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I Wanna Be Loved By You: Marilyn Monroe, A Life in 100 Takes
Dreamer. Bombshell. Icon.
Featuring a wealth of unpublished material, Andrew Wilson’s biography of Marilyn Monroe presents the actress in a startling new light.
Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, she had an uncertain and unforgiving upbringing. She grew up in Los Angeles and would dream about Hollywood, believing that acting would be her one-way ticket to happiness. Her dream was so powerful that she transformed herself into the ultimate goddess of the silver screen, and her image has been branded into the collective consciousness. Men lusted after her, and women wanted to be her. All her life, she just wanted to be loved.
Told through 100 captivating snapshots, we are thrown into the glamorous but dangerous world of old Hollywood. We see a young Marilyn navigating the highs and lows of the studio system as she attempts to free herself from the constraints of Twentieth Century-Fox. We also go behind the scenes of her marriages to teenage sweetheart Jim Dougherty, baseball star Joe DiMaggio and famous playwright Arthur Miller. We hear the voices of friends, lovers – and enemies.
We hear of the friendships she formed with poets, philosophers, playwrights and political activists, and the years spent training with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.
In the concluding chapters, Andrew Wilson unpicks what happened on the night Marilyn died after a suspected drug overdose. Were the Kennedys involved, or was she just let down by those closest to her?
I Wanna Be Loved By You is a revealing and nuanced portrait of the life, death and afterlife of an icon who still fascinates us today.
Featuring a wealth of unpublished material, Andrew Wilson’s biography of Marilyn Monroe presents the actress in a startling new light.
Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, she had an uncertain and unforgiving upbringing. She grew up in Los Angeles and would dream about Hollywood, believing that acting would be her one-way ticket to happiness. Her dream was so powerful that she transformed herself into the ultimate goddess of the silver screen, and her image has been branded into the collective consciousness. Men lusted after her, and women wanted to be her. All her life, she just wanted to be loved.
Told through 100 captivating snapshots, we are thrown into the glamorous but dangerous world of old Hollywood. We see a young Marilyn navigating the highs and lows of the studio system as she attempts to free herself from the constraints of Twentieth Century-Fox. We also go behind the scenes of her marriages to teenage sweetheart Jim Dougherty, baseball star Joe DiMaggio and famous playwright Arthur Miller. We hear the voices of friends, lovers – and enemies.
We hear of the friendships she formed with poets, philosophers, playwrights and political activists, and the years spent training with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.
In the concluding chapters, Andrew Wilson unpicks what happened on the night Marilyn died after a suspected drug overdose. Were the Kennedys involved, or was she just let down by those closest to her?
I Wanna Be Loved By You is a revealing and nuanced portrait of the life, death and afterlife of an icon who still fascinates us today.
512 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve always been fascinated by Marilyn Monroe, so I’ve read and watched quite a lot about her over the years. What makes I Wanna Be Loved By You stand out is its unconventional structure. Rather than presenting Marilyn’s life in a straightforward chronological biography, Andrew Wilson tells her story through 100 short “takes” — snapshots, anecdotes, interviews, and moments that together build a layered portrait of both the icon and the woman behind the image.
At first, the vignette-style format took a little getting used to, but it ultimately worked really well for this kind of subject. The short chapters make the book incredibly easy to pick up and put down, and each section offers another piece of Marilyn’s complicated life, relationships, career, and inner struggles. Even readers who feel they already know a lot about Monroe will likely find something new here.
It’s obvious how deeply researched this biography is. Wilson had access to extensive archival material and interviews, and the result feels thoughtful, respectful, and well-balanced. The book doesn’t shy away from the sadness and fragility that defined much of Marilyn’s life, but it also highlights her intelligence, ambition, kindness, and the vulnerability that made her so endlessly fascinating.
I especially appreciated that this didn’t feel like a sensationalized retelling. Instead, it reads like an attempt to understand Norma Jeane as much as Marilyn Monroe. Some sections were heartbreaking, others illuminating, and together they paint a portrait of a woman who desperately wanted love and stability while living under impossible public expectations.
My only small disappointment was the lack of photographs, as this format almost feels like it was made to be paired with images. Still, the writing and research more than make up for it.
If you’re interested in Marilyn Monroe, classic Hollywood, or celebrity biographies that offer something a little different structurally, this is absolutely worth reading.
