Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I’ve been using books as an escape since I learned how to read and I’ve loved many books and had many favorites over the years, but none quite like this. It resonates with every part of my being it encompasses what it is to be a woman in a man’s world and what it means to never feel safe to come as you are. As you are taken through each marriage of Evelyn Hugo, you are taken through the eras of her life— the truth behinds the tabloids. Through the revelations of her truth Evelyn teaches you the reader, as well as Monique the editor—whose also taking in this story for the first time—many lessons that will forever change her, and maybe you. Evelyn never tolerates disrespect, she doesn’t take no for an answer, she does the wrong thing for the right reason, and she ... MoreI’ve been using books as an escape since I learned how to read and I’ve loved many books and had many favorites over the years, but none quite like this. It resonates with every part of my being it encompasses what it is to be a woman in a man’s world and what it means to never feel safe to come as you are. As you are taken through each marriage of Evelyn Hugo, you are taken through the eras of her life— the truth behinds the tabloids. Through the revelations of her truth Evelyn teaches you the reader, as well as Monique the editor—whose also taking in this story for the first time—many lessons that will forever change her, and maybe you. Evelyn never tolerates disrespect, she doesn’t take no for an answer, she does the wrong thing for the right reason, and she knows when it’s time to go. I’ve read this book twice and I’d read it 100 times. You are in for what it would be like if a major celebrity were to have lived a double life and revealed everything right before their death- I believe Taylor swift will have an Evelyn Hugo style memoir one day. Anyways just read the book you won’t regret it 5/5 forever.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. This book has been recommended to me several times. Initially I wasn’t very interested since I’m just not that drawn to celebrity-centric media. This book is about an author who writes about a very famous; very glamorous actress and her 7 husbands- the 7 husbands aren’t what’s important, it’s her life and how she lived it. It’s about how she grew and thrived while being married to one or in between marriages. This book was phenomenal. I didn’t see it coming. The story comes together so beautiful, so wonderfully. It’s heartbreaking, heartwarming and just an incredible masterpiece all in one. Thank you to my sweet friend, @emilyandee who bought me this copy. I’d highly recommend this book- it’s an easy read, that will transport you ... MoreThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. This book has been recommended to me several times. Initially I wasn’t very interested since I’m just not that drawn to celebrity-centric media. This book is about an author who writes about a very famous; very glamorous actress and her 7 husbands- the 7 husbands aren’t what’s important, it’s her life and how she lived it. It’s about how she grew and thrived while being married to one or in between marriages. This book was phenomenal. I didn’t see it coming. The story comes together so beautiful, so wonderfully. It’s heartbreaking, heartwarming and just an incredible masterpiece all in one. Thank you to my sweet friend, @emilyandee who bought me this copy. I’d highly recommend this book- it’s an easy read, that will transport you through years of glamour and fame.

I so very much enjoyed reading this book. Evelyn Hugo was a larger-than-life character. Love her or leave her, you could not admire her. Told in past and present voices, you learn about her rise to stardom and what she had to do to get there. This woman had balls!! You also learn about the woman she has chosen to be her biographer and how their lives are somewhat intertwined. It was gut-wrenching at times and so forward-thinking. I adored it and would totally recommend it to any reader of women's fiction. It starts in the fifties and comes all the way to the present. I adored the tales of fashion, Hollywood dating, and the things that go on at movie studios.

Almost reached the mark.... Hit or miss tbh.

