The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
⭐⭐⭐
FICTION · ROMANCE · ADULT
A Soft, Stylish Read That Falls Short of the Hype
With glowing reviews all over social media and several friends urging me to read it, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid had been sitting high on my to-be-read list for a while. The hype was real, and so were my expectations. I picked it up hoping for a juicy, glamorous, scandal-filled dive into old Hollywood drama. And while it offered some of that, it didn’t quite deliver on the level I was hoping for.
Don’t get me wrong, the novel is good. Reid writes with clarity and emotional distinction, and the concept is undeniably intriguing: a reclusive, iconic film star finally telling her life story through a series of seven marriages. Evelyn Hugo, as a character, is complex and layered, and her life definitely includes some dramatic turns. There’s a unique blend of vulnerability and ambition in her voice that draws you in.
However, for a book that promises Hollywood glitter and secrets, I found the story surprisingly subdued. Yes, there are life-altering choices, betrayals, and moments of heartbreak, but the drama felt more emotional than explosive. I went in expecting more scandal, more bite, and a touch more glamour. Something more like “Crazy Rich Asians”. Instead, the novel leaned heavily into introspection and personal growth.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it just wasn’t quite what I expected. This book reads like a quiet confessional, not a tell-all memoir. If you’re in the mood for something light, introspective, and emotionally steady, this might hit the spot. It’s a good filler read, a soft choice when your reading list is dry and you want something engaging but not too demanding.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but with caveats. Don’t expect a salacious Hollywood exposé. Instead, expect a story about identity, sacrifice, and the complicated decisions we make in the name of love and survival. For me, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo wasn’t top-of-the-list worthy, but it’s a decent pick when you want something that goes down easily.
The plot
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 nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
