The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
When aging movie star Evelyn Hugo recruits Monique Grant, an unknown reporter, to write her biography, Monique can't fathom why Evelyn would want her. She is quickly drawn into Evelyn's winding tale, from her rise to stardom, her multiple marriages, and the dramas of her life. Through it all remains the question: why was she chosen for this coveted job?
Evelyn is an enigmatic character--fascinating, confident, and powerful. It's no wonder, since she and her story are based on several of Hollywood's leading ladies. I've been hearing about how excellent this book is for a while, so I decided to squeeze it in, figuring if it was as good as I'd heard, it would be a quick read. It definitely was.
I loved the peek behind the curtain of the careful construction of Evelyn's public life versus her private life. I will never look at another Hollywood story in the same way. This was juicy, smart, and unputdownable.
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Publisher’s Description
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.
Written with Reid’s signature talent for creating “complex, likable characters” (Real Simple), this is a mesmerizing journey through the splendor of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means—and what it costs—to face the truth.