THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝘂𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗢𝗳 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆𝗻 𝗛𝘂𝗴𝗼
𝗕𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝗲𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀
𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: 𝟒𝟎𝟎
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱: 𝟏𝘀𝐭 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: 𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧𝗤, 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓










The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo tells the captivating story of Evelyn Herrera, a Cuban-American woman who reinvents herself as Evelyn Hugo—Hollywood’s most enigmatic and celebrated actress. Told through a series of interviews conducted by Monique Grant, a relatively unknown journalist, the novel unfolds as the protagonist shares her life story exclusively with Monique, setting the stage for a compelling and deeply personal narrative. As Evelyn recounts her life—from her humble beginnings in Hell’s Kitchen to the glitz and scandal of her rise to stardom—she reveals not only the truth behind her seven marriages but also the deeply buried secrets of her identity and her one true love. Through this confessional narrative, it becomes evident that Evelyn’s choice of Monique is far from coincidental, as a poignant thread begins to link their lives in unexpected ways.

Evelyn is a polarising character—fierce, unapologetically ambitious, and fully aware of the power she holds. Some readers may find her morally ambiguous, while others will admire her strength and unfiltered honesty. She embraces her beauty, using it strategically in an industry that constantly seeks to define and confine her. Beneath her glamorous exterior lies a woman who, despite her fame, is profoundly lonely, frequently sacrificing pieces of herself to conform to societal expectations. Her story serves as a powerful commentary on identity, fame, sexuality, and the cost of living for others rather than oneself.
What made Evelyn’s character resonate was her vulnerability—her tendency to trust too easily, often at tremendous personal cost. Her reflections later in life are tinged with regret, offering a sobering reminder of how fleeting time is and how we usually mask our true selves in pursuit of acceptance.

The novel alternates between Evelyn’s vivid recollections and Monique’s present-day narrative. While Evelyn’s chapters are rich, emotive, and immersive, I found Monique’s perspective comparatively underwhelming. Her chapters lacked the same emotional depth, and at times, it was hard to connect with her voice. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing is elegant yet accessible. The language flows effortlessly, making this nearly 400-page novel an engaging and fast-paced read. The character development is thoughtful, with each supporting figure contributing meaningfully to the overall story.

Despite the novel’s many strengths, I found myself slightly detached from Evelyn’s choices at times. While her actions are understandable within the context of her world, I wish for moments of greater maturity in how she navigated certain relationships, particularly with Celia. Some of Celia’s actions, too, felt less than admirable, which impacted my rating.

That said, this is an emotionally charged and thought-provoking novel that I would recommend, especially to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with strong LGBTQ+ representation. It’s a compelling exploration of love, sacrifice, identity, and the high price of ambition. It's a well-written, fast-paced novel with memorable characters and an emotionally layered plot, slightly weakened by a few character choices, but still a rewarding read.

My Rating:

4/5

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