The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really enjoyed this read! It was so entertaining learning about all seven of Evelyn’s husbands, but this book was nothing like what I expected it to be. It definitely gave me the WOW factor and surprised me in so many ways. I absolutely loved Evelyn’s personality. She was such a complicated, confident, and fascinating character, and I loved getting to know her throughout the story. The ending genuinely shocked me, especially finding out the real reason Evelyn wanted Monique to tell her story. I definitely did not see that coming! Overall, this was such an entertaining and emotional read, and I loved how everything came together in the end. Definitely a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!

I didn't expect to love this story so much. This was a page turner, I could not get enough.....I binged this in under 10 hours because the writing was thoughtful and profound. The pace was light, easy to follow. Such an enthralling, captivating story. The author did a phenomenal job in making me so invested in Evelyn's story.....and invested I was to the very end. It certainly left it's mark and I am left wanting more.

I am a straight Cis-gender man but I admire and really enjoy the lgbtQ+ story this novel tells and it really does put things into historical perspective as a woman navigates wanting to climb her career in Hollywood while also dealing with things both lgbtq+ women and also just women have dealt with historically in the entertainment industry and beyond. the surprise ending was a little lousy, but I though all in all, this story make s a point to show complex, well-thought-out characters and complex relationships in a way you normally don't see. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because Monique's sections are written in the present-tense which is a huge pet peeve of mine for novels and narratives. If that doesn't bother you you can't do much better than this book, which deserves every bit of acclaim it has received.

“I spent half my time loving her and the other half hiding how much I loved her.” This is one of the best books I’ve ever had the privilege to read. It is probably in the top five for best books I’ve ever read in my entire life. I have been looking for a book like this my entire life, and no combination of words I’m about to type, and you’re about to read, is going to do this masterpiece justice. But I will say that Gabby, Joce, Amelie, and Elyse were all right, and I’m so happy I listened to them, because this book is worth every single ounce of hype. And when I say that this book is lifechanging, I truly mean it. This book is sold as a historical romance, where you learn about a fictional, famous, old Hollywood actress and all her marriages. What you get is a book that stars a bisexual, Cuban woman who was never allowed to talk about the love of her life; her wife. And when I say I cried during this book, I truly mean that I probably need to buy a new copy because I was the biggest mess you’ve ever seen. “And it will be the tragedy of my life that I cannot love you enough to make you mine. That you cannot be loved enough to be anyone’s.” On top of this being a powerful book about race, sexuality, misogyny, and having to conform to societies norms, the true meaning I took from this book is that life is short, so damn short, and we shouldn’t spend it pretending to be something we aren’t. And we shouldn’t spend it doing anything less than loving the people who are worthy and deserving of our love. “I didn’t need boys in order to feel good. And that realization gave me great power.” We follow Evelyn from the very start; losing her mother very young, her body developing very quickly, noticing others noticing her developing body, marrying a man so she can leave the dead-end city she grew up in, so she can become something more. Evelyn is unapologetic with her actions, and it is one of the most empowering things I’ve ever read. She plays so many more parts than the roles she is cast in. And Evelyn learns really quickly how to play each and every man she is forced to interact with, and she quickly learns what she can gain from each and every one of them, too. This story is told from two different timelines and two different points of view. One from Monique Grant, who is a biracial (white and African-American) woman who is going through a fresh divorce and trying to make something of herself in the journalism field. And her life changes the day her editor tells her how Evelyn Hugo is demanding her, and only her, to write something for her. “Heartbreak is loss. Divorce is a piece of paper.” The other timeline(s) are all the different times in Evelyn’s life, and the different seven husbands that she had, while she is recounting the events that lead her to be telling Monique this story. Evelyn has lived a very full life, and is in her late seventies now, and is finally ready to talk about her life. But the entire book we are guessing why she has chosen only Monique for this job. “Make them pay you what they would pay a white man.” If you guys have been following my reviews, you’ll probably know that I talk about found family and how important it is to me a lot, but The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the epitome of how beautiful a found family can be. Evelyn and Harry’s friendship in this was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read in my entire reading life. “When you write the ending, Monique, make sure the reader understands that all I was ever really looking for was family. Make sure it’s clear that I found it. Make sure they know that I am heartbroken without it.” And the romance? The true romance in this book is the most romantic thing I have ever read in my entire life. And you guys know I’ve read a ton of romances, but they are all lesser to this. Every single one of them can’t compare with the romance in this book. I feel like every time I’ve used the word “perfect” to describe something that wasn’t the romance in this book, then I used the word wrong. “Please never forget that the sun rises and sets with your smile. At least to me it does. You’re the only thing on this planet worth worshipping.” How many Evelyn and Celias are there in the world? How many are still playing the role that Evelyn was forced to play? I cry for every single person who must hide who they are, and who they want to love. And this book talks about many big things in LGBTQIAP+ history; from the Stonewall riots to the disgusting Reagan administration, but life still isn't anywhere close to equal in 2018. The prejudices, the discrimination, the virus/syndrome blaming, the looks I’ve experienced holding a girl’s hand while walking into a restaurant? Those are still in 2018, in the United States, but people act like none of those things exists because marriage is legalized, begrudgingly. I’m not writing this review to get on my soapbox, but I promise, we have a lot more work to do. And this book, this book lit a fire under me. I personally identify as pansexual, but I felt like the bisexual rep in this was a tier above anything my eyes have ever seen. Seeing Evelyn love all the parts of her, and all the different parts of her love, was something so awe-inspiring. I am still so overwhelmed with feelings, but if you identify as bi or pan, this is a love letter to you, I promise. “I was a lesbian when she loved me and a straight woman when she hated me.” This book also focuses a huge importance on motherhood throughout the entirety of this book, and then I read the acknowledgement and started weeping all over again. Taylor Jenkins Reid was able to evoke the strongest emotions from me, and I just pray that things will be different for the generation of kids being raised right now. This was the first thing I’ve read by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but I will buy every single new thing she produces. The writing was so lyrical and addicting. I mean, I have a quote between almost every paragraph. This whole book deserves to be highlighted. The characters, well, my mind has now forever imagined that these are real people now, so there is that. The topics, themes, and discussions are beyond important. This book just makes me feel so passionately. This book is one of the most empowering pieces of literature I’ve ever consumed. And I am not the same person I was before this book. “I told her every single day that her life had been the world’s greatest gift to me, that I believed I was put on earth not to make movies or wear emerald-green gowns and wave at crowds but to be her mother.” If you guys ever take a recommendation from me; please have it be The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Please, I’m actually begging you. I promise, this book is lifechanging, and I equally promise you that this book changed mine. There is magic between these four-hundred-pages. Pure magic. This story is addicting, enthralling, and so important. And if you’re an Evelyn, in 2018, I see you, but I hope it doesn’t take you as long as it took her to be happy. This will forever be one of the best books of my life, and I’ll cherish it forever. “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.” Trigger/Content Warnings: death of a loved one, death of a child, talk of suicide, unhealthy dieting, underage sex with an adult, abortion, talk of miscarriage, a lot of physical abuse, cheating, dunk driving, and homophobic slurs.

