It Girl by Allison Pataki

Join us for a conversation with Allison Pataki to celebrate her new novel, a sensational story of passion, drama, stardom, and the price of fame for America's sweetheart. Allison will be in conversation with Chloe Melas, followed by a signing.

PLEASE NOTE: RSVPs are encouraged but not required. Seating is limited and will be first come, first served. Doors open at 5:30 pm.

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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 change: 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 M**der 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.

Allison Pataki is the multiple New York Times bestselling author of 11 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. Pataki’s novels have been translated into more than 24 languages around the world and have been selected by the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, PBS Books, Entertainment Weekly, CBS News, PEOPLE, Town & Country and other outlets as favorite and featured titles. A former news writer and producer, Pataki has written for The New York Times, ABC News, The Huffington Post, USA Today, Fox News and more. She graduated Cum Laude from Yale University with a major in English. A member of The Historical Novel Society and a certified Yoga instructor, Pataki 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.

Chloe Melas is an award-winning journalist and on-air correspondent for NBC News, appearing across TODAY, NBC Nightly News, and NBC News Now. Throughout her 17-year career, she has broken major culture and entertainment stories and conducted high-profile, headline-making interviews with some of the world’s most influential leaders and artists, including Sting, Jane Goodall, Jeff Bezos, Oprah, Tom Hanks, Barry Manilow, Natalie Portman, Hugh Jackman and more. In addition to her broadcast career, Melas is also an accomplished author. She published her late grandfather’s World War II memoir with St. Martin’s Press, which became a New York Times bestseller and is one of the stories used for Apple TV’s Masters of the Air, produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Chloe lives in New York with her husband, two sons, two dogs and two cats.

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