I am emotionally exhausted. I wanted to give you a quick run-through of how this book made me feel because, as you all know, my emotions usually write my reviews for me. I finished reading The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo thirty five minutes ago, and I think this may be the quickest turnaround I have ever written a review, but I can’t keep my thoughts from spilling out of me. In fact, of those thirty-five minutes, my wife has been consoling me and my tears on and off for around twenty of them.
Two of my friends both told me I had to read this book. The first was Sandy months ago, and I put it on my birthday list. Paperback received and put on my bookshelf for a rainy day. Haley then steps up to the plate and can’t believe I am letting this beautiful story sit and gather dust when it most certainly needs to be devoured, and soon.
So today, after seeing, I reckon, the twentieth post of one of the quotes from the book, I decided I couldn’t put it off any longer, and I grabbed the paperback off the shelf and read the first two chapters. I was immersed in Evelyn’s world and didn’t want to put the book down from that moment on. With multiple tasks getting added to my to-do list by the second, I downloaded the audiobook to listen to (not whistle) while I worked. And for the rest of the day, I went between book and audio completely surrounded by Taylor Jenkins Reids words and finished the last third of the book in the bath, paperback in hand and a cocktail made by my very wonderful wife.
After I finished the last word and closed the book, I knew at that moment that I had found my new favourite WLW book without a doubt in my mind. I laughed when Evelyn and Harry would banter and make fun; I cried when Evelyn came up against some awful hurts; I understood when she went down some inappropriate or shocking paths, and my heart burst or ached every time she was in a room with Celia. Every. Damn. Time.
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing is unbelievably engaging and captivating, but she absolutely excels in her dialogue. I could list about fifteen quotes from this book without even trying that affected me physically and emotionally.
Today, we can sometimes forget how far our community has come in terms of being out in the world and being our genuine selves. Evelyn lived with a fear I can’t even imagine, and honestly, at one stage of the book, bisexuality wasn’t even an identity. You were either Gay or a lesbian. There was no in-between, so Evelyn really felt that she didn’t belong anywhere instead of knowing she belonged everywhere.
Evelyn and Celia are my favourite characters, without a doubt. I don’t want to delve into that too much because, believe me when I say this book needs to be read without spoilers, It’s the only way, really. Producer Harry and Evelyn’s one and only best friend is possibly my favourite ever secondary character. He was the perfect person to balance Evelyn and be her confidant and protector. And the love she had for Harry was probably the second most significant love of her life.
There are so many elements to the chemistry in this book. Evelyn’s chemistry with lovers, husbands and her best friend, Harry. The chemistry she had with each person was different and meant something different to her life, to her story.
This book is possibly the most beautiful book I have ever read. I felt every one of Evelyn’s emotions happy and heartbreaking. She is the most complex, and exceptional character I have ever read, and I now know why people have said they wish they could read this book for the first time all over again.
If you are looking for a book that will leave you breathless while not knowing which is up but ultimately wholly captivated by it, this is the book for you. Best. Book. Ever. I’ll close on this quote.
“But Celia was the sort of beautiful that felt as if you could hold it in your hands, like if you played your cards right, you might just get to marry a girl like Celia St. James.” - Evelyn Hugo
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Customer reviews
Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviewed in Australia on 23 November 2020
This book is brilliant. Evelyn Hugo the Hollywood icon is finally ready to tell the world the truth about her life. Evelyn picked Monique Grant to write her book, Monique can’t understand why Evelyn picked her.This book will send Monique’s career to another level, something too look forward too as her own personal life is in despair. Evelyn’s ride to fame wasn’t always perfect but she always make sure she looked perfect in front of the cameras.The tale of old Hollywood, broken promises, ambition, marriages for publicity, secrets, forbidden lovers and pure heartbreak. She outlived 7 husbands and would have given all the fame and fortune up to be with her forbidden lover.This book was pure magic, I didn’t see the end coming until it was there. Evelyn and Monique’s lives have crossed paths again for a reason. They both find their answers and the world will one day read this magical book. The ending left me heart broken.@becsbookshelf_
Reviewed in Australia on 23 November 2020
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Top reviews from Australia
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Reviewed in Australia on 9 June 2021
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Reviewed in Australia on 23 November 2020
This book will send Monique’s career to another level, something too look forward too as her own personal life is in despair. Evelyn’s ride to fame wasn’t always perfect but she always make sure she looked perfect in front of the cameras.
The tale of old Hollywood, broken promises, ambition, marriages for publicity, secrets, forbidden lovers and pure heartbreak. She outlived 7 husbands and would have given all the fame and fortune up to be with her forbidden lover.
This book was pure magic, I didn’t see the end coming until it was there. Evelyn and Monique’s lives have crossed paths again for a reason. They both find their answers and the world will one day read this magical book. The ending left me heart broken.
