Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugy by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Release Date: 14th October 2021

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Genres: Romance / Saga 

'Riveting, heart-wrenching and full of Old Hollywood glamour' BuzzFeed

'This wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet and her tumultuous Tinseltown journey comes with unexpected twists and the most satisfying of drama' PopSugar

From the author of Daisy Jones & The Six in which a legendary film actress reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.

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.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a mesmerizing journey through the splendour of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means and what it costs to face the truth.

 

Monique Grant writes for a Magazine and is unexpectedly presented with the opportunity of a lifetime. Handpicked by Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo to write her biography, Monique finds herself drawn into the life of the legend that was Evelyn Hugo. A life that would ultimately impact her own. Despite her own marriage falling apart, Monique is allowed into the world of Evelyn who discusses her rise from unknown poor girl from Hell's Kitchen, and her marriages along the way that charted her rise to fame and notoriety. However, Evelyn has one or two surprises in store for Monique that will not only shock her but the rest of the world. It seems Evelyn Hugo was more than the image she portrayed. Evelyn Hugo has secrets that she now wants the world to know about. Evelyn Hugo no longer wants to hide the truth.

To say that this book blew me away is an complete understatement. I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting when I picked up the book. I'd seen it talked about a few times in some of the online reading groups I'm in and to be honest I did wonder if it would live up to the hype. It totally did. I was lucky enough to be purely self indulgent and took the book with me when I went to a writing retreat for a few days.  The story was as breath-taking as the view from my window. And it was heart-breaking too. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the type of book that's difficult to write a review on without giving away too much. So, I won't. The pure joy of finding out the secrets that the book holds should never be denied to anyone. That being said, the book is a whirlwind of emotion, Hollywood glam, lies, deceit and one of the greatest love stories ever told. A love that spans the decades. But, be prepared for the characters to jump out of the page and totally claim your heart. At first Evelyn Hugo is viewed as a vacuous and ruthless young woman who will do and say anything to find fame. She wants her name in lights. She needs to escape the hell that her life was and she will do that all all costs, leaving a trail of heartache and scandal along the way. However, as we get to gain a little more insight into just what makes her tick and the things she must endure, she becomes so much more than the career obsessed starlet. She's a woman of courage who is capable of the most intense love. I think I fell in love with her a little myself.  Harry Cameron, her producer is possibly one of the greatest secondary characters ever. Everyone needs a Harry in their life.

This is an excellently written book that is hard to put down. It's an emotive book that looks at issues that were prevalent during Evelyn's lifetime and still are today. Issues that stifled her and kept her one true love from her. I absolutely loved it. By the end of it I was ugly crying! This book broke me! It made me want to hug the greatest love of my life just that little bit tighter. It opened my eyes and made me want to stand up for injustice. This book is so much more than just a story. Its a lesson and an important one at that. Always be who you're supposed to be. Never hide. Hold your head high and love fiercely.  Highly highly recommend.