5 STARS

How in the hell did I not know about Taylor Jenkins Reid?!?! I have been missing out. Her writing is amazing.

The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of the best books I’ve read this year.

I’m not 100% for sure how to review The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid but I’m going to try just for you because I luv ya 🙂 I’ll start by saying that I was a little nervous about this one as it was hyped up so much. I often find books that get too much praise aren’t that good, IMO. Let me be the first one to tell you – this book gave in all the FEELS.

I’m going to keep this review pretty pretty as this book is too good to get messy.

First a word for the author. . .

Synopsis 

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.

*********************************************************************

Evelyn Hugo is glamor, glamor, glamor. Evelyn Hugo is also complex, complicated, and a master manipulator. She’s a bitch too, which I love. I think her inner bitch spoke to mine, which made me fall in love with her.

I knew I was going to like Evelyn Hugo after reading one of her first statements.

“I was gorgeous, even at fourteen. Oh, I know the whole world prefers a woman who doesn’t know her power, but I’m sick of all that. I turned heads. . .I’m not going to sit here and say, ‘Aw, shuck. People really thought I was pretty?’ like some kind of prig.” – Evelyn Hugo

A woman after my own heart. I just fucking love her.

Evelyn is at a point in her life where she is ready to tell her story and she will only do so with one person, Monique. Monique is a journalist in New York with a popular magazine and wants nothing more than to get inside of Evelyn’s head. Both Evelyn and Monique are women of color which adds a deeper level to this book. Taylor Jenkins Reid was able to address racial divides and issues without it overshadowing the story. It was a magnificent addition on her part.

This story is told from Monique and Evelyn’s points of view. I really love the way the author interchanged the two women’s voices.

If you are like me, the title had me intrigued. Who doesn’t want to hear about a famous movie star with who had seven husbands, marrying seven times and divorced many times – the woman telling it had no problem with divorce, obviously.

“I guess I don’t take divorce as lightly as you.”

“If you did, at your age, you’d be a cynic.”

“But at your age?”

“With my experience? A realist.”

“That, in and of itself, is awfully cynical, don’t you thing? Divorce is loss.”

“Heartbreak is loss. Divorce is a piece of paper.” – Monique/Evelyn

Each husband played a key role of Evelyn’s life. As the story unfolds, we meet them one by one and we start to uncover so many layers of this Hollywood vixen. Each husband played their part in Evelyn’s story – some for good and some, not so good. Some hurt her deeply while some loved her fiercely.

The thing about Hollywood is that it is never quite what you think it is. Her story uncovers many issues that lie right beneath the surface of the celebrity world. Evelyn’s story is filled with secrets and lies and the lengths one’s willing to go to protect their image. She gave zero fucks about the choices she made to get to where she is nor does she have any regrets.  (I have a tattoo that says, “absolutely no regrets”, so I get it.) 

At some point in the book, we as readers, have to decide how we feel about Evelyn deep down related to some of the choices she made.

“I’m not a good person, Monique. . . I did a lot of things that hurt a lot of people. . .”

“You don’t seem so bad, Evelyn.”

“You, of all people, are going to change your mind about that. Very soon.” – Evelyn/Monique

Just when you think you know where the story is going, it takes a sharp left corner and you are blown away by the direction it has taken.

I’m trying to be as spoiler free as possible and so far I’m doing a really good fucking job. All in all, my point is this – GO and READ this damn BOOK! If you don’t end up liking it, I’m about to be like Evelyn and say, ‘I don’t give a fuck’. No, I’m just kidding. I care about you. I do hope you will give this one a try. It’s not your typical romance story, it’s so much more.

Let’s get to the important questions. . .

Do I recommend this book? Yes, I do.

Will I read another book by this author? Fuck, yeah! I wish I would have known about her sooner.

I told you that I was going to keep it pretty and I did. Yay, me!

Remember to follow all things messy. . .

Subcribe/Listen to my podcast