It just missed the brief for me. I gave it 4 stars because of the amazing LGBTQ rep, the rest of the story is about 3.POSITIVES: The concept itself was stunning, extremely interesting with a lot of potential, and Evelyn as a character represented complex human experiences in such a real way. Evelyn & Celia, great couple, great story. Harry Cameron is one of my favourite fictitious characters and another character who felt unbelievably real.----> This book has some serious film potential, especially with the formatting with the 7 husband subheadings, it would translate really well onscreen.CRITICISM:- The writing itself was bland, I felt like I was being told how to feel in a really condescending way, especially in the present time.- The book was dragged out ... MoreIt just missed the brief for me. I gave it 4 stars because of the amazing LGBTQ rep, the rest of the story is about 3.POSITIVES: The concept itself was stunning, extremely interesting with a lot of potential, and Evelyn as a character represented complex human experiences in such a real way. Evelyn & Celia, great couple, great story. Harry Cameron is one of my favourite fictitious characters and another character who felt unbelievably real.----> This book has some serious film potential, especially with the formatting with the 7 husband subheadings, it would translate really well onscreen.CRITICISM:- The writing itself was bland, I felt like I was being told how to feel in a really condescending way, especially in the present time.- The book was dragged out way too long for what it was.- Plot info you thought was important was actually irrelevant, and then there was bad foreshadowing for the ending reveal.- Monique Grant was one of the most boring main character/narrators ever. Her story was forced, she lacked relatability, and even the way she described her biracial experience felt underplayed. Every time it felt like she was given character development, it got shoved under the carpet at the last second.- IMO, Monique should've been LGBTQ, lived a life similar to Evelyn, done things she hadn't been able to, and that she felt she'd understand her experience. Then, the reason they were 'connected' should've been that Monique's father protected Evelyn from her relationship with Celia getting out or saved her life at a protest or something.- The story would have benefitted from hearing Celia or Harry's perspective as well as Evelyn's, instead of just her spin on the situation.- I was so confused when we jumped from the past to the present, half of the time I didn't even realise until I was done the page it was Monique talking.SPOILER WARNINGThe ending was beyond disappointing. The way Evelyn and Monique were connected was anticlimactic, lacked foreshadowing and honestly felt lazy, which is upsetting considering it was the main 'why?' question being asked in the synopsis.It also felt too easy of an ending that Evelyn was going to kill herself, and I'm surprised Monique didn't figure it out before the photoshoot.I CRIED LIKE A BABY WHEN JOHN, HARRY, CELIA AND THEN CONNOR PASSED AWAY. EXTREMELY EMOTIONAL DEATHS. ESPECIALLY HARRY. THEY WERE JUST ABOUT TO BE HAPPY AND THEN THEY'RE GONE.Anyway, would only recommend to some friends.

Amazing read!

This was a terrific read. I devoured it in two days and once I finished, could not stop thinking about it. The title makes you think it's just about a Hollywood actress and her recollections of her marriages but it's so much more. It's about a woman who grew up fast, without her mum, realising that she attracted men's attention from an early age. She turned this into a positive and weilded her beauty like a weapon. She had a desire to be a Hollywood actress and was prepared to do whatever means necessary to get there. It's about self promotion, confidence and asking for what you want, relationships and the different forms they come in, true love and what you are willing to do for it, Hollywood behind the scenes and antics, loss and grief and what is truly important ... MoreThis was a terrific read. I devoured it in two days and once I finished, could not stop thinking about it. The title makes you think it's just about a Hollywood actress and her recollections of her marriages but it's so much more. It's about a woman who grew up fast, without her mum, realising that she attracted men's attention from an early age. She turned this into a positive and weilded her beauty like a weapon. She had a desire to be a Hollywood actress and was prepared to do whatever means necessary to get there. It's about self promotion, confidence and asking for what you want, relationships and the different forms they come in, true love and what you are willing to do for it, Hollywood behind the scenes and antics, loss and grief and what is truly important in life when you are older and wiser. This book had me sobbing for the last quarter of the book. It was so heartfelt. It was so well written I felt as though I was reading a real actress's memoirs.i kept thinking who would play Evelyn in a short tv series or movie. The book is well paced and never gets boring. I loved the way the author put in pages like fake headlines from tabloid magazines. It helped make the story feel authentic.I enjoyed this book so much that I will seek out other books from Taylor Jenkins Reid. It far exceeded my expectations.

