Author: Taylor Jenkins Reed
Published: 2017
Story: ๐๐๐๐ – 4.5 Stars
Content: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ – 5 Stars
Spice: ๐ฅ๐ฅ – 2 Flames
Overall: โจโจโจโจโจ – 5 Stars
Synopsis
Monique Grant is a low level writer at Vivant magazine writing mostly fluff pieces. Sheโs had some success professionally but nothing majorly noteworthy. Until one day Evelyn Hugo, yes THE Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo, sends a request for Monique to write an article about her. The opportunity of a lifetime that probably is more deserved by someone else but hey – the girl needs this. Sheโs currently getting a divorce & living alone & this is going to be her moment. But Evelyn Hugo always does everything for Evelyn Hugo. Instead of an article Evelyn asks her to risk her job & write her biography. No doubt this will be a best seller but still wondering why me she begins to hear Evelynโs story. And what a story it is. Hollywood life, Big Screen moments, Seven Husbands (SEVEN!!), the greatest best friends & one beautiful love affair. Monique realizes everyone could be a little more like Evelyn & follow your dreams & your heart. But most of all she learns weโre all a little complicated & everyone deserves loves. Everyone.
Break It Down
Story: ๐๐๐๐ – 4.5 Stars
This story took me a bit to get into. I was about halfway through when I really start to get wrapped up in the story. However, once i got there – holy moly. I adored it. Evelyn is a star with a secret & uses every advantage to keep that secret while remaining on top. Loved seeing that humanity in her. I loved that when we were given her perspective it wasnโt just how she was perfect it was all the mistakes too. I cried at the end. It was just wrapped up beautifully & Evelyns story was so tragic & at the same time so beautiful.
Content: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ – 5 Stars
This book is dual POV but not in the way I was expecting. Moniqueโs POV is present tense but when we have Evelynโs POV itโs her in her past. Itโs beautifully written & transitions seamlessly. Wonderful character development. I truly adored some of the side characters. Harry, for instance, had another tragically beautiful story that Iโm so glad we got to be a part of too.
Spice: ๐ฅ๐ฅ – 2 Flames
This book discusses sexuality so in that regard it has some decent spicy scenes but nothing majorly detailed. It discusses sexual acts as they are a tool but also has beautiful making love & pleasure moments. Not very spicy but well done for sure.
Overall: โจโจโจโจโจ – 5 Stars
I was expecting to give this 4 stars until the final 50 pages. Then, I had no choice but to give it 5. It was beautiful. I enjoyed reading about all Evelynโs husbands & how they moved her life forward. Her greatest love story absolutely wrecked me & I loved every moment of it. I also thought TJR did an amazing job with relating Monique to Evelyn & using her as a stepping block for Monique to come to know herself better as well. Truly this book shows us some of the best & some of the worst parts of this world & I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves an epic story.
โDoesnโt it bother you? That your husbands have become such a headline story, so often mentioned they have nearly eclipsed your work & yourself?โ โฆ โNoโ she told me. โBecause they are just husbands. I am Evelyn Hugo.โ
It was SO HARD to write this review without giving away the story. This book was too good for me to spoil. I know there is fan art everywhere of Evelyn & her love but man, this book deserves the full story. You definitely won’t be disappointed. Even my favorite quote (above) is even better when you get the whole quote. Give it a read & comment below on your favorite quote. I have several but this one is so Evelyn.
This was my first book by Taylor Jenkins Reed. I really enjoyed her style of writing. Her characters & story development were a work of art. I will definitely be adding more of her books to my TBR. The girl at my local bookshop recommended Daisy Jones & the Six so I think I’ll try that next. Keep an eye on my review index for reviews of her other work! The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is definitely one of my favorite reads so far this year.