The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid came to me so incredibly highly recommended but once I started reading, I knew this book was just not for me. However…I still highly recommend it! Keep reading to see why!
Synopsis from Goodreads:
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. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a mesmerizing 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 costs–to face the truth.
My Thoughts:
(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)
EVERYONE loves this book. Let me stress this…EVERYONE.
When I posted a photo of this book on both Facebook and Instagram, the responses were overwhelmingly positive! Not ONE single person said that they didn’t like it! How rare is that?!
So I began to read. In fact, I read 150 pages.
Taylor Jenkins Reid has such a way with words and writing beautiful stories. Have you read One True Loves
So here’s the thing…it took me over 40 years to realize this fact about myself but now that I know it, it is such a powerful tool when it comes to book selections.
I strongly dislike memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies.
Finishing Michelle Obama’s book felt like a chore (my thoughts on her book are HERE). The book itself was beautifully written and her story was wonderfully interesting…I just found myself so bored with all of the details. And this is EXACTLY the way that I felt about Evelyn Hugo.
Granted this book is NOT a memoir, autobiography, or a biography….but….the entire premise is this fictitious character her telling her entire life story to someone so that person can take it and write a tell all. So pretty much the same thing.
I tried…I did…and it’s a LOVELY book…it’s just not for me. HOWEVER, I would highly recommend it to others! From what I did read, it was wonderful and well written. This is NOT a negative review! I personally just couldn’t get excited about hearing all of the details of her life and found myself so completely disconnected from all of it. Exactly how I would feel reading any memoir, biography, or autobiography…
Once I decided to stop reading, I Googled the book summery so I could read how the rest of the book played out. I’ll be honest…reading all of the details of this book make me even more confident in my decision to move on.
I so wish I enjoyed this genre! I would be allllll over Jessica Simpson’s new book
Bottom Line:
Evelyn Hugo was not a book for me…but might be a book for you!
Xo,
Jenny
Did you read this book? What did you think? Do you enjoy reading memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies?
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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Book Coffee Happy 
I am currently reading this book. I will actually be finishing it today sometime. In my opinion this book was way over hyped. Maybe I will change my mind once I finish it but I don’t think I will. I’m not hating the book but I’m not blown away by it either.
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And I thought it was my ADD — I got bored and started skimming through. But I had to keep reading to get to the surprise ending that Monique hinted at. Also, I felt the sexual encounters could have been spiced up a bit. I guess Beals and Illene will take care of that in the movie.
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I got bored too. Skimmed through until I found answers to my questions …I especially wanted to know why Monique was chosen although I had an idea about the connection the exact situation was a surprise though.
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so I was just looking for why the hype… Im 150 into the book but I think that it is insanly lame and unpersuasive that Liz Taylor calls People magazine and insists on the one person with one good article to take her auto biography!! call me silly but – I need to believe a little first.
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Ugh! Nothing worse than an unbelievable storyline…
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This is exactly how I am feeling about it….not hating it but certainly not compelled to keep reading it. Not sure if I will finish it when there are too many other wonderful stories just waiting to be read!
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Move on!
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I appreciate your honest review. Sorry it wasn’t your cup of tea. You should still read Maybe in Another Life though!
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I recently found myself in just such a position, a book EVERYONE was raving about and yet …
Whilst I did finish it I can’t say I enjoyed it.
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I really loved this book – I read in half a day. I understand your idea of it sounding like a biography, but it ties all the loose ends in the end. I guess the entire time I kept picturing it as limited series with Jane Fonda as the lead. Give it another try 🙂
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Well I DO love anything with Jane Fonda…
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i am in the beginning of Evelyn’s life story, and I just don’t care. I am not a celebrity stalker, and I really don’t care about a fictional celebrity. I am wondering if it is my age? I also think the writing here is very over-rated.
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I agree, I don’t think it’s a good book and the fact that everyone advertised it as gripping and devastating just made it worse because it made me believe I would like it.
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I agree! Although I am only about 75 pages in I find Evelyn rude. I don’t know how but her character is just on very unlikable. The author does write beautifully but I just couldn’t get over the way Evelyn acted. I understand she wrote it like to that to make Evelyn seem real but i could never get over it. Maybe I am best fit for a fantasy read I suppose I will have to keep that in mind next time
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I just couldn’t bring myself to finish this book and now I understand why! I couldn’t figure out what I didn’t like about it. Thanks for your insight 🙂
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Awww thank you for this lovely comment, Xo
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I finished this book yesterday. I borrowed it from my local library as it received so many good reviews. I don’t get it. This book was long winded and so, so boring. I kept wondering if I would ever make it to the last husband. Mad that I wasted time on it.
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I just finished reading the book. I read maybe 3-4 chapters months ago and just kept reading other books instead. I saw the hype of the book so I figured it probably gets really good. Well I kept waiting and waiting and the book kept going and going. Then I thought ohh maybe there will this dramatic ending because so many people said they cried…nope super dry eyes over here and I guessed part of the ending. It was ok/good but overhyped for me. Dare I say that the Jessica Simpson memoir was way better? I was so invested in that book and couldn’t put it down.
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I mean…can’t go wrong with Jessica Simpson. Ever.
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I couldn’t bring myself to finish this book. I could not feel any sympathy for Evelyn and I lost interest in her story. It was simplistic. Back to some well written books.
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MOVE ON! Too many other great books out there just waiting for you to read!
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I tried to stick with it but the last couple of chapters I just ended up skimming through. It was painfully cliche, the writing I found very didactic, and the characters quite shallow. It wasn’t for me. Glad to know I’m not alone on this one.
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Always nice to hear you’re not alone in your opinions! This book just wasn’t for me, either.
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My daughter gave me this book to read, I had not heard any hype about it & I really enjoyed it. I read it over two nights and was totally immersed in the story and admittedly did shed a tear. I thought it was well written and I couldn’t wait to finish it. Would definitely recommend to a friend.
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Soooooo many people love this book…
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Glad I found this take! I think I have the same issue as you – an autobiography (or biography) is just not my thing. Even told through a fictional lens. Mostly, I prefer fiction through and through, lest I get out my phone and start fact checking and plausibility becomes an issue. Though I did love American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld and viewing the Crown is fun for me. I don’t know, this just wasn’t my thing. I wanted to love it based on the acclaim, the upcoming adaptation, and the beautiful cover.
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Oh I LOVED American Wife! I read it 13 years ago…I wonder if I would still love it now?
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Loved the book. It was my audiobook for the week on my long ride to work.
This book was written for entertainment purposes and that’s what it delivered.
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