The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel

“I spent half my time loving her and the other half hiding how much I loved her.” This is one of the best books I’ve ever had the privilege to read. It is probably in the top five for best books I’ve ever read in my entire life. I have been looking for a book like this my entire life, and no combination of words I’m about to type, and you’re about to read, is going to do this masterpiece justice. But I will say that Gabby, Joce, Amelie, and Elyse were all right, and I’m so happy I listened to them, because this book is worth every single ounce of hype. And when I say that this book is lifechanging, I truly mean it. This book is sold as a historical romance, where you learn about a fictional, famous, old Hollywood actress and all her marriages. What you get is a book that stars a bisexual, Cuban woman who was never allowed to talk about the love of her life; her wife. And when I say I cried during this book, I truly mean that I probably need to buy a new copy because I was the biggest mess you’ve ever seen. “And it will be the tragedy of my life that I cannot love you enough to make you mine. That you cannot be loved enough to be anyone’s.” On top of this being a powerful book about race, sexuality, misogyny, and having to conform to societies norms, the true meaning I took from this book is that life is short, so damn short, and we shouldn’t spend it pretending to be something we aren’t. And we shouldn’t spend it doing anything less than loving the people who are worthy and deserving of our love. “I didn’t need boys in order to feel good. And that realization gave me great power.” We follow Evelyn from the very start; losing her mother very young, her body developing very quickly, noticing others noticing her developing body, marrying a man so she can leave the dead-end city she grew up in, so she can become something more. Evelyn is unapologetic with her actions, and it is one of the most empowering things I’ve ever read. She plays so many more parts than the roles she is cast in. And Evelyn learns really quickly how to play each and every man she is forced to interact with, and she quickly learns what she can gain from each and every one of them, too. This story is told from two different timelines and two different points of view. One from Monique Grant, who is a biracial (white and African-American) woman who is going through a fresh divorce and trying to make something of herself in the journalism field. And her life changes the day her editor tells her how Evelyn Hugo is demanding her, and only her, to write something for her. “Heartbreak is loss. Divorce is a piece of paper.” The other timeline(s) are all the different times in Evelyn’s life, and the different seven husbands that she had, while she is recounting the events that lead her to be telling Monique this story. Evelyn has lived a very full life, and is in her late seventies now, and is finally ready to talk about her life. But the entire book we are guessing why she has chosen only Monique for this job. “Make them pay you what they would pay a white man.” If you guys have been following my reviews, you’ll probably know that I talk about found family and how important it is to me a lot, but The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the epitome of how beautiful a found family can be. Evelyn and Harry’s friendship in this was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read in my entire reading life. “When you write the ending, Monique, make sure the reader understands that all I was ever really looking for was family. Make sure it’s clear that I found it. Make sure they know that I am heartbroken without it.” And the romance? The true romance in this book is the most romantic thing I have ever read in my entire life. And you guys know I’ve read a ton of romances, but they are all lesser to this. Every single one of them can’t compare with the romance in this book. I feel like every time I’ve used the word “perfect” to describe something that wasn’t the romance in this book, then I used the word wrong. “Please never forget that the sun rises and sets with your smile. At least to me it does. You’re the only thing on this planet worth worshipping.” How many Evelyn and Celias are there in the world? How many are still playing the role that Evelyn was forced to play? I cry for every single person who must hide who they are, and who they want to love. And this book talks about many big things in LGBTQIAP+ history; from the Stonewall riots to the disgusting Reagan administration, but life still isn't anywhere close to equal in 2018. The prejudices, the discrimination, the virus/syndrome blaming, the looks I’ve experienced holding a girl’s hand while walking into a restaurant? Those are still in 2018, in the United States, but people act like none of those things exists because marriage is legalized, begrudgingly. I’m not writing this review to get on my soapbox, but I promise, we have a lot more work to do. And this book, this book lit a fire under me. I personally identify as pansexual, but I felt like the bisexual rep in this was a tier above anything my eyes have ever seen. Seeing Evelyn love all the parts of her, and all the different parts of her love, was something so awe-inspiring. I am still so overwhelmed with feelings, but if you identify as bi or pan, this is a love letter to you, I promise. “I was a lesbian when she loved me and a straight woman when she hated me.” This book also focuses a huge importance on motherhood throughout the entirety of this book, and then I read the acknowledgement and started weeping all over again. Taylor Jenkins Reid was able to evoke the strongest emotions from me, and I just pray that things will be different for the generation of kids being raised right now. This was the first thing I’ve read by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but I will buy every single new thing she produces. The writing was so lyrical and addicting. I mean, I have a quote between almost every paragraph. This whole book deserves to be highlighted. The characters, well, my mind has now forever imagined that these are real people now, so there is that. The topics, themes, and discussions are beyond important. This book just makes me feel so passionately. This book is one of the most empowering pieces of literature I’ve ever consumed. And I am not the same person I was before this book. “I told her every single day that her life had been the world’s greatest gift to me, that I believed I was put on earth not to make movies or wear emerald-green gowns and wave at crowds but to be her mother.” If you guys ever take a recommendation from me; please have it be The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Please, I’m actually begging you. I promise, this book is lifechanging, and I equally promise you that this book changed mine. There is magic between these four-hundred-pages. Pure magic. This story is addicting, enthralling, and so important. And if you’re an Evelyn, in 2018, I see you, but I hope it doesn’t take you as long as it took her to be happy. This will forever be one of the best books of my life, and I’ll cherish it forever. “People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is “You’re safe with me”—that’s intimacy.” Trigger/Content Warnings: death of a loved one, death of a child, talk of suicide, unhealthy dieting, underage sex with an adult, abortion, talk of miscarriage, a lot of physical abuse, cheating, dunk driving, and homophobic slurs.

