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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
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ARCHIVE - BOTM discussions > The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - February 2023 (Previously read December 2019)

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message 1: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments Our winning group read for December is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Please discuss here and remember to use spoiler tags as needed, as everyone may start at different times and reads at different speeds.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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.


message 2: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (last edited Nov 16, 2019 02:12PM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments I picked up a copy of this one and hope I have time to read it in December. It's a busy month for me, but hopefully I can get to it! Who else will be reading along in December?


Chelsey Keathley-Jones (keathleyc) | 172 comments I hope I get to this. I am behind on my reading challenge so that will be my primary focus, I needed a book set during a holiday so I will deft do the themed book. If I finish my challenge I'm going to read it at the end of the month. If not I will make it my first book of the year and come back with my thoughts.


Diane (owloveread) | 5 comments I’m starting this one today. Thanks for the recommendation.


Chelsey Keathley-Jones (keathleyc) | 172 comments Great Diane! Can't wait to hear your thoughts, this has been on my TBR forever, a lot of my favorite book vlogs and blogs have raved about it but the synopsis doesn't seem like my type of book. I think reading it with you guys will be fun!


Corina | 2768 comments I've managed to read this one beginning of November and have to say it's become one of my favourite reads of the year. The character of Evelyn Hugo felt so real, so unapologetically herself and her life story was a true page turner. Can't wait to read everyone's thoughts! Happy reading!


message 7: by [deleted user] (new)

I read this book months ago. I was excited when I saw the title as if I was reading it again. I hope everyone enjoys it!


Rivka Ooh I just got a free copy of this from my library! Looking forward!!


message 9: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments Corina wrote: "I've managed to read this one beginning of November and have to say it's become one of my favourite reads of the year."

Wow! That's high praise. I put it on my list to read 'if I have time', but I've gotten a lot of feedback from other people saying I should try to prioritize it so I might have to move it up my list.


Corina | 2768 comments Hope you'll enjoyed as much as I did, Kristie!


Rachel (stillchasethewind) | 452 comments I LOVED this book. I cannot wait to read your opinions.


Sharon (sharon_alexandr) | 337 comments I was unsure about reading this, but it ended up being one of my favorite books from last year. So glad I did finally pick it up!

Looking forward to seeing what you all think :)


Stacey Faubion | 3 comments I’m starting the book tonight. Looking forward to it.


message 14: by Lexi (last edited Dec 02, 2019 10:06AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lexi (lexi_liese) | 136 comments I started this last night and it was a mistake! Hahaha I had to be up for work at 5am (which isn't that early for some, but it's early for me), but I just kept want to keep on reading. I haven't read anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid before, but I think I'm about to become a big fan.


message 15: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments lol, Lex! I love and hate when that happens. :)


message 16: by Cynthia (new) - added it

Cynthia | 2 comments Was hoping to get this book on Libby but it’s weeks away still! So I might just end up buying it... 😬


Chelsey Keathley-Jones (keathleyc) | 172 comments I am next in the hold line for this at my library, so hopefully soon!


message 18: by Lexi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lexi (lexi_liese) | 136 comments Reading this has been wonderful, but it has also been heartbreaking. Writing a book has been a dream of mine my entire life, and I have been working on one for a couple months now. When I started The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo I realized that there were some similarities to my book, but the farther I get into the book the more similarities I'm finding. SOOO since I am now deciding I have to scrap my book (tears were shed), I'm going to share what I had and compare it to where I am in this book right now. I am currently on page 127.

(view spoiler)

I guess I'll just have to come up with a better idea next time!


message 19: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments Oh, that's so disappointing, Lex! I'm so sorry. Do you really have to scrap the whole thing? I can't read your spoiler because I haven't gotten around to this book yet, but I will.


message 20: by Lexi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lexi (lexi_liese) | 136 comments Essentially, the major plot-line of the books are identical. I could change it, but I would have to remove the one piece I was most attached to, and it would lose SO much substance, so it's just not worth it.


message 21: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments Oh. That’s such a bummer.


bookswithpaulette | 1470 comments such a great book, I read this earlier in the year and loved it.


Carol (fleter) | 308 comments Just started this. I think it is going to be a fun ride!


Rachel (stillchasethewind) | 452 comments Lex, I think the ideas are different enough. The Seven Husbands reads like a memoir big-time. Your book wouldn't be right?


message 25: by Lexi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lexi (lexi_liese) | 136 comments Rachel wrote: "Lex, I think the ideas are different enough. The Seven Husbands reads like a memoir big-time. Your book wouldn't be right?"

It's hard to explain.. they read very similarly. The amount of time it would take to adjust my vision is just too much. I think my time would be better spent coming up with a different idea.


message 26: by Lexi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lexi (lexi_liese) | 136 comments Just made it to pg. 225!

