Name: Beth Bartholomew's review of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Item: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Rating: 5
Author: Beth Bartholomew

Taylor Jenkins Reid

"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 in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?"

A Novel

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Kylie Robinson

You do not know how fast you have been running, how hard you have been working, how truly exhausted you are, until someone stands behind you and says, "It's OK, you can fall down now. Ill catch you.” So I fell down. And Harry caught me. 

“I loved you so much that I thought you were the meaning of my life,”  Celia said, crying. "I thought that people were put on earth to find other people, and I was put here to find you. To find you and touch your skin and smell your breath and hear all your thoughts. But I don't think thats true anymore." She wiped her eyes. "Because I don't want to be meant for someone like you."

Ruby Gentry-Clark

Don may have taught me that I was capable of loving someone and desiring him. But he also taught me that you could desire someone even When you don't like him, that you can desire someone especially when you don't like him. I believe today they call it hate-fucking. But it's a Crude name for something that is a very human, sensual experience.

Dieser Liebesroman erobert die Herzen von Hundertausenden Leserinnen: Queer, divers und einfach unwiderstehlich

Die einstige Hollywood-Filmikone Evelyn Hugo ist endlich bereit auszupacken und die Wahrheit über ihr schillerndes Leben und ihre skandalösen sieben Ehen zu erzählen. Sie fragt die Lokaljournalistin Monique Grant als Ghostwriterin an. Monique ist darüber mehr als erstaunt, schließlich hat sie seit Jahren keinen großen Artikel mehr geschrieben. Könnte das ihre Chance sein?

In ihrem luxuriösen Apartment über den Dächern Manhattans beginnt Evelyn Monique ihre Geschichte zu erzählen: vom Aufstieg in der Männerwelt Hollywoods, den goldenen Jahren der Filmbranche und einer geheimen großen Liebe, deren Scheitern der Preis für ihren Erfolg war. Als sich die Geschichte dem Ende nähert, begreift Monique schließlich, auf welch schmerzhafte Weise ihr Leben mit dem des Hollywoodstars verbunden ist ...

Roman | Die einzigartige Liebesgeschichte, die hunderttausende BookTok-Userinnen zu Tränen gerührt hat

Die sieben Männer der Evelyn Hugo

Anike Maniewski 

Ich weiß nicht wann es genau passiert ist - vermutlich habe ich etwas in der Richtung geträumt - , aber als ich morgens aufwache, weiß ich, dass ich ihr eines Tages vergeben werde. Aber jetzt ist es noch zu früh 

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?

Los Siete Maridos de Evelyn Hugo

Amalia✨

-¿Entiendes lo que quiero decirte? Cuando te dan una oportunidad de cambiar tu vida, debes estar dispuesta a hacer lo que sea con tal de lograrlo. El mundo no te da cosas: tú debes tomarlas. Si vas a aprender algo de mi, probablemente debería ser eso.

¿Acaso no es esa la definición de poder? ¿Observar cómo los demás se matan por algo que para uno no significa nada? 

Freya mortensen

 I don’t get why this book is so popular. It’s not that good so far.🤔

Adriana T.

i think you’re the most gorgeous woman i’ve ever seen in my life 

Phoebe Townsend

That's the part I was stuck in, the part where you accept the apology because it's easier than addressing the root of the problem…

Ilse 

The entrancing story of a reclusive Hollywood starlet as she reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine – from the bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six. 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? 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. ‘Come for the glam Old Hollywood vibes; stay for a touching tale of a young reporter and a silver-screen legend.’ Cosmopolitan

Andrea

It’s the cruelest thing you can do to someone you love. Give them just enough good to make them stick through a hell of a lot of bad.

You wonder what it’s like to be a man. To be so confident that the last say is yours.

I’m just saying it’s not so great being loved for something you didn’t do.

Praise is just like an addiction: the more of it you get, the more you need just to stay even.

Make them pay you what they would pay a white man.

Alba

La gente piensa que la intimidad tiene que ver con el sexo.

Cuando te das cuenta de que puedes contarle tu verdad a alguien, cuando puedes mostrarte a alguien, cuando te desnudas delante de alguien y su respuesta es "Conmigo estás a salvo". Eso es intimidad.

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.

Now THIS is what I would call a best friend thro and thro !!! Gods I love Harry and how he is the best friend and husband ever!

Hilde 

"If she wins," Harry said delicately, "which is a big if, and she comes and talks to you, I will hold you down and force you to listen and speak back."

and now I miss the times where this was normal!! Like gods so CUTE! Even tho they shouldn’t have to be using nicknames for this (that is just so sad) 

My Dearest CeCe, Please never forget that the sets with your smile. At least to me it does. You're the only thing on this Sun rises and planet worth worshipping. All my love, Edward

Ohh Evelyn, try to lie and say you aren’t enjoying this too even a little bit??

And I feel good about that. There's a smile forming that is hard to keep in. "You're having fun with this, aren't you?" she says.

