The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

"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 most satisfying of drama." -PopSugar

From the author of Daisy Jones & The Six-an entrancing novel "that speaks to the Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor in us all" (Kirkus Reviews), in which 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.

Reviewed by pagesbycyndy on

4 of 5 stars

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Review:

As soon as I read the synopsis I knew that I had to read this book! Monique has no idea why Evelyn Hugo has chosen her to write the story of her life and make no mistake the public cannot get enough of this aging super star. Evelyn Hugo is still an icon even into her older years. I was fascinated by this book, I felt like I was on the journey with them, riding along on the story of Evelyn's life and it was intriguing. Monique is on a journey as well, the journey into her career and personal life. I witnessed the character of Monique grow page by page, she is learning from a master on how to make the most of the life that she has. There is the underlying question throughout the book as to why did Evelyn choose Monique, how are they connected and I was sure that there is a connection somehow and what debt does Evelyn owe to Monique. I had tons of theories but none of them were correct. The question that Monique asks Evelyn in their first meeting " Which husband was you great Love?" sets the stage for the rest of the book. As Evelyn slowly recounts her life story, the story of her great loves and why so many husbands I begin to see that Evelyn was more that just a blonde movie star bombshell. The real story of Evelyn's one true love may be a bit shocking to some but it was a sweet love story and I am so happy that I read this book. You could say that these lovers were star crossed in a way, they had wonderful happy years and some tragic ones as well. I love Hollywood and the glimpse into this life was nice to read about. The ending answered all of my questions but not in the way that I thought they would be answered.

Final Thoughts:

This book kept me interested from the beginning to the end. I loved that it was not your traditional cut and dried romance. The ending was both sad but signaled a new beginning for Monique. To say that I was surprised by the truth of what Monique meant to Evelyn is an understatement. This was one hell of a story and I would read it again!

 

 This review was originally posted on Cindy's Book Binge

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  • 20 June, 2017: Reviewed