The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Taylor Jenkins Reid
●
2017
⚠️Content Warnings
AbuseAddiction / Substance AbuseDeathGriefViolence
a legendary film actress reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.
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.
Tonight’s fit
Best for readers who enjoy: Intriguing · Contemporary Romance · Steady
Intriguing
Hollywood
POV: Single POV
Published by Atria Books
Characters
•
Directors
•
Hollywood Actors
•
Producers
Sub-genre
•
Contemporary Romance
•
lgbtqia+ Fiction
•
Romance
Experience
•
Intriguing
•
Sad
•
Twists
Pace
Gentle
Adrenaline
Balanced
Tone
Light
Dark
Balanced
Book length
Short
Epic
Balanced
More nuance
Violence
Soft
Graphic
Balanced
Romance
Background
Front and centre
Front and centre
Worldbuilding
Light touch
Deep & dense
Light touch
Readability
Breezy
Dense
Balanced
Humour
Serious
Very funny
Serious
Target audience
Younger
Adult
Balanced
Taylor Jenkins Reid
Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance
Taylor Jenkins Reid (TJR) writes compelling, character-driven fiction, often exploring fame, relationships, and identity through historical settings, known for her "famous-women quartet" featuring The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones & the Six, Malibu Rising, and Carrie Soto Is Back, weaving intricate stories of ambition, love, and secrets, sometimes within interconnected universes, with her recent work like Atmosphere (2025) delving into space exploration and broader human themes.
Books By This Author
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Reader Reviews
★
★
★
★
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3.20
10
ratings
10
reviews
5 stars
1 (10%)
4 stars
3 (30%)
3 stars
4 (40%)
2 stars
1 (10%)
1 stars
1 (10%)
Didn’t work for me: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
⚠️ Spoilers: minor plot detail mentioned below. Mixed feelings on The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but I can see why people love it. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. The pacing stays moving and the chapters end on good beats. There’s a specific turning point late in the book that changes the tone hard — that moment will make or break it for you. If you’re on the fence, try a sample — you’ll know quickly.
Spoiler ahead
Click to reveal this review.
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Loved it: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has a strong core idea — the execution mostly works. There are a few scenes that genuinely hit emotionally. A couple of sections could have been trimmed without losing anything. If you’re on the fence, try a sample — you’ll know quickly.
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Not for me: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
⚠️ Spoilers: minor plot detail mentioned below. I went into The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. There’s a specific turning point late in the book that changes the tone hard — that moment will make or break it for you. Overall, I’d recommend it to the right reader.
Spoiler ahead
Click to reveal this review.
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0
Mixed feelings: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
⚠️ Spoilers: minor plot detail mentioned below. I went into The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. The atmosphere is the standout — it’s easy to sink into. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. There’s a specific turning point late in the book that changes the tone hard — that moment will make or break it for you. I’d still read more from this author even with the flaws.
Spoiler ahead
Click to reveal this review.
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0
Really enjoyed: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
I went into The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. The atmosphere is the standout — it’s easy to sink into. If you’re on the fence, try a sample — you’ll know quickly.
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0
Mixed feelings: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has a strong core idea — the execution mostly works. Characters feel distinct, and the dialogue reads naturally. The middle drags and repeats the same tension a bit too long. I’d still read more from this author even with the flaws.
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