Taylor Jenkins Reid is a New York Times Bestselling author. She has written 7 books, with three of them making the NYT Bestseller list. One of her novels is currently being adapted for television and her books have been featured in Reese's Book Club.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is Taylor Jenkins Reid's fifth novel, and it has sold over 1 million copies. It follows the life of Evelyn Hugo, which by Evelyn herself recounts to journalist Monique Grant in a unique biographical twist. The novel is told in seven parts, one for each of Evelyn's husbands, however, the book is not just about her husbands. The reader is kept on the edge of their seat with the question that keeps popping up - who is the love of her life? Monique Grant is a low-level journalist who was specially requested by Ms. Hugo herself to do the interview. Monique learns the ins-and-outs of Evelyn's story as the novel progresses, allowing the reader to feel fully immersed into the novel as Evelyn's history pans out. Evelyn takes both the reader and Monique into a journey through time.

Reid's writing style is both accessible and lyrical, leaving the reader constantly wanting more and rarely wanting to put the book down. She utilizes a blend of fiction and real life, with many references to classic Hollywood productions, allowing a glimpse into history. This novel in particular is compelling because there are so many characters coming in and out of Evelyn's life that it feels reflective of real life, and many people can likely see themselves in it. Evelyn is not a perfect person, she makes bad decisions sometimes, which makes her feel all the more realistic, and consequently makes her easier to root for as the main character.

The book dissects the experience of the 1950s Hollywood experience as a woman of colour. It dives into heavier topics, such as racism and homophobia, exploring the true nature of showbiz, but remains lighthearted and fun to read. With the end of the novel comes a plot twist, and despite the information revealed, the novel can be a hit or miss. Many find the twist underwhelming and lacking substance as a result of overexcitement on social media, while others find it a gratifying satisfying conclusion to a mesmerizing but eye-opening story. Our overall rating: 4.5/5.