SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO

This book is so well written. Precise and with clear understanding. Honestly amazing read.

Ending was not upto the mark. Definitely a page turner

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is an opulent tale of love, ambition, and fame set against the glitz and shadows of Hollywood’s Golden Age. It tells the story of the glamorous yet fiercely independent Evelyn Hugo, a starlet whose personal journey spans decades, marriages, and profound self-transformation. What makes this novel truly unforgettable is Evelyn herself: flawed, fiercely human, and unapologetically bold. Reid crafts a devilishly compelling character who remains relatable even as she makes morally complex decisions. The framing device—a journalist named Monique, chosen to tell Evelyn’s story—adds intrigue and layers of poignancy, ultimately linking their lives in unexpected ways. Reid’s lush yet accessible prose divides the story into sections corresponding to Evelyn’s seven husbands, each representing a phase in her evolution. Through these relationships, the novel explores societal norms, personal sacrifices, and the cost of survival in an unforgiving world. While the glittering world of Hollywood serves as the novel’s backdrop, its core themes are universal: the pursuit of love in all its forms, the search for identity, and the toll of ambition. The representation of LGBTQ+ relationships is heartfelt and beautifully written, offering voices to stories often erased from history. If there’s a slight drawback, it’s that Monique’s storyline feels less developed compared to Evelyn’s richly detailed narrative. Still, this minor issue doesn’t detract from the book’s overall impact. In summary, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a haunting and unforgettable read that will stay with you long after the final page. Perfect for fans of historical fiction, richly drawn characters, and poignant love stories.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a stunning blend of love, fame, and heartbreak. Evelyn's story is bold, emotional, and unapologetically honest. It made me admire her strength and question her choices. A beautifully written reminder that love, in all its forms, is worth fighting for.

I was absolutely captivated by this book. The story of a Hollywood icon's rise to fame and her seven marriages is told with such depth and nuance that I found myself completely engrossed in the world of Evelyn Hugo. Reid's writing is both beautiful and raw, and the characters are so well-developed that they feel like real people. I appreciated how the book tackled issues like racism, homophobia, and feminism in a way that felt authentic and thought-provoking. The book's twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end, and the final reveal left me in tears. Overall, I thought "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" was a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a captivating and powerful read.

Great book

Bought it for my sister and she loved it. To note, she isn't some lone who finishes every book she picks. This one she finished it. Worth the hype.

Fair

Moving and captivating. Heartbreaking and real. The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo was a joy to read. I loved getting to know the main character and how her and the other characters’ stories unfolded. Taylor Jenkins Reid really captured the magnificence of Evelyn Hugo so brilliantly, I was completely bewitched by the character, just as I imagined her fans were with her in the book.

A gun and quick read. The author leaves you guessing throughout the chapters so I found I just HAD to keep reading to find out what happens next!

