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? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career. Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds through the decades—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
☼
Last year, I saw that a lot of blogger friends were reading a book called The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (x. x, x). I don’t know why, but I wasn’t really interested until I started reading the reviews, perhaps because of the title. However, you all know I’m a big Hollywood fan and every review I read made me more excited about this novel. And it was definitely not what I expected at all. It was better.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was one of my favorite books that I’ve read recently. I hadn’t been so addicted to a non-mystery book in a long time. This was a compulsive read, one of those you can’t put down because it’s so fun, dramatic and completely captivating. A well-written soap-opera that you don’t ever want to finish.
This is the story of famous actress Evelyn Hugo and the relationship between her and her seven husbands. Who was Evelyn’s true love? The narration is told in a pretty unique way, which was one of my favorite aspects of the book. Evelyn Hugo, after decades of silence, decides to give Monique Grant the truth about her life. Monique is a relatively unknown journalist and doesn’t know why Evelyn chose her. Thus begins the story of Evelyn Hugo, who narrates every chapter of her life story, beginning with her first husband.
I loved the structure because you got to judge every one of Evelyn’s husbands and decide who was your favorite. She was a fascinating character, albeit she made some terrible mistakes. Hers seems like an easy life at first sight, but it wasn’t, not really. I loved how every character in this novel (even the ones you hate with all your heart) has virtues and flaws. No one is perfect, and that makes them more realistic in my opinion. This was a book where both the plot and the characters were fantastically crafted.
After finishing the book, I realized I didn’t want it to end. When a great story like this one spans so many years, you can’t help but fall in love with the characters and it’s sad to see them go. This book touched many themes that I didn’t expect… and it tackled them beautifully.
☼
Atria Books, 2017
Fantastic review, Annie! I loved this book too. It was a departure from my usual reads in many ways but so good!
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It was different from mine too but I’d read another similar one no doubt!!
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Yay so glad you loved it!!!
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❤ ❤ ❤ So amazing
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So glad you loved it!! It was one of my favorite books of 2017, and I still think about Evelyn! Wonderful review!! ❤
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❤ Thank you Steph, now I'm reading Why Chrysanthemum or whatever it's the title lol
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Lol, White, but yeah, that one! That one made me cry and cry….
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Great review! I added this one to my Book of the Month club box this month because of all the great reviews I’ve seen. Like you, I don’t usually become addicted to non-mystery reads. I’m excited about giving it a shot!
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That’s why it was such a great surprise!
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I am so glad you loved this one! It is o e of my favourites. How great is Evelyn? I adore ber!
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🙂 It was unexpected and I was so hooked!!
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I’ve seen so many rave reviews of this, maybe I’ll have to try it!
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Not maybe, for sure!!!
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I actually ended up DNF-ing this book. Just wasn’t for me. But everyone else seems to love it. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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I saw your review, I understand that you didn’t like Evelyn! I get it, she wasn’t the easiest of characters but I actually liked how everyone was complicated in this book haha
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Great review Annie, I’m so glad you gave this a try and loved it!
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❤ It was amazing
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This book is so unexpected, isn’t it? That’s why I loved it.
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Yes it was much better than I could’ve hoped!
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I’m with you, I hadn’t planned on reading this book either until I read Renee’s review for it. Now it’s near the top of my mental TBR list! I’m really glad you liked it!
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I think you’d enjoy it too! And btw, offtopic but did you see that Reese Witherspoon’s company is adapting The gilded years?
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Eeek I totally missed this comment. No I didn’t hear that! Looking forward to that adaptation, I love this time period 🙂
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Great review! Her other novel, Maybe In Another Life is still on my wishlist (it was a recommendation by one of my fav authors) but it looks like she really did again.. if it can convince you as a thriller reader then that’s saying all I have to know!
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Yeah, I added some of her other books to my wishlist because of how much I loved this one!!
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I’ve seen only amazing reviews for the book. It is a pity that I have not read it yet!!
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Save it for the future, because it’s worth it!!
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Great review Annie. I have been seeing this one around but hadn’t thought of reading it because the title and the cover didn’t appeal to me. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it though. This one is going to my TBR!
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I think you’d enjoy it too, it’s unlike everything we usually read1!
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I want to read this book so badly, but it’s so expensive 😫 the paperback isn’t out here till May!!!
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Ohhh, well, you can wait 🙂 I agree that it was expensive!
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Great review! I’ve seen some great review for this one myself (probably some of the same reviews you’ve read) and this book sounds right up my alley! The format sounds interesting, looking at Evelyn’s life from her time with each husband. It also sounds like this book has some deeper themes than the description suggests!
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I think you’d enjoy this one!! It’s one of those that are compelling and so easy to read!
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