“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” is a historical fiction romance novel written by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It follows the story of old Hollywood actress, Evelyn Hugo, who chooses to reveal the story of her life to unknown journalist, Monique Grant. Not just her story—the real story behind her glamorous life and seven marriages.
There are seven sections of the books, each split into titles representing each of her husbands. It begins with “Poor Ernie Diaz,” her first husband, whom she married at 14 years old. Now, you might be thinking, why on earth is a 14 year old girl getting married? Her mother had passed, leaving her with an abusive father and a difficult life as a Cuban-American. She wanted to escape her life in Hell’s Kitchen, so she told him she was 16, and they later moved to Hollywood together. She used this marriage for her own ambitions, which started her life as an actress. Not only did she divorce poor Ernie, but changed her name, her hair, and completely dropped Spanish.
In her new life, she befriended film producer Harry Cameron, and married a second time. While her second husband, Don Adler, was not the greatest marriage of her life, it also helped her learn more about herself. She had truly had feelings for Don, but as she grew to know actress Celia St. James, she realized that she had feelings for her too. This was a pivotal point of her life and a shock to her story. Yet, instead of coming out, she chose to hide her feelings because she feared it would not only ruin the life she built as a Hollywood star, but Celia’s as well.
My personal favorite part of the book is during her marriage with Harry Cameron. In this, they chose to form a lavender marriage with Celia and quarterback John Braverman, Harry’s one love. For once, they actually get to live happily together without worries of others finding out about who they were. Yet of course, it did not last forever.
The ending is shocking. This book is filled with plot twists, and has received a 4.4 rating on Goodreads. I recommend it, especially if you are into romances.