Starting at the young age of fourteen and ending when she’s seventy-nine (when we first meet Evelyn), Evelyn Hugo has gone from bombshell, to sexpot, to Oscar winner, to civil rights supporter. Evelyn knew what she wanted from an early age—to get out of Hell’s Kitchen and away from her abusive father, and to be the biggest star anyone has ever heard of. And she accomplished that! Partially because of her talent, partially because she knows her worth and is unafraid to get dirty in order to achieve her goals, and partially because there is no one better at using the press and scandals to serve their own interests. Evelyn is both a force to be reckoned with, but also a deeply flawed and lonely. Shown through the perspective of Evelyn as she dictates her memoir to Monique, the reader is taken back to the early days of Hollywood to watch Evelyn’s rise, and her stumbles, to and through stardom. For a story about a Hollywood starlet, this book is LAYERED, and I don’t think I was expecting the level of depth it had, even though many reviews warned me to expect the unexpected with this story. In order to become Evelyn Hugo, Hollywood’s biggest star, Evelyn had to let go of who she was; erasing her identity to be what Hollywood wanted her to be. She knew and accepted this, always, but it does break your heart a little to watch her identity get stripped away so that she could be the blonde bombshell the screen so loved. The things Evelyn hid or changed, often denying the realest parts of herself in the process, really hit me in the feels, and there were parts at the end of the book that had me welling up with tears if that tells you anything. I won’t say more because the way the story unfolds is really lovely with getting to know all 7 of Evelyn’s husbands and the roles they played in her life, but I will say that I LOVED the inclusion of the fake articles to show the juxtaposition between what was Evelyn’s reality versus what the public got to see, and how the press portrayed her in return. Honestly, there was very little I did not like about this book, or its story. It flowed beautifully and, while not necessarily one of those books you couldn’t put down (I had no issues stopping in reading for the night) it was never dull. It had a smooth, and highly enjoyable writing style. However, my only issues were that sometimes, with the book being told in 1st person, Monique didn’t always feel that distinct to me from Evelyn. Which may be mostly because we don’t really get to know Monique at the same level at which we get to know Evelyn, though I did enjoy their relationship and how they were able to help each other, even when that got . . . tricky, to say the least. But I also didn’t like Celia for a majority of the book, either. I found her to be so frustrating at times, that I often wondered why Evelyn even bothered having her around. Thankfully that changed toward the end, but still. But, all in all, I LOVED this book and this story. It was so empowering, watching Evelyn be so unashamed to own her beauty, her sex appeal, her confidence, and to be the ball-buster she was, so unafraid of telling people what she wants, what she deserves—all because she knows her worth. I didn’t know how much I needed a story, to see a woman like that, until I read this book. But I also loved that the author didn’t shy away from Evelyn’s flaws, or the fact that, for a lot of Evelyn’s life, she was deeply lonely. Evelyn wasn’t perfect, but she didn’t let that be an excuse for anyone to treat her poorly. I will say there are some instances of spousal abuse in this book though, so just be forewarned if that kind of trauma is sensitive for you. I thought the author handled those topics amazingly well, but I’ve also never experienced such things for myself, either. Because this book brought tears to my eyes with that whole last third of the story, it easily gets 5 stars from me! This is such a satisfying, and empowering book!