"Haven't you been listening to a single thing I've told you? I loved Celia, but I also, before her, loved Don. In fact, l'm positive that if Don hadn't turned out to be a spectac- ular asshole, I probably never would have been capable of falling in love with someone else at all. I'm bisexual. Don't ignore half of me so you can fit me into a box, Monique. Don't do that."

OMG!!! The way I suspected this but it was just put out as her having a best friend is just!!! I love it 

. But still. She can say it. She can say it to me. She can admit it, freely. Now. Here. "Evelyn, who was your great love? You can tell me." Evelyn looks out the window, breathes in deeply, and then says, "Celia St. James."

Jack O‘Conner

Being wrapped up in digesting Evelyn‘s story means I don‘t have to exist in my own.

Emily Files

I feel no pressure to stop crying. I feel no need to explain myself. You don't have to make yourself OK for a good mother; a good mother makes herself OK for you. And my mother has always been a good mother, a great mother.

Beth Bartholomew

Meghan Navoy

I read this book in five days (quickly for me) and really enjoyed it. I loved the way the story unfolded as Evelyn tells her life story to Monique. I've watched a lot of old movies and I loved being able to imagine the types of films Evelyn was acting in in the 50s and how her French New Wave pivot would look. I loved how the author incorporated the complexities of sexuality and racial identity into the characters. I cried at the end. This is the first book I've read by Taylor Jenkins Reid, I can't wait to read Daisy Jones and the Six next!

TIKTOK SENSATION “Riveting, heart-wrenching, and full of Old Hollywood glamour” BuzzFeed “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 From the author of Daisy Jones & The Six in which 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. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a mesmerizing journey through the splendour 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.

Tiktok made me buy it!

Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

I cannot begin to express how much I loved this book. It’s not the usual type of book I’d go for, but it is now definitely one of my favourites.

The storytelling in this book was remarkable. I loved how we got to see Evelyn’s whole life within these pages and the choice of telling her story as a memoir with the occasional glimpse back into present day kept me constantly hooked on the story.

As someone who lives in a universe in which Evelyn Hugo does not exist, I felt like I knew her from the moment she was introduced on the page. Taylor Jenkins Reid absolutely nailed presenting Evelyn like a celebrity who you just want to know every detail about. Evelyn Hugo is a character so perfect yet so flawed that she feels like a dream. Although we were finding out all of her secrets and private life, there was something about her that just felt so elusive, which just kept drawing me in.

This book was heartache, plot-twists, betrayal and overall just a rollercoaster, and no one could have pulled off a life like that besides Evelyn Hugo. I truly regret waiting so long to read this, and now I’m looking forward to going through the rest of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s catalogue.

I cannot begin to express how much I loved this book. It’s not the usual type of book I’d go for, but it is now definitely one of my favourites.

The storytelling in this book was remarkable. I loved how we got to see Evelyn’s whole life within these pages and the choice of telling her story as a memoir with the occasional glimpse back into present day kept me constantly hooked on the story.

As someone who lives in a universe in which Evelyn Hugo does not exist, I felt like I knew her from the moment she was introduced on the page. Taylor Jenkins Reid absolutely nailed presenting Evelyn like a celebrity who you just want to know every detail about. Evelyn Hugo is a character so perfect yet so flawed that she feels like a dream. Although we were finding out all of her secrets and private life, there was something about her that just felt so elusive, which just kept drawing me in.

This book was heartache, plot-twists, betrayal and overall just a rollercoaster, and no one could have pulled off a life like that besides Evelyn Hugo. I truly regret waiting so long to read this, and now I’m looking forward to going through the rest of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s catalogue.

Millie Reeve

I liked the book for what it is. Unfortunately, everyone and their mother gave this a 5-star review on TikTok and I had very high expectations going into reading it. I also didn't read anything about the story beforehand and I think I assumed it would go in a completely different direction than it actually did. 

Hanna 

Shamina Thode

This book destroyed my heart and soul. It was so beautifully written and was a book I couldn't put down.

still in shock. my only words are: perfection 

maria garcia 

Taylor Jenkins Reid has such an affinity for writing books that could be adapted into tv so well

Kaia Mann

charlotte brand

“I’d rather survive it than never feel it.”

sabiduría 

Meh. I felt like this really dragged on. Was much of the same drama over and over for the entire book. Very soapy and kinda irritating. I hoped the story would be more unique and less predictable, and would have loved more character development for Monique. But an interesting setup and the author had you hanging on til the literal end to learn the “twist,” so I’ll give it that! 

