The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

By Taylor Jenkins Reid

Book Overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From the New York Times bestselling author of Atmosphere and 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.

"Fascinating, emotional and will be hard to put down. For fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, this is her best work yet." --Associated Press

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1501161938
• ISBN13: 9781501161933
• Release Date: May 2018
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.1" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

This is a KEEPER!

Over my life I've read many many books. I only keep those that stick with me, that I can't put down. This is one of those books. Incredible story!! Definitely recommend!

Loved this book but...

The book I received was missing the sleeve, so it's a plain green hardback, and I'm kind of disappointed...

Story was great but my book condition wasn’t.

I bought my book in a “good” condition but it was not. It has water stains and has several pages morphed from how bad the water stains were. It’s ridiculous to label it as good condition.

Surprise ending with a whirlwind romance

This book is lgbtq+ which I didn’t know going into it, a refreshing change. I love that the author tells stories from multiple perspectives and leaves you guessing until the end. I gave it 3 stars ultimately because some of the chapters/storylines were very drawn out and I felt myself rushing to the finish because I was getting a little bored in the middle.

Absolutely Loved This!!!

The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo Was A Great Read! I Have Never Gasped And Said WoW In One Book Do Much In My Whole Literary Reading Experience!

Definitely Recommend

The story is heartfelt and its a very emotional read. Only reason I would not give the book 5 stars is because I felt that the chapters that solely focused on Monique were a bit boring. But, other than that, the book is worth the read. If you are thinking about it, do it!!

What a surprise!

I liked the book, although it's not the type I usually read. The ending was totally unexpected!!! I'm going to read another book by Ms Hugo and if it's the same type.... I'm hooked.

Must Read!

One of the best books I’ve ever read, I can’t wait to pick up more from Reid.

The reviews are right

I always think that a book that gets the amount of hype that Seven Husbands got, is going to be a disappointment. Surprise it wasn't. Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a fast read with interesting characters. A good story that makes you think about fame and love, and what it does to a person.

This is a book I want to re-read again and again. She nailed this book. I read it in 3 days and prob

Every women should read this book. I right away gave it to my 18 yr old daughter to read.

Shocking ending!!

Kept me reading long into the night when I should have gone to bed. The ending blew me away. I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed it thoroughly! Highly recommend!!!

missed the mark

Whole plot was not that original. It kind of dragged on, and a lot of the "twist plot" that the author meant to be exciting-just kind of left me feeling sick to my stomach.... On the bright side, I finished 6 other decent books rather quickly because I kept finding an excuse not to finish this one.....what a struggle.

Yes, yes, yes.

I loved every second of reading this book. I cannot praise this book enough. It was so interesting and I didn’t expect the ending.

Nice progression

I enjoyed the way the author conveyed the acceptance of people over the span of decades. I liked the unique twist of the ending.

The most fun I’ve read all year

I am new to reading for pleasure again, and typically a slow reader… this book however was so much fun I didn’t want it to stop! Since this book, I have read 7 more because I’m searching for one I love as much! Daisy Jones was good; EVELYN HUGO IS DIVINE!

Absolutely worth your time

This book lives up to the hype & excitement it has gotten for close to 8 years. I never expected this to be what it is. All I can say is read it. Theres nothing I can say that will even come close to the astonishing writing that Taylor Jenkins Reid has done.

Wow!

I read this book in one night, and immediately was sad it was over. Great book for anyone looking for a good, fun, pretty mindless read!

Do not recommend

Did not enjoy this book

Yuck

Too much lesbian stuff going on. Definitely not my type of book. I can handle a little of it but this is just too much.

Pretentious. Jenkins steals last years big title and book again.

The 7 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was a very popular book. Jenkins comes out with “the 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo” right after!!!…hmmm. Then steals the entire plot of Utopia Parkway when she writes Daisy Jones and the Six. But the “I just listen to what’s music is on the radio” people buy here junk just like they do for Colleen Hoover. Two trash writers living of ignorant writers. Try Claire North or Tananarive Due if you want great female authors.

Good writing, bad story

This is the first Taylor Jenkins Rein book I've read, and it was a huge disappointment. Don't get me wrong; it was gripping and well-written. But the litter of language and bad messages ruined it. I will try TJR again, though!

just so so for me

With this novel being everywhere I had high hopes, however just not the book for me. I kept reading to find someone worth redemption or at least likable/worth rooting for, but none were to be found (which was disappointing).

My heart!!!

One of my all time favorite books. So beautifully written, I felt like I could picture every scene so clearly, and I bawled my eyes out. 10/10 recommend.

New favorite book!

Such a beautiful read. I finished days ago and I am still thinking about it and how one has to make hard, sometimes unfair, life choices. Not what I was expecting but such a wonderful read.

Loved it!

If you are nosy and love drama, this is the book for you!

5 hours and in one-sitting

This book is phenomenal. I was struggling with some personal changes but after reading this book and meeting the characters, I feel like I am who I am so much more now. Thank you, Taylor Jenkins Reid and thank you, Evelyn Hugo.

