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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“If you’re looking for a book to take on holiday this summer, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has got all the glitz and glamour to make it a perfect beach read.” —Bustle

From the New York Times bestselling author of 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.

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.

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More books from Taylor Jenkins Reid

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria Books; Reprint edition (May 29, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1501161938
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1501161933
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 1.14 x 5.3 x 8.23 inches
Reviewer: Alex C.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Amazing!
Review: I really enjoyed reading about the sacrifices it took to be a captivating, sexy, and successful actress back then. In addition, the tricks used in order to gain all the fame and fortune were extremely interesting. With every chapter that I read, I kept wanting more, and couldn't put it down. Well written, in chronological order of re-telling about all of the different husbands and how Evelyn had to hide her true self in order to have true love but then lost her true self in the process. 100% recommend this 5-Star book! Do yourself a favor and don't wait - read this now! The novel is so good and the ending will blow your mind!

Reviewer: MommaLayne
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Captivating Tale of Love and Legacy
Review: Taylor Jenkins Reid's "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" is a mesmerizing exploration of fame, love, and the complexities of a woman’s journey through Hollywood's golden age. As I delved into Evelyn Hugo's glamorous yet tumultuous life story, I was struck by her fierce ambition and the sacrifices she made along the way. Reid masterfully crafts Evelyn’s narrative in a way that feels deeply personal and strikingly honest, pulling me into both the glitz of her Hollywood existence and the poignant realities behind her decisions. The dynamic between Evelyn and Monique is particularly compelling; as Monique uncovers the depths of Evelyn's life, her own journey transforms alongside it, creating an emotional resonance that beautifully intertwines their fates. This novel isn’t just about a legendary actress; it’s a profound reflection on identity, the rights of women to define their own paths, and the enduring impact of the choices we make. "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates rich storytelling and complex characters. Highly recommended!

Reviewer: Madison
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO: Mason's Review
Review: “People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is 'you're safe with me'- that's intimacy.”Taylor Jenkins Reid’s THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO tells the authentic story of legendary Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo through an autobiographical medium, with ambitious “Vivant” journalist Monique Grant scribing her tale. Throughout the interview, Hugo reveals the behind-the-scenes secrets of her life acting in the film industry, detailing how she repressed her Cuban heritage to conform to the Hollywood scene, how she not only experienced but capitalized on the industry’s sexism and double standards, how she used her body and married famous men to get her to the top, how she found true friendship and forbidden love, and how she admits that she would do it all again if given a chance. As Hugo engrosses Grant and the readers with her story, the question of ‘why would a famous Hollywood actress want to speak with an up-and-coming journalist like Monique Grant, why her?’ lingers in the back of our minds, and soon, we learn the real reason why Hugo wanted Grant to write her autobiography. As a student enrolled in an Intermediate Fiction Writing course, I was particularly eager to review this novel after reading it for the first time last year. To say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it is an understatement.Taylor Jenkins Reid never fails to impress me with her craft in creating and developing characters, I find that to be a strong element of the novel that contributed to my appeal; Evelyn Hugo is one of the most compelling protagonists I have ever read about in my entire life, and I adored the fact that she was all morally shades of grey and not a good person when it came to her rise to the top of the Hollywood ladder. She felt no regrets about the manipulations and schemes she created to get her to the singularity, which thrilled me, but seeing her vulnerable side away from the flashing cameras was also a real treat. Harry Cameron and Celia St. James serve as strong secondary characters who held a major influence on Hugo; one whom she shared a deep platonic connection with, and the other, to whom she was helplessly in love with and devoted. Taylor Jenkins Reid wonderfully illustrates the ups and downs of the friendship between Evelyn and Harry, the struggles and clashes between Evelyn and Celia, and the tragedy Evelyn experienced losing them both.Another element that stood out to me was the setting of the novel. Hugo’s interview reveals how she built and stepped away from her career as a renowned Hollywood actress, often inspiring her to move across different locations to preserve her private image. To her detriment and benefit, the press follows Hugo wherever she goes, with journalist companies like “Sub Rosa,” “PhotoMoment,” “Hollywood Digest,” and the “New York Tribune” writing articles about her fabricated life (while not realizing it), and spreading gossip. Seeing those newspaper clippings pop up in the chapters gives the novel a sparkling touch, making the environment feel more authentic. It also is no surprise that Taylor Jenkins Reid took inspiration from Old Hollywood icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor to craft the character of Evelyn Hugo; she fits right into the time period where her story blossoms.Finally, the last element that stood out to me above all else was Evelyn’s plot arc. She goes from feeling determined to make it to the singularity and steal the audience's attention to wanting to give it all up for Celia St. James, the love of her life, in a way that feels so natural and real. Her wanting to build an image as a renowned actress came from wanting to get out of Hell’s Kitchen and prove to people, especially her abusive father, that she has the talent and worth to make it big. But, as she meets and falls for Celia, she feels compelled to spend every moment with her, and she keeps up her work ethic but hides her feelings so the career she sacrificed so much of her authentic self for doesn’t die in vain. Of course, that comes with hardships in her relationship with Celia, but we see how her decision to leave all of the Hollywood glory behind makes sense after the fact. It’s bittersweet.If you’re in the market for a juicy contemporary beach read or a compelling novel that handles serious topics elegantly, THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO is worth a read and is the book for you.

Reviewer: Chelscey
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Hollywood hasn't changed much
Review: 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!

Reviewer: Adrian
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Llegó en muy buenas condiciones, sin rasguños. En cuanto a la historia me enganchó desde los primeros capítulos!

Reviewer: Cassie
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I enjoyed this book! I brought it with me camping, and read the whole thing in two days. I wasn't sure how I would like it at first, but the plot kept becoming more and more interesting. It's an acquired taste for sure. But I'm glad I gave it a chance and read it as I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Reviewer: Carolina Souza
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Lindo livro. História envolvente, que prende a atenção do leitor. Gostei também da forma de abordagem, uma mistura da própria biografia com a intenção de escrevê-la. Comprei pensando que seria um livro adolescente e me enganei. O livro aborda temas complexos e adultos, dificilmente absorvidos na integralidade por adolescentes

Reviewer: J
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Really happy I got this edition of the book

Reviewer: A B
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Hands down the best book I've ever read! It's so beautifully written and definitely will help you recover from a reading slump.