At first, the vignette-style format took a little getting used to, but it ultimately worked really well for this kind of subject. The short chapters make the book incredibly easy to pick up and put down, and each section offers another piece of Marilyn’s complicated life, relationships, career, and inner struggles. Even readers who feel they already know a lot about Monroe will likely find something new here.
It’s obvious how deeply researched this biography is. Wilson had access to extensive archival material and interviews, and the result feels thoughtful, respectful, and well-balanced. The book doesn’t shy away from the sadness and fragility that defined much of Marilyn’s life, but it also highlights her intelligence, ambition, kindness, and the vulnerability that made her so endlessly fascinating.
I especially appreciated that this didn’t feel like a sensationalized retelling. Instead, it reads like an attempt to understand Norma Jeane as much as Marilyn Monroe. Some sections were heartbreaking, others illuminating, and together they paint a portrait of a woman who desperately wanted love and stability while living under impossible public expectations.
My only small disappointment was the lack of photographs, as this format almost feels like it was made to be paired with images. Still, the writing and research more than make up for it.
If you’re interested in Marilyn Monroe, classic Hollywood, or celebrity biographies that offer something a little different structurally, this is absolutely worth reading.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve been fascinated by Marilyn Monroe for as long as I can remember. I grew up watching her films—Some Like It Hot will always be a favorite—and over the years I’ve found myself drawn not just to the icon, but to the woman behind the image.
This book offers a really unique approach to her story. Instead of a traditional, linear biography, it’s told through 100 “takes”—short, vignette-style chapters that highlight different moments, perspectives, and pieces of Marilyn’s life. Through interviews, conversations, and reflections from those who knew her (and Marilyn herself), the book paints a layered, intimate portrait that feels both personal and respectful.
I loved how digestible this format was. You can pick it up and read a few sections at a time, yet still walk away with a deeper understanding of who she was beyond the Hollywood persona. There’s something quietly powerful about seeing her life told in fragments—it mirrors the complexity of her story.
That said, I do wish photos had been included. For such a visually iconic figure, it felt like a bit of a missed opportunity not to pair these moments with imagery that could bring them even more to life.
Overall, this is a beautifully constructed and thoughtfully researched tribute. If you’ve ever been captivated by Marilyn Monroe—the legend and the woman—this is absolutely worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley Grand Central Publishing for the advanced copy!
This book offers a really unique approach to her story. Instead of a traditional, linear biography, it’s told through 100 “takes”—short, vignette-style chapters that highlight different moments, perspectives, and pieces of Marilyn’s life. Through interviews, conversations, and reflections from those who knew her (and Marilyn herself), the book paints a layered, intimate portrait that feels both personal and respectful.
I loved how digestible this format was. You can pick it up and read a few sections at a time, yet still walk away with a deeper understanding of who she was beyond the Hollywood persona. There’s something quietly powerful about seeing her life told in fragments—it mirrors the complexity of her story.
That said, I do wish photos had been included. For such a visually iconic figure, it felt like a bit of a missed opportunity not to pair these moments with imagery that could bring them even more to life.
Overall, this is a beautifully constructed and thoughtfully researched tribute. If you’ve ever been captivated by Marilyn Monroe—the legend and the woman—this is absolutely worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley Grand Central Publishing for the advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I Wanna Be Loved By You
I received this unpublished book from NetGalley for an honest opinion about the novel. I found many of the facts about Marilyn Monroe to be very interesting and information I did not know about the actress. It was very apparent that the author did a lot of research, which made the story of her life very fascinating. However, the author’s presentation was not chronological, and was difficult for me to understand due to chronicling her life in vignettes.
When I read a biography, my expectation is to follow the subject’s life, with a few detours. This presentation of facts felt random and did not follow her life and experiences. It was presented more focused on who she met and the affect each individual had on her life, thus the vignettes.
There were many people who made a significant impact on Marilyn’s life that I never imagined her knowing. Basically what you learn about Marilyn is how fragile and private she actually was in her personal life, and how she was always performing in public. My feeling from the book is that she longed for her much simple earlier life yet could never leave the spotlight.
The text and references are so well documented that it’s apparent the author wanted to portray an accurate picture of Marilyn
I would definitely recommend this novel for a picture of how Norma Jean Mortenson became Marilyn Monroe and the people who influenced that change.
I received this unpublished book from NetGalley for an honest opinion about the novel. I found many of the facts about Marilyn Monroe to be very interesting and information I did not know about the actress. It was very apparent that the author did a lot of research, which made the story of her life very fascinating. However, the author’s presentation was not chronological, and was difficult for me to understand due to chronicling her life in vignettes.