“People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is 'you're safe with me'- that's intimacy.” Taylor Jenkins Reid’s THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO tells the authentic story of legendary Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo through an autobiographical medium, with ambitious “Vivant” journalist Monique Grant scribing her tale. Throughout the interview, Hugo reveals the behind-the-scenes secrets of her life acting in the film industry, detailing how she repressed her Cuban heritage to conform to the Hollywood scene, how she not only experienced but capitalized on the industry’s sexism and double standards, how she used her body and married famous men to get her to the top, how she found true friendship and forbidden love, and how she admits that she would do it all again if given a chance. As Hugo engrosses Grant and the readers with her story, the question of ‘why would a famous Hollywood actress want to speak with an up-and-coming journalist like Monique Grant, why her?’ lingers in the back of our minds, and soon, we learn the real reason why Hugo wanted Grant to write her autobiography. As a student enrolled in an Intermediate Fiction Writing course, I was particularly eager to review this novel after reading it for the first time last year. To say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it is an understatement. Taylor Jenkins Reid never fails to impress me with her craft in creating and developing characters, I find that to be a strong element of the novel that contributed to my appeal; Evelyn Hugo is one of the most compelling protagonists I have ever read about in my entire life, and I adored the fact that she was all morally shades of grey and not a good person when it came to her rise to the top of the Hollywood ladder. She felt no regrets about the manipulations and schemes she created to get her to the singularity, which thrilled me, but seeing her vulnerable side away from the flashing cameras was also a real treat. Harry Cameron and Celia St. James serve as strong secondary characters who held a major influence on Hugo; one whom she shared a deep platonic connection with, and the other, to whom she was helplessly in love with and devoted. Taylor Jenkins Reid wonderfully illustrates the ups and downs of the friendship between Evelyn and Harry, the struggles and clashes between Evelyn and Celia, and the tragedy Evelyn experienced losing them both. Another element that stood out to me was the setting of the novel. Hugo’s interview reveals how she built and stepped away from her career as a renowned Hollywood actress, often inspiring her to move across different locations to preserve her private image. To her detriment and benefit, the press follows Hugo wherever she goes, with journalist companies like “Sub Rosa,” “PhotoMoment,” “Hollywood Digest,” and the “New York Tribune” writing articles about her fabricated life (while not realizing it), and spreading gossip. Seeing those newspaper clippings pop up in the chapters gives the novel a sparkling touch, making the environment feel more authentic. It also is no surprise that Taylor Jenkins Reid took inspiration from Old Hollywood icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor to craft the character of Evelyn Hugo; she fits right into the time period where her story blossoms. Finally, the last element that stood out to me above all else was Evelyn’s plot arc. She goes from feeling determined to make it to the singularity and steal the audience's attention to wanting to give it all up for Celia St. James, the love of her life, in a way that feels so natural and real. Her wanting to build an image as a renowned actress came from wanting to get out of Hell’s Kitchen and prove to people, especially her abusive father, that she has the talent and worth to make it big. But, as she meets and falls for Celia, she feels compelled to spend every moment with her, and she keeps up her work ethic but hides her feelings so the career she sacrificed so much of her authentic self for doesn’t die in vain. Of course, that comes with hardships in her relationship with Celia, but we see how her decision to leave all of the Hollywood glory behind makes sense after the fact. It’s bittersweet. If you’re in the market for a juicy contemporary beach read or a compelling novel that handles serious topics elegantly, THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO is worth a read and is the book for you.

I don’t even know how to fully explain the experience of reading this book. It felt like sitting in a dimly lit room, listening to the secret stories of Old Hollywood unfold one confession at a time. There is glamour, scandal, heartbreak, ambition, betrayal, love, and so many twists that I could not stop turning the pages. Evelyn Hugo is the kind of character who feels larger than life, yet painfully human. Her story is messy, complicated, glamorous, and devastating in all the best ways. Every husband, every secret, every decision pulls you deeper into her world until you feel like you are not just reading about her life, but witnessing it. This book has the magic of a classic Hollywood memoir, the drama of a scandalous tell all, and the emotional weight of a story that stays with you long after you finish it. I absolutely loved it. Truly, completely loved it. A stunning, addictive, unforgettable read.

I knew this one was going to hurt. What a tragic story. That is at least what my chest tells me, my throat, and my puffy eyes. But is it really a tragedy, or life led by intentional decisions and leftover consequences? Evelyn Hugo, her name an “effect” and her presence, an “affect” you cannot escape. I do not see her as a victim or a survivor, but somewhere in between, and I sensed that almost immediately, especially when she insisted, she held no regrets (character development suggests otherwise), and that no sorrow be reserved for her. Riddled in a life of manipulation twisted in ambition, I felt an uneasy conflict growing as I read, watching her identity take form, while carrying the weight of what she endured. Something is lurking,g though, waiting to reveal itself. It’s your curiosity in the connection between the journalist Monique Grant (Journalist) and Evelyn Hugo. “When you are allowed to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn’t give things, you take things” (p.35). And here is an admiration, a pull that most definitely binds you to Evelyn, the lurking curiosity, and the reveal of secrets and sins. Scratch sins, I mean lies. “…you have to be willing to deny your heritage, to commodify your body, to lie to good people, to sacrifice who you love in the name of what people will think, and to choose the false version of yourself time and time again, until you forget who you started as or why you started doing it to begin with” (p.326). And yet, despite her certainty, her will to wish away any pity for those leftover consequences, a reluctant compassion stirred in me. Soft, remorseful, unavoidable - rising from a place in my heart I didn’t expect to be opened. She did hurt. She carried pain. She loved hard, and I cared too much to deny my feelings for all of what she felt. Reader beware - spoilers everywhere! A hard gulp and a pain in my chest emerge when Celia St. James is introduced. Here is where the ache, a feeling you wish to move on, but it is stubborn and remains present. “I have been married seven times, and never once has it felt half as right as this. I think that loving you has been the truest thing about me” (p. 349). Forbidden for its time and contradictions of sexuality in the entertainment industry; nonetheless, a true love story in which you dig deep and convince yourself that indeed there was a happily ever after. Right? But your body betrays you, and your feelings exhaust your cognitive thinking – what space will you lean into? “My love. My Celia. My soul mate. The woman whose love I’d spent my life earning” (p.351). Insert tissue box, tears flood. Am I reading a version of Great Expectations? How does the corrupting influence of wealth and ambition, the internal war between what is appearance and what is reality, the limitations of, but the significant lifeline loyalty has on another? Most importantly, love and rejection, and ultimately, the meaning of worth and sacrifice. There are so many wonderful thoughts, words tied together in elegance, lessons to be learned, and the inevitable grief that you will experience as the reader. “Sometimes reality comes crashing down on you. Other times reality simply waits, patiently, for you to run out of the energy it takes to deny it” (p. 134). Ev put an enormous amount of energy into a reality she wanted to control. It was almost as if she were at war with a destiny that was scripted to act out. “Tell everyone that I got it wrong. That I chose the wrong things most of the time” (358). Gut punch. You did the best you could, with what you had, with what you knew, at that very time. “Doesn’t it bother you…That all anyone talks about when they talk about you are the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo?” (p. 386). “No,” she told me. “…I think once people know the truth, they will be much more interested in (SPOILER)......" (p.385). I ran out of tissues!

Wow! One of the best novels I’ve read. This beautifully crafted story transported me into a world of glamour, love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Evelyn Hugo is a complex and unforgettable character whose journey reveals truths about ambition, identity, and the many forms love can take. The novel is both captivating and thought-provoking, reminding readers that every person carries hidden struggles and untold stories. I highly recommend this eye-opening book to anyone looking for a powerful story about love and living authentically.

An easy read. Had me hooked in the first chapter. Some great twists and turns and makes you think back to how women had to navigate the world in the 50s and 60s.

This is my top 2026 read so far, hands down! Heartbreakingly beautiful!! This book is brilliant - this book is incredibly addictive - and this book will forever stick with me. I have found a (new to me) auto-buy author!

It made me cry so much. The book is so passionate, romantic, and beautiful. I recommend it!! 100%!!

Moving and captivating. Heartbreaking and real. The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo was a joy to read. I loved getting to know the main character and how her and the other characters’ stories unfolded. Taylor Jenkins Reid really captured the magnificence of Evelyn Hugo so brilliantly, I was completely bewitched by the character, just as I imagined her fans were with her in the book.

This is such an interesting book from the beginning because I’ve never read something from the point of view (at first) of a journalist interviewing her subject, but it’s so much more than just that. Evelyn wants Monique to write her story so bad that you can’t help but question why, and then when they begin their journey the question that hooks you up is “who was the love of Evelyn’s life?”. But then her story and her journey and her character development is so amazing that even when that question is answered you don’t wanna stop. This book makes you feel like you’re getting to know someone in your life in a way that we not often have the opportunity to. I fell in love with Evelyn, I resented her, I admired her, and I understood her throughout this book, and I felt close to her. This book is beautifully written, and carries a intricate, beautiful, complicated story. It’s worth every penny and every single second of your time.

A gun and quick read. The author leaves you guessing throughout the chapters so I found I just HAD to keep reading to find out what happens next!

I love it so much omg