The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Apr 7, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 21
I've had several Taylor Jenkins Reid novels on my list, but this one was the first to pop up. And I'm so happy it did! Many of the author's novels exist in the same universe, so characters that you've read about will pop up in other novels, but it is not necessary to read this in any sort of order. They are each their own story and stand independent of any others. This novel deals with a lot of difficult topics: homophobia, lesbophobia, biphobia, a car accident with fatalities, death of a parent, death of an adult child, grief, suicide, abortion, addiction, a relationship with a minor, alcoholism, infidelity, pregnancy, cancer, physical abuse, and outing. It never gets particularly raw and I didn't have a hard time reading it at any point, but take care.
Evelyn Hugo is a name known world wide as a bombshell of the silver screen in the 50's and 60's. She's won trophies and taken on daring roles that challenge societal norms, but she's most known for having married, and outlived, seven different men. After living a quiet, philanthropic life for the last few decades, she decides that it is time to come clean about her life and give everyone exactly what they want: the juicy details. She has chosen a journalist to write her memoir for her, Monique, and no one else will do. If Monique does not agree, then these secrets will die with Evelyn. The problem is, it's not like Monique knows Evelyn, they've never even met before. Why is Monique so important to Evelyn? Evelyn assures her that she won't have any more questions by the time her story is completely told.
I've waited months for this title to be available and I am so glad I finally got it. I absolutely loved it. It was incredibly easy to read, I read it in two days and it felt like a breeze. We span decades of Evelyn's life and the story never feels like it is dragging along. Evelyn was funny, and honest, and I loved reading her story. This is the best novel I've read so far this year, hand's down, and I'm struggling to find a title I've read even last year that compares. No notes, now I'm even more hyped up for the other novels by Taylor Jenkins Reid on my to be read list. Not to mention, it has the best last line in a novel. I don't want to spoil anything, if you read this I don't think you'll be disappointed.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid gets 5 out of 5 stars, I can't say enough about how much I loved this book. Emotional at times, funny at others, reflective and sad, Evelyn Hugo makes no apologies for the life she's lived and, boy, does it make for a phenomenal story. I've heard that a certain streaming service (rhymes with Metrix) will be bringing this novel to the small screen pretty soon, although there's no word on who will be in it.
For more from Taylor Jenkins Reid, check her out at https://taylorjenkinsreid.com/
Pairs well with a classic movie and a bowl of caldo gallego.
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