When I read a biography, my expectation is to follow the subject’s life, with a few detours. This presentation of facts felt random and did not follow her life and experiences. It was presented more focused on who she met and the affect each individual had on her life, thus the vignettes.
There were many people who made a significant impact on Marilyn’s life that I never imagined her knowing. Basically what you learn about Marilyn is how fragile and private she actually was in her personal life, and how she was always performing in public. My feeling from the book is that she longed for her much simple earlier life yet could never leave the spotlight.
The text and references are so well documented that it’s apparent the author wanted to portray an accurate picture of Marilyn
I would definitely recommend this novel for a picture of how Norma Jean Mortenson became Marilyn Monroe and the people who influenced that change.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A comprehensive look at the life of Marilyn Monroe written on the centenary of her birth. This one delivers new information but remains true to historical accuracy. It’s a book to delight all lovers of Marilyn Monroe.
British author, Andrew Wilson was given unrestricted access to Anthony Summer’s research. Summer is the author of what I considered to be the best biography on Monroe, Goddess, published in 1985; in writing it he interviewed everyone who knew Monroe.
Monroe was a contradiction in many ways. She was loved by the camera but shy and withdrawn in the personal arena. The book reveals unknowns such a letters to her third husband, Arthur Miller, and a quote from Angela Allen, script supervisor on The Misfits, that disparages the myth of her intelligence.
The book goes behind the scenes of her marriages, working with Lee Strasberg, and building a story behind her myth. Much of what’s written is known but is elaborated on at times. The chapters are short but not necessarily in chronological order of her life. What you get is a complex picture of a fragile, troubled woman who desperately wanted to be loved but simply didn’t know what love was because she didn’t love herself enough (my opinion).
This is a great book to add to anyone’s Marilyn Monroe collection.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me access to this ARC.
British author, Andrew Wilson was given unrestricted access to Anthony Summer’s research. Summer is the author of what I considered to be the best biography on Monroe, Goddess, published in 1985; in writing it he interviewed everyone who knew Monroe.
Monroe was a contradiction in many ways. She was loved by the camera but shy and withdrawn in the personal arena. The book reveals unknowns such a letters to her third husband, Arthur Miller, and a quote from Angela Allen, script supervisor on The Misfits, that disparages the myth of her intelligence.
The book goes behind the scenes of her marriages, working with Lee Strasberg, and building a story behind her myth. Much of what’s written is known but is elaborated on at times. The chapters are short but not necessarily in chronological order of her life. What you get is a complex picture of a fragile, troubled woman who desperately wanted to be loved but simply didn’t know what love was because she didn’t love herself enough (my opinion).
This is a great book to add to anyone’s Marilyn Monroe collection.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy
Bookbeat audiobooks
I absolutely adore Marilyn.
The persona she created and the little girl in her she never abandoned. ❤️
Celebrating the star’s 100th birthday on June 1st 2026,
Childhood of neglect and trauma, absent father and unstable mother.
No stories, no play,
she made her way into the stars.
What started as a dream to be loved (and I can’t see any reason she couldn’t be) went to Jean Harlow obsession, early marriage in hopes of getting somewhere. Modeling career, Hollywood industry.
From What I’ve read she’s been described as very loyal picky with her lovers and not cheater at all but this Book tells a bit different story and I don’t like it. Especially when she was young she fell in love with basically any man who gave her attention and made her feel loved. ”Please don’t leave me” and other BPD characteristics. Even if she was abused in all of her marriages, leaving her feel empty.
…
I actually identify with her a lot. She was this messy homie always educating herself (to be able to discuss with intelligent people at parties), she disliked underwear and neglected personal hygiene. Stinky little baby!
She spent a lot of time alone, in her bed reading or talking on the phone, or taking a long bath. She was fragile, deep and helpless like a child asking for acceptance. She had luminous presence, breathy voice and hourglass body. The ultimate fashion icon and Hollywood star.
Had she lived longer, maybe we’d got to see the real her. She would’ve lived in Mexico and produced her own films there, with more seriously taken feminist characters
I wish I could have known Marilyn. Her gaze holds so much power. Her sadness, which she hid so well, made her shine even brighter. ✨💋
I absolutely adore Marilyn.
The persona she created and the little girl in her she never abandoned. ❤️
Celebrating the star’s 100th birthday on June 1st 2026,
Childhood of neglect and trauma, absent father and unstable mother.
No stories, no play,
she made her way into the stars.
What started as a dream to be loved (and I can’t see any reason she couldn’t be) went to Jean Harlow obsession, early marriage in hopes of getting somewhere. Modeling career, Hollywood industry.
From What I’ve read she’s been described as very loyal picky with her lovers and not cheater at all but this Book tells a bit different story and I don’t like it. Especially when she was young she fell in love with basically any man who gave her attention and made her feel loved. ”Please don’t leave me” and other BPD characteristics. Even if she was abused in all of her marriages, leaving her feel empty.
…
I actually identify with her a lot. She was this messy homie always educating herself (to be able to discuss with intelligent people at parties), she disliked underwear and neglected personal hygiene. Stinky little baby!
She spent a lot of time alone, in her bed reading or talking on the phone, or taking a long bath. She was fragile, deep and helpless like a child asking for acceptance. She had luminous presence, breathy voice and hourglass body. The ultimate fashion icon and Hollywood star.
Had she lived longer, maybe we’d got to see the real her. She would’ve lived in Mexico and produced her own films there, with more seriously taken feminist characters
I wish I could have known Marilyn. Her gaze holds so much power. Her sadness, which she hid so well, made her shine even brighter. ✨💋
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This tribute to Marilyn Monroe is presented in brief, easily digestible chapters. That's ideal if you don't have a lot of time to read, but if you are reading a number of chapters at once, it isn't the most cohesive read. Topics covered included her life before stardom, relationships (familial, professional, romantic), movies, and the veracity of various rumors. (I could have done without a couple of those.) Overall, it was an interesting read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the early read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the early read.
Review of advance copy
Since I was a young lady I have always been memorized by Marilyn and her story. I’ve seen all her movies, biographies, and read numerous books prior about the Star. This takes a look at important moments in her life, one chapter for each moment & each from either interviews or conversations that were had by those that knew her or Marilyn herself. A great biography for fans of the on screen blonde bombshell and the woman she truly was.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a dazzling, meticulously researched "portrait" of the iconic actress in 100 "takes," or short chapters that reveal Marilyn throughout her life. It cries out for a photos, however, to be interspersed with the text, which would have shown Monroe in her full glory. Still a worthwhile read even without pics. Her true fans will adore it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Marilyn was an icon. This book takes you on a deep dive of Marilyn's life take by take. I am not a super fan and know only some facts about the blonde bombshell so a lot information in this book was new to me. It can be a lot of information to take in all at once. And it really makes you take a look at the woman behind the character.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
These are 100 short essays about different elements of Marilyn. The stories are illuminating and respectful, and give you a real sense of who she was. I would have loved photos though.
I read a temporary digital loan of this book via netgalley.
I read a temporary digital loan of this book via netgalley.
May 22, 2026
We did not need 100 chapters of this bb RTC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book blew mind. I had never read her story before, I always wanted too, but never did. Her story is full of such sadness. Plus ,I did t know she would be 100 in 2026, she was just a Lil older than my grandparents. This story touched my sole with all the mental illnesses. And the part about Mariah Carey buying her white piano was pretty wild.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2026
Not finished
70% into it,
I was curious about Marilyn’s superstardom and life. I’m sure a lot of research went into writing this book, but it reeks of speculative and conspiratorial perspectives and spends a lot of time and space exploring and feeding into the perverse exploitation of an image created by media and other dirty vultures.
70% into it,
I was curious about Marilyn’s superstardom and life. I’m sure a lot of research went into writing this book, but it reeks of speculative and conspiratorial perspectives and spends a lot of time and space exploring and feeding into the perverse exploitation of an image created by media and other dirty vultures.
March 24, 2026
Three and a half stars rounded up to four. Marilyn Monroe is an icon. This book has one hundred short chapters, to commemorate her turning one hundred this year. Most of it was revisiting things I already knew, but I still found it an interesting read.
February 19, 2026
As a teenager i became obsessed with Marilyn Monroe. I watched all her movies, watched the TV movies about her and read most of the books. It has been many years now so when I came across this book I felt it was time for a revisit. Andrew Wilson did a great job of breaking down Marilyn’s life in just over 100 short chapters. Much of the book were the stories I had already known but now with updated material. I appreciated the authors tireless journey to uncover details or fill in gaps and in many cases to call out lies and regain a semblance of truth. This book has definitely reignited my love and fascination with this beloved icon.
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February 12, 2026review text for 3599
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews