The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

 

Summary (from the publisher): 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.

Review: Monique Grant is a relatively unknown magazine reporter dealing with the fallout in her personal life when she is stunned to learn that aging and notoriously private Hollywood royalty Evelyn Hugo has requested to meet with her. At long last, Evelyn has decided to tell her life story and wants Monique to write her biography. Over multiple visits to Evelyn's apartment, Monique listens to Evelyn's story from her introduction to acting in the 1950s through her retirement in the 1980s. And finally, Evelyn reveals the stories behind her seven husbands. But as Evelyn's story unfolds, why she chose to reach out to Monique in particular becomes clear, revealing a tragic intersection in their lives. 

This book captured life in old Hollywood, as well as the scrutiny famous stars face. Evelyn was magnetic and her storyline was fascinating to follow. Despite being in the public eye, much of Evelyn's life is lived in the shadows. Her career is devoted to hiding the fact that she was Cuban and that she is bisexual. There's a lot to unpack there, but as Evelyn herself argues, in her day and age it would have killed her career to be seen openly in a relationship with a woman and so she chose to keep that part of her life private. Monique as a character was far less memorable and merely served as the frame story to explain why Evelyn was narrating her life. There was next to none character development for her or her storyline. In short, Evelyn steals the show. 

I listened to this on audible and was so drawn into Evelyn's life story that I looked forward to doing chores when I could keep listening. Her glamor, beauty, and many relationships as well as her secrets that are slowly revealed over the course of the book truly made the book. Reid has captured the glamor and allure of old Hollywood in creating the beautiful  and beguiling Evelyn Hugo. 

Stars: 4