The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 389

Publisher -

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

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 nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.



My Review

I had been seeing this book everywhere and of course had the FOMO (fear of missing out). Evelyn is Hollywood royalty, over the decades she has been actress extraordinaire but also had her fair share of scandals/gossip/hit pieces in the news. The book opens with Monique, a very little cog for a big magazine whose having personal issues (relationship) and her career isn't close to where she wants it. Yeah she is working for a huge glossy mag but writing nothing much more than puff pieces. When she is named to interview the elusive Evelyn Hugo she knows this can change her career trajectory but she doesn't know it will change her whole life.

The book jumps in time a bit, easy to follow, from present day the interviews with Monique to Evelyn telling her life stories taking us back to when it all first happened. The book gives me Marilyn Monroe/Liz Taylor style vibes, behind the scenes for the climb in Hollywood. It covers some hard topics too, dv, abuse, violence, LGB representation and the hardships lesbians/gay individuals face let alone when under scrutiny of the whole world in a time where sexuality was kept hidden/discriminated against.

You can completely loose yourself in this, it has scandal, bad behaviour, people more interested in profit than peoples welfare. How fickle the world of fame is, how corrupt money is, how bad the press treat celebs - quick to tear them down but lift them up depending on what they can spin. It is wild, dark, shocking, entertaining - a whole load of drama! 4.5/5 for me this time, perfect for zoning out, poolside reading or just a day on the couch, easily a read in one sitting type book!

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