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“Riveting, heart-wrenching, and full of Old Hollywood glamour, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of the most captivating reads of 2017.” —BuzzFeed
“The epic adventures Evelyn creates over the course of a lifetime will leave every reader mesmerized. 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
In this entrancing novel “that speaks to the Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor in us all” (Kirkus Reviews), 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.
“Heartbreaking, yet beautiful” (Jamie Blynn, Us Weekly), The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is “Tinseltown drama at its finest” (Redbook): a mesmerizing journey through the splendor 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.Product details
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Atria Books (June 13, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1501139231
ISBN-13: 978-1501139239
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 star See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)#121 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Women's Fiction > Domestic Life
#170 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Family Life
#367 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Women's Fiction > Contemporary Women
More about the author
Taylor Jenkins Reid lives in Los Angeles and is the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo as well as One True Loves, Maybe in Another Life, and more. Her novels have been named best books of summer by People, US Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, InStyle, PopSugar, BuzzFeed, Goodreads, and others.
You can follow her on Twitter @tjenkinsreid.Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
An Amazon Best Book of June 2017: Imagine if Mariyln Monroe lived to be 79 years old, decided to write a tell-all book, and plucked you (assuming you’re an unknown journalist) out of obscurity to write it. Such is the premise of The Seven Husbands of Eveyln Hugo, and it’s fascinating. In this page-turner a star is born, but her path to success is laden with grit, grief and deceit. Alternating between Eveyln’s first-hand account of her journey to stardom and the observations of Monique, the woman mysteriously selected to pen Eveyln’s biography, the novel questions whether fame is worth the price. The stories of Eveyln, her seven husbands and their friends, lovers and confidants intertwine to spin up a glamour tornado powered by sex, love, money and Hollywood gossip. This book is captivating, sexy, and at times, heart wrenching. Readers will delight in the glitz and intrigue, and be pleasantly surprised by the complex, thought-provoking twist. In summary, put it in your beach bag. You will thank me later. --Shannon Deveny
Review
Praise for The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo:
“Riveting, heart-wrenching, and full of Old Hollywood glamour, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of the most captivating reads of 2017.” (Buzzfeed)
"A novel of Old Hollywood that's simultaneously gossipy and poignant. Look no further for the glamour, ambition and shocking secrets your beach-blanket sessions demand." (People)
“Come for the glam old Hollywood vibes; stay for a touching tale of a young reporter and a silver-screen legend.” (Cosmopolitan)
"In her mesmerizing tale, Taylor Jenkins Reid explores Hollywood’s heyday with a heroine akin to Elizabeth Taylor. Movie icon Evelyn Hugo, now a recluse at 79, unfurls the story of her glamorous life and her scandalous seven marriages." (Us Weekly)
“The epic adventures Evelyn creates over the course of a lifetime will leave every female reader mesmerized. 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)
“If you're looking for a book to take on holiday this summer, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has got all the glitz and glamour to make it a perfect beach read — as long as you're prepared to cry off all your sunscreen, because this book gets *emotional*. Each of Evelyn's marriages comes with its own hurt and heartbreak, from infidelity and betrayal to domestic abuse. But running throughout Evelyn's tumultuous life is one great love that will leave you sobbing into the pages.” (Bustle)
"A spellbinding novel about love, glamour and the price of fame." (Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author of First Comes Love)
"In her latest mesmerizing tale, Reid transports readers back to Hollywood’s heyday with a heroine in the likes of — but more intriguing than — Elizabeth Taylor, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Katherine Hepburn. Yes, Evelyn Hugo is the glamorous idol you admire, but she’s also the relentless fighter you aspire to be. Her life’s story is heartbreaking, yet beautiful and will keep readers captivated until the very last page." (Jamie Blynn, Us Weekly)
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the total package: the very best of Classic Hollywood intrigue, a delicious twist, and incisive commentary on the wages of stardom, especially for women.” (Anne Helen Petersen, BuzzFeed culture writer and author of Scandals of Classic Hollywood)
"[The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo] is fascinating, emotional and will be hard to put down. For fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, this is her best work yet." (Associated Press)
"Reid’s characters will enchant readers as they travel through the glitz and glamour of Old Hollywood and the truths they both must confront." (Real Simple)
“Taylor Jenkins Reid is the queen of queens when it comes to beach reads, and this breathtaking treat proves once again the throne is hers alone.” (Redbook)
"Addictive, dazzling and bound to leave you in tears (classic Taylor Jenkins Reid), The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo should be your No. 1 reading priority this summer." (SheKnows)
“Leave it to Taylor Jenkins Reid to keep readers captivated, from the first page to the last. With a parade of lovable characters and unputdownable plot, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo should top every reading list this summer.” (Working Mother)
"A big, juicy read…Reid expertly captures the hothouse nature of Hollywood…the story is fresh, and the end reveal is worth the wait” (Historical Novel Society)
"This sweeping tale is about an aging Hollywood starlet and the rookie magazine reporter she hires to pen her breathtaking (and scandalous) life story. Trust us: You’ll be swooning over the twist for months." (Brit & Co.)
