The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Historical Fiction / Book Club Fiction – Old Hollywood, Queer Romance, Biographical-Style Drama

Book Rating: ⭐9/10

Spicy Rating: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5

Description:
In The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, reclusive Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo finally agrees to tell the true story of her glamorous, scandal-filled life—but only to Monique Grant, a relatively unknown magazine writer who has no idea why she’s been chosen. As Evelyn walks Monique through each of her seven marriages, she reveals the truth behind her rise from poor Cuban girl in Hell’s Kitchen to iconic movie star, the calculated choices she made to survive in a sexist, homophobic industry, and the great love that never fit the public narrative of her life. By the time Evelyn’s confessions are done, Monique has to confront not only who Evelyn really is, but how their lives have secretly been intertwined all along. 

Trope/Mood:
Old Hollywood glamour; faux-biography / interview structure; morally grey heroine; complicated queer love; bisexual main character; found family and found love vs. public image; fame and its cost; slow-burn emotional reveals; secrets and betrayals; very character-driven, nostalgic, and deeply bittersweet with light on-page spice but heavy emotional intensity.