The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (2017) is a dazzling and emotionally charged novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, blending Old Hollywood glamour with a deeply personal exploration of identity, love, and sacrifice. The story follows Evelyn Hugo, a legendary and enigmatic film icon who, at the age of 79, chooses an unknown journalist, Monique Grant, to write her scandalous, no-holds-barred biography. Over a series of interviews, Evelyn unveils the truth behind her seven marriages—revealing secrets about ambition, betrayal, and her forbidden love for actress Celia St. James, which she kept hidden for decades to protect her career.
Reid’s immersive storytelling captures the golden age of Hollywood, from the studio-system era to the tabloid-fueled 1980s, while delving into themes of bisexuality, the cost of fame, and the stories women must hide to survive in a patriarchal world. Evelyn’s voice is magnetic—flawed, fierce, and unapologetically real—making her one of contemporary fiction’s most unforgettable characters.
For similar reads, try Malibu Rising (2021) by Reid for another addictive family saga, or City of Girls (2019) by Elizabeth Gilbert for a glittering, sex-positive historical romp.
Awards & Accolades:
- Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction (2017)
- Named one of the “Best Books of the Year” by NPR, The Washington Post, and BuzzFeed
- A New York Times Bestseller