“Jenkins has crafted another tale sure to appeal to fans of women’s fiction, Susan Meissner, and Beatriz Williams.” (Library Journal)
"Evelyn Hugo is a character who can demand top billing...Reid's heroine reveals her darkest secrets as if she were wiping off makeup at the end of the night—a celebration of human frailty that speaks to the Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor in us all." (Kirkus Reviews)
"Reid knows how to tug at heart strings with unusual tales of finding real and lasting love...the reader [will be] captivated by old Hollywood glamour, intriguing and complex characters, and Reid’s unsurpassed ability to leave her audience reaching for a hankie. An utterly unique take on what truly makes a family.” (Booklist)
"The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has big, juicy secrets at its heart-- not just about the surprising identity of movie star Evelyn Hugo's true love, but of the lengths she has gone to protect that mysterious lover. Brimming with heartache, betrayal, and a lifetime of Hollywood gossip, this raucous novel will seduce you even as it leaves you wanting more." (Miranda Beverly-Whittemore, New York Times bestselling author of Bittersweet and June)
"A glamorous romp through Hollywood in its heyday, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest offers up several unexpected twists and a dazzling, ambitious movie star who will break your heart." (Fiona Davis, author of The Dollhouse)
"Evelyn Hugo makes Liz Taylor seem pedestrian. Taylor Jenkins Reid has drawn a rich, emotionally complex heroine who is so real that you'll forget she only lives in the pages of a book. This is an utterly compelling dance with love and tragedy, sometimes both at once; you'll laugh with Evelyn, cry with her, ache with her, and then go back to page one and do it all over again." (Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, authors of The Royal We)
Praise for One True Loves:
“Earth-shaking romance…you will flip for this epic love story.” (Cosmopolitan)
"A breathtaking love story." (InStyle)
“Taylor Jenkins Reid is seriously a genius when it comes to stories about life and love, and this book promises to be another awesome addition to her collection.” (Redbook)
“The mastermind behind the incredible summer read.” (Bustle)
"So compelling...Reid is so talented at creating characters you believe in." (Associated Press)Customer Reviews
5.0 star
“If you love someone enough, you should be able to overcome anything.”
ByRachel Reads Ravenouslyon June 13, 2017|Verified Purchase
5 stars!
“I want them to know the real story. The real me.”
“All right. Show me the real you, then. And I’ll make sure the world understands.”
Evelyn Hugo is an iconic aging actress, famous for her work in the movie industry but also famous for having been married seven times to seven men. Monique Grant is a writer for a magazine, but has been in a bit of a career rut as of lately. On top of that she’s getting divorced, so she jumps on the opportunity to interview the famous Evelyn Hugo. When she meets Evelyn, she discovers Evelyn wants more than a simple article, she wants to tell her life story to Monique for a biography. And Monique is getting the story exclusively.
“I’ve spent a very long time learning how to spin the truth. It’s hard to undo that wiring.”
I absolutely loved this story! Taylor Jenkins Reid has this uncanny ability to suck you into the lives of her characters and never let you go. They feel so utterly genuine, I felt as if I was a part of their lives instead of an outsider reading about them. Reid also does an amazing job developing her characters, I was rooting for all of them to get what they want and to achieve their goals.