I love it so much omg

Starting at the young age of fourteen and ending when she’s seventy-nine (when we first meet Evelyn), Evelyn Hugo has gone from bombshell, to sexpot, to Oscar winner, to civil rights supporter. Evelyn knew what she wanted from an early age—to get out of Hell’s Kitchen and away from her abusive father, and to be the biggest star anyone has ever heard of. And she accomplished that! Partially because of her talent, partially because she knows her worth and is unafraid to get dirty in order to achieve her goals, and partially because there is no one better at using the press and scandals to serve their own interests. Evelyn is both a force to be reckoned with, but also a deeply flawed and lonely. Shown through the perspective of Evelyn as she dictates her memoir to Monique, the reader is taken back to the early days of Hollywood to watch Evelyn’s rise, and her stumbles, to and through stardom. For a story about a Hollywood starlet, this book is LAYERED, and I don’t think I was expecting the level of depth it had, even though many reviews warned me to expect the unexpected with this story. In order to become Evelyn Hugo, Hollywood’s biggest star, Evelyn had to let go of who she was; erasing her identity to be what Hollywood wanted her to be. She knew and accepted this, always, but it does break your heart a little to watch her identity get stripped away so that she could be the blonde bombshell the screen so loved. The things Evelyn hid or changed, often denying the realest parts of herself in the process, really hit me in the feels, and there were parts at the end of the book that had me welling up with tears if that tells you anything. I won’t say more because the way the story unfolds is really lovely with getting to know all 7 of Evelyn’s husbands and the roles they played in her life, but I will say that I LOVED the inclusion of the fake articles to show the juxtaposition between what was Evelyn’s reality versus what the public got to see, and how the press portrayed her in return. Honestly, there was very little I did not like about this book, or its story. It flowed beautifully and, while not necessarily one of those books you couldn’t put down (I had no issues stopping in reading for the night) it was never dull. It had a smooth, and highly enjoyable writing style. However, my only issues were that sometimes, with the book being told in 1st person, Monique didn’t always feel that distinct to me from Evelyn. Which may be mostly because we don’t really get to know Monique at the same level at which we get to know Evelyn, though I did enjoy their relationship and how they were able to help each other, even when that got . . . tricky, to say the least. But I also didn’t like Celia for a majority of the book, either. I found her to be so frustrating at times, that I often wondered why Evelyn even bothered having her around. Thankfully that changed toward the end, but still. But, all in all, I LOVED this book and this story. It was so empowering, watching Evelyn be so unashamed to own her beauty, her sex appeal, her confidence, and to be the ball-buster she was, so unafraid of telling people what she wants, what she deserves—all because she knows her worth. I didn’t know how much I needed a story, to see a woman like that, until I read this book. But I also loved that the author didn’t shy away from Evelyn’s flaws, or the fact that, for a lot of Evelyn’s life, she was deeply lonely. Evelyn wasn’t perfect, but she didn’t let that be an excuse for anyone to treat her poorly. I will say there are some instances of spousal abuse in this book though, so just be forewarned if that kind of trauma is sensitive for you. I thought the author handled those topics amazingly well, but I’ve also never experienced such things for myself, either. Because this book brought tears to my eyes with that whole last third of the story, it easily gets 5 stars from me! This is such a satisfying, and empowering book!

Where to begin? That I am a man for starters, and I realized somewhat after the ordering fact that I was plunging into what others refer to as Women’s fiction. Oh my gosh. Was I getting into some Jackie Collins? (Mind you I am in no position to judge because I never read a single line of hers). I can’t pretend to high falutin pretensions either. I didn’t judge the book to be worthy of attention because of an alluring cover and jacket blurb, but I ordered it solely on the basis of its title, which is no less flimsy of a reason. I tend to be a binge reader. I can go for years without the slightest need to while away days in a single tome. And then again, I can go through books like there is no tomorrow. After a dry reading spell, that time was nigh. I came across a new book that at first sight seemed like the perfect answer for voracious reading. It is hot off the presses and is titled 'The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle'. Intriguing storyline, endless praise, a formidable marketing effort. I don’t recall being that disappointed in a book in a very long time. No pun intended, I found it lifeless. I felt the need for a redeeming read after that. Needless to say, when I came across 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo', the title caught my attention. One will admit that there is an uncanny similarity, down to the alliteration of the character’s name. I just had to check it out. The reviews, which at this point I was taking with a huge grain of salt, were to say the least encouraging. What the heck, I plunged in, hoping to cancel out the previous reading experience. And indeed, I found myself immersed in an utterly female perspective of a Hollywood world which is far from being at the center of my general interest. But what a world it painted. Above all, what extraordinary characters revealed themselves under the glitter. I had never heard of the author, let alone read any of her books. But I was fascinated by how she managed to create this greater than life film goddess and turn her into a person of utterly believable humanity. How that character reveals herself, and through whom, added a dimension and a devastatingly effective final twist that many a thriller writer would kill for. It is a love story, and the nature of that love is not the point really despite how it will be pigeonholed. It is a beautiful one, far more beautiful than the impossible canons of its protagonists. And it unfolds relentlessly page after page, husband after husband. Thank you for a wonderful ride. And a beautiful story wondrously told.