The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Book Review

Evelyn Hugo is a legendary film actress and has been living in private for many years, so journalist Monique Grant is surprised and honored when she Evelyn specifically requests her for an interview and article. The audiences loved the bleach blonde bombshell on the screen and they couldn't get enough of the tabloid stories that followed her crazy love life. Seven husbands! Now years later, Evelyn has chosen to tell her real life story to Monique and has promised to let her in on the secret of the "love of her life" as long as Monique promises to write a tell-all biography following Evelyn's death.

Not too long ago, I read a fictionalized story of the life of iconic film star Jean Harlow (Platinum Doll by Anne Girard). I found her story and the glitter and glamour of Hollywood to be rather interesting and I thought that The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid would be similar. Reid's novel focuses less of Hollywood and more on romantic life of the actress which I suppose makes sense based on the title.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a quick read, as I've found Reid's other novels to be. Reid writes well and with a style that lends itself to be an ideal read for the beach, airplane or doctor's office. There are definitely times when that's exactly what I'm looking for.

I didn't love this particular novel from Reid. I didn't like Evelyn Hugo much at all and found that I just didn't care about her relationships. The first few husbands are interesting as they follow her struggle to rise to the top in Hollywood but then they become rather dull as the story unfolds. Listening to Evelyn tell her story to Monique is just that--telling. Rarely did I feel any chemistry between any of the characters. Though the twist was kind of interesting and Reid treats the topic well.

Ultimately, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo just wasn't my favorite.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is published by Atria Books and released on June 13, 2017.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Taylor Jenkins Reid lives in Los Angeles and is the acclaimed author of One True Loves, Maybe in Another Life, After I Do, and Forever, Interrupted. Her books have been named a “Best Book of Summer” by People, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, InStyle, Good Housekeeping, USA TODAY, Redbook, Us Weekly, Parade, PopSugar, Buzzfeed, Bustle, Brit+Co, Goodreads, and others.

THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Atria | ISBN: 9781501139239 | On sale: June 13, 2017 | 400 pages | $26.00

Atria eBook | ISBN: 9781501139246 | On sale: June 13, 2017 | 400 pages | $11.99