Book Review - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by TaylorJenkins Reid

Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Series: -
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
 
Description: 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.
 
Review: Evelyn Hugo is a Hollywood icon and she is ready to tell her life’s story. At 79 years old, she decides to hire journalist Monique Grant to write her biography. And in that story, she will include all the great moments, the terrible scandals and all of her seven husbands. And she will reveal who was her one true love. Why Evelyn wants Monique to write it, is yet unknown.
 
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” is a popular book seen all over social media. Is it worth the hype? YES! First of all, the story feels very real. It is very loosely based on the life of Elizabeth Taylor, who was married eight times. Furthermore, the story itself is completely fictional. This story sucks you in from the first page.
 
Evelyn Hugo is probably not the most likeable female character you will even read about, but she certainly is interesting because of her complexity. You read about how Evelyn Hugo made her way to the top and what she had to do and give up for her life as an actress.
The life of a classic Hollywood actress in the 50s and 60s really interests me and I loved reading about Evelyn’s life.
 
This was my introduction to author Taylor Jenkins Reid and I love her writing style. I love how she used three different “voices” for her book: Monique, the tabloids and Evelyn Hugo herself. You follow her life through three different points of view. And I always love that other forms of media, like letters, newspapers or magazine articles, are used in a novel.
 
Throughout the book, you keep wondering why Evelyn asked Monique to write the story. How they wrapped this up in the end, is the only reason I didn’t end up giving the book a 5-star rating. The eventual reveal I liked, I believe they dragged the story a bit too long in the end.
 
I could totally recommend “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” to readers who enjoy historical fiction. The books feels realistic and you go through a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s a true page-turner, with classic Hollywood as it’s décor. Definitely a book that will stick with me and fully deserves all the praise it’s getting.
 
Rating: 4,5/ 5