Prompt: A book everyone seems to have read except you

I had quite a few bestsellers and bookstagram favourites on my TBR pile so I was spoilt for choice for this prompt. Inspired by the lovely bookish folks in my Popsugar book club I ended up going for The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid which was picked as a readalong so it was great to chat about the book along the way.

What it’s about?

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life.

When she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

What I think:

I cannot believe it took me so long to read this book!

It was a fantastic read.

Even is such a complex character. She does some horrible things, is tough and manipulative and yet it is impossible to hate her.

Everything she does has a reason. And often that reason is love.

Each one of her seven husbands teaches Evelyn something. She marries for love, for money, for convenience and for security. Marriage advances her career, nearly ruins her career and saves it.

The novel is so evocative of the golden age of Hollywood where illusion and beauty is valued far greater than honesty and integrity.

As the story emerges, the readerfully empathised with journalist, Monique’s feelings towards her subject. This interview could make her career but she has to make sacrifices for her own success.

I loved both of the main characters and the twists at the end as their stories collide and Evelyn’s reasons for requesting Monique become clear.

There is so much love in this book. Love, friendship, ambition, revenge. This book has it all.

A five star read for me 😀