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Everyone Knows Her Name
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jul 26The must-read glamourous dual timeline novel, perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid! Readers love Elaine
“Gripped me from the first chapter!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Did make my lip wobble quite a few times… highly recommend.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I just loved this book and read it in one sitting!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I found myself wanting more each chapter!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All’s fair in love and fame …
Denny was an ordinary teenager from a London council estate, until she was discovered and thrust into the glamorous world of modelling and Swinging Sixties fashion.
Overnight, she became a global sensation. Her potential seemed limitless, until she mysteriously walked away at the height of her fame, leaving behind only questions and one final, iconic Vogue cover.
Five decades later, aspiring documentary maker Roe is hired by Sonny, Denny’s son, to film interviews for an exhibition about his mother. But as Roe and Sonny grow closer, she stumbles upon a secret that could change everything.
A documentary exposing the truth could be the big break Roe’s always hoped for. But outing it would destroy Denny’s picture-perfect family – including the man she’s falling for …
An emotional dual-timeline story of love and ambition, perfect for fans of intergenerational tales and Taylor Jenkins Reid
“Gripped me from the first chapter!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Did make my lip wobble quite a few times… highly recommend.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I just loved this book and read it in one sitting!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I found myself wanting more each chapter!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All’s fair in love and fame …
Denny was an ordinary teenager from a London council estate, until she was discovered and thrust into the glamorous world of modelling and Swinging Sixties fashion.
Overnight, she became a global sensation. Her potential seemed limitless, until she mysteriously walked away at the height of her fame, leaving behind only questions and one final, iconic Vogue cover.
Five decades later, aspiring documentary maker Roe is hired by Sonny, Denny’s son, to film interviews for an exhibition about his mother. But as Roe and Sonny grow closer, she stumbles upon a secret that could change everything.
A documentary exposing the truth could be the big break Roe’s always hoped for. But outing it would destroy Denny’s picture-perfect family – including the man she’s falling for …
An emotional dual-timeline story of love and ambition, perfect for fans of intergenerational tales and Taylor Jenkins Reid
Audible Audio
Expected publication July 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was another five star read for me from Hastings and with two riveting stories unfolding in different timelines again. I loved that we were gifted with a timeline from the 1960’s, a decade of fashion and kitchenware I’m obsessed with. Denny, our fmc in the “past” chapters was thrusted into the modeling world at 17, while shes out shopping in a dress she’s re-designed. Sewing being a hobby of hers. Not enjoying the lifestyle that comes with the modeling world Denny only keeps accepting jobs to care for her mother and sick younger sister. It was impossible not to feel Denny’s pain as she navigates that world, especially during a time women weren’t looked at as more than decoration. We go on several photo shoots where she meets photographers, their assistants and other models in the business. All the chapters from this period of time are narrated 3rd person but Denny is the main focus. We also have a love story unfolding for her.
In the present we meet Roe, hired to help with an art installation documenting Denny’s short but epic career modeling. Roe’s dream is to be a documentary filmmaker and she hopes this job could help her. Enter sweet, but kinda awkward Sonny, hired to assist with the installation. There was an immediate connection between these two but I’d not label it instalove. Things between them build throughout working on the project, and a sweet but hard earned HEA is achieved in the end for them. There is a bit of a mystery of why her career was so short since her star rose so fast, and the reveal was not obvious to me so I was surprised, yet pleased. This is not a fast read. Things are unfolding within both timelines pretty quickly, but I didn’t feel rushed, if that makes sense?! There’s a lot to take in but the way author chose to reveal it all, I wasn’t confused with my old lady brain one iota.
Thanks to NetGalley for the Everyone Knows Her Name ARC. If dual timelines with multiple storylines unfolding aren’t boogaboos in your reading tastes, this is a definite recommend. My opinions are my own so take them with a grain of salt.
In the present we meet Roe, hired to help with an art installation documenting Denny’s short but epic career modeling. Roe’s dream is to be a documentary filmmaker and she hopes this job could help her. Enter sweet, but kinda awkward Sonny, hired to assist with the installation. There was an immediate connection between these two but I’d not label it instalove. Things between them build throughout working on the project, and a sweet but hard earned HEA is achieved in the end for them. There is a bit of a mystery of why her career was so short since her star rose so fast, and the reveal was not obvious to me so I was surprised, yet pleased. This is not a fast read. Things are unfolding within both timelines pretty quickly, but I didn’t feel rushed, if that makes sense?! There’s a lot to take in but the way author chose to reveal it all, I wasn’t confused with my old lady brain one iota.
Thanks to NetGalley for the Everyone Knows Her Name ARC. If dual timelines with multiple storylines unfolding aren’t boogaboos in your reading tastes, this is a definite recommend. My opinions are my own so take them with a grain of salt.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A wonderful read I could not put down. Yes, there were parallels with Twiggy and David Bailey, but Denny and Cole’s unique story gripped me from the very beginning. So many highs and lows for her after being discovered. As a seventeen-year-old working-class girl, it cannot have been easy to navigate this new world she found herself in. One which on the surface was filled with glamour, but in reality hid dangers and sometimes abuse at the hands of powerful men.
There were friends who supported her, but also those who were waiting for the opportunity to bring her down – and so much treachery closer to home too! I also loved the backdrop of swinging London, with its clubs and restaurants. The author has done her homework well, and achieved an authentic sixties feel to this novel.
Roe, and Denny’s son Sonny’s present-day love story, which was intertwined with Denny’s life in the 1960s, was equally compelling. When film maker Roe plans to celebrate Denny’s life with a documentary, she stumbles on something that threatens not only the whole project, but the possibiity of losing Sonny.
A big five stars from me.
Everyone Knows Her Name is a great debut novel. I look forward to reading more from Elaine Hastings.
I would like to thank Avon, the Author and Netgalley for an ARC of Everyone Knows Her Name in exchange for an honest review.
There were friends who supported her, but also those who were waiting for the opportunity to bring her down – and so much treachery closer to home too! I also loved the backdrop of swinging London, with its clubs and restaurants. The author has done her homework well, and achieved an authentic sixties feel to this novel.
Roe, and Denny’s son Sonny’s present-day love story, which was intertwined with Denny’s life in the 1960s, was equally compelling. When film maker Roe plans to celebrate Denny’s life with a documentary, she stumbles on something that threatens not only the whole project, but the possibiity of losing Sonny.
A big five stars from me.
Everyone Knows Her Name is a great debut novel. I look forward to reading more from Elaine Hastings.
I would like to thank Avon, the Author and Netgalley for an ARC of Everyone Knows Her Name in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sep 1966. Seventeen year old Denny grew up on a council estate, she'd never been to a salon, her clothes are second hand, painstakingly reworked by her to imitate the latest fashion styles until the day she gets spotted browsing the racks at in Biba by fashion photographer Douglas Martin. Within days she was in his studio, her hair was being styled by top Mayfair hairstylist Gerald Hadley and overnight her photo was everywhere. Her vulnerability in front of the camera was perfection and the 'Denny cut' became the latest craze and launched a modelling career that made her a household name.
Fast forward 2024 and Denny's son, Sonny meets a filmmaker Munroe whilst setting up an exhibition to celebrate his mothers work and when they discuss the possibility of a documentary she starts digging around for background material and gets whiff of a secret that's so mind-blowing she can't let it go.
Told in a dual timeline I easily got swept up in Denny's tale of girl done good, her rise to celebrity status and the characters both good and bad that she encountered on they way. This was a great read and a worthy follow up to the authors debut novel.
My thanks to Avon Books UK for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own.
Fast forward 2024 and Denny's son, Sonny meets a filmmaker Munroe whilst setting up an exhibition to celebrate his mothers work and when they discuss the possibility of a documentary she starts digging around for background material and gets whiff of a secret that's so mind-blowing she can't let it go.
Told in a dual timeline I easily got swept up in Denny's tale of girl done good, her rise to celebrity status and the characters both good and bad that she encountered on they way. This was a great read and a worthy follow up to the authors debut novel.
My thanks to Avon Books UK for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Denny is discovered at the age of 17 after shopping with her friend. She is then thrown into the world of high fashion modeling in 1960s London. Everyone Knows her name is told in multiple POVs, all detailing Denny's rise to fame and sudden departure as the IT girl.
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. The different POVs and dual timelines worked really well to weave a very cohesive and engaging story. Each character has a unique voice that makes it easy to differentiate which character's POV you're in. The secret isn't that difficult to flush out, and there are some heavy themes that do come up in the story but overall it was an enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend. Especially if you liked the 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Thanks to netgalley and avon books for an advanced copy of this book.
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. The different POVs and dual timelines worked really well to weave a very cohesive and engaging story. Each character has a unique voice that makes it easy to differentiate which character's POV you're in. The secret isn't that difficult to flush out, and there are some heavy themes that do come up in the story but overall it was an enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend. Especially if you liked the 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Thanks to netgalley and avon books for an advanced copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In a Garbo-esque twist, a teenager from a council estate becomes a global phenomenon as a model only to walk away from her unimaginable success at the very height of her fame. What could possibly lie behind that decision?
Several decades later, Denny's son wants to commemorate his mother 's life and celebrate his family by hiring a film maker to make a documentary about his mother. Roe, the film maker, soon finds herself drawn to Sonny, and is in a serious quandary when she realizes that an unexpected discovery that she's made might be the making of her career but will undoubtedly destroy their budding relationship...This is an engaging story and gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Several decades later, Denny's son wants to commemorate his mother 's life and celebrate his family by hiring a film maker to make a documentary about his mother. Roe, the film maker, soon finds herself drawn to Sonny, and is in a serious quandary when she realizes that an unexpected discovery that she's made might be the making of her career but will undoubtedly destroy their budding relationship...This is an engaging story and gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was among the very few lucky people who got to read this novel the moment it was finished and I've been really looking forward to writing this review.
Like Elaine's first novel, the dual timelines in Everyone Knows Her Name, pull you into the story and keep you reading until the early hours. Denny's voice is so well-written, we really understand the rollercoaster of emotions she went through throughout her very turbulent career. And then there's Roe, so ambitious it's sometimes blinding, but with a heart in the right place.
The love story adds another layer of intrigue to the story, making the whole novel deeply engaging.
I highly recommend this for lovers of Taylor Jenkins Reid, even though personally I find Elaine's characters much easier to connect with :) sorry TJR.
Like Elaine's first novel, the dual timelines in Everyone Knows Her Name, pull you into the story and keep you reading until the early hours. Denny's voice is so well-written, we really understand the rollercoaster of emotions she went through throughout her very turbulent career. And then there's Roe, so ambitious it's sometimes blinding, but with a heart in the right place.
The love story adds another layer of intrigue to the story, making the whole novel deeply engaging.
I highly recommend this for lovers of Taylor Jenkins Reid, even though personally I find Elaine's characters much easier to connect with :) sorry TJR.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5/5
-This novel is told in two time periods. 1960s: The life of an emerging supermodel. Today: Her son and the woman who wants to make a documentary about her life.
Guys, this was very good! I was totally invested in both storylines and loved how they eventually converged. Elaine has a unique writing style that I just love.
If you love a mix of now and then definitely give this a read when it’s released next month and until then read her first novel When We Were Young (also great!)
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
-This novel is told in two time periods. 1960s: The life of an emerging supermodel. Today: Her son and the woman who wants to make a documentary about her life.
Guys, this was very good! I was totally invested in both storylines and loved how they eventually converged. Elaine has a unique writing style that I just love.
If you love a mix of now and then definitely give this a read when it’s released next month and until then read her first novel When We Were Young (also great!)
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A past/present novel about Denny, a young girl who's thrown into the spotlight in the swinging sixties, and the ambitious filmmaker in the present making a documentary about her, who ends up uncovering secrets. The writing and story pulled me in right from the start, and I would highly recommend for a gripping summer read!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews