By: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Standalone | 388 Pages | Pub. 2017
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo at a Glance
- Overall Rating: ★★★★★
- Heroine: She gets what she wants
- Steaminess: like walking in Houston humidity
- Timeliness: Right for our political climate
- Emotional: Sobs into wine
Pairs Well With
Dry Martini
- 2 ½ oz. gin
- ½ oz. dry vermouth
- 1 dash orange bitters
Our Review
I have seen this book everywhere lately. It was highly recommended by a few bloggers that I trust and admire, so even though this is not my normal genre, I had to give it a try.
ALWAYS trust your friends. They did not lead me astray. (Or maybe trust my friends?)
This is an important book. And I don’t use that term lightly.
Reid brings to light more social issues than you can imagine in a fluid and beautiful story. The vision of Hollywood glam that she paints is raw and honest. The reality of men being untouchable and women asking for it if they dressed or acted a certain way was visceral. Or told they were cold if they chose their career over a family. It’s easy to relate this to life now, where women have made great strides, but are still judged for not having children or even for choosing to stay home with them. Reid showed that there is no balance in the expectations set for women back then or even in today’s society.
“Isn’t it awfully convenient, that when men make the rules, the one thing that’s looked down on the most is the one thing that would bear them the greatest threat? Imagine if every single woman wanted something when she gave up her body. You’d all be ruling the place.”
Evelyn is the most unapologetic character I have read. On one hand she is a role model for all of us feminists, but she is also a terrible person who does horrible things to protect the people she loves. But when she loves, truly loves, it is deeply and without fail. She is such a terrific and flawed person and has so much to teach Monique and the rest of us.
“The world doesn’t give things, you take things. If you learn one thing from me, it should probably by that.”
The journey we follow through Evelyn’s life is so beautifully written that it sucks you in. The news articles spread throughout add flair and excitement, enhancing the feeling of old Hollywood and demonstrating the effect that the media has on individuals and relationships.
And oh, these relationships are full of crazy. I can’t fully address all of the social issues or the relationships without spoiling, so I will skirt around them a little.
“I love you so much that when I sometimes look at all the crazy fan mail you get, I think, Well that makes sense. I want to collect her eyelashes too.”
I said that when Evelyn loved, it was serious and intense. She has seven husbands, but she certainly didn’t love them all. The question we ask ourselves is “who is Evelyn’s true love?” I think that she really had two. One romantic and the other a true soul mate and friend. She had the best of all worlds when it came to love and I adored reading these two from beginning to end.
“Go if it hurts. Go if it’s time. Just go knowing you were loved, that I will never forget you, that you will live in everything Connor and I do. Go knowing I told you all my secrets. Because you were my best friend.”
This was a gorgeous story and if you haven’t read it, then I strongly suggest that you do. Even if, like me, it’s not in your usual genres.
Have you read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo? Let us know what you thought in the comments!
Follow us!
This one!!! God, this is one of my most fave books. I’m glad you gals loved it, too. Great review! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! It was really amazing.
LikeLike
Fabulous review!!!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review! I’m glad that this one was a hit for ya’ll!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Fabulous review!! 💜 Like you, I don’t usually read this genre, but I’ve seen so many rave reviews that I may just take a chance and pick it up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should!
LikeLike
Great review! I haven’t read this yet but it’s on my TBR list. I’m glad you guys loved it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You!
LikeLike
I really loved this book also, even though I didn’t expect to from the synopsis. Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Glad you loved it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everyone has loved this book and I am now sitting on Suspicious Island (TM). I want to read this but the hype is so real. Glad you enjoyed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh, I’ve just started reading Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos, and this sounds like it would be the perfect contemporary pairing. Thanks for the hot tip! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo […]
LikeLike
Great review! This book sounds amazing, Evelyn seems overall quite flighty and as unsure as she is sure? Can’t wait to read this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I really loved it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks for giving this review
LikeLiked by 1 person