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.
This will be less of a book review and more of a love letter to one of the best books I’ve read ever. You’re not going to catch me saying anything negative about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, because there is nothing negative I could say even if I wanted to. Don’t get me wrong, I understand it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and I’m definitely putting it on a pedestal that others might not. But I genuinely love this book.
There are two storylines happening at the same time here. One is in the past as we follow the scandalous and tumultuous life of actress Evelyn Hugo. You’ll read about her film career, her highs and lows in love and friendships, and her more private moments that were hidden from the public eye.
In the present day, you follow budding, struggling journalist Monique Grant. While Monique’s life isn’t as exciting or flashy as Evelyn, she is relatable. She helps ground the reader in someone they can get into the mind of a little easier than a starlet. And you can’t help but wonder in the background, “Why are you here, Monique?” It’s a subtle mystery with a massive payoff in the end.
I think a big reason why I love this novel is that it feels like playing The Sims 4 (of which I am something of an addict). The book is quickly paced as it goes from marriage to divorce and back to marriage again. There is always some major life event happening to Evelyn. It never drags, but you are also intensely invested in each character as they come and go.
And then when you least expect it: emotional gut punch. There are moments that wrench you of the light hearted extravaganza and make you hurt. I cried. I never cry at books. The only other book that managed to do that to me was The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. I recommend Evelyn Hugo to my cousin, another avid reader who never cries at a novel. And she bawled too!
In total, I’ve read this six times. Obviously, I’ll have to give it another go to get to that iconic number seven. But I know I’ll read it again past that point. Author Taylor Jenkins Reid has such a gift when it comes to interesting and complex characters and relationships. This is easily in my top five of all time.