Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

208 reviews

teacupalpaca's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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kelly_e's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: June 13, 2017

T H R E E • W O R D S

Intimate • Captivating • Complex

📖 S Y N O P S I S

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.

💭 T H O U G H T S

It's safe to say I was (extremely) late to the game when it comes to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It's also safe to say the hype is legit with this one. To be honest, I didn't exactly know what I had been expecting from the synopsis, yet what I got was so much more than I could have imagined.

Beautifully written in a distinct manner, TRJ captures the essence of old Hollywood perfectly - the glitz, the glamour, the sex, the drugs, the drama. There is a cinematic undertone running through the entire narrative. It is a story of loves lost and loves found. Of sacrifice and regrets. Of loyalty and betrayal. It includes incredible characterization of sexuality, soulmates, and friendship. The intimacy with which the story is delivered is so mesmerizing and unique.

And then there is Evelyn! Her character is one for the ages. She was complex and flawed, with an edge to her. Although I didn't always like her, I couldn't help but root for her. Her story was so compelling, and I wanted to savour the pages, yet couldn't stop reading. The supporting cast is also top notch, each with their place in Evelyn's life.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the reason I read. It's heartbreakingly beautiful. I laughed. I cried. I ached. TJR pulled me into Evelyn's realm and hasn't let me go. It's a story so profound, exploring sexuality, intimacy, and soulmates unlike anything I've read before. It will be an easy choice for my end-of-the-year favourites list, and has found a home on my all-time favourites shelf. It is also safe to say this will be my favourite book from this author, and I will continue to pick up everything she writes.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who like complex, distinct characters
• TRJ devotees
• book clubs

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"When you're given an opportunity to change your life, be read to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn't give things, you take things. If you learn one thing from me, it should probably be that."

"People are messy, and love can be ugly. I’m inclined to always err on the side of compassion."

"People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is 'you're safe with me' - that's intimacy."

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kelstay27's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Beautiful. Stunning. Heartbreaking. All-consuming. Bittersweet. Everything I wanted it to be and more.

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fartplatinum's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

ellaticonstellation's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Wow, just wow! Even though there are many disturbing things about this book (aka domestic abuse, lying, violence, tampering with the crime scene, etc.) I loved how well-crafted the characters were. Evelyn Hugo did what she had to do to get what she wanted and succeed in life; it was truly inspiring as a woman. She was super flawed, which made her compelling. Her story inspired Monique to take what she deserved and live a fuller life. I hope people who read this don't misinterpret the message. That fame was expensive, and it wasn't for everyone. Fame looked glamorous because of the money, but there were a lot of darkness and sacrifices involved to stay at the top. Her freedom had limits, and it made me sad. Evelyn wanted to express her true self, but she couldn't easily do it. It was the curse of her status in life. Overall, this book was excellent and a potential reread. Thank you so much, Taylor, for writing this book! People, love as long as you can; we never know our end.✨

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esophagus18's review against another edition

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emotional funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

wow, just wow. definitely a new favorite, that’s for sure. i found myself so engrossed in the story and loving and hating evelyn at the same time.

when it was revealed that harry’s lover who died with harry in the car crash was monique’s dad i was in SHOCK i had to put the book down for an hour or so to recover

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luananki's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

i‘ve mixed emotions on how to rate the seven husbands of evelyn hugo. i was convinced that i wouldn’t pick it up - only because it’s not something i’d normally read but i loved it, i really did.
this book somehow manages to suck you in and does not let you go until the very last page. the writing is amazing and the characters in evelyn’s story felt very real.
monique didn’t convince me though. i get that there had to be some story around how and why evelyn finally decided to tell her lifestory but i couldn’t find any interest in monique and her life. her story felt out of place in comparison to everything else in the book that felt so real and honest.

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