BOOK REVIEW: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

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 nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

Spoiler Free:

Evelyn Hugo. A household name. A golden trophy owner. A millionaire. A mother. What more could she want?

In 2017, years after the rise of her fame an auction will be held to sell twelve infamous gowns Hugo wore over the course of her intriguing career. 2 million dollars are expected to be raised for breast cancer research. When Hugo reaches out to Vivant, a reputable journal, offering a participation in a piece for the first in a long time, the best journalist are piled together and sent off for approval by Evelyn herself. None are approved. She only replies with one name and one name only; Monique Grant.

Coming off a fresh divorce from her coffee-table stealing husband, this is exactly what she’s needed. Something to get her mind off of him and her failed marriage, but also something to prove to the editor-in-chief, Frankie, exactly what she’s capable of. Maybe even negotiate a promotion. But why her?

Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment; Monique and Evelyn make their way into her office; Evelyn on the couch and Monique behind the desk, a pen and paper clammy in her hands. It’s here over the course of days, that Evelyn unfolds her life story starting at the very beginning starting with her move to Los Angeles in the 1950s to leaving show business in the 1980s. Through the days she spills the truths she held close to her chest; truth about friendship, love, and her ambition. And once Monique begins to build admiration, Hugo’s story reaches the present and Monique learns their stories intertwine with Monique’s own personal tragedies.

When a book has almost 2.4 million reviews on GoodReads and still maintains an above 4-star rating, you know it has some magic inside it’s pages. This one most definitely does.

I’m constantly on the lookout for books that are “different”. There’s always a time and place for your cliché beach reads, but as a bookie “different” also catches my attention. The concept alone of this piece is so unique. Split into seven parts to illustrate the seven husbands and the time she experienced with each husband aids for a smooth reading process and a better understanding of the men and the order they arrive and disappear in. Evelyn’s character is one that is unapologetic, yet when bounced between the present-day Evelyn and the past, there is a clear distinction between the two and the maturing and growth between them. Although there seems to always be so much going on, this piece is an easy read and keeps you motivated and hooked until the very last pages.

I’ve recommended this piece to many people, and each time receive a thank you in return; including my older sister who tends to live in the suspense and thriller genre. This piece for its writing, concept, and execution is a no brainer 5 star.

Spoilers Full:

Okay, I’ve gushed just about as much as I can without giving spoilers.

So, here’s your warning.

SPOILERS AHEAD.

No really, I will ruin it for you if you haven’t read.

This is one you don’t want to spoil.

Alrighty then….

Here I go.

Did I scratch this book off my TBR list and instantly write it on my favorite book list immediately after… ummm absolutely yes, I did. Did this book make me hate every character and love every character at one time or another? Of course, it did. Do I recommend it to everyone who needs a new book to read? EVERY SINGLE PERSON.

I gave this book 5 stars for a reason and it’s for more than just evoking emotions out of me. Any book can do that now adays (yes, I have unfortunately become a softie. Please do not stare as I cry on this plane). Taylor Jenkins Reid was able to create magic within these pages. Magic that I hope everyone is able to touch just for a short period because for one of the few times while reading books, I wasn’t conscious of my eyes scanning the lines or the paperback creasing into my palm, I was living the life of Evelyn Hugo and I felt every emotion and decision she made.

This book is structured into eight parts; including one for each of her seven husbands. Within this format the story is progressed through the Evelyn wanting Monique Grant to write and publish her memoir only once she has passed. As Evelyn tells her life story, we as the reader are given insight into Monique’s life and some parallels between the two. However, they do feel really different; Evelyn and Monique. Some critique of this piece is how Monique seems to fall flatter on the page compared to Evelyn, which is a justified critique, but I also believe it’s innate that Monique’s character would seem lesser than Evelyn’s, not only for innate character differences but also if Jenkins created Monique to also be a strong-headed, vibrantly grey character than the two would constantly be competing on the page. It would make the book feel heavy or uncomfortable watching the battle between the two characters instead of the structured “speak and listen” mood Jenkins created with the plot. So, yeah, I think the difference between the two of them is what makes the relationship beautiful.

I could go through each husband, going through each chapter, each strife, each moment of Evelyn went through; and I probably should considering this is a review of the book, but although the novel is titled about the men, they only represent the stepping stones she crossed to get to her true love; Celia.

This book is beautifully and magically crafted with heart-stabbing and thought-provoking quotes at every turn. This book is one that takes you back and forth between the then and now. It showcases the struggle and failure that growth needs. But more than anything is shows just how important it is to have people that you love close to you always. How soulmates, don’t have to be romantic, and how there is no boundaries in which your heart chooses, because if you’re lucky enough to feel true love from another human, you can consider yourself the luckiest of us all.

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid is an American author most known for her novels, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones & the Six, One true Loves, and Malibu Rising. She has 8 titles that have been represented on the New York Times Bestselling list. She published Forever, Interrupted in 2013 when she was only 24. Since then she has two pieces to go on and be adapted onto screen; One True Loves and Daisy Jones & the Six. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has been picked up by Netflix in March of 2022 and has plans to be adapted into a movie soon.

She currently lines in Los Angeles with her screenwriter husband and their daughter (whom fun fact; she was pregnant with the entire time she wrote The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.)

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