Book Review
It Girl
Allison Pataki
Book Description:
At the dawn of the twentieth century, New York’s streets teem with change:
electricity, automobiles, the brash young President Teddy Roosevelt—and the It
Girls. As artists’ 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 is not simple or straight. While working as a
shopgirl, the young Evelyn is recruited as a studio model and soon catches the
eye of the preeminent artists of the age. When Broadway comes calling, Evelyn
solidifies her status as the first self-made American female celebrity: the
iconic Gibson Girl, the most sought-after figure and 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 premier “playboy” of high
society. Each man promises comfort, glamour, security—even love. But fame and
fortune are cruel teachers, and Evelyn learns that the only person she can rely
on is herself.
When Evelyn finds herself at the center of a murder of passion declared “the
Crime of the Century,” she is blamed for the acts of the men in her life. In
the media frenzy that spirals around her, Evelyn realizes that to survive, she
will have to write 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
icon who captured the collective imagination of American society. Allison
Pataki has crafted yet another unforgettable leading lady, a heroine who must
find the power to change not only the world around her but her own destiny.
My 5-Star Review:
Allison Pataki’s It Girl sweeps readers into the
dazzling, dangerous world of America’s Gilded Age, where beauty and notoriety
could make—or ruin—a woman overnight. Inspired by the real-life Evelyn Nesbit,
the original “It Girl,” Pataki reimagines her story through the fictional
Evelyn Talbot, a young woman whose rise from poverty to fame mirrors the
glittering promise and peril of early 20th-century stardom.
From her beginnings as an artist’s muse to her reign as
Broadway’s darling, Evelyn’s journey is as intoxicating as it is heartbreaking.
Pataki vividly portrays the intoxicating glamour of the era—the grand hotels,
the theaters, the whispered scandals of the elite—while never losing sight of
the darker truths beneath the surface. Evelyn’s mother, more opportunist than
protector, sacrifices her daughter’s innocence for wealth and security. The men
around Evelyn—powerful, possessive, and dangerously entitled—see her as a prize
to be won, not a woman with dreams of her own.
What makes this novel shine is Pataki’s ability to balance
historical accuracy with emotional depth. The “Trial of the Century” unfolds
with all the suspense of a courtroom drama, yet it’s Evelyn’s resilience and
determination to reclaim her identity afterward that linger long after the
final page. Pataki gives her heroine what history did not—a chance to define
herself on her own terms.
Riveting, tragic, and ultimately empowering, It Girl
captures both the glitter and the grit of an era obsessed with fame. Fans of The
Gilded Age and historical fiction centered on strong, complicated women
will be enthralled. Evelyn Talbot’s story is a reminder that behind every
beautiful face lies a struggle for freedom—and that sometimes, reinvention is
the greatest act of survival.
Release Date: March 10, 2026
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About the Author:
Allison Pataki is the New York Times bestselling author of FINDING MARGARET FULLER, THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST, THE QUEEN'S FORTUNE, THE TRAITOR'S WIFE, THE ACCIDENTAL EMPRESS, SISI: EMPRESS ON HER OWN, WHERE THE LIGHT FALLS, as well as the nonfiction memoir BEAUTY IN THE BROKEN PLACES and two children's books, NELLY TAKES NEW YORK and POPPY TAKES PARIS. Allison’s novels have been translated into more than twenty languages. A former news writer and producer, Allison has written for The New York Times, ABC News, The Huffington Post, USA Today, Fox News and other outlets. She has appeared on The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Good Day New York, Good Day Chicago and MSNBC’s Morning Joe. 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 lives in New York with her husband and family.
