The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: The Book I Will Recommend Until the End of Time
Every reader has that book.
The one they recommend to strangers in checkout lines. The one they force upon friends with the enthusiasm of a late-night infomercial. The one they bring up in conversations that have absolutely nothing to do with books.
For me, that book is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
At this point, I should probably receive commission.
I don’t know what kind of magic Taylor Jenkins Reid put into those pages, but I have yet to recover. Evelyn Hugo isn’t a character. She’s an experience. She’s old Hollywood glamour, ambition, heartbreak, secrets, and enough emotional damage to keep a therapist employed for years.
And somehow, every time I recommend it, people come back with the same response:
“Why didn’t you warn me?”
I did.
I gave you the title. That was the warning.
Now, let’s discuss Taylor Jenkins Reid—or TJR, as I call her because we’re obviously close friends.
To be clear, we are not.
We have never met.
We do not grab lunch and discuss character development.
She has never called me for feedback on a manuscript.
But in my head? We occasionally meet at a charming little café where she asks my opinion on plot twists and I tell her she’s doing great.
It’s a healthy delusion.
What I do know is that TJR has become my automatic-buy author. The moment she announces a new book, my wallet starts trembling.
I’ve read every single one.
I’ve loved every single one.
And in a shocking turn of events, I’ve even reread a few.
Now, if you know me, you understand the significance of this.
I do not reread books.
Re-reading a book is, for me, the literary equivalent of reheating coffee.
Technically possible.
Deeply unsettling.
Yet somehow Taylor Jenkins Reid has convinced me to do both.
So, in the interest of full transparency, here is my completely subjective, highly scientific ranking of TJR’s books.
My Official Taylor Jenkins Reid Rankings
1. Atmosphere
The newest queen has claimed the throne. I finished this book and immediately wanted to discuss it with everyone I know, including people who had never heard of it. An absolute masterpiece.
2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
A near-perfect novel. If I could erase one book from my memory just to experience it again for the first time, this would be the one.
3. Malibu Rising
Family drama, secrets, beach houses, emotional trauma. Basically catnip for readers.
4. After I Do
Possibly the most underrated TJR book. This one hit me right in the feelings when I wasn’t looking.
5. Daisy Jones & The Six
The audiobook version should honestly come with a warning label because you’ll start believing the band was real.
6. Carrie Soto Is Back
I know almost nothing about tennis. Didn’t matter. I would have followed Carrie Soto into battle.
7. Maybe in Another Life
Sliding doors, alternate timelines, questionable life choices. What’s not to love?
8. One True Loves
Beautiful. Emotional. Also made me ask impossible hypothetical questions I did not appreciate.
9. Forever, Interrupted
A devastating debut that proved TJR could emotionally destroy readers from the very beginning.
10. Evidence of the Affair
Short, sharp, and impossible to put down.
11. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Again
Because honestly, after number ten, I just start over.
Now let’s talk about another MVP in the Taylor Jenkins Reid universe:
Julia Whelan.
Friends, if TJR writes the words, Julia Whelan performs miracles.
I would listen to Julia Whelan narrate tax code updates.
Instruction manuals.
The ingredients list on a cereal box.
She somehow manages to disappear into every story while simultaneously making the story better. Her narration of TJR’s books is the audiobook equivalent of finding the perfect throw blanket, your favorite beverage, and a free afternoon all at the same time.
Chef’s kiss.
Absolute perfection.
So if you’re looking for my all-time, desert-island, never-stop-recommending book, it’s Evelyn Hugo.
And if you’re looking for my all-time favorite author, it’s TJR.
Until further notice, I will continue recommending her books to friends, family, coworkers, random people on the internet, and anyone who accidentally makes eye contact with me in a bookstore.
Consider yourself warned.
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