Why 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' is My Favorite Book (BR)

     Happy Sunday! Today, we will be starting my first book review. As you can see from the title, I'm going to talk about The Seven Husbands on Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid. AKA, my favorite book ever. I will keep this spoiler-free!! Although, I will say that makes it mega-difficult for me to express how amazing this book is, maybe I will make a book review on this book with spoilers...

Plot

    The book revolves around two main subjects, Evelyn Hugo and Monique Grant. Monique is given the opportunity to interview Evelyn, who is aging and wants to reveal all her Hollywood secrets. The strange thing about this situation is Monique is quite mediocre, neither she nor anyone else in the company can understand how Hollywood's most iconic actress wants this ordinary girl with ordinary credentials to be running Hugo's first and final interview.

Review

    The reason this book is so amazing is how beautifully it is written. Each segment of the book is about Evelyn's life with one of her seven husbands. The book deals with some sensitive topics such as abusive relationships and sexual assault, so please be wary of the triggers in the book. I read this book while I was on vacation in Chicago, and that is saying something. 

    I should mention the thinking that this book brings you, far after the last page. I should know, considering I read this book almost a year ago and I still think about it constantly. The book brings you to a moral dilemma, who's in the right and who's in the wrong? On the surface, the answer seems so obvious, but after further thinking, the black and white line starts to grey. Some people may think that Evelyn's actions are justified and she wanted to protect those she cared about, others may say she was a selfish person with no regard for anyone except her own success. I think a good book is one that is able to leave the reader's thinking and balancing off of different perspectives.

    This book tackles issues such as race and sexism. The main message I got from it is that when we are trying so hard to fit into what society wants from us, we lose sight of what's important, and when the fog clears up, it is already too late. There are also beautiful depictions of genuine friendships and relationships that seem to express how even throughout the worst times in your life, there will be people there for you who are there to listen and offer support. The talent Reid has is incredible.

    Overall, this book was absolutely phenomenal, there are so many emotions the reader goes through and you become so immersed it is impossible to not feel them all wholeheartedly. Not to mention, the cover is gorgeous and I felt proud to be holding it around in public. This was the first novel I've read by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but it will certainly not be the last, as this book was the gateway to me, in 2021, reading even more books.

RATING: 5/5

"I'm under absolutely no obligation to make sense to you."

                            - Taylor Jenkins Reid (The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo)