Book Review | The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Pages: 388
Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Historical, Romance
Published by: Atria Books (June 13th, 2017)
Summary
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 in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds through the decades—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
What I Thought
Honestly, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo wasn’t a book that I planned on reading. For the past year, I’ve seen mentions of it, but it just didn’t look that great in my opinion. It wasn’t until the last few months that I actually started to really pay attention to what people were saying. Everyone just seemed to love this book. So much so that, I couldn’t ignore the hype any longer. I just had to read it. Let me just say that, I am so glad I did!
The first word that comes to mind when I think of this book is “wow!” The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was so different than I thought it would be, and I genuinely enjoyed reading it so much. I don’t even really know what to say except that I loved reading this book. It is so beautifully written with such rich details, but at the same time it is not overly wordy or unnecessarily complex. I think the perfect way to describe it would be elegant.
Then there are the characters! They were all really well-written and interesting, but oh, how I loved Evelyn so much! She’s so far from perfect, and yet you can’t help but want to root for her. I loved learning about her life, loves, career, past marriages, and friendships. By the end of the book she felt like such a real person to me.
I really loved the dual timelines in this book. Monique, a journalist, talks to a modern day Evelyn, about her life and her past. I loved how we, as the readers, were able to get to hear Evelyn’s thought and input about her life after it happened. Also, while I enjoyed reading about Monique’s life, I will admit her story really paled in comparison to Evelyn’s. That being said, I still really loved getting to know her and the part that she played in this story.
I really loved the old Hollywood vibe of it all, too. It showed all the glamour of being an actress, but not without all the work, pain and lies it took Evelyn to get there, too.
I do just want to add, however, that this is an adult book, and there is quite a bit of sexual content. There’s nothing overly explicit, but it is there, so I just wanted to put that out there!
Overall, I really ended up enjoying The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo far more than I anticipated. This review doesn’t even begin to do this book justice. Just trust me, this book really is as good as everyone says! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a really great story with really great characters.
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the calico books 
I loved this book! The characters were incredible. ❤️
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I agree!! 😍
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Great review. I wasn’t expecting to like this book but I was blown away I loved it so much !
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Thank you! I felt exactly the same way about this book!!
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I’ve not read it, but I love the idea of “old Hollywood vibe” I am so hooked on those types of books right now. Classics, the older vibe, etc
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That was one of the aspects I really loved about this book! 😍
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I am seeing this book everywhere and I will loose my mind if I can’t get my hands on it soon 😩😩😩 great review ❤️
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That’s how I was until I finally read it too! I am legitimately shocked that it was as good as everyone said, lol. Thank you! ☺️💕
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Always a bit nerve wracking before you read a book that gets so much hype and everyone loves it! Glad you enjoyed this one though! 🙂 it’s not really my genre, I tend to struggle with historical fiction a bit xxx
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I know right?! I was so afraid I’d end up not liking it. I’m so glad it actually lived up to its hype for me! That’s very understandable, I feel like historical fiction is one of those genres you either love or can’t get into at all. 😊
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I haven’t read this book but now I want to pick it up so bad! My tbr is going to be so long with everyone’s reviews and recommendations.
Rebecca Elaine x
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Oh you definitely should!! 😍 and oh, I know, my TBR feels quite literally endless with so many reviews and recommendations. ☺️
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I’ve not heard of this book before but it sounds like I need to give it a read! I’ve been looking for a few new books to try so I’ll add this to my list, your review has definitely intrigued me! x
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
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Aw yay! I really loved it. If you’d decide to read it, I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. ☺️
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I keep seeing people talk about this book and like you, I hadn’t thought I’d enjoy it. But this review has changed my mind! I think I’ll need to give it a shot, it actually sounds very interesting!
Beth x Adventure & Anxiety
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Aw thank you!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 😄
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Really wish I could get into reading! Glad you liked it tho, must be slightly annoying when you spend all that time reading not to like the book
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Aww, everyone has their different hobbies! ☺️ Oh yes, it is quite annoying when you’re reading a book you want to love but just can’t get into!
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That book sounds right up my street! I’m definitely going to add this to my to be read list!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
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I hope you love it! ☺️
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I love this review so much, you’ve made me want to read the book! Maybe I will have to find time for it.
Vicki | http://www.missviclb.co.uk
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Thank you so much! I hope you get the chance to read it!! 🙂
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