Biggest Waste of Time and Money EVER

I have no idea why this book is so highly rated. I only stuck with it to find out the big "reveal" was going to be that was so shocking and make the biographer "hate" the movie star . Read right past it and didn't even know that I had read it. What a weak woman. The biographer who was writing the lesbian's story obviously had some issues that weren't explained, since the incident caused her so much distress. Most importantly, it should be listed under the LBGT category. Why wasn't it?? I'm not a homophobe (had two gay cousins who I loved dearly), I just like to know what I'm paying cash for and what the book is about. Why not just spit it out? Was it supposed to be a stunning turn of events?? Hello, it's 2023. A gay actor was a shock back when Rock Hudson died of ... MoreI have no idea why this book is so highly rated. I only stuck with it to find out the big "reveal" was going to be that was so shocking and make the biographer "hate" the movie star . Read right past it and didn't even know that I had read it. What a weak woman. The biographer who was writing the lesbian's story obviously had some issues that weren't explained, since the incident caused her so much distress. Most importantly, it should be listed under the LBGT category. Why wasn't it?? I'm not a homophobe (had two gay cousins who I loved dearly), I just like to know what I'm paying cash for and what the book is about. Why not just spit it out? Was it supposed to be a stunning turn of events?? Hello, it's 2023. A gay actor was a shock back when Rock Hudson died of AIDS 40 years ago. Unless you've been in a coma for 40 years, it's a big yawn. Homosexuality in the theater and arts is the standard, totally the norm today. The characters were not likeable, nor relatable. I can't dredge up empathy for whiny gazillionaires . I've dealt with worse issues than these whimps could ever imagine and didn't get paid millions of dollars to write about for it, like the biographer did. They need to get off the pity potty before their legs go numb. Don't even waste your money. If you feel that you must read it, get it from the library so you don't hate yourself for spending the money. I won't even donate it to Goodwill, like I do with books I've read. It will make a nice starter for a bonfire. The best use for it, if it ignites.

Fabulous and unique

The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo was exactly that - a story about her 7 marriages, and my goodness did this book not disappoint. It was raw, honest, heartbreaking and breathtakingly special. I loved this sooo much.Evelyn Hugo lived in the public eye, she is an extremely talented movie star and in her day she was considered the most beautiful women that everyone wanted a piece of. She knew first hand to well the extend of sexism in the industry, but the likeable and powerful thing about Evelyn is that she used this to her advantage and at times capitalised it. This book had a very strong female lead.The book engaged me from the very beginning when we learn that Evelyn wants to do a tell all story for the very first and last time to Monique, an inexperienced but ... MoreThe seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo was exactly that - a story about her 7 marriages, and my goodness did this book not disappoint. It was raw, honest, heartbreaking and breathtakingly special. I loved this sooo much.Evelyn Hugo lived in the public eye, she is an extremely talented movie star and in her day she was considered the most beautiful women that everyone wanted a piece of. She knew first hand to well the extend of sexism in the industry, but the likeable and powerful thing about Evelyn is that she used this to her advantage and at times capitalised it. This book had a very strong female lead.The book engaged me from the very beginning when we learn that Evelyn wants to do a tell all story for the very first and last time to Monique, an inexperienced but up and coming writer. Why Monique? was the running question throughout the book. I won't spoil it but I really didn't pick this little twist and it made a superb book even more enjoyable to read.Evelyn explains in depth and with no barriers all seven marriages, which mainly always resulted in her getting what or where she needed to be. She did not hide or lack away from the truth and quite frankly wanted people to know exactly the twisted extent she would go solely to benefit herself or the small circle of people she held dear. She wanted us to dislike her, she was very adamant that her biography be written without any credit to her and to really showcase the shady questionable character she sometimes was- but it was so hard to hate such an honest strong women.I cared deeply for multiple characters in this book and loved the unique historical fiction which also felt very coming of age. The strong women leadership and the constant talk of LGBT+ makes it a very wholesome story.How Jenkins Reid was able to write about a character who was manipulative, cold hearted, and devious but ironically at the same time showcased that under the materialistic gold surface was a pure heart of gold. Evelyn was an unique character and nothing like I have ever read

