The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Why does a movie star pick an insignificant journalist to write her tell-all biography? What is she hiding?

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a thrilling diary of a glamorous movie star who describes life in old Hollywood. A life with seven husbands, one child, and one great love. The story is compelling, vested, and keeps you reading a mile a minute. Evelyn Hugo has a mesmerizing story, and I could not pry myself away from the book.

Monique, the hired biographer of Hugo, is struggling herself. She is recently separated and struggling with a standstill career. This opportunity is amazing, and after negotiations, she gracefully accepts Hugo’s offer. While learning and taking note of the captivating life of Hugo, she relates, and uses Hugo’s wisdom and attitude to take control of her own life. She finds herself grateful for her time with Hugo and uses her perspective for herself.

Their lives intertwine, with a huge twist revealing the huge connection between the rookie journalist and the legendary actress. Knowing the twist is coming keeps you reeled in.

“'Nobody deserves anything,' Evelyn says. 'It's simply a matter of who's willing to go and take it for themselves. And you, Monique, are a person who has proven to be willing to go out there and take what you want. So be honest about that. No one is just a victim or a victor. Everyone is somewhere in between. People who go around casting themselves as one or the other are not only kidding themselves, but they're also painfully unoriginal.'”

Taylor Jenkins Reid has a way with words, telling a story as though you travelled back in time to the peak of Hollywood. She paints Evelyn as dazzling, and explains her flaws and imperfections. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing, and it felt as though I was sitting with Monique, understanding the complexity of Hugo’s story. I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers, any young adult readers, anyone fascinated with Hollywood, and anyone who is aspiring showbiz.

Five stars, if I could give six I would. A great read!