The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Review by Arabella Petts
Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo is ready to tell her story of her mysterious and glamorous life. But, when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant to write her story, nobody can quite understand why – least of all Monique herself. Regardless, she is determined to use this opportunity to kickstart her career and subsequently becomes intrigued by Evelyn’s career and, of course, the seven husbands along the way.
The novel draws us in with Evelyn’s tale of ambition, friendship and forbidden love, but as we near the end of her story, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s in dire ways, and that her reason for choosing the unknown reporter may be much darker than it first appeared.
With the blurb being fairly vague, this novel could have gone in a number of different directions, but I don’t think any changes could have taken away from Reid’s excellent characterisation. Each individual’s backstory is so strong – as is the way that they all connect with each other – that at several points throughout the novel you find yourself only wishing you could search for them online, watch their films and read articles on their lives.
With the heart-wrenching relationships, a plot twist that you probably won’t see coming and an upcoming television adaptation, I truly believe that this is a book for everyone, no matter your age range or your favourite genre; The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a must-read.
People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd
Review by Lauren Fardoe
In this intensely addictive tale of psychological suspense, Ellery Lloyd raises important questions about technology, social media celebrity and the way we live today.
Emmy appears to be a widely successful “MamaBare” influencer with the ideal life: a doting husband, an adorable pair of children and a million devoted followers. Yet the struggles of parenthood she presents to them are fabricated, a twisted attempt at relatability and a ploy to ensure more brand deals, more followers and more success.
Emmy will say anything and give advice to anyone in an effort to be likeable, and the repercussions of this lead to a vendetta against her, putting her and her family’s lives at risk.
Her husband is cripplingly aware of the risk posed by her chronic oversharing online, as well as her façade of struggle. He is worn down by his wife’s insistent monetising of their family’s life – a subplot which unveils cracks in their marriage. Presented via a split narrative of Emmy and her husband, Dan, the novel takes a turn as a third perspective is introduced, that of the scorned and revengeful follower.
Ellery Lloyd reveals the false intensity of social media and the potential dangers of living online. Examining the unseen, immoral side of influencer culture and the dangers of parenting online, People Like Her explores the frantic need to be seen and the lengths we’ll go to to be liked by strangers.