REVIEW: THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO

BY TAYLOR JENKINS REID

SYNOPSIS FROM AUTHORS WEBSITE⇣
Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready, to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life.
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—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very 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.
Written with Reid’s signature talent for “creating complex, likable characters” (Real Simple), 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.

BOOK TAGS⇣

⤏ THE LIFE STORY OF A FICTIONAL ACTRESS
⤏ RISE TO FAME IN THE FILM INDUSTRY
⤏ HER MANY RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGES
⤏ LGBT 
⤏ A SPLASH OF MYSTERY

BOOK DETAILS⇣

AUDIO PERFORMED BY⇢ ALMA CUERVO, JULIA WHELAN, & ROBIN MILES

SOURCE⇢ LIBBY AUDIOBOOK (LIBRARY)

AUDIOBOOK LENGTH⇢ 12 HOURS, 11 MINUTES

MY THOUGHTS⇣

This book is loved by many, so I figured I should read/listen to it already...that, and I know Taylor Jenkins Reid can write relationships that are complex, honest and even a little gritty.  After all, she completely won me over with Daisy Jones & the Six.

Did I love it, like others have...not quite...but pretty darn close.  If I had to pinpoint why that is...I would have to say it's probably due to the two main narrators...they really had to grow on me and it took a bit of listening before they did.  At least, Julia Whelan's part was a small one, since I don't really care for her.

Overall, the story itself is fantastic, her chase for that elusive Oscar...and of course, the epic love story with a twist of sorts.  I also loved the little bit of mystery that it had going on too (I had no clue).

BREAKDOWN⇣

Plot⇢ 4.5/5

Characters⇢ 5/5

The Feels⇢ 4.5/5

Pacing⇢ 4.3/5

Addictiveness⇢ 4.3/5

Theme or Tone⇢ 5/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇢ 5/5

World-Building⇢ 5/5

Originality⇢ 5/5

Ending⇢ 5/5