I truly enjoyed this novel. It is a rare find when you start a novel and do not want to put it down.. this novel keeps you involved and disappointed that it came to an end.

This was a hard start for me. But I am so glad I kept reading. It makes you think. It makes you feel. I applaude the depth of the characters, flaws and all. I was brought to tears at times. That is really feeling what an author wants you to feel. Did not see the ending coming. Great book!

A peak into the pressures of early Hollywood. Very enticing and such complex characters. You’ll want to hang on til the end then want more!

This is a wonderful book it is extremely well written and well edited I am a precocious reader And I average over 150 books per year. Most of them are nowhere near this good. This book brought me back to my university studies of the history of film And art appreciation. In the class we started with the 1902 French film "Les voyage dan la lune . It's considered a masterpiece and it's the 1st science fiction film ever made. We then proceeded from there through the decades. My professor was a true cineaste. Everything from Horror to Spaghetti Western and beyond was viewed and discussed. Including the " secrets " surrounding the famous film stars. I mentioned this because it seems like only someone with a deep appreciation of Film And old Hollywood could have written such a book. Through out the book from the silent screen period to the 1960's there are mentions of old legends,old rumors and Hollywood film royality. I like to think the characters and lives of the characters was inspired by an amalgamation of film actresses , actors,agents and producers throughout the history of film. The characters of Celia and Evelyn made me think of the early silent screen actress Jean Acker. Jean was of mixed heritage. She got her big break when she met Alla Nazimova . Nazimova got her new "friend" a movie contract. Jean Acker was Rudy Valentino's first wife. Jean was in a relationship with Grace Darmond at the time of her wedding and she spent her honeymoon not with Rudy but her lover Grace. Jean was famous for locking herself in her room on their wedding night and also for her touring performance of "How She Won the Sheik". After divorcing Rudy, Jean met the love of her life, a former Ziegfeld's follies girl Chloe. They met supposedly through a friend at a one of their "sewing circles". " Sewing circles " were euphemisms for groups of women who were thought to be lesbian or bisexual. Famous Actresses who were supposed to be part of the " sewing circle" include Jean Acker Valentino, Jean Nazimova, Marlena Dietrich, Louise Brooks ,Dolores del Rio ,Peggy Fears , Joan Crawford , Janet Gaynor , Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwick, Hattie McDaniel, Lena Horne , and Hattie McDaniel to name a few. All of these women were intelligent and forceful. Silver Screen actors and actresses faced intense Studio prejudice and pressure to hide and alter their ethnic backgrounds to appeal to the mainstream segregated audiences. Like Evelyn many were told to change their name and appearance if they wanted a chance at a real role. Some note worthy real life examples are Anthony Quinn, Cesar Romero,Ricardo Montalban, Carmen Miranda, Merle Oberon, Fredi Washington, and Rita Hayworth, and Rita Moreno. This book while a nod to the past highlights the stereotypes, hypocrisy, racism, and pressures of American society for it's " minorities " all with out being preachy and providing the reader with a truly meaningful and entertaining story.

It made me cry so much. The book is so passionate, romantic, and beautiful. I recommend it!! 100%!!

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!

L’histoire est originale et très bien construite, avec une narration fluide qui donne envie de tourner les pages sans s’arrêter. Le personnage d’Evelyn est fascinant : complexe, ambitieuse et profondément humaine. Au fil de ses confidences, on découvre une vie marquée par des choix difficiles, des sacrifices et des relations marquantes. Chaque “mari” apporte une nouvelle dimension à l’histoire, ce qui rend le récit dynamique et jamais monotone. L’autrice Taylor Jenkins Reid réussit à créer une atmosphère immersive, presque cinématographique, avec des thèmes forts comme l’amour, l’identité, la célébrité et le prix du succès. Petit point à noter : le livre est en anglais, donc il faut avoir un niveau correct pour en profiter pleinement. En résumé, une lecture prenante et émotionnelle que je recommande sans hésiter. Parfait pour celles et ceux qui aiment les histoires profondes et les personnages marquants.

I love it so much omg