@becsbookshelf_
Verified Purchase
Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
By Rebecca Lyons on 23 November 2020
This book is brilliant. Evelyn Hugo the Hollywood icon is finally ready to tell the world the truth about her life. Evelyn picked Monique Grant to write her book, Monique can’t understand why Evelyn picked her.By Rebecca Lyons on 23 November 2020
This book will send Monique’s career to another level, something too look forward too as her own personal life is in despair. Evelyn’s ride to fame wasn’t always perfect but she always make sure she looked perfect in front of the cameras.
The tale of old Hollywood, broken promises, ambition, marriages for publicity, secrets, forbidden lovers and pure heartbreak. She outlived 7 husbands and would have given all the fame and fortune up to be with her forbidden lover.
This book was pure magic, I didn’t see the end coming until it was there. Evelyn and Monique’s lives have crossed paths again for a reason. They both find their answers and the world will one day read this magical book. The ending left me heart broken.
@becsbookshelf_
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Reviewed in Australia on 27 February 2022
I absolutely loved the storyline of this book, yet again we went back and forth between now and back to Evelyn living her life. It was so easy to follow and really enjoyable to hear about Evelyn’s life and everything she went through, but more than that, it was so special to see her life through her own eyes.
For the last few chapters of this book I pretty much read them with the biggest lump in my throat, it really just touches you.
I actually can’t even believe that the book is over and that I won’t get to spend more time reading about her. What a woman!!!
Like all this authors other books, she brings the characters to life, and picking this book up just felt like going home, this is how this authors writing makes you feel.
Please don’t put off reading this book any longer, if you have your eye on it then get it read.
Thank you so much for the pleasure of meeting Evelyn Hugo 🖤
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Amazing
By Caz the bookworm /Caroline O'Sullivan on 27 February 2022
I have been putting off reading this book for months because I was so scared of it not living up to the hype. Let me tell you that for me, it absolutely did. This book was absolutely fabulous and one I really did not want to put down.By Caz the bookworm /Caroline O'Sullivan on 27 February 2022
I absolutely loved the storyline of this book, yet again we went back and forth between now and back to Evelyn living her life. It was so easy to follow and really enjoyable to hear about Evelyn’s life and everything she went through, but more than that, it was so special to see her life through her own eyes.
For the last few chapters of this book I pretty much read them with the biggest lump in my throat, it really just touches you.
I actually can’t even believe that the book is over and that I won’t get to spend more time reading about her. What a woman!!!
Like all this authors other books, she brings the characters to life, and picking this book up just felt like going home, this is how this authors writing makes you feel.
Please don’t put off reading this book any longer, if you have your eye on it then get it read.
Thank you so much for the pleasure of meeting Evelyn Hugo 🖤
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Top reviews from other countries
AprilD1
Do not waste your money
Reviewed in the United States on 25 January 2021Verified Purchase
Mojo
Yawn
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 May 2019Verified Purchase
D.M.E
So-so
Reviewed in the United States on 3 March 2019Verified Purchase
carrie
Waste
Reviewed in the United States on 24 June 2019Verified Purchase
Chelley Toy - TalesOfYesterday
Addictive and Special
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2021Verified Purchase
Addictive and Special
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2021
Wow! Where do I start with this book! I enjoyed EVERY. SINGLE. WORD! It was hard to put down and when I did I couldn’t wait to pick it back up again!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2021
An historical love story with a bisexual narrator, a famous old Hollywood actress, and all of her seven marriages. It tells the story of Evelyn, who wants to be famous, who learns early on in life that to get what she wants she has to play the part in every sense of the word. Now in her seventies Evelyn wants to share her life story with journalist Monique who has been personally picked by Evelyn. A tell all memoir about her life and her rise to fame. The glitz and glam of old Hollywood, the manipulation, the scandal, Hollywood cover ups, having to conform to society norms of the time and what it meant to be gay/bisexual during that time period.
It felt like non fiction. Like I was reading about Monroe or Elizabeth Taylor. Everything was so detailed. All the characters felt so real. Evelyn is flawed, ambitious and strong. A completely unapologetic character, manipulative and selfish who I loved! There are times she will frustrate you as a reader, but she is compelling and unforgettable! And with each husband she captivated me more with her spell.
The real reason for Evelyn picking Monique is intriguing and kept me hooked in the present day story telling. Evelyn’s rollercoaster life flows chronologically over the years and covers topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, diversity, female empowerment, sexuality, found family, motherhood and love. It is as much a story about Evelyn as it is about Harry and Celia’s life too. These two characters completely had my heart. I went on as much of an emotional journey with them as I did with Evelyn.
Taylor Jenkins Reid is without a doubt, a fantastic story teller. The way she writes her characters and their lives is addictive and very special.
Enough of my gushing. Remember. Life is short. Life is precious. Live life without regret. Hold loved ones tightly. Love who you love. Make memories to last a life time. Laugh. But most of all be unapologetically you! Always! ❤️
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