(view spoiler)


Chelsey Keathley-Jones (keathleyc) | 172 comments I started this last night, I am interested to see where this is going to go. Will post my thoughts and look at your spoilers lex as I catch up with you


Diane (owloveread) | 5 comments I joined and then devoured this just prior to December. SPOILERS may ensue.
I enjoyed Evelyn in the way I recall enjoying Scarlett O’Hara. We’re supposed to admire Melanie - yet Scarlett’s a survivor. She’s full of life and yet ignorant of her own best interests as it emerges- knuckles bloodied in service of those who least appreciate her manipulations. She must control all and so she does.
I then noted other works by the same author- I’ve not yet read Daisy and the Six but it’s been on my In-Line shelf. I went on to Two Loves. It was saccharine to Hugo’s bitter. It too was an - why am I reading this at 4 am - I’m oh so going to regret this tomorrow book.
Afterwards I decided I needed a gritty mystery to cleanse my palate. I’m admittedly least likely to read romance although I’m not without romantic notions in my reading choices which include modern poetry. I love to cook which has elements of sustenance.
I’m looking forward to Daisy and appreciate the opportunity to read Evelyn Hugo. I enjoyed pondering the reader questions as well. Acting. The roles we choose and are chosen for us. How we participate in those roles. When and why are we most authentic? These are at the heart of Evelyn


Stacey Faubion | 3 comments I read Daisy & The Six this summer & just finished 7 Husbands of Hugo. Loved them both but Daisy is my favorite & favorite read of 2019. Enjoy!


Stacey Faubion | 3 comments Lex wrote: "I started this last night and it was a mistake! Hahaha I had to be up for work at 5am (which isn't that early for some, but it's early for me), but I just kept want to keep on reading. I haven't re..."

If you like this- read Daisy & The 6 by Reid. It was my favorite book of 2019.


message 31: by Lexi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lexi (lexi_liese) | 136 comments I finished it over the weekend, but I forgot to post. I really liked the ending, and I thought this was a GREAT read! Thank you, Stacey, for the recommendation, I put that on my TBR.

Here are my thoughts on the end:
(view spoiler)


message 32: by Mary (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mary | 16 comments Really good read with interesting characters. At times I couldn’t put it down.


Carol (fleter) | 308 comments I loved this book. So different....such strong characters that all came to life in such a real way....against the backdrop of the glamour of a Hollywood that isn’t the same any longer. I wanted to meet Evelyn. A great ride.


message 34: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments I am about 1/3 of the way through this one. It started out feeling kind of like The Thirteenth Tale, but once Evelyn's back story started that similarity went away for me.

I'm enjoying it so far and I'm curious to find out (view spoiler)


message 35: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments I finished this one and I really enjoyed it. I didn't love it from the beginning, but got more and more invested in it as it went. I'm glad I decided to give it a try.

(view spoiler)


Chelsey Keathley-Jones (keathleyc) | 172 comments Unfortunately, I traveled out of state to family with this book in tow. I'm about half way through it but I left the book there when I traveled back. Ugh, I was just really getting into it. The beginning was a little iffy for me but it was getting good. She's gonna bring it with her for a visit next week. So I will get to it next month and come back with my thoughts.


message 37: by Lexi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lexi (lexi_liese) | 136 comments Chelsey wrote: "Unfortunately, I traveled out of state to family with this book in tow. I'm about half way through it but I left the book there when I traveled back. Ugh, I was just really getting into it. The beg..."

That's the worst! We grew up five hours away from the rest of our family, and there were a couple times growing up when I left books, and it always seemed to be right after I started really getting into them.


message 38: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments Oh no, Chelsey! I’m glad you’ll at least get get it back soon, but of course it would happen just when it starts to get good. I also thought it started a little slow, but ended up really enjoying it. I look forward to seeing your thoughts when you get it back.


Oakdale | 2 comments I really enjoyed this book. However, the ending was too close to reality for me. I had to say goodbye to one of my dearest friends in September. She had terminal cancer. She fought a valiant fight for 8 and a half years and then decided to medically end her suffering. It was very difficult. If i had known had this book ended I wouldn’t have read it. I went through an entire box of tissues.


message 40: by Lexi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lexi (lexi_liese) | 136 comments Oakdale wrote: "I really enjoyed this book. However, the ending was too close to reality for me. I had to say goodbye to one of my dearest friends in September. She had terminal cancer. She fought a valiant fight ..."

I'm so sorry to hear that. That's too bad that it ended up being too close to reality to truly enjoy. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been. I hope, in time, you're able to heal and feel at peace.


Oakdale | 2 comments Thank you.


Deonna Coe  | 20 comments Finally got it from the library!! Starting this today :)


message 43: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments Deonna wrote: "Finally got it from the library!! Starting this today :)"

Hope you love it!


message 44: by Lexi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lexi (lexi_liese) | 136 comments Deonna wrote: "Finally got it from the library!! Starting this today :)"

Keep us updated! I am still swooning over this!


message 45: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments Our winning group read for February 2023 is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This book was previously read in February 2019. The new discussion begins after this post. Please discuss here and remember to use spoiler tags as needed, as everyone may start at different times and reads at different speeds.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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.


message 46: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments Hi all - I closed the buddy read thread because we had two conversations going for the same book at the same time. If you'd like to read the comments in the buddy thread, you can find them here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... Please note that the thread is locked though, so future discussion should take place here.


message 47: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments I really enjoyed this book. It took me a bit to really get invested in it, but then it was worth it. My very short review can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 48: by nini (new) - rated it 5 stars

nini im currently reading this and something about taylor jenkin reid's writing is so fluid. ive never had a moment where i stopped and read that sentence again cuz i didnt understand. i also love how ICONIC ms maam evelyn hugo is.


message 49: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kristie | 5931 comments Fluid is a great description of the writing, vivi. I completely agree with that.


Surabhi Diwan | 22 comments I am absolutely in awe of the writing style of the book. Like Vivi said, I felt it too. I didn’t have to read a sentence more than once to understand it!
The story, the reason behind the things Evelyn Hugo does, all seems understandable. Reid has actually hypnotised my mind with the story.


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