The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: The Sunday Times Bestseller (California dream (crossover) serie, 1)
£4.80£9.50 (-49%)
SOON TO BE A NETFLIX FILM
‘Riveting, heart-wrenching and full of Old Hollywood glamour’ BuzzFeed
‘This wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet and her tumultuous Tinseltown journey comes with unexpected twists and the most satisfying of drama’ PopSugar
From the author of Daisy Jones & The Six in which a legendary film actress 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.
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.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a mesmerizing journey through the splendour 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.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster UK, 1st edition (14 Oct. 2021) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 400 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1398515698 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1398515697 |
| Dimensions | 13 x 2.4 x 19.8 cm |
by Nicole C
This book has been all over TikTok for a few years now and so it has always been on my radar, but I had just never gotten around to reading it. Finally, I just gave in and bought a copy because I wanted to read Carrie Soto and I heard you should start with Seven Husbands. Boy, am I glad that I finally started reading this book. I went into it not knowing what to expect because I have heard both good and bad reviews about this book, but I am happy that I stuck it out so I could form my own opinion.
I went into this book not expecting much as I’ve never read anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid before. I also haven’t read many books on the publishing industry so I don’t have much contextual knowledge on the background of this book but I still greatly enjoyed reading it. I actually recently read Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, which has ignited a desire to read more about the publishing industry.
The story starts with Monique Grant, a writer for an online company called Vivant who dreams of making a name for herself. She is called into her boss’ office to discuss a potential interview job. The Hollywood starlet, Evelyn Hugo, who has vehemently refused to sit for an interview for decades, has asked to be interviewed by Monique. Of course, Monique takes the job because she would be a fool not to. When she arrives, Monique finds that it is not just some article that she is being asked to write, no, Evelyn wants Monique to write her biography. A tell-all expose about her rise to fame in Hollywood, life as a ‘60s starlet, and the stories behind her seven marriages. As Monique learns more about Evelyn’s life, she starts to realise that she was chosen to write this book for a reason and she may not be able to walk away once she finds out.
The more I read, the more I wanted to consume this book completely. The book alternates between Monique in the present-day sitting in Evelyn’s office and trying to navigate her own life, and chapters from Evelyn’s perspective as she looks back on the past. It was cleverly done and I was pleasantly surprised when I reached the first of Evelyn’s chapters. I read this book in sections; I read up until the story changed to another husband and then stopped to digest what I’d just read. It made it easier to separate each husband’s character otherwise I know I would have gotten confused trying to differentiate each of them. After finishing this book, I can see why it got so many mixed reviews; despite everything you learn about Evelyn, she says doesn’t regret what she did, which many would consider to make her a bad person/character. Personally, I thought this made her seem more realistic and human. Evelyn shows you what it means to be human; that a person can’t be just good or bad, that we have our flaws and that we can also have our merits. I am glad that this was the first book by Taylor Jenkins Reid that I read. It has made me excited to read more of her works.
I am wavering between four and five stars for my rating for several reasons. Firstly, I haven’t read a book like this before, which is a point in its favour. Usually, if a book makes me feel really emotional or even makes me cry, then it would instantly get an extra star added to its rating. I did not cry while reading this. However, I was unable to put this book down once I got to husband number two. Evelyn Hugo felt like a real person to me while learning her story.
So, after thinking about it, I think this book deserves five stars.
by Pencraig
A breathtaking read of a Hollywood wannabe and her strength and tenacity to do whatever she had to to succeed. A fantastic read, I was fully in after the first few pages and wasn’t disappointed. Gutsy, ugly, and beautiful at times it illustrates just how complex love and life can be.
by Kara
I was recommended this book by a friend and I most certainly was not disappointed. It sparkled from the off and the twists and turns kept me hooked.
I felt as though I was getting a glimpse into what the golden era of Hollywood was like…and I loved it!
by Julie Morris
I’m so late to the party on this book, which is why I added it to my list for the #20BooksOfSummer Challenge. Having loved all the previous books I’ve read by TJR, I am eager to catch up on her backlist and this seems to be most people’s favourite. Also, my two step-daughters were reading at the same time while we were on our recent holiday so we decided to have a mini book club.
I really enjoyed the format of this book, split between the events of the modern day in Monique’s real life and her sessions with Evelyn Hugo, and then flashbacks to the past as Evelyn tells her story, split between the periods with each of the seven of her husbands. The story takes us through the golden age of Hollywood and really immerses us in that world, and it was a joy to read.
TJR has a real knack for developing complex and interesting characters, and the two main protagonists in this book are no exception, particularly in the way they interact with each other. Monique’s feelings towards Evelyn change over the course of the novel and end up being extremely complicated to mirror the way the plot and the relationship between them unfolds. Evelyn is not at all what people think she is, and her reasons for telling her story to Monique could not be guessed at, and Monique’s contradictory feelings towards her by the end are completely understandable.
This is a beautifully written, captivating story that had me up until the wee small hours finishing it off because I had to know the answers to the questions that TJR had cleverly implanted in me over the course of the book. I haven’t managed to get through one of her novels without shedding a tear yet, and this one was no exception. I was totally in love with Evelyn by the end, and I also felt very deeply for Monique. I can see why so many people adore this book and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an emotional page turner with great characters, and unobvious plot and a bittersweet aftertaste.
by Kindle Customer
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it started off slow but after half way in I realised it was a slow burner. I couldn’t put it down and needed to know what was to happen to Evelyn and Celia’s relationship. Evelyn was a likable character in parts and in parts I felt drastically sad for her. It made me think about older age and the feeling of losing those around you and how lonely that would be.
I would have liked to read about the fact Monika mum knew all along about her james but something tells me she did know.