Hooked from start to finish!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a captivating and emotional tale that will keep you hooked from start to finish. The bookfollows the life of legendary Hollywood actress, Evelyn Hugo, as she recounts her rise to fame and the seven marriages that shaped her career and personal life. Reid's writing is exceptional, weaving together complex characters and intricate plot-lines with ease. The character of Evelyn Hugo is a standout, with her strong-willed personality, vulnerability, and heartbreaking past, making her a relatable and compelling protagonist. She explores themes of love, loss, ambition, and the sacrifices one must make to achieve success. The relationships between the characters are nuanced and multifaceted, leaving the reader ... MoreThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a captivating and emotional tale that will keep you hooked from start to finish. The bookfollows the life of legendary Hollywood actress, Evelyn Hugo, as she recounts her rise to fame and the seven marriages that shaped her career and personal life. Reid's writing is exceptional, weaving together complex characters and intricate plot-lines with ease. The character of Evelyn Hugo is a standout, with her strong-willed personality, vulnerability, and heartbreaking past, making her a relatable and compelling protagonist. She explores themes of love, loss, ambition, and the sacrifices one must make to achieve success. The relationships between the characters are nuanced and multifaceted, leaving the reader questioning their own perceptions and beliefs about love and marriage. Reid also tackles important issues such as racism, homophobia, and sexism in the entertainment industry, shedding light on the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities. Despite the heavy subject matter, Reid manages to infuse the story with hope and a sense of triumph, making it an uplifting read. Overall, this book is a beautifully crafted novel that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Reid's masterful storytelling and vivid characters make this book a must-read for anyone looking for a poignant and memorable story.

I lost brain cells reading this.

If you're under 22 and you get your reading and news from gossip magazines, tiktok, TMZ, Wendy Williams and care enough about celebrities lives then maybe you'd like this. This is not complex, intellectual or literary refined at all. there is nothing you take away from this book when it's all over. There isn't a single bit of intellectual thought in this book. It reads like a really long gossip colum from Cosmopolitan. It is mind numbing and all over the place. You have to go back just to keep up with all of Evelyn's husband's and keeping 7 characters straight is just not a good read. Sure the focus is her real romance but it gets lost in all the Hollywood dribble and superficial garbage. The dedication states "smash the patriarchy," then the following ten pages go ... MoreIf you're under 22 and you get your reading and news from gossip magazines, tiktok, TMZ, Wendy Williams and care enough about celebrities lives then maybe you'd like this. This is not complex, intellectual or literary refined at all. there is nothing you take away from this book when it's all over. There isn't a single bit of intellectual thought in this book. It reads like a really long gossip colum from Cosmopolitan. It is mind numbing and all over the place. You have to go back just to keep up with all of Evelyn's husband's and keeping 7 characters straight is just not a good read. Sure the focus is her real romance but it gets lost in all the Hollywood dribble and superficial garbage. The dedication states "smash the patriarchy," then the following ten pages go into detail about how psychically attractive Evelyn Hugo was. So, which is it? A feminist forward book, or another book about a beautiful misunderstood woman that only captivated people with her beauty and scandal? But the thing I had the biggest issue with was that the author put in blog post, comments. and exerpts from newspapers. This just seems so lazy it's insulting. Save yourself the trouble and grab something else.

I now understand the hype

*1/5 Steam Rating *Gay, Lesbian, & Bi Rep; Alternating POV & Timeline; Check Trigger Warnings There’s a reason why this book is so highly talked about. I now get the hype. This is a story within a story; we have the current day Monique who is summoned by the world famous Evelyn Hugo to write her tell all biography, and then we have Evelyn Hugo recounting her life for Monique. One of the things that I loved about this story was that although you find out at the beginning of the book how the story ends(ish), you still get to experience the twists and turns of Evelyn’s life as you find out how she gets there. This book has so many old Hollywood vibes, it would be easy to assume that Evelyn Hugo really was a world famous actress. I found all of the characters to have ... More*1/5 Steam Rating *Gay, Lesbian, & Bi Rep; Alternating POV & Timeline; Check Trigger Warnings There’s a reason why this book is so highly talked about. I now get the hype. This is a story within a story; we have the current day Monique who is summoned by the world famous Evelyn Hugo to write her tell all biography, and then we have Evelyn Hugo recounting her life for Monique. One of the things that I loved about this story was that although you find out at the beginning of the book how the story ends(ish), you still get to experience the twists and turns of Evelyn’s life as you find out how she gets there. This book has so many old Hollywood vibes, it would be easy to assume that Evelyn Hugo really was a world famous actress. I found all of the characters to have great depth, and they were easy to connect with as the story evolves. We’ll done TJR. We’ll done! Trigger Warnings: SA, DV, Abortion