The Seven Husbands of Eleanor Hugo

Synopsis: Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. but when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story, from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950’s, to her decision to leave show business in the 1980’s, and of course, the seven husbands along the way.

Review: This was a pleasant, entertaining book, which surprised me in some ways. Our leading lady was born Evelyn Herrera in New York City. She trades her virginity for a ride to Hollywood, changes her name, and climbs the rungs of the entertainment industry one husband at a time until she hits Oscar gold. Eleanor is a determined, and complicated character. She’s unapologetically ambitious, but not without remorse for certain decisions in her life. I thought the plot line involving Monique as her biographer was a little distracting and not really necessary to the story, so I wish she had edited this a bit differently. I definitely got the Elizabeth Taylor, glamour of old Hollywood vibe, and that was fun. I don’t think this is a novel that is necessarily breaking new ground, but it wasn’t completely predictable either, so points for that!

“People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare, and their response is ‘you’re safe with me’—that’s intimacy.”

Rating: 4/5

Recipe: I imagine Eleanor went to many many cocktail parties in her day, and what 1950’s hostess wouldn’t serve cocktail meatballs? I’m not embarrassed to admit I love these vintage classics! You could make your own meatballs, but I would probably opt for the time saving bag of frozen ones. A guaranteed hit to accompany your gimlets and martinis. Combine a 2 pound bag of frozen meatballs, 1 cup grape jelly and 12 ounces Heinz chili sauce and heat in a slow cooker for 3-4 hours. How easy is that? Parsley to garnish is nice