I never really know what to expect when I dive into a book by Reid, but I can honestly say this book was full of surprises and twists I didn’t see coming. This book spans from the 1950’s to the present day, and we get to know all of the loves of Evelyn’s life. Evelyn herself was enchanting, I found myself fascinated by her life story, her choices and her perseverance. While love was a motivating factor, to me this was mostly a story about success and survival. Evelyn was always going to do what it takes to be a star and stay at the top, and she would fight for what she wanted.
Hollywood and the film industry can be a ruthless place but it can also be one where greatness can be achieved for the lucky ones. I think Reid captured the industry and the time periods this story took place in perfectly.
This is one of the best books I’ve read all year and I think if you go into it with an open mind and a kind heart, you’ll fall in love with this book like I did.
“If you love someone enough, you should be able to overcome anything.”
5.0 star
A Must Read
ByAmazon Customeron June 15, 2017|Verified Purchase
My God, this woman can write!
It's all here: scandal, honesty, brutal words, delicate words. Sentences that take your breath away. Definitely not a beach read, but a book with great depth.
5.0 star
Sophia Loren + Elizabeth Taylor = Evelyn Hugo in this summer's binge worthy read!
ByDemiere Leeon June 20, 2017|Verified Purchase
I'll readily admit that, in addition to its gorgeous cover, tantalizing description, and rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, I purchased The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, under the pretense that it would be a deliciously dark and soapy all-access pass into Hollywood's underworld. I'd even created a Netgalley account for the sole purpose of requesting this book, even when I knew I was going to purchase it. Why? Because it isn't often that you find a book that you feel was written for you and others like you in mind. The kind of book that you reread like it's your first time. The kind of book you put on a pedestal and treat like a prized possession. And having finished reading the fictional account of Hollywood icon, Evelyn Hugo (and my first - and certainly not my last - Taylor Jenkins Reid novel), I'm glad my intuition was correct and I'm privileged to say this is my favorite book...ever.
To compile a 388 page novel into a short synopsis: Thirty-five year old ((view spoiler)) Monique Grant, a biracial, low-level journalist for New York's leading lifestyle magazine, Vivant, has been sought out for an exclusive interview with aging Hollywood actress, sex symbol, and philanthropist, Evelyn Hugo, by Evelyn herself. Monique is led to believe it has something to do with the charity fundraiser/gown auction Christie's is hosting ((view spoiler)). Monique views the interview as the opportunity of a lifetime and one that'll propel her career to the next level ((view spoiler)). But she soon learns Evelyn used the "interview" as a cover up so she wouldn't have to explain why she specifically requested Monique : to have Monique write a tell-all about Evelyn's life--including the seven husbands she's famous for marrying--and sell it to the highest bidder, with the understanding Monique could become a millionaire if she negotiates the perfect deal. In addition to that, the lives of both women intersect in unimaginable and shocking ways ((view spoiler)) and Evelyn reveals why she requested Monique from the beginning. But it's not just that though. Monique finds herself comparing her life to Evelyn, often questioning "What would Evelyn do?", and it's to a degree where her own life parallels Evelyn and both of their perspectives are told in first person.
So, Evelyn's story begins and her stats are nothing short of impressive. Ranging from her humble beginnings in Hell's Kitchen in 1949 to her retirement from showbiz in 1989, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo spans 40 years of Evelyn's formative years as a woman, 34 years of her career on the silver screen, 13 films (those mentioned in the book, anyway), 4 Oscar nominations ((view spoiler)), 1 Oscar win ((view spoiler)), 7 husbands (and the reasons why she married them), and 1 child, and the 1 true love of her life ((view spoiler)).
The positives:
-Evelyn's personality. She's candid, wise, and resolute. It's refreshing to see a celebrity so honest, even if she is fictional. It's hard to forget Evelyn and contrary to other reviews I've read, she's hardly unlikable. Especially as her story unfolds.
- How this book is part romance and part historical fiction. TJR seamlessly weaves the two subgenres together and while, in retrospect, they weren't supposed to work, they do.