Alexandria Ferley

Fernanda Zambrano La Torre

Lo empecé con todas las expectativas del mundo, muchos me habían dicho que me iba a encantar, y creo que por esas mismas altas expectativas no terminó de encantarme.
Creo que es una buena historia, entretenida, con un toque de varias cosas que me gustan, romance, drama, suspenso, etc, y se lee bastante rápido.
Lo que sí me encantó fue la protagonista, Evelyn Hugo, y el desarrollo de su personaje. El hecho de que, a pesar que muchos dirían no aprobar su forma de pensar y/o actuar, que ella no se arrepienta de sus decisiones y tenga el pensamiento de que volvería a hacer lo mismo para lograr lo que logró, me hace admirarla bastante, pues refleja muy bien a un personaje real, que no es perfecto y tiene defectos, y pese a lo que la mayoría piensa, deja en claro que tener ambición no es malo.
La narración y el estilo es bastante simple, y fue una de las cosas que no terminó de encantarme, pues al vendérmela como una historia que todo el mundo estaba amando y ensalzando, creí que contaría con una extraordinaria narración.
Aún así, la recomiendo bastante para entretenerse, y perfecta para salir de un bloqueo de lector.
3.5/5

Getting through the first 80% of the book felt underwhelming and I really had to push through. The end however lived up to the hype. I loved FINALLY discovering the connection between Monique and Evelyn.

Sarah Panek

menna

might write a review when I feel more emotionally stable

Zoitsa Diakoumis

this is definitely one of the best books i’ve ever read. the characters feel like real people: complex, flawed and painfully human, and the plot is compelling and heartbreaking. the book follows the life of 1960’s movie star evelyn hugo, as she reveals who really was the great love of her life. filled a lot of glamour, scandal, and lies, evelyn hiding her true feelings and suffering the consequences of her love in a time when it was not accepted is heart shattering. this is the first book by reid that i’ve ever read, and i’m already obsessed with her.

jiveen liew

goodbye #nosadgaybooks2021 :( I was bamboozled because I judged a book by it’s cover... but damn this book was worth it

In the beginning its mwah, but i cried multiple times near the end

Sarah N

I found this so boring. I already saw the end coming at page 192 and the only good thing in this book was the last plowttwist.

Katherine

I did not expect to like this books, simply because it is different from what I normaly read, but I was very wrong. This book is beautifully written. The only reason it took me multiple days to finish was because i had a few busy days. It was an amazing story, that I wil definitely remember. 

Emma Kamer

finished the whole book in one setting, absolutely loved it. loved the whole plot and honestly didnt expect the ending 

felt pretty predictable to me, & for me monique doesn’t get enough of her own development to really care when her plot points are advanced

Eugenia G

4.5⭐️

This was a rollercoaster of emotions and it made me feel so many things. I cried, I got mad. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Evelyn is one of the most complex and sincere characters I’ve ever read.

tuva

4.5 ☆
This book was so fucking beautiful yet heartbreaking. I loved reading about Evelyn’s life even though it sometimes made me wanna punch someone or bawl my eyes out. It was just such a powerful and well written story about misogyny and sexuality.
However I did end up a bit disappointed with the romance. Don’t get me wrong it was still good, but everyone hyped it up so much that I just expected more I guess…

gremlin

"Why Evelyn Hugo married for seven times?"

"Did she love any of those men?"

"Who could be her true love?"

OKAY, LISTEN.

Seriously, listen. Or read, whatever. This book captivated me in the most confusing way possible. It was beautiful, glamorous, heart-breaking, frustrating, and well-written. How Evelyn was so determined with her dream, crawling back from her downfall just to re-claim her throne. How she sacrificed everything for the love of her life. How her journey was looking so fun that I can't put my device down because I want to see how the story ends.

This book was mind-blowing, I devoured it and I loved every second. The author made me feel like I was there every step of the way with Evelyn on her journey. Reading this as an audiobook made me feel even more involved, it was a very enjoyable reading experience.

In my opinion, this synopsis does not do the book justice. The plot is constantly changing and developing and evolving with new angels. I went from laughter to tears with this book. The characters are superb, I fell in love with pretty much most of them, especially Evelyn, Harry and Celia. Being able to follow their lives and careers over many years made me feel way more invested in them than when you just know a character for a few months of their life.

We are taken through Evelyn’s life in this book, from her rise to fame to her elderly years. I didn’t expect to go on such a rollercoaster and come out feeling like I had learnt something from this book. The character of Evelyn was a confident one, someone who knew how to get what she wanted and priorities her needs. She is a strong and powerfully willed character and I certainly took away some things from her.

I loved hearing about her career and her fame in the 50’s onwards. I’ve seen films from this time, but never have I really appreciate what it was like for the stars of them. Fame now seems to be so much easier to find and retain, but for Evelyn she had to work her way up and do things she shouldn’t have had to do to secure her spot. At this time in Hollywood actresses were regularly reused again and again for films year on year, so it was immensely important to stay in the spotlight. I’ve never read about this era before and it’s certainly given me an interest in watching more films from this time.

This is a book I will always keep in my head, for both it’s excellent storytelling, but also the message it sends. The need to be yourself, to be sure of who you are and to do the very best for you. I am so glad I read this and I will not hesitate to pick it up again some day.

Beth Bartholomew &
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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Beth Bartholomew &The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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Beth Bartholomew &
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid