This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Summary: From Taylor Jenkins Reid comes an unforgettable and sweeping novel about one classic film actress’s relentless rise to the top—the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.

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.

Filled with emotional insight and written with Reid’s signature talent, this is a fascinating 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 takes—to face the truth.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Last year, I read Taylor Jenkins Reid’s One True Loves and I LOVED it. When the big to do about the exclusive EW cover reveal of her next book- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo happened- I loved the cover, but wasn’t sure if TJR was going to be able to pull this book off for me- it seemed to have a historical fiction angle that I was not sure if I could enjoy from her.

Taylor Jenkins Reid- let me issue you a formal apology. I freaking LOVED The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Now, I’m not going to spoil it for you. This book takes on a lot of issues and some you might can guess fairly quickly. But what drew me in (besides the cover) was Evelyn Hugo. She seemed to be a cross between a Mae Wes and Marilyn Monroe with a dash or 2 of Scarlet O’Hara threw in. Is Evelyn likable? Yes and no. She’s strong. She’s loyal to the people she loves (but she’s not above breaking their hearts for the greater good). She’s passionate. She’s a goal digger. She knows what she wants and she unabashedly goes after what she wants. Is she sometimes selfish? Yes. Is she remorseful about her actions? Not really. Evelyn Hugo might not be for everyone, but I truly enjoyed her world.

 

What I liked:

THE COVER. Listen, if there is one book that I have to have this year based solely on the cover- THIS IS IT. It’s gorgeous. Sensual. And I LOVE that emerald. Green is too tame a word to describe the color- emerald is the word!

How the story was laid out. Taylor Jenkins Reid has chapters, and each chapter tells a story. I loved that.

The twist. There is a secret and it came out of left field for me. I gasped when I read it and then quickly re-read to make sure that I was reading correctly.

 

Bottom line: There are a lot of layers to this book. This book is not light or fluffy- it’s got some substance. Evelyn Hugo may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the woman had skills.

 

*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

**The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a June #FuturisticFriday selection from Traveling With T.**

 

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Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T