Beta Reader Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I recently revisited The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in audiobook format, and the production quality elevated an already gripping novel to something truly special. Narrated by three different voice actors, the shifting timelines and character perspectives were easy to follow and emotionally distinct, an excellent choice that added clarity and depth to the storytelling.

What struck me most this time around was Evelyn herself. She spends much of the novel trying to convince both the reader and Monique that she’s a villain. And yet, what emerges is a portrait of a deeply complex woman navigating fame, love, and survival in a ruthless industry. Her choices weren’t always morally clean, but they were human. I found myself wondering: Would I have done anything differently in her shoes? Probably not, and that’s the brilliance of Reid’s writing. Evelyn is layered, flawed, unapologetic, and unforgettable.

From start to finish, this was a story that had me completely enrapt. The pacing never lagged, the characters felt real, and the emotional impact lingered long after I finished. Five out of five stars—no notes.