The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“If you’re looking for a book to take on holiday this summer, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has got all the glitz and glamour to make it a perfect beach read.” —Bustle

From the New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & the Six—an entrancing and “wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet” (PopSugar) as she 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.

• ISBN10: 1501161938
• ISBN13: 9781501161933
• Publish Date: 29 May 2018 (first published 13 June 2017)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 30 March 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Emily Bestler Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

[lyolyi]

ludim 1am radim prvu sutra sedim placem tresem se ridam

[bearley]

Unexpected read, that showed a lot of the complexities stars had to face in old Hollywood. Very complicated characters that always leave you in the gray.

[bookperson]

Whew. TJR did it again. I loved it. I laughed, I cried, I lived this book for the past couple of days.

Just finished. What a bitchin' book. A Story.
I can't believe that this book lived up to the hype. I was very scared to read it, to be dissapointed by it, so I pushed reading it back until now. Almost two years since I put it on my TBR. And now it's my favorite.
Tbh it was the right decision to read it now. With everything that's happening in the world, happening around me, happening with me it was the best time to read about Evelyn. She's a star, she's an Icon, she's the woman everyone want to be with or, really, everyone just want to be her.
The fact that I loved and hated every single character throughout the book is truly amazing.

This is probably THE best TJR's book, it's her magnum opus. IDK if I should give Daisy Jones another chance or not...
Seven Husbands is going on my re-read asap shelf.

[Veronica 🦦]

A+ | Stunning, magnificent, stupendous. There are only a few books out there that I can honestly say that I:
1) Adored to the moon & back & back again
2) Immediately want to reread
3) Can say made me weep
4) Find absolutely beautifully raw and stunning.

This is the best book I have ever read. Yes, I'm saying this straight from my very soul -- THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO is the best book I have ever read, hands down.

I'm not even sure if I'm going to write a full review of this book because I am so utterly in love with this book that all I'm going to end up doing is screaming about my love for it.

I want everyone out there to read this book ASAP. Don't walk to the bookstore. RUN to one or to a library to get this book. Absolute must-read.

[Stephanie]

I wasn't a big fan of the narrator and the story dragged a little toward the end, but I did enjoy Evelyn's crazy life.

[Nessa Luna]

3,5*

[Steph L]

A fantastic story

My thoughts on this book can’t be summed up in enough words for a review. If you love stories about celebrities either real or fictional this book is for you. If you love stories with drama and finding who you are this book is for you. The novel has a lot of heart and yes, it does have a lot of drama.

[Leigha]

Evelyn Hugo tells her life story to an insignificant reporter in this adult contemporary women’s fiction.

My last book for my Book Club this year! I enjoyed it better that the other book, but I also didn’t love it. Part of my problem is the premise – an aging Hollywood starlet decides to writer a tell-all of her life story, but her biographer has a surprising connection to her. Fascinating premise, but I’ve already read something super similar in Nora Robert’s Genuine Lies. Their characters and twists may be different, but the same beats exist in both. It was hard reading this book without comparing it to the other.

Evelyn Hugo is definitely the star of the novel with a complex, emotional story about her rise to stardom in Hollywood. It’s full of ambition and greed, but it’s also full of love and sacrifice. Evelyn builds deeply emotional and satisfying connections with several of the secondary characters. While many people love the romance between her and a certain cute actress, I actually found her friendship with Harry to be more endearing. I don’t often come across a story about the beauty of platonic friendships, especially between a man and a woman.

The story is told in two timelines. One follows Evelyn, a bisexual Cuban woman, as her career in Hollywood begins. One follows Monqiue, a biracial reporter writing Evelyn’s life story despite her insignificance within the journalism profession. No one understand why Evelyn deliberately chooses Monique – at least, not until the end of the story. If I had one major complaint of the book, it’s the thread binding these two together. I didn’t find the twist to be all that impactful despite the build up to it. I’m sure others will enjoy it, but it didn’t particularly “WOW” me.

While the story doesn’t spend too much time dwelling on the actual production of movies, it does spend loads of time with the ins and outs of film star life. It’s rich in Hollywood lore. My dad is a big lover of films, spanning from the 1930s until now. I can see the author weaving together pieces of legend, lore, and fact from Hollywood into a unique tale of love and ambition. If you're at all interested in Hollywood or celebrities, this book is for you.

tl;dr An emotional story about one woman’s ability to live, learn, and love in Hollywood.

[Laurie]

Review posted on https://lauriesbookshelf.comThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a book that has been discussed a lot within the international book community and receives a lot of glowing reviews. Reason for me to read it. Not just that of course, but the synopsis  also sounded interesting to me. I finally found the time to read it and yes I understand the hype and love for this book.




When I started reading the book at first, I really didn't know what to expect. I knew it was an autobiography without it being an autobiography. Doest this make sense? It's fiction, all characters are fictional, but it has been written like an autobiography. Hence why it reads so fast.

We follow Evelyn's life from the moment she met her first husband. The scandals, struggles and lies of Hollywood are all discussed in this book. I couldn't believe my ears when I learnt what Evelyn had to do to be and remain successful. I won't tell what for the sake of spoilers, but wow. I was shocked.

There was one part I was most shocked about. Was she happy? Could be. You will learn the answer to this question in this book. Who of her seven husbands was the actual love of her life? Was Evelyn really who she appeared to be on camera? You will find answers to all these questions in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. However, I was shocked to learn about Hollywood in the years of Evelyn's success. I know this book is fiction, but I kind of believe this was the truth.

Then there is Monique. Why did Evelyn choose her to tell her story too? I didn't know, but I eventually found out and I was like wooooooooow. This book was a good read. I enjoyed it and really wanted to know what was going to happen next. Bonus, this book is somehow queer. Can't say what or how because of spoilers. Anyway, The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo was a surprising read!






This review was originally posted on Laurie's Bookshelf

[lauriesbookshelf]

Review posted on https://lauriesbookshelf.comThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a book that has been discussed a lot within the international book community and receives a lot of glowing reviews. Reason for me to read it. Not just that of course, but the synopsis  also sounded interesting to me. I finally found the time to read it and yes I understand the hype and love for this book.




When I started reading the book at first, I really didn't know what to expect. I knew it was an autobiography without it being an autobiography. Doest this make sense? It's fiction, all characters are fictional, but it has been written like an autobiography. Hence why it reads so fast.

We follow Evelyn's life from the moment she met her first husband. The scandals, struggles and lies of Hollywood are all discussed in this book. I couldn't believe my ears when I learnt what Evelyn had to do to be and remain successful. I won't tell what for the sake of spoilers, but wow. I was shocked.

There was one part I was most shocked about. Was she happy? Could be. You will learn the answer to this question in this book. Who of her seven husbands was the actual love of her life? Was Evelyn really who she appeared to be on camera? You will find answers to all these questions in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. However, I was shocked to learn about Hollywood in the years of Evelyn's success. I know this book is fiction, but I kind of believe this was the truth.

Then there is Monique. Why did Evelyn choose her to tell her story too? I didn't know, but I eventually found out and I was like wooooooooow. This book was a good read. I enjoyed it and really wanted to know what was going to happen next. Bonus, this book is somehow queer. Can't say what or how because of spoilers. Anyway, The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo was a surprising read!






This review was originally posted on Laurie's Bookshelf