Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

122 reviews

astrangewind's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo tells an incredibly queer story from what seems like an incredibly heterosexual premise, which is something I can totally get behind. In fact, I was quite surprised by how gay this book turned out to be. Despite that, though, it was sad, and I couldn't stop reading once the pace picked up. Each husband had a unique flair and purpose in Evelyn's scandalous life, and the sections are executed well.

Despite liking the plot, I liked neither Monique nor Evelyn. I think Evelyn isn't meant to be a likable character; she herself even claims she's a bad person to Monique's face. That's the whole point of the book. She's beautiful, and cruel, and generous, and loving. All of these things at once. However, Monique was probably meant to be likable, but I found her mostly annoying, and her own story much less compelling than Evelyn's.

I am happy that this book is queer, and I'm happy that it's not just about being queer during puberty, as a lot of books with queer characters are. It's about being queer in Hollywood in the late 20th century, dodging the media and dealing with the AIDS crisis. That said, it bugs me that the only characters who treat Evelyn with any kind of respect are queer.

When Evelyn first meets Harry, she makes a note of it that he doesn't stare at her breasts, like all the other men do. It seems unfair for the one man to treat her like a human instead of an object only does so because he doesn't like women. Similarly, it feels unfair that the only woman who treats her with respect happens to be in love with her. Queer people can have platonic friendships with non-queer people.

Also, every mention of

Evelyn's

bisexuality reads like two people talking back and forth on a Tumblr post; it's over-explained and stilted, like Reid is afraid to offend bisexuals. It's fine, Taylor, I promise, to not repeatedly explain that bisexuality is liking men and women (Gasp!). Truth be told, though, that's my main gripe with Seven Husbands, and it's not that bad. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Pedophilia

Minor: Drug use, Car accident, and Suicide

amandaacat's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

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

5.0

This is one of the best books that I’ve read in a long time. I actually listened to the audio book and couldn’t put it down. Taylor Jenkins Reid has written something so timeless and in a way that keeps you entertained throughout. The characters are so real and Evelyn’s story is so heartbreaking and magical. I’ll be thinking of this book for awhile.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Miscarriage, Toxic friendship, Grief, Child death, Abortion, Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Sexism

celery's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

the plot twist was stupid and I was bored most of the time but I did cry

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Vomit, Outing, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Medical content, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Addiction, Cancer, Classism, Eating disorder, Pregnancy, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, and Injury/Injury detail

scvqa's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Suicide, Alcohol, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Misogyny, Grief, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Cancer, Gaslighting, Lesbophobia, and Sexism

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Car accident, and Blood

Minor: Abandonment, Miscarriage, and Abortion

thimi_time's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This still holds up upon re-read which definitely says something. I loved the way the book was sectioned into each husband and the story revolving around the time Evelyn married them. I realise the Evelyn is a bit of a polarising character perhaps, but I love the depth of her character, and how even though she’s the forefront of the story, we still got to understand Monique’s character well in fewer words. The last few chapters or so were definitely the best in the book, and touched on some very important topics, but it definitely does require some content warnings. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Grief, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Misogyny, Cancer, Death, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Death of parent, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Sexism, and Sexual content

Moderate: Biphobia, Eating disorder, Outing, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Blood

mobymaize's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-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

Evelyn Hugo is a quintessential fictional biography that has consumed my waking moments. If you do anything, it should be to read this novel. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Misogyny, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Alcoholism, Death, Rape, Toxic friendship, Grief, Physical abuse, Outing, Pregnancy, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Child abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Biphobia, Blood, Sexism, Death of parent, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Cancer, Gaslighting, Child death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Dysphoria, and Car accident

Moderate: Miscarriage

craftysnailtail's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

I wasn't sure what to expect before going into this book. A friend recommended it, but didn't give me much context other than it being an important read for LGBTQIA+. It ended up being quite emotional and honestly rather sad. 

The characters were so vibrant and their stories absolutely captivated me. Evelyn is unlike any other main character I've ever encountered. The nuance of love and loss and all the gray areas found in those things are highlighted beautifully in this novel. At times I was frustrated with Evelyn's choices, but once I finished it, I couldn't stop thinking about it. About her. 

If you're in the mood for a reflective, historical, and rather melancholy read- I'd recommend it. I also think it's an important read if you're part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Car accident, Death, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Terminal illness

Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Abortion, Suicide, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Blood, Miscarriage, Adult/minor relationship, and Death of parent

whenmalanereads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

"I know the world prefers a woman who doesn't know her power, but I'm sick of that."
"The world doesn't give you things, you takes things."
"That's what I traded my virginity for...a ride to Hollywood."
"And it will be the tragedy of my life that I cannot love you enough to make you mine."
"Make them pay you what they would pay a white man."


I have to be very honest.  I started this book with the paperback copy and I couldn't get into it. It was slow-paced and I abandoned it for another book. This was last year. 

I'm happy to say I came back and finished the book. Clearly. Just in audio book format. I REALLY loved the audio book. I adored the narrators and I was very endeared with the voice of Evelyn. It in a way reminded me of my nanny's voice. The way words would be inflected and the way the sassy attitude comes out in tone of voice. 

I always loved the idea of this book and I'm glad I circled back to it sometime later. I found the old Hollywood glamour fun and exciting. I would think I knew where it was going and then be wrong. Which I appreciate in a book. Though about halfway through I did figure it all out. 

While I didn't particularly connect with any one character, I found myself being drawn to almost all of them. Except Don. Iykyk. 

I found times where the book was quite sad and I found times where I was laughing to myself. It was such a descriptive book that I really felt immersed into the world of Evelyn Hugo. I felt like I could have been at an Oscars event or on the red carpet or being a fan seeing her in an ice cream shop.

I thought her love for her friends and lovers was so genuine even though she could sometimes be going astray and I would find myself thinking "Oh my god Evelyn. Don't do that." It was interesting that Evelyn would go to the lengths she did to be with her one true love. 

I fiercely recommend this book. It is well worth the hype and you won't regret it. While I do recommend it in audio book form, I think however you prefer to partake you won't be disappointed. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Abandonment, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Grief, Alcohol, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Classism, Terminal illness, Addiction, Abortion, Cancer, Car accident, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abortion, Cancer, Grief, Cursing, Drug use, Alcoholism, Violence, Alcohol, Addiction, Death, Biphobia, Suicide, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Body horror, Blood, Abandonment, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Murder, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Chronic illness, Suicide attempt, Medical content, Car accident, Toxic friendship, and Terminal illness

rissaread's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted sad tense fast-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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Alcohol, Homophobia, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Cancer and Suicide

norabeideineroma's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad fast-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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Cancer, Car accident, Alcohol, Racism, Miscarriage, Biphobia, Blood, Addiction, Lesbophobia, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Rape, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Outing, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, and Body shaming