“Riveting, heart-wrenching, and full of Old Hollywood glamour, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of the most captivating reads of 2017.” –BuzzFeed “The epic adventures Evelyn creates over the course of a lifetime will leave every reader mesmerized. This wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet and her tumultuous Tinseltown journey comes with unexpected twists and the … comes with unexpected twists and the most satisfying of drama.” —PopSugar
In this entrancing novel “that speaks to the Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor in us all” (Kirkus Reviews), a legendary film actress reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.
Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ’80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
“Heartbreaking, yet beautiful” (Jamie Blynn, Us Weekly), The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is “Tinseltown drama at its finest” (Redbook): a mesmerizing journey through the splendor of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means–and what it costs–to face the truth.more
This book will stick with you long after you turn the last page.
I read it months ago, and still think about it all the time. The character development was perfect — Evelyn felt so real to me, it felt like I was reading a uniquely structured biography instead of fiction. And the promise of a secret made it a real page-turner. I plan to re-read someday, and highly recommend!
I couldn’t have loved this book any more. It was a combination of incredible character development, strong writing, fitting and creative structure, and an overall memorable storyline that stays with you long after the last page. I found myself wanting to Google Evelyn and the husbands to see what they looked like and had to remind myself that they weren’t real ;-). I REALLLLLY hope this becomes a movie. Highly recommend this book!!
This book was absolutely incredible and certainly one of my favorite reads of the year (which is saying something, because this was the 102nd book I read in 2018). I expected to find behind this stunning cover a fairly typical novel about a Hollywood starlet from the golden era of film, which would have been fine – I’m a sucker for books about that particular brand of drama and gilded beauty. What I found in Evelyn Hugo was certainly some of that, but this book was so much more that I ever expected. It was complex and raw and sharp-edged and searingly, heartbreakingly beautiful. I was swept away by every single part of this story, and felt each character and moment of this book deeply. I can’t recommend this story highly enough – it is a lovely, unpredictable read, and I know it’s one I’ll continue to pick up again and again.
Terrific read – couldn’t put it down.
I knew absolutely nothing about this book except that I liked the cover and the title. So I brought it home and put it on my nightstand and said, “I’ll read you next.” I didn’t read it next, or even after next. It took me about six months to finally crack the cover and get started. Then I couldn’t stop.
Not really knowing what it was about, I became enchanted by not only the story, but the way in which it was told. I smiled, I shook my head, and during the final 80 pages, I wept.
Not a perfect book, but wonderfully real.
Taylor Jenkins Reid writes about human feelings and emotions in a way that makes you feel like you are living through them. I can’t get enough of her books.
This is a fantastic beach read! It’s glamorous and tragic, and I flew through it. Although she’s a highly public movie star, there’s so much more to Evelyn’s private life than meets the eye, and it’ll make you think twice about real-life celebrity tabloid headlines.
This was a fun beach read. It’s light and I found the plot to be entertaining —
especially if you’re at all interested in Old Hollywood!
This stunning, gorgeous, spitfire book is about old Hollywood teaching an unsuspecting innocent a thing or two about success in all its forms and doing whatever it takes to get it.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo features alternating timelines as an aging starlet (Evelyn Hugo) participates in a journalism interview of her life story. Lucky for us, her answers take on a life of their own, allowing readers to be sucked back in time to an era of glamour and secrets. Be aware that it’s oh so easy to forget this is fiction. It feels like an actual memoir – the execution is flawless…and our fresh-faced journalist is not the only one learning life lessons here. Evelyn’s character shares perspectives on equality issues, relationships, the spectrum of sexuality, the cost and consequences of success, and taking ownership of (and responsibility for) one’s life. It’s also about how times have changed, and although opportunities of significance are becoming more and more accessible to women these days, sometimes we are the ones who continue to stand in our own d@mned way.
“So do yourself a favor and learn to grab life by the balls, dear. Don’t be so tied up in trying to do the right thing when the smart thing is so painfully clear.”
It seems we all can learn something from Evelyn Hugo. Check it out!
