Your Perfect Beach Read Just Needs One Thing… Seven Marriages

July 14 2017
Share Your Perfect Beach Read Just Needs One Thing… Seven Marriages

THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO by Taylor Jenkins Reid is the perfect summer read. From the charming characters to its intriguing hook, the novel is a delightful, intelligent story of two women coming to terms with the choices they’ve made to get what they want. It’s engaging and light enough to throw into your beach bag, but also smart and fast-paced. A delicious combo. I could not put this book down, and I’m already ready for the movie.

Evelyn Hugo herself is a mysterious figure. A classic film star who disappeared from public life years ago, Evelyn has been a recluse for decades. There’s been tabloid coverage and countless movies, but no one knows her real story. That is until Evelyn summons a young journalist to listen and report the truth. Monique is confused why she was chosen as the journalist but is going to milk this story for all it’s worth. After all, a career-making move like this only comes once in a lifetime.

This book has a fun pop culture angle; Evelyn’s story reminded me of how the tabloids obsessively follow Taylor Swift. My bosses immediately thought of Elizabeth Taylor and Rita Hayworth. That’s what makes this book so fun. Evelyn is the type of star that any generation can relate to.

As Monique listens to Evelyn’s story, it becomes very clear why Evelyn has remained secretive for so long. The price she paid for stardom wasn’t cheap. A story of pain, longing, secrets, and heartbreak lies in her wake, and Monique soon finds herself, like so many before her, enamored by the aging actress.

Managing seven husbands in one book may seem excessive, but Taylor Jenkins Reid does a fantastic job of keeping each marriage fresh, relevant, and entertaining. Every husband is anchored by one thing—Evelyn Hugo. Reid is juggling many elements with her story, and as the novel progresses, readers soon realize that Reid has masterly crafted two overarching, lingering questions at the heart of it all: Who was the one true love of Evelyn’s life, and Why is Monique here?

I guarantee two things will happen when you finish this book. First, you’re going to google Evelyn Hugo. Two, you’re going be fighting with your book club over who will be cast to play her.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Taylor Jenkins Reid

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo Bookshop logo

MENTIONED IN:

Summer Reading Recommendations from Off the Shelf

By Off the Shelf Staff | June 21, 2018

6 Favorite Books New in Paperback This May

By Meagan Harris | May 21, 2018

Enter for a Chance to Win a Year’s Worth of Book Club Books

By Off the Shelf Staff | January 16, 2018

Readers’ Choice: October’s 10 Most Shelved Books on Off the Shelf

By Off the Shelf Staff | October 27, 2017

Join Our Book Club and You Could Win 14 of Our Favorite Reads

By Something to Read About | September 5, 2017

Your Perfect Beach Read Just Needs One Thing… Seven Marriages

By Will Rhino | July 14, 2017

Close

You must be logged in to add books to your shelf.

Please log in or sign up now.