The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

A reclusive Hollywood icon finally tells her life story to a young journalist in this page-turning novel about ambition, love, and the price of fame.

Evelyn Hugo is a legendary Hollywood actress who has been married seven times and whose personal life has been the subject of speculation for decades. Now in her late seventies and living in seclusion, she finally agrees to tell her story—but only to Monique Grant, a young journalist who has no idea why she's been chosen for this exclusive interview.

As Evelyn recounts her rise from poverty in Hell's Kitchen to Hollywood stardom, Reid creates a compelling portrait of a woman who was willing to do whatever it took to achieve her dreams. Evelyn's story spans several decades of Hollywood history, from the Golden Age of cinema through the more liberated 1980s.

Each of Evelyn's seven marriages serves a different purpose in her carefully orchestrated career. Some are business arrangements designed to protect her image or advance her career, others are attempts at genuine love that are complicated by the demands of fame and the constraints of her era. The novel explores how women in the entertainment industry have historically been forced to choose between personal happiness and professional success.

The framing device of Evelyn's interview with Monique allows Reid to create suspense while exploring themes of storytelling, truth, and the relationship between public image and private reality. As Evelyn's story unfolds, it becomes clear that she has chosen Monique for specific reasons connected to both their pasts.

The novel's portrayal of Old Hollywood is glamorous but never romanticized—Reid shows the industry's exploitation of women, its treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals, and its systemic racism. Evelyn's bisexuality and her long-term relationship with another woman add depth to her character while highlighting the personal costs of maintaining a heterosexual public image.

Reid's prose is engaging and accessible, perfect for the novel's blend of historical fiction and contemporary storytelling. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring countless discussions about celebrity, sexuality, and the stories women tell to protect themselves and the people they love.