Reid Jenkins, Taylor- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo; Relaxed Buddy Read starts March 26, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.



Synopsis
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 in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds through the decades—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Reserved

[Jennifer]

Oh, you guys are lucky to be reading this! I read it last year and couldn't put it down! Enjoy!

[Laura]

Jennifer wrote: "Oh, you guys are lucky to be reading this! I read it last year and couldn't put it down! Enjoy!"

I like that endorsement! Thanks Jennifer, I 'm looking forward to reading this!

[Laura]

I'm reading the hardcopy version and less than 50 pages in ( page 47) and this book is interesting already. I wasn't sure what I thought when I read the synopsis; it isn't a book I would typically read.

(view spoiler)[ Monique is a bit of a mouse isn't she? I 'm intrigued to see when and how she lets her boss know she is writing a book! Looking forward to reading more about Evelyn's life (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

End of page 74
(view spoiler)[
Evelyn's story is actually fascinating. This woman though naive at times when she was younger is tough! To lose her mom at such a young age ..... She did what she had to do to get out of a nasty situation. My heart breaks for her to find out her second husband hit her. I'm sure we will learn that he didn't love her and was only using her to further his own career. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

End of Sub Rosa( Dec 30, 1959)

p140
(view spoiler)[
Don's an asshole!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

page 141- end of book
(view spoiler)[
Loved the book. Evelyn's life was fascinating. It took me until the end of the book to see why Evelyn chose Monique to write her story I was so captivated.
I'm not sure I liked Celia.
5 fabulous Hollywood stars!! (hide spoiler)]
sorry Brooke I didn't wait for you, I really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down!!

[Brooke]

I've made it through the end of Don Adler (roughly to pg. 150)

(view spoiler)[I agree, Laura. Don is an asshole! It seems like most in Hollywood are, it is just that some are more open & honest about it than others.

I think Evelyn is pretty smart. Granted she is describing her life decades after the events, so 20/20 hindsight and years to analyze help, but she is wise and insightful. I look forward to seeing how she gets back to the top after Don's sabotage of her career. (hide spoiler)]

I'm also having a hard time putting it down. It feels like I am reading about real people. The only thing that will stop me from finishing tonight is if I can't keep my eyes open. :)

[Brooke]

I couldn't keep my eyes open. I made it through the Mick Riva and Rex North sections (roughly p. 150-225).

(view spoiler)[It is amazing to me what Evelyn will go through to get to the top and stay there. It makes me wonder about real life Hollywood. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

(view spoiler)[
Real Hollywood must just be crazy. How do you ever figure out who is genuine?
I'm guessing it accounts for the high divorce among Hollywood stars... I suspect they use each other to further their own careers...ie Brad Pitt/Jennifer Aniston/Angelina Jolie
(hide spoiler)]

End of book question
(view spoiler)[
Do you think Evelyn was genuinely happy with any of the husbands? (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

I've read through the Harry Cameron section and should be able to finish this evening.

(view spoiler)[I love Evelyn's relationship with Harry. It has been her best relationship to date, even though it wasn't a conventional marriage. I'm not sure what to think about her and Celia. Evelyn seemed happy enough when with her, but Celia always let jealousy influence her. I have absolutely no experience with an actor, so I can't say for sure how I would feel if my significant other was forced to make out with someone else, but that is part of the job and what they both signed up for. Jealousy is a dangerous emotion rooted in insecurity. I think I agree with you, Laura. I am not a Celia fan.

I really want to know what secret Evelyn is going to reveal about Monique. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Max Girard section
(view spoiler)[Ugh. Harry was my favorite character in the story.

And Max Girard is also an asshole. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

regarding Harry & Celia(view spoiler)[
I also liked Harry; I agree with you even though their relationship wasn't convential the relationship actually seemed to work for the them as well as for the 4 of them.
The scene with Celia making breakfast for Evelyn and displacing Harry from his usual job of doing that was a great example of her being extremely jealous.
Yes, Max was totally an asshole!!
(hide spoiler)]
You may not like Evelyn so much after the reveal to Monique!

[Brooke]

I finished. I really enjoyed it, although some of the dialogue between Evelyn and Celia was a little tiresome.

(view spoiler)[I knew the reveal was going to be about Monique's parents - why else have her write the book? - but Monique's father being the man Harry killed never entered my thoughts, so congrats to the author.

To answer your question, Laura, I think Evelyn was happy in Spain, although we will never know for sure since that time of her life was just skimmed over. I also think she was happy a majority of the time when with Harry, even when Celia wasn't a part of her life. My feeling is that as long as she had someone who paid attention to her, she was fine. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I think you are absolutely right. I also didn't see that it was her (view spoiler)[ father in the car accident with Harry. (hide spoiler)]

Brooke I am so glad that this book was on your reading list. I really enjoyed this one and wouldn't have picked it up myself! Thanks.

[Brooke]

Laura wrote: "Brooke I am so glad that this book was on your reading list. I really enjoyed this one and wouldn't have pick..."

Absolutely! And I have you to thank for Sally Hepworth. I haven't read it yet (still waiting for my copy to come in), but I'm sure I will like it. :-)

[Laura]

Brooke wrote: "Laura wrote: "Brooke I am so glad that this book was on your reading list. I really enjoyed this one and wouldn't have pick..."

Absolutely! And I have you to thank for Sally Hepworth. I haven't re..."

She is a definite must read!