The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel
[{'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Unfortunately a great amount of readers were focused only on the sexual preferences of the characters rather than on understanding the entire context of the story. I read this book in one day and I couldn’t put it down from the moment I started reading it. I know the story might be scandalous for some conservative readers but hey, it’s 2021! What were you expecting from a contemporary novel that’s titled “the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo”?\nThe story begins in the 1950’s when a lot of social, sexual and human situations where the cause for discrimination, abuse and also a cause of shame for some of those who lived in that era. It could have been the secret life of grandparents, o parents, aunts, uncles, godmother, godfather or neighbors, anyone! . The worst/saddest part is that 70 years later there’s still people out there hiding their true selves and living a fake life just to protect themselves and their loved ones...\nAnyway, this is my first book from this author and I will be getting more from her. I like her style and loved the entire story from beginning to end.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2019', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-3 review-rating', 'review_body': "For a book with over 56,000 ratings and 9000+ reviews, I'd say my opinion counts for squat. However, my average rating reflects how this book made me feel.\n\nParts were great, parts were boring, overall it was meh. After the forth or fifth? marriage, it was like Groundhog Day.\n\nFor me to be invested in a story, I need to care about at least one of the main characters. That didn't happen in this instance."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Do NOT buy! This is Propaganda at Best! The media spews propaganda in the daily. I don\'t care for my leisure time of reading to have assaults on the "white male", and the Lord\'s name in vain as Printed. If I could put no stars, I would. What a shame and a disgrace. When you are reading a story, you wish to escape. There is no escape from liberal propaganda by the likes of Taylor Jenkins Reed. Do not waste your money.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2019', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-2 review-rating', 'review_body': 'This was not what I was expecting. The writing and storytelling was good and kept me reading to the end but turned out to be a preachy propaganda piece for a certain agenda. If I had known that I would not have purchased the book. If you are a conservative reader, pass this one up.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2019', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': "I read a review of this book that said it was an excellent summer read. I am half way thru and thinking about dumping it. Not very interesting. I guess the fact that the central characters are lesbians and the fictional writer is biracial it's enough to make it edgy and interesting for the author. Pure device. Better to read a bio of Elizabeth Taylor if you want to read about an interesting actress with a multitude of husbands. This book is plain dull."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': "So I don't understand all the rave reviews - it's not even a fun beach read, just another gently left of center story with the correct Ivy League opinions where the lesbians are as attractive as in a Penthouse forum letter, the characters are white inside with beautiful Carmel colored coatings, and you can see the twist coming from M. Knight Shyamalan's porch."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2018', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'You know the saying about potato chips “bet you can’t eat just one!”? Well, don’t eat potato chips while reading this book. For starters potato chip grease gets on the pages, which is a pet peeve of mine. But, more importantly you will not be able to stop reading chapter after chapter and your stomach can’t handle all those chips. This can definitely be a one sitting book read.If you are looking for a book to start your summer off right: this here is your jam!\n\nAs a teenager, Evelyn Hugo knew she wanted bigger and better things than Hell’s Kitchen. Her mom dreamed of Hollywood, and after her death Evelyn would do everything in her power to make her mom’s dream her own. She married her first husband to get her to Hollywood and the next six to keep her there.\n\nYou only knew what she set up to tell you; only a few knew the real Evelyn. At the age of 79 she is ready to tell all and hires an unknown journalist, Monique Grant, to do the telling. Why now? Why Monique? And, what the public wants to know is out of the seven, who was the love of her life? Well that I will not tell you: you need to read the book!\n\nIt was an addicting, brilliantly written story. Author Taylor Jenkins Reid reeled me in: hook, line and sinker. This is the first and certainly not the last book I will read by her.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2017', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "My God, this woman can write!\nIt's all here: scandal, honesty, brutal words, delicate words. Sentences that take your breath away. Definitely not a beach read, but a book with great depth."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2017', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "Taylor Jenkins Reid knocked this one out of the ball park and into the parking lot as far as I'm concerned!! What an amazing, excellent story of an even more exciting, extraordinary, vibrant, woman!!\n\nEvelyn was 14 when she made her way to Hollywood she knew what she wanted and she went after it with all she was worth. She had Grit! She also had Seven Husbands, and one daughter, and one Great Love!!\nYou have to admire a lot about what a woman or women of Evelyns generation went through because they're the ones who were the trail blazers for the stars of today. The women who work in that industry now I hope they thank those women from that Golden Era.\nThe one thing going into this book that did surprise me about Evelyn was how it revolves around her sexuality. I didn't expect this but it was done tastefully I have to say. There was nothing vulgar about how it was written about it, Reid was very tasteful.\nI experienced the full gamut of emotions with this story from joy, tears, frustration, sadness, anger. But its a piece of art in my opinion. Thanks Taylor Jenkins Reid for sharing your talent and heart and soul. I highly recommend this book to adults 21+"}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I’m just coming out and say it here and now – this book deserves ALL the stars. Not only because of Evelyn Hugo herself, but also because of the story, the plotting, and all the emotions it evoked in me. It’s with one word a MASTERPIECE!!!\n\nI don’t think it’s necessary for me to talk about the inner workings of this book. Just let me tell you, that Evelyn Hugo is one of the most intriguing and fascinating characters I’ve read this year.\n\nStrong, ruthless, beautiful, and loving. She deserved an Oscar for her performance.\n\nHer life was incredibly fascinating. And each husband brought her closer to her ultimate goal.\n\nI honestly didn’t know what the book was about when I picked it up. I had no idea where it was going, and that alone, this uniquely different portrait of a Hollywood bombshell, made this book so much more unforgettable.\n\nIt was emotional, heart-breaking at times, touching, and never less than amazing.\n\nI know that I’ll be reading everything this author is releasing from here on out. I’m hooked. Two 5 star books in one year by the same author is all the proof I need.\n\nBRAVO!!!'}]