The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in forever and evermore swifties

May 23, 2022 Jorj ☆ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: lgbtqia, romance

This book is so beautifully written it’s difficult to believe Evelyn Hugo isn’t a real person. The rawness of the her life story spoke to me in away i didn’t expect and i loved every moment of it. TJR is definitely going on my authors to watchlist <3

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Oct 22, 2023 James Cooper rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 23-of-2023

4.5 ⭐️

With over one and a half million 5⭐️ reviews and an average rating of 4.44 on Goodreads, thousands of BookTokers, BookTubers and Bookstagramers singing it’s praises… what are my thoughts?

I was a bit hesitant to start Evelyn Hugo because of how well loved it is and had built it up as a book I was bound to adore. But I am glad I have finally gotten around to it. It’s a great read and, like nearly everyone else who’s read it too, would certainly recommend it. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t cry 4.5 ⭐️

With over one and a half million 5⭐️ reviews and an average rating of 4.44 on Goodreads, thousands of BookTokers, BookTubers and Bookstagramers singing it’s praises… what are my thoughts?

I was a bit hesitant to start Evelyn Hugo because of how well loved it is and had built it up as a book I was bound to adore. But I am glad I have finally gotten around to it. It’s a great read and, like nearly everyone else who’s read it too, would certainly recommend it. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t cry - despite being close a few times - but it was a very emotive read.

A quick plot summary: we start with the unknown reporter Monique Grant being requested to talk with the now seventy-year-old (I think) Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo. When there, her true intentions come known and she wants Grant to tell her life’s story to the world, everything on show, and in doing so we’re transported back to 1950s America. Hugo details her escape from poverty and a harsh life into that of Hollywood where beauty is everything. She uses her wits and, in many ways, callousness to get the parts she wants, make the necessary connections and throughout her life; seven husbands. At her side throughout is her best friend Harry, and they’re there for each other along the way with Hugo ending her story in the present. As the biography unfolds to its conclusion, a tragic connection between the two women becomes known.

What I really appreciated in this book is that Reid doesn’t wait till the end for one of the two main ‘plot twists’ to come out. Sorry to spoil anything but after the first third (or there about), the true love of Evelyn’s life becomes known… and they’re a woman. This was great because as the reader we get to experience what it’s like to be a queer person from the 50s to the present. It’s a really heartbreaking portrayal at times, knowing that even with all that fame and money she wasn’t able to be her true self (the same to the other queer characters we come across, especially Harry and Celia who had me). But then there’s some really lovely moments too and throughout you’re wishing and hoping things will go one way but mostly they don’t. I also loved how Hugo grapples with exploring her bi identity, it’s really natural and internally she’s unapologetic but sadly due to the time she’s living in has to hide this part of herself. The characters are very well realised with Hugo being extremely complex. She’s not perfect (none are) by any means but she’s undoubtedly a icon, you really root for her despite the methods she applies to get what she wants but at the end of the day, she did what she did to survive and was only acting in accordance with a male-dominated, misogynistic society that places beauty and whiteness with too high a regard. Despite a later negative, I would say she’s certainly well-written and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

Personally I wasn’t the most keen on the domestic abuse storyline in the book. It was mostly done well but some parts did irk me. I also found the writing to be a little basic, not being the masterpiece I was promised in all honesty. A final note of meh was a certain thing that happens but I won’t expand ~ it’s to do with Harry if you’ve read it.

This book wasn’t the epitome of great literature with there being some parts to be desired but overall it was a very decent read and one I’d be happy to recommend. I also think I’d be giving this a re-read in the future as there’s more to be uncovered and generally it’s an entertaining, fast-paced novel that is deserving of the hype… but there are better books in my opinion. ...more

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Jan 29, 2025 Grace (taylor’s version:) rated it really liked it

Shelves: physical-tbr

beautifully written as always, Taylor Jenkins Reid never fails to create an amazing masterpiece that has me turning pages hour after hour

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Feb 22, 2023 allie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: forever-and-always, mine

second read:
this only gets better

original review:
i think i love this book too much
it was so real
it was heartbreaking
it was squeal worthy
it was the absolute best book i've read in a very long time ...more

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Oct 17, 2021 durga ☆ rated it it was amazing

This was an incredible read - it was vivid, raw, wildly captivating

It touched on glamour, fame, celebrity and the price of it all in a refreshing and singular way. Evelyn was such a force and the nuance of this book made it exemplary.

5/5 stars

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May 13, 2022 simran rated it liked it

2.5/3?

I have two ways to approach this- if you, as a reader, expected more than the synopsis told you, then you are at fault. Because the books gives your EXACTLY what it tells to give you. In that approach, this book would be a 3/5 for sure.
But in general I am not a big fan of this genre, so I guess my personal bias reduces the rating. I also find it hard to read books where they spell okay as OK.
I think, and I am at fault for this like I said, but I expected more of Evelyn's life than just he ...more

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Jun 11, 2022 Hayley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: heart-eyes-22, summer-22

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN SO WELL!!!! I didn’t get the hype about this book when I kept seeing it everywhere but I actually took the chance and bought it!! I’m usually into black and white romance novels but this was amazing! Loved it so much and it definitely deserves the hype.

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Dec 02, 2021 rosa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book is amazing. The story and characters are intricate and multi-layered in a way that I've not found in many other books. Through the telling of Evelyn Hugo's life story, I was taken on a journey through old Hollywood - the good, the bad and the ugly. Harry Cameron, the true blue, has a firm place in my heart, and his story almost broke me. The fantastic writing in this book led to lots of tears and conflicting feelings about Evelyn and many of the people featured in her story.

When I sta ...more

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Nov 09, 2021 Kazzy ♥ rated it it was amazing

Literally one of my favourite books ever read. Scrap that, it IS the best book I’ve ever read. I have never cried so much at a book and been so shocked at the plot twist’s that get introduced. If you love a good sapphic story, one with twists and turns and make you feel extremely emotionally invested,READ THIS!

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May 12, 2022 Aneekah rated it really liked it

Review lost.

My introduction to Taylor Jenkins Reid, who soon becomes one of my favourite authors of all time. I love her writing style, It works so well for contemporary fiction and really just captivates the reader

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Dec 25, 2021 Ana Gonçalves rated it liked it

This book would have been so much more enjoyable if it wasn't for Monique. Wasn't she supposed to be smart and talented? To me she just seemed like the worst journalist ever... ...more

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