The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

 

By Taylor Jenkins Reid

Review

A 2026 Top Rated Read

This book by Taylor Jenkins Reid is wonderful. Full of nostalgic Hollywood glitz and glamour, aging 1950s movie icon Evelyn Hugo recounts her life story to magazine reporter Monique Grant. Evelyn tells of her seven marriages, the abuse she endured, the many scandals and of the one true love that shaped her life. It's a fascinating journey that encompasses decades of a life filled with success, happiness, heartache and tragedy. Monique realises this is the opportunity of a lifetime but is deeply puzzled as to why Evelyn selected her — an unknown reporter of little significance —  to write it.

I thought this was a deeply moving and immersive book. The characters are totally believable and it's difficult to accept they exist only in a novel. The story of Evelyn's life is truly fascinating. The books I normally read are by British authors but Taylor Jenkins Reid, an American, is one of my guilty pleasures. I thoroughly enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and have no hesitation adding it to my list of favourite reads.

★★★★★

Print Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Publication Year: 2017
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

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.