My favorite quote:
“People think intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is “You’re safe with me” – that’s intimacy.”
Comparisons between Reid’s Evelyn and Daisy are boundless. I ADORE them both but these books are completely different; Evelyn and Daisy are very different, Reid’s writing style varies between the books and the tone is very different.
What never changes is that Taylor Jenkins Reid’s talent is simply beyond description.
I could talk all day about the literary surprises and gifts Reid graces us with in this narrative but where Reid truly stands out is her characterizations. Reid excels at writing characters I believe I know well.
Evelyn was cold and determined and she used what she was given in order to take from this world in a way that can really only be described as ruthless. But that bitch knows herself and there was a stunning vulnerability in her tale.
Celia, Harry and Monique feel like people I know…truly. I am talking about “I woke up thinking about them” real.
Even though I was completely satisfied I am left craving more.
This book is outstanding in every way.
A thoroughly enjoyable read with many layers. My book club picked it for our next discussion
I adored Evelyn Hugo. She was flawed and gutsy and imperfect and ambitious, the kind of heroine I would love to have written myself.
Ten stars. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” is complex, honest and compelling – everything a great piece of fiction should be. Old Hollywood comes to life in this heart-wrenching piece that challenges the reader to examine the best and worst of themselves through a Liz Taylor-like lens. Cannot recommend enough.
I’m so in love with Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books and this one is no exception. Adored the segment with Mick Riva who appears in Malibu Rising. I was completely enchanted by this amazing story and the secrets it unfolded – fabulous characters, amazing writing, a true gem of a book.
Wow. Just wow. I knew this one had blown up on Tiktok and now I see why. If you haven’t read it, and you love old Hollywood scandals and behind the scenes stuff, you will love it. Life isn’t as neat and tidy as people pretend it is.
I’d give this book 10 stars if I could. It is one of my favorite reads this year. When I first started the book, I was a bit skeptical of whether or not I’d be able to relate to the main character, Evelyn Hugo, who is a renowned actress. Boy, was I wrong. Not only could I relate to her, I strive to be like her – she’s a badass.
I flew through this book, needing to know what happened next. My heart was crushed several times along the way. Evelyn’s journey was an emotional and, sometimes surprising, one. Rarely do I feel this way about a book – but this one was life-changing.
I’m struggling a bit to write this review…not because the book wasn’t great—it was. The writing was honest, fresh and intensely captivating. And that says a lot because this is a book I didn’t think I’d like at all. If I’m being honest, historical fiction isn’t my thing. So, thanks to booksta for making me do it…this one was truly worth the read.
Halfway through this book I was committed to a 4 star rating; I was absolutely invested. But something was missing for me, and it took me a while to figure out what it was.
Unpopular opinion here (?), but Monique kept pulling me out of the story. Every time the chapter cut to her, I lost interest for a few pages. And even though I knew her character would be the key to something big, I simultaneously didn’t need her, and felt the story would’ve been better off without her.
But as I sit here now, despite my grappling over Monique, I’m finding that I have no problem pushing for that 5th star. And here’s why:
This book is necessary. It’s completely relevant, even though much of it took place decades ago. It made me feel things, it made me think and want to ask questions, to research. And I think those feelings are so much more important than my dislike of one character. This was an important story.
TJR’s writing was beautiful, it was light when it needed to be, and heavy in all the right places, too. I’m truly happy I picked this one up.
:
“When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand i front of them bare and their response is, ‘you’re safe with me’—that’s intimacy.”
“Sometimes divorce isn’t an earth-shattering loss. Sometimes it’s just two people waking up out of a fog.”