Personal enjoyment: 3/5

A very well-written book. Easy to read, enjoyable, interesting. The characters felt very complex, with distinct character traits and real flaws. It was well-paced and kept my interest the whole time. I liked the newspaper article inserts, that was cute. However, the writing annoyed me and the only character I really liked was Harry. There are a lot of "sound bites" in the book that I think were put there to make the book quotable, but it ended up feeling like I was being told how the world works and how to be a good feminist. It was very much telling and not showing, and it majorly detracted from the book in my opinion. At first I only noticed it in Evelyn's sections and chalked it up to her telling her story and wanting to share the wisdom she's learned in her very full life. It added to things I didn't like about Evelyn as a person but I did appreciate about Evelyn as a character. However, later in the book there's a reveal and the reporter reacts to it and the flow of the book screeches to a halt while the reporter tells me how fury works. Dude, tell me how it works for YOU, don't tell me how it works for everyone, it comes across as arrogant and completely undermines the tone of the scene. It should have been personal and emotional, I should have been led through the descriptions to feel what Monique felt and be in her shoes, but instead I felt like I was being dryly lectured by someone who thinks they're an expert in psychology. Completely ruined the moment, which was a shame because there was another emotional beat that Reid was able to write effectively just a chapter or two before that. So I think Reid's writing is just not for me. I didn't feel trusted to come up with my own thoughts, I felt like I was being told exactly what to think. That being said, if that stuff doesn't bother you, it's a very interesting and enjoyable novel. I don't regret reading it, but I will not be reading anymore of Reid's books.

AMAZING!!! Page turner.

An eye opening perspective of lesbians in the 50-80’s!!!

A new story

This was a fresh new story for me. Although it sounds like there's a book that was previously published with a similar premise a couple years ago, it never crossed my circles. I wasn't really expecting an LGBTQ+ story, which I really liked. I appreciate that I had mixed feelings of Evelyn and her morality, personality,and decisions. I liked this miles over DJ&TS by TJR.

Couldn’t put it down

Absolutely adored this book. It has super short chapters which kept me saying “okay just one more” and I just couldn’t put it down. Loved that there’s two stories being told at once, both intriguing in their own way. The peek behind the curtain of Hollywood royalty throughout the years, the love, and the loss, all captivating and had me thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading it. I’ll be checking out this authors other books for sure.

i loved this book

this book was so good i finished it quickly and sobbed when finishing it. this was a book i couldn’t put down

Absolutely worth it!

One of my favorite reads! Emotional on every level. Huge twisted ending.

loved!

loved this book- felt like I couldn't put it down. at times it did feel like it was written from the perspective of a straight woman, but the writing was still amazing and kept you captive. loved the storytelling and time period as well!

Fantastic

One of the best books I've ever read

One of my new favorites

This book will make you feel nostalgia for an era in which you weren’t even born yet. It was beautifully written, entertaining and heartbreaking at times. I would recommend this to any hopeless romantic.

A quick read. Amazing page-turner.

It's a fascinating and devastating story of old Hollywood. Every character is described well and it's an easy read that flows well. I loved it!

Great read!

Interesting read! Loved the story telling of the husbands

Amazing book

I picked up this book and could not put it down. Finished within 24 hours. Incredible read with twists and turns that will make you wanting more.

The Seven Husbands

Probably one of the best books I've read this year. It certainly surpassed my expectations

This is one of my favorite books

I loved this book so much

Fabulous story!

This was a truly a great read. While there are parts in the story you can guess the outcome, it’s the ‘how’ of getting there that was the real thrill.

Please buy this book

This book was probably one of the best books I have ever read. If you have any question about buying it, just do it please. This book was incredible and I could not put it down. This book was also very empowering. One of my favorite parts of the book was the dedication page. "For Lilah, smash the patriarchy sweetheart". I have so much respect for this author and I am afraid that any explanation of what the book is about would not do it justice. The only thing that stopped me from buying it sooner was that it was historical fiction, so I am begging you please do not let that stop you. This is an amazing book and everyone should read this.

Could not put this book down! Completely enthralling

The most captivating book I’ve EVER read. This book will capture you from the start. As a woman Evelyn Hugo I was inspired by her story. She was rugged yet graceful. Monique as well was in contrast everything Evelyn was not. Both so real and raw. I love how all the women were portrayed. All such different lives yet all equally humanly beautiful and flawed. Full of suspense and love. Such a major unexpected twist. It left me floored! Loved every bit.

Breatakingly beautiful

really didn't know what to expect out of this book. I had heard such amazing things but, you know, sometimes the best books for others aren't the ones you read. The reviews on this one were spot on. Such a complicated and emotional story. And the ending, as well as who Monique, was were as shocking and complicated as Evelyn Hugo herself. The author wove a beautiful and breathtaking book. Both on Evelyn's story and how it tied in with Monique. Humans are complicated creatures, with motives we can all only begin to understand. This story is just one of many that shows the complicated and tumultuous life that we sometimes envision for ourselves. I think all of us can see some part of ourselves in Evelyn Hugo. What we wouldn't sacrifice and do for the ones we love. What we hide and don't show to the rest of the world. No one truly knows the deepest darkest desires and secrets of our hearts. And maybe someday, we will all end up being laid open and bare like Evelyn Hugo.