The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Jun 2017 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“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.” —Bustle

From the New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & the Six—an entrancing and “wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet” (PopSugar) as she 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.

Ratings and reviews

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the story of a woman's rise to fame and the price she paid for it. Evelyn asks a young magazine writer to write her biography. The writer, Monique, is shocked to be chosen but agrees knowing this is an opportunity she can't turn down. As Evelyn narrates her bio in her NYC apartment, she reveals the truth behind her many marriages. When Monique questions Evelyn about her reasons for wanting her to write her story, she hints that Monique will eventually hate her for something she will eventually disclose. There is a surprising twist near the end that does cause Monique to hate Evelyn. As a whole, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is about sacrifices we make for love. Sometimes, we pay a hefty price for finding the other half of ourselves. The story also makes a powerful statement about true friends who continue to love and support us when we are the most unlovable.

one of the best books I have read in a long time. Evelyn is every bad decision we have ever made out of the kindness in our hearts. She's a Maneater who knows what she wants and boldly turns the patriarchy on its head. I love and admire her character.

I guess it's more accurate to assign this one 3.5 stars. It was a fast and enjoyable read, with no heavy lifting. Reclusive Evelyn Hugo is a legend, whose fame in Hollywood stretched across three decades (1950s - 1980s) and seven marriages. Now, nearly 80, she engineers a meeting with a young, little-known reporter named Monique Grant and offers her a chance to publish Evelyn's "true" biography. Which is quite a different story from the one the public knows. Monique, recently separated from her own husband and with ambitions of her own, signs on. And the two women begin a series of long meetings where Evelyn talks and Monique takes notes. The story begins like many Hollywood success stories we've read. Initially, Evelyn's fame rests primarily on her exotic beauty, which attracts the lust of nearly every actor, producer, and director she meets. Though acting talent also emerges over the years, it turns out Evelyn's success is much more the result of her own steely determination. She has been willing to do ANYTHING to get ahead. The stories behind her seven marriages are not what you might expect. This is not the story of an optimistic woman searching for love, but being continually disappointed. Because Evelyn DOES have one "deep romantic love" throughout most of her life. Only that has little to do with her marriages. There are a few additional themes touched upon: alcoholism, physical abuse, childhood rebellion to name a few. And one, late-in-the-day, plot surprise. But this is not a deeply thoughtful novel with nuance or finesse. Bottom line: a good beach read.

About the author

Taylor Jenkins Reid is the author of the New York Times bestselling novels Carrie Soto Is Back, Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones and The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, as well as One True Loves, Maybe in Another Life, After I Do, and Forever, Interrupted. Her books have been chosen by Reese’s Book Club, Read with Jenna, and Book of the Month. Her novel Daisy Jones and The Six is now a limited series on Amazon Prime. She lives in Los Angeles.