I read the ebook version of this book via my local public library for free. I was blown away by this book. I was unfamiliar with the author, although this book another novel of hers, Daisy Jones and The Six, had been recommended by a blogger whose taste I respect. This book tells the story fictional aged movie star/sex symbol, Evelyn Hugo, who was married seven times, through Ms. Hugo’s own (fictional) words and that of her biographer, a young reporter. The author creates a whole new world where you forget Ms. Hugo is a fictional character and truly believe you’re reading a biography of the most fascinating woman in the world. There’s quite a “twist” fairly early on in the book (and some more later), that I don’t want to reveal, but I certainly didn’t see ANY of the twists coming, and I normally at least have a gut feeling. Despite Ms. Hugo’s insistence that she isn’t a good person (and evidence of such), she is quite likable, as is the other protagonist, her biographer. I devoured this book quickly and it merits high praise. The author has a unique talent for creating seemingly-real fictional worlds as characters (especially evident after also reading Daisy Jones and The Six, which I also recommend, though I like this book better).
Wow. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. Absolutely LOVED it. This is a story of a powerful love between two women in a time when it was unacceptable. The author has a huge command of language and seamlessly shifts from first person present tense to first person past tense and even to second person. Amazing. I marveled at the writing craft, the storytelling. The language and the passion to communicate the love is mesmerizing. The main character Evelyn Hugo is a swirling whirlwind that pulls everyone that comes near into her vortex. Even though Evelyn Hugo does some truly heinous things, the justification and motivation is clear and we pull full her.
The atmosphere, setting and flavor of old Hollywood is captured in just enough detail. The underlying plot line, the mystery that was carried along and always there lurking really paid off in the end. In all the thousands of books I have read in my life time I have found very few that have been able to pay-off with the last line of the book. This author does it with stunning panache and verve. Loved it. For me this book is a true “tear-jerker,” as my mother used to call them. (She was married five times, so I might’ve had a little insider experience with Evelyn Hugo. Mom, married three Jim’s, a Bill and a Bob. The third, and last was a Jim and my sisters nicknamed him Jim de jour. Sorry I digress).
This one is going up in my top five of the year.
Highly recommend this book. 12-6-2019
I absolutely adore this book. I read the whole thing in one sitting, unable to put the book down. From the characters, to the plot, even Reid’s style of writing — I was completely hooked by this book. I desperately want The Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo to be turned into a movie just so I can see that bloody emerald-green dress on someone like Margot Robbie!
The book starts with a young, ambitious journalist, Monique Grant, who is granted an exclusive interview with Evelyn Hugo, one of Hollywood’s most elite actresses. Why did Evelyn choose Monique and what’s her incentive to do this tell-all now? There are so many questions swirling around at the beginning and it’s not until the two sit down and start with Evelyn’s upbringing that we see what a strong, determined woman Evelyn is, but there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to her seven husbands.
I want to describe everything little detail of this book in this review, but I truly don’t want to ruin this book for anyone reading this, teetering on whether to go out and buy this — let me just say, GO GET THIS BOOK!
This story is the about love, success, guilt, failure and so much more. It unravels the life of an elite actress grasping at the fame and glory of being one of Hollywood’s best but also trying to hold onto the love and passion from her lover. The joy that follows success, and the trail of guilt that remains for all those who were trampled and used on the way to the top.
“And it will be the tragedy of my life that I cannot love you enough to make you mine. That you cannot be loved enough to be anyone’s.”
Beneath the appearance of fame, Evelyn’s story surpasses, and its pieces echo within all of us. We can all see pieces of ourselves in her struggles and successes; love and loss; pains and pleasures.
Taylor Jenkins Reid embodies the art of storytelling and exemplifies the beauty of love, the value of honesty and understanding of life. Her writing is nothing like I’ve read before. It is polished and captivating, her sophistication and witty use of language made me fall in love with not only the characters but the entire story which she brought to life. Her voice truly carried its message right into the hearts of the reader.
“People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is ‘you’re safe with me,’ that’s intimacy.”
I fell in love with The Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo right from the first pages. I honestly couldn’t put this book down, I read it in one night, drinking a glass (or two) of wine, eating chocolate and listening to jazz music. I was enthralled by the story, but above all, the message that Taylor Jenkins Reid brought through the books from the beginning to the end, love concurs all! Probably one of my top five books in 2018!
Read more of my review here: https://bit.ly/2Sj1CEn