- The amount of research gone into this book. It's clear that either TJR knows someone who works in Hollywood or she's done her homework. From references of actual historical events to the fashions of the 1950s and 60s to the names of films and the roles Evelyn have played, everything is so vivid and reflects a particular era in the book. I always like when a book teaches me something.
- TJR's writing. It's pristine and original. She brings Evelyn to life and makes her feel so real. I'm honestly upset I wasn't able to research this woman's life, binge watch her films, watch her interviews with talk show hosts, or collect posters of her. I didn't feel like I was reading about Monique interviewing Evelyn. I felt like I was conducting the interview, reveling in this woman's beauty and inadvertent charm.
- Evelyn's "curtain call" with Monique. I was left breathless. I wept. That's how perfect it was.
The negatives:
- At times, when the story focused on Celia's character, Evelyn felt like she was a supporting character rather than the protagonist. The lines were blurred because it felt like Evelyn and Celia's story as opposed to just Evelyn's.
- Certain parts of the story dragged too long (i.e. Evelyn and Celia's arguments, (view spoiler)) Granted, they were essential to the plot and Evelyn's character development but those parts bored me. A firmer editorial hand could've redacted 20-30 pages for a sleeker tale with snappy dialogue.
- Evelyn's rocky road to success. Yes, I loved her story but I wanted her to win more than she lost. I wanted her to be married less ((view spoiler)) and the mother of at least one more child (I was thinking a son, who lived a normal life with a respectable profession and a family in California, who checked up on his mother every once in a full moon).
-Her retirement. Evelyn retreated into solace without going out with a bang. Another blockbuster film with more details about the filming process would've been an insightful entrance, maybe even another Oscar win. Anything worthy, instead of the filler stuff (i.e. (view spoiler)).
Final Conclusion:
Taylor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is this summer's must-read. It's not always glitzy or glamorous as we're lead to believe, but it's insightful, intriguing, suspenseful, and sexy in every way. And in some ways, it's even nostalgic for those of us who've always dreamt of what Hollywood is like and of being a star in Hollywood. Finishing this book, you'll want to watch classic films and research the person Evelyn Hugo resembles the most (IMO, she's a striking combination of Sophia Loren and Raquel Welch. I don't know why others are saying Marilyn Monroe. Outside of the blonde hair, big boobs, and sex appeal I don't see it. And she's only Elizabeth Taylor because she's been married to seven different men. Celia would be Audrey Hepburn, for sure). It doesn't matter though, because Evelyn Hugo is certainly unforgettable. I don't regret purchasing this book at all and like I said, it's my favorite book...ever.
5.0 star
"The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel" is an Exceedingly Well-Written, Captivating, and Enjoyable Work of Women's Fiction
ByKRMDTOP 1000 REVIEWERon June 26, 2017|Verified Purchase
"The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel" is a sprawling tale which was written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, the acclaimed author of several popular works of women's fiction. Its story line centers around the recruitment of a relatively obscure magazine reporter to write the biography of one of the film industry's most glamorous and renowned actresses, who has become a true Hollywood icon. This reclusive star weaves an epic narrative that examines her meteoric rise to fame and fortune, and the devastating price that she has paid for her celebrity. The symbiotic relationship which develops between this dazzling actress and her unremarkable biographer is especially interesting and compelling. The overarching themes of this novel include ambition, risk-taking, friendship, romance, love, joy, betrayal, heartbreak, and redemption, to name a few. "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel" is an exceedingly well-written, captivating, and enjoyable work of women's fiction, which makes for an outstanding read, and which definitely merits a five-star rating, along with a very enthusiastic recommendation.
5.0 star
Perfect summer read
BySarahBHon June 23, 2017|Verified Purchase
Another great read from Taylor Jenkins Reid, I sat down to read this and finished it in one day. I was captivated by the story of Evelyn Hugo and her many husbands, but one true love, and how her story relates to Monique, the only interviewer Evelyn would tell that story to. Intriguing, sexy, sad, wistful, and brash...Evelyn Hugo is an enigma. Would definitely recommend!
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