author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
narrators: Alma Cuervo, Julia Whelan, Robin Miles
setting: Hollywood, NY 1950s-present

Book Rating: 5/5
If you could choose between true love or wealth and Hollywood fame…… Hollywood legend tells all. This book has everything: sexy iconic old Hollywood; gimlets and manhattans and cigarettes; mansions and wealth and fame. Think Marilyn Monroe surviving into old age and deciding to spill all of her deepest secrets. There was something raw and real in this book that spoke to me. Evelyn’s strength and vulnerability were palpable at times and there are pure gems of wisdom to stumble over. Multiple times I had to stop reading to reflect. Other times I had to stop to breathe. TJR masterfully gave one raw punch to the gut after another. This book is unflinchingly honest about personal motives and the decisions we make to protect our public image. I highly recommend this novel and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts. Peace, love and happy reading!

Audiobook Rating: 5/5 All three of these ladies are very talented! Julia Whelan is a favorite (she blew me away with The Giver of Stars). The whole book was filled with emotion and enjoyable character definition (when a narrator successfully differentiates characters by voice changes, accents, etc).

Food Rating: 2/5 Food was not a priority in this book. Beverages however, were. I had a blast creating drink inspired appetizers for this book and they include some of my favorite recipes! Check them out here.

Nerdy Fact

Evelyn Hugo is coming to television!!! A show is currently in development and if it goes to a series, the cable network Freeform will air it.

Recipes

Click on the photos below to go to the recipe!

Cape Codder Crostini

I made myself a Cape Codder, sat on the couch, and tune the TV to NBC, watching all my friends and the woman I loved walk the red carpet at the Pantages Theatre.
-Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Chapter 24

Manhattan Cheesecake

“So you’re never going to sleep with me?” Rex said. He was sitting in my living room with one leg casually crossed over the other, drinking a Manhattan. -Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Chapter 31

Dirty Martini Flatbread

And to celebrate our divorce, Rex and I shared a pair of dirty martinis. -Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Chapter 34

Champagne Cupcakes

I found Harry and dragged him into a quiet corner, where the two of us sipped champagne and talked about how wealthy we were going to be. You should know this about the rich: they always want to get richer. -Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,
Chapter 24

The Nerdy Gourmet

Hi friends!! I’m Jenni, The Nerdy Gourmet. I love books and I love food. Combining the two with a splash of travel has become my passion. I am a self taught cook/baker and I believe that everyone can cook from scratch! I’m here with recipes and Nerdy Tips to help along the way.
I review books, mostly ‘read’ via audio, and I create recipes inspired by the story lines. Sometimes if I am deeply moved by a story, I will travel and try my best to experience the book- and bring you along via my blog! I provide all the photographs and content for the Nerdy Gourmet (unless otherwise noted).

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