Reviews with content warning for Pregnancy - Los siete maridos de Evelyn Hugo

Perhaps a beautiful read, if only you are willing to only concentrate on the story and not at all the at-large implications that come with its setting.

Taylor Jenkins Reid seemingly starts this book with a single focus in mind – to tell a challenging story of a latina woman navigating the complex ups and downs of Golden Age Hollywood. Its mystical charm is promised to be destroyed early on when we meet Evelyn Herrera and her tramatising past – a mother that passed away and her abusive husband, the marriage of convenience for which she trades what the patriarchal society holds most dear above a woman's head.

And I could have – and should have – believed the author, should I not come along to the realisation that she does no more and no less than write from priviledge and misunderstanding. From beginning to end, Evelyn is presented as an oversexualised (even through the eyes of her so-called true love) latina woman, who can only rely on her body to propell her forward. Of course there is a – white – more talented actress out there, in spite of her efforts. Of course men lust for her, the idea of her, but only one – gay – man sees her for how she truly is. Of course her herritage must be sacrificed – out of ambition, and hardly ever a trace of regret is seen through her youth.

The book sets us up for most of its length to believe that Evelyn regrets whitewashing herself. Only, the poor twist we see through Monique's eyes reveals that Spoilerit was not her internalized racism, healed during present time, that caused her to choose a woman of colour to tell her story. Not at all. In fact, we find out that it had been the personal connection primarily that made Evelyn choose Monique and her talent only secondary.

Maybe TJR forgot, herself, through the book that Evelyn was not white and, therefore, only edited in the few other scenes we have of latino representation. Her maid, Maria, who is in no way any better than a racist stereotype from a 2000s romcom. SpoilerWithout apparent reason, Maria leaks information about Evelyn's marriage to Don Adler and, overall, is a plot pivot that feeds into yet another stereotype.

And the other person of colour you meet in this book? SpoilerA gay man that stays unnamed until the every end – for a cheap plot twist –, who dies within 2 pages of being introduced.

And, at long last, the reason I have picked this book up to begin with – the promised relationship between Evelyn Hugo and Celia St. James. Whatever allyship I had been promised by the TikToks that drowned my FYP for months had disappeared as soon as Celia made her first Spoilerbiphobic remark and, instead of apologizing for it, she drives it home a second and a third time.

It's unclear to me why Celia had been the love of Evelyn's life – on top of seemingly only sexualising her girlfriend, Celia frequently acts in her insecurity and making the biphobia in the lesbian community all the more obvious to the reader. Thanks, I've got plenty of that in real life! Evelyn remains not straight enough – Spoilerand I'm hereby overlooking the d-slur being dropped several times –, nor gay enough to the end of the book.

This book has bad representation and, around rounded edges, bad writing too – but it feeds into our desire to hear of the unturned pages of Hollywood and celebrities, which makes me understand why this book is as popular as it is.

Lastly, one note regarding continuity: I'm not sure how the in-universe gossip newspaper manages Spoilerto find out about Ernie Diaz, Evelyn's first husband and why that was not a bigger blow to her career. Somewhere between Don and Harry we jump a number up in husbands. Why? I didn't see any explanation!

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belou's review against another edition

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emotional reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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bremcfarland's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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hayleycorrigan's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

There isn’t enough stars for this book I LOVED IT, the only thing I didn’t like was (without giving spoilers) was how Evelyn knew Monique- IYKYK
slow burner at first, but once you get passed chapter one, it’s amazing, I can see the hype! I would recommend

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rubberrosebooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Outstanding. Best book I've read in my entire life. From beginning to end, I was captivated. My god, this was just incredible.

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