This book came alive to me as I read it, it played like a movie as I turned page after page never wanting it to end but yet needing to know how Evelyn would turn out.

It Girl is a book that was not easy to read but it is a book that I will not forget.   It is a book that will stay with me for a long time.  

Thank you Ballantine Books for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Meet that Author (taken from her website):  Allison Pataki is the multiple New York Times bestselling author of eleven books of historical fiction, children’s books and memoir, including the instant bestseller The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post and the critically acclaimed Finding Margaret Fuller. Allison’s novels have been translated into more than twenty four languages around the world and have been selected by the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, PBS Books, Entertainment Weekly, CBS News, People Magazine, Town & Country and other outlets as favorite and featured titles. A former news writer and producer, Allison has written for The New York Times, ABC News, The Huffington Post, USA Today, Fox News and more. Allison graduated Cum Laude from Yale University with a major in English. A member of The Historical Novel Society and a certified Yoga instructor, Allison is a sought-after public speaker and a frequent visitor to book clubs, reading groups and other gatherings. She lives in New York with her husband and family.

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