The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

By: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Narrated by: Alma Cuervo, Julia Whelan, Robin Miles

Everyone knows Evelyn Hugo's seven husbands. Nobody knows who she really loved

For decades, Evelyn Hugo was one of Hollywood's most glamorous and mysterious stars. Her beauty, ambition, and scandalous personal life captivated the world. Then she vanished from the spotlight, refusing to explain the choices that made her famous—or the secrets that haunted her.

Now, in her old age, Evelyn is finally ready to tell the truth.

When she unexpectedly chooses an unknown journalist, Monique Grant, to write her life story, neither woman can imagine how deeply their lives are connected.

As Evelyn recounts her extraordinary journey from poverty to stardom, she reveals the truth behind her seven marriages, her ruthless rise through Old Hollywood, and the great love she spent a lifetime hiding.

What begins as the memoir of a Hollywood legend becomes something far more intimate—a story of ambition, sacrifice, identity, heartbreak, and the price of living a life the world was never meant to understand.

Captivating, emotional, and impossible to stop listening to, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a sweeping tale of fame, friendship, forbidden love, and the secrets that shape our lives forever.

Critic reviews

‘Riveting, heart-wrenching, and full of Old Hollywood glamour, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of the most captivating reads of 2017.’

‘A novel of Old Hollywood that's simultaneously gossipy and poignant. Look no further for the glamour, ambition and shocking secrets your beach-blanket sessions demand.’

‘In her mesmerising tale, Taylor Jenkins Reid explores Hollywood’s heyday with a heroine akin to Elizabeth Taylor. Movie icon Evelyn Hugo, now a recluse at 79, unfurls the story of her glamorous life and her scandalous seven marriages.’

‘The epic adventures Evelyn creates over the course of a lifetime will leave every female reader mesmerised. This wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet and her tumultuous Tinseltown journey comes with unexpected twists and the most satisfying of drama.’ PopSugar

‘If you're looking for a book to take on holiday this summer, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has got all the glitz and glamour to make it a perfect beach read — as long as you're prepared to cry off all your sunscreen, because this book gets *emotional*. Each of Evelyn's marriages comes with its own hurt and heartbreak, from infidelity and betrayal to domestic abuse. But running throughout Evelyn's tumultuous life is one great love that will leave you sobbing into the pages.’

‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is more than escapism fiction sweeping its audience back to an era when show biz glamour danced with real-life intrigue, romantic entanglements and perceived impropriety. With memorable characters rivalling any Hollywood blockbuster, Taylor Jenkins Reid marries themes of loyalty, betrayal, friendship and love into a soaring, fast-paced and gripping performance. It leaves readers asking if they are merely role-playing with those they love or being true to an authentic self.’

‘[The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo] is fascinating, emotional and will be hard to put down. For fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, this is her best work yet.’

‘A spellbinding novel about love, glamour and the price of fame.’ (Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author of First Comes Love)

‘In her latest mesmerising tale, Reid transports readers back to Hollywood’s heyday with a heroine in the likes of – but more intriguing than – Elizabeth Taylor, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Katherine Hepburn. Yes, Evelyn Hugo is the glamorous idol you admire, but she’s also the relentless fighter you aspire to be. Her life’s story is heartbreaking, yet beautiful and will keep readers captivated until the very last page.’ (Jamie Blynn, Us Weekly)

‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the total package: the very best of Classic Hollywood intrigue, a delicious twist, and incisive commentary on the wages of stardom, especially for women.’ (Anne Helen Petersen, BuzzFeed culture writer and author of Scandals of Classic Hollywood)

Couldn’t put it down!

I loved this book! So many interesting themes. I was captivated. Very sad it’s finished.

A story of love

This story covers so much - whilst fiction it touches on topics historically relevant and raises awareness on many subjects.
Whilst there was some duller moments overall it was an interesting listen and I took a lot away from it about love, marriage, and soulmates.

Beautiful and insightful

Taylor Jenkins Reid has a rare gift to wrote characters with enormous depth in a very accessible way - sharing loves and lives, time and ( in this case) fame in a touchingly beautiful way - brilliant narration too - thank you all !

I could read it all over again

I adored this story and the intricate way in which it unravels. The relationship between actress and journalist sucks you in, and you become entwined in the threads as each part of the story is brought life in sequence. Emotional, compelling and highly recommended.