The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Book Review & Club Guide

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Cover of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo book by Taylor Jenkins Reid, featuring a glamorous woman in an emerald green gown against a dark background

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a captivating novel that seems like a natural fit for any book club—but once you sit down to plan your meeting, you might run into a familiar problem: where to begin. Despite its popularity and book club-friendly appeal, this earlier novel from Taylor Jenkins Reid doesn’t come with the same robust materials or discussion resources as her later books do.

If you’re feeling a little short on guidance, you’re not alone—and that’s exactly why this content exists. Whether you’re planning your first Evelyn Hugo book club meeting or revisiting it ahead of the upcoming film adaptation, we’ve got you covered. From a personal review and book summary to discussion tips, hosting inspiration, and even a guide, this post helps fill in the gaps and brings a little extra sparkle to your club’s experience.

After all, a book as bold and unforgettable as Evelyn Hugo deserves a meeting to match.

THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO BOOK SUMMARY & STATS

SUMMARY

At the heart of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the glamorous yet deeply private life of Old Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo. Now in her late seventies and reclusive, Evelyn decides it’s finally time to tell the true story behind her rise to fame, her scandalous love life, and—yes—all seven of her husbands. She handpicks Monique Grant, an unknown journalist, for the job, setting the stage for a sweeping narrative full of ambition, sacrifice, and forbidden love.

As Evelyn recounts her life with candid honesty, we’re taken through a dazzling yet emotionally charged journey from 1950s Tinseltown to the present day. What begins as a celebrity tell-all slowly unfolds into something more intimate and profound, as both Evelyn and Monique confront the truths that define who they are and the choices they’ve made.

This novel is as much about love, identity, and power as it is about the stories we choose to tell—and the ones we keep hidden.

STATS

Title	The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Author	Taylor Jenkins Reid
Book Club(s)	N/A
Publication Date/Year	June 13, 2017
Page Count	389
Genre(s)	Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, LGBT, Contemporary
Setting	California (United States), New York (United States), France
Goodreads Rating	4.40
Audience	Adult
Series	No; Reidverse
Translator	N/A
Awards	0; multiple nominations

THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO BOOK RATING & REVIEW

RATING

BCR Rating	4
Availability	4
Format	4
Length	4
Diversity	3
Bechdel Test	Pass
Page Turner	Yes

THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO BOOK REVIEW

Somehow, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo hasn’t been a pick among the best book clubs. However, I did choose it for our book club several years ago, and I remember the experience of reading it fondly and regularly refer to and recommend it. This book is still very popular. Heads up, if you prefer to borrow from the library to be prepared for a wait.

This was the first Taylor Jenkins Reid novel I read, and it also marked the start of what has since become a recurring author for our group. Many of us have gone on to read several more of her books together—some connected to what’s now known as the “Reidverse,” and others that stand on their own. But Evelyn Hugo was the beginning.

I read it on Kindle in just six days. It’s a true page-turner—elegantly written, compulsively readable, and emotionally resonant. Evelyn’s unapologetic voice and the intrigue of her life kept me hooked from the first page to the last. The story has that sweeping, old-Hollywood drama feel but also manages to reflect on love, identity, and sacrifice in a way that feels surprisingly modern.

It left a lasting impression. I’m looking forward to revisiting it—hopefully when the long-awaited movie adaptation finally comes to screen (it’s been in development since 2022!).

Whether you’re reading it for the first time or returning for another round, Evelyn Hugo’s story is as bold and unforgettable.

THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO BOOK CLUB RESOURCES

BCR RECOMMENDATION

I wholeheartedly recommend The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo for all book clubs. It’s a book that delivers drama, glamour, and emotional depth. It’s one of those rare novels that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has been embraced by several major book clubs. Reese’s Book Club and Read with Jenna have both featured other titles from the “Reidverse.” But not this one yet. Evelyn Hugo fits right into their space, with its themes of womanhood, ambition, identity, and the complexities of love. It even carries the kind of bold, feminist lens that I imagine Our Shared Shelf or Between Two Books (Florence Welch’s club) would appreciate.

With a film adaptation still in development since 2022, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these bigger clubs picks it up ahead of the release. And if they don’t, your book club definitely should.

It’s a captivating story that’s sure to leave your group with plenty to talk about—and if nothing else, it’s a read you won’t soon forget.

THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO BOOK DISCUSSION

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo makes for a fun group discussion in so many ways. Whether you’re diving into the layered themes of identity, ambition, and forbidden love—or just debating which of Evelyn’s seven husbands was the worst (or most misunderstood)—there’s no shortage of conversation starters here.

If you’re looking for structured prompts, there’s a reading group guide available on the publisher’s website. (The author’s site links directly to it.) Since this was Taylor Jenkins Reid’s first novel in what would become the Reidverse, it didn’t get the full book club treatment that later hits like Daisy Jones & The Six and Malibu Rising did. Maybe that will change, especially with the movie adaptation still in the works.

I honestly don’t remember if I used a formal guide the first time around, but I do remember choosing a local, sleek, retro diner for a brunch meeting for our book club. It felt just right—on theme with the old Hollywood glamor Evelyn embodied.

And when that long-awaited film finally premieres, I’m hoping to host a viewing party for our club. I picture an Old Hollywood dress-up night, maybe with a vintage, A-Line dress, red lipstick, and Chanel No. 5, along with a chilled white Bordeaux or a rich claret to toast with.

If you don’t have a copy of the book with the discussion guide in the back—or the time to print the one from the publisher’s site—feel free to grab our Group Discussion Guide. It’s full of simple prompts to get the conversation flowing.

However you choose to gather, Evelyn Hugo is a book that brings out strong opinions, heartfelt reactions, and plenty of excitement. Just like the woman herself.