They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but I knew when I saw The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid I would hate this book. I kept seeing it pop up in all of my recommended lists, and it got really annoying after a while! This month, I did not like any of the Book of the Month choices. I picked this one just to see what the fuss was about. Imagine my surprise when I couldn’t put the book down!
Summary
When Evelyn Hugo asks Monique Grant to is shocked when the 50’s movie icon, Evelyn Hugo asks her to write her biography. She is not a well-known writer and her life is not going as well as it should.
Evelyn has lived a long scandalous life and is now ready to share her story with the world. As Monique listens to Evelyn speak, she finds out they do have something tying their lives together.
Review
This book was surprisingly great! I could not put it down and just had to see what happens next.
It really gives you an idea of what Hollywood was like in the ’50s (which is very interesting stuff). Actors and actresses employed by movie companies were made to look or do whatever they wished. Scandals happened all the time (whether real or faked) in order to boost movie sales.
Most of the book is flashbacks of Evelyn’s life with snippets of what is currently happening. The parts that take place in the present are from Monique’s point of view (mostly of her listening or asking questions). The news articles sprinkled throughout the book add humor to the story.
Evelyn is my favorite character! She does whatever it takes to reach her goals, including marrying seven different men. Honestly, that’s way too many men and marriages to keep up with!
Quotes
“You do not know how fast you have been running, how hard you have been working, how truly exhausted you are, until somewhat stands behind you and says, “It’s OK, you can fall down now. I’ll catch you.”
“Heartbreak is a loss. Divorce is a piece of paper.”
“Evelyn looks at me with purpose. “Do you understand what I’m telling you? When you’re given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn’t give things, you take things. If you learn one thing from me, it should probably be that.”
Rating
I gave The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 5/5 stars.