The first few opening chapters of this book, looks like something out of a crime series.
Spoiler Alert
When Evelyn Hugo, a sensational breathtaking actress and powerful movie star, who has married over seven husbands, and refused to share any tiny personal detail of her life, requests for an interview, supposedly to share intimate details about herself and her plans to auction most of her best wears, to raise money for a breast cancer initiative, you can only assume that 'Vivant', the magazine outlet she chose, would send only the best of the best.
Things take a surprising and sharp turn, when Evelyn Hugo specifically requests Monique Grant, a low level writer at Vivant to interview her, and not some top shot at the magazine.
Everyone is surprised, I'm not. I'm more likely intrigued, and curious to know what the connection with Monique Grant is.
In those crime series, the criminal usually has a connection, at the end with whatever agent he chose.
Would that be the same with Evelyn Hugo?
Would she satisfy my curiosity, on why she finally decides to share intimate details of her life, but only request for an 'agent' that is so below on the corporate ladder?
I felt so many things at once when I started reading this novel.
It definitely kept me at the edge of my seat at the first part, and I was curious to know if my expectations at expecting mind blowing, sensational revelations, from both the author, and Evelyn Hugo, was too high and needed to be minimalized.
Also, when I discovered that Evelyn didn't just want a shallow interview, to discuss clothes, and auction and many tiny intimate details of her life, a tiny part of me, had just the slightest bit of hope that this author was about to take me on what I would call a 'suspenseful joy ride' .
There is more, Evelyn Hugo, wants specifically Monique Grant to write a book on every thing; the good, the bad, as well as the ugly of her life.
The only downside, Vivant magazine would definitely have no association with it, and Evelyn Hugo, might be dying before the book about her came out.
Evelyn Hugo has gone through it all. From rags to riches, scandals, heartbreak, basking in glitz and glamour, and never being able to show the world the one she truly loved, because their love was so forbidden it could ruin them both.
Born in 'Hell's Kitchen', to an abusive father and a 'dreamy, reach for the stars' mother, Evelyn Hugo knew instantly that she didn't belong there, and had to get out.
Evelyn's mother dreamt of someday being famous and sipping cocktails in luxury apartments with her daughter, but fate is cruel to her, and she dies without ever being able to do anything for herself.
Evelyn Herrera turned Hugo decides to do something for herself and become the star her mother could have been.
She begins a risky, daring journey to becoming a star.
When she is discovered while serving as a waitress by a top shot movie executive, Evelyn knows she will do anything and everything to not only get out of 'Hells Kitchen', but also become the most sought after actress.
It doesn't help that nature has blessed Evelyn with the most exquisite of looks.One enough to turn heads without her even trying.
Her first husband is Don Adler. The way Evelyn sees it, she had loved Don. But it seemed more like a marriage of convenience than one of love, asides the little presence of intimacy and sexual moments between them.
Don uses Evelyn to boost his image, and Evelyn uses Don to make sure her movies are a hit.
They are the power celebrity couple for a while, until Don begins to abuse her.
Their marriage hits the rocks, and there goes the end of Evelyn Hugo's marriage and the beginning of an unending strings of husband.
Bound by the confines of popularity, and the need to stay popular, Evelyn Hugo does anything and everything, including marrying terrible husbands, and pawning off her body.
But, everything is not always as it seems, because even though Evelyn has married over seven men, and has even borne a child for one, Cameron Harry, her best friend, the love is Evelyn's life as a woman.
Now, I want to mention that this story is written so beautifully.
If I didn't convince myself that it was a work of fiction, I might have been led to believe that Evelyn Hugo was a real person, and she was writing her own autobiography.
I shared in every single marriage, relationship, choice and decision that Evelyn Hugo ever made.
When she was abused by any of her husband's, I felt the hurt.
When she pawned off her body, I felt rage.
When she lost her best friend and the love of her life, I shared in her hurt.
And when she lost her daughter, I felt the same amount of raw grief Evelyn would have felt if she was a real person.
The story is captivating, unique and raw.
It makes you wonder if it is what you really make it out to be, if your favorite celebrities and their marriages are similar to Evelyn in any way.
There has been criticisms on why the author made the whole of Evelyn's romantic relationship center on Celia, seeing that their love was something that was forbidden at that time.
However, I would say, it wouldn't be possible to know Evelyn Hugo without knowing Celia James.
The way I see it, every single relationship Evelyn made concerning her life and her career, was always almost directly or indirectly linked to the love of her life.
There are various parts of this novel, that I have left out of this review, because they were not only too intimate, but because I feel it would be so wrong to not allow you experience that intimacy as a reader the first time you pick up 'The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo's
Were there any favorite characters? None. But I definitely had an admiration for Evelyn Hugo.
Picking up the pieces of your life and making something grand out of it, is something that cannot be easily done, particularly when you have to be touched in ways you do not approve.
I also loved Harry and Celia. But not as deeply as I admired Evelyn 'Herrera' Hugo.
The author has done an amazing work on this plot.
I felt such a strong pull towards all the characters, and was left in equal amazement at what celebrities have to go through behind closed doors.
The element of curiosity and suspense, is surprisingly delivered in the right way, as sooner rather than later after her confession, we get to see exactly why Evelyn Hugo picks Monique Grant to write her biography on her behalf.
Did I mention that Monique Grant was also on the brink of divorcing her husband when Evelyn picked her?
Could that have been the reason?
Picking a fellow divorcee? Or is it something far bigger than what Monique Grant would have imagined?
Well you'll have to leaf through the pages of this novel to find out.
I wouldn't say I recommend this book, but I'll say I need you to read it.
It doesn't change anything in you for sure, but you begin to see things in a different way and maybe even make decisions from a different perspective, particularly when it concerns you or how you'll eventually turn out.
