Last Updated on November 30, 2023 by Louisa
I can’t say enough positive things about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This book was impossible to put down and I was sad that it was only a standalone novel.
When I had finished reading it, I knew I needed to find some other books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo that would keep me glued to the pages in the same way.
With themes of love and loss, loyalty and betrayal, tragedy, and sacrifice, it’s no wonder it became an instant hit among romance readers, but if you want more similar books, keep reading.
Below I have listed by favorite similar books to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo to read next.
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Quick Answers: Top 3 Picks!
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Our Favourites!
#1 Best Highly Acclaimed Book
The Invisible Life Of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab
- About a young girl who is afraid of dying without leaving a legacy, so she makes a deal with death to live forever
- New York Times Bestselling Author
- Winner of Best Books of the Year by Oprah Magazine
#2 Best in Romance
All The Stars In The Heavens by Adriana Trigiani
- About a young woman trying to make it in 1930s Hollywood
- Includes a love affair between two movie icons
- Historical fiction based on some true events
Summary of The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo
Before I get into the top similar books to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, let’s quickly recap the story so we can be reminded of the themes and plot points that may come up in my similar books.
Evelyn Hugo was a popular name in the movie industry. Now a retired actress, she decides to tell the story of the ups and downs in her career and relationships.
She unravels the truth of her glamorous and scandalous life in her biography. Surprisingly, when choosing the writer to tell her story, she decided on an average, unknown magazine reporter named Monique Grant.
When Evelyn offered her the job to write her story, Monique was stunned. Monique was going through a tough time in her professional life.
Her husband left her in the past, so she lived alone, and her life was not going anywhere. Evelyn has determined to work with Monique on her biography regardless of all these odds.
Monique accepted the offer and used this opportunity to restart her career.
Evelyn summoned Monique to her luxurious apartment. She started explaining how she had gone through ruthless ambition, friendship, and forbidden love. Monique found a connection between her life and Evelyn’s story.
Somehow she felt the pain and suffering Evelyn has undergone in her life.
Related post: Books with a number in the title!
Books Like The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo
Some of the things I love about The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid are the romances, old-time Hollywood setting, and the themes of being true to your heart.
Below you will find 15 carefully picked books with similar themes that I think you will love if you can’t get enough of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
1. All The Stars In The Heavens – Adriana Trigiani
Evelyn Hugo instantly became one of our favorite fictional Hollywood legends. So if you want to read a fictional Hollywood romance based on real Hollywood icons, we suggest All The Stars In The Heavens by Adriana Trigiani.
This story follows Loretta Young, a 21-year-old actress with big dreams. A sister, Alda, leaves her convent on a journey that brings her to Loretta.
She begins working as Loretta’s assistant. Throughout the years, the two navigate through life’s ups and downs together, forming a bond that can never be broken.
Old-time Hollywood fans will love reading about the secret romance between Loretta and a then-married Clark Gable in this book.
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2. Tipping The Velvet – Sarah Waters
Tipping The Velvet by Sarah Waters is an excellent choice for fans looking for an LGBTQ version of The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo and who enjoyed reading about the glamorous lifestyle of Evelyn.
The story follows Kitty Butler who has become a well-known name at the music hall after impersonating a male to get the part she wanted.
Nan King considers herself Kitty’s biggest fan and is determined to meet her idol.
She finally gets the opportunity to meet Kitty and gets a job as her dresser. Before she knows it, Nan also gets the opportunity to be part of a double act with Kitty.
On stage, Kitty and Nan captivate the audience with their singing and dance numbers.
But nobody knows that when the curtains close, a relationship is heating up behind the scenes.
The timeless romance between the characters feels fresh and new in the context of Victorian England. It has coming-of-age elements, proving the appeal of classic love stories.
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3. American Blonde – Jennifer Niven
Want to read more old-time Hollywood books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo? Then I think you will love American Blonde by Jennifer Niven.
This story takes place in 1945. Velva Jean Hart is a war heroine who gets a chance at stardom when she returns to America.
Under the stage name Kit Rogers, she sets her sights on becoming the next big star.
Kit’s journey to fame includes music, romance, and backstabbing. All of these things make for an excellent old-Hollywood book.
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4. Woman Enters Left – Jessica Brockmole
Can’t get enough old-time Hollywood starlet books? Then I suggest grabbing a copy of Woman Enters Left by Jessica Brockmole.
Louise Wilde is an actress in the 1950s. She’s struggling with her marriage and her career isn’t taking off.
Her world suddenly changes when a female Hollywood screenwriter she barely knows dies, and Louise inherits the estate.
As Louise goes through the screenwriter’s belongings, she discovers an old photograph of her mother. Louise wants to know who this woman really is and why she’s connected to their family.
She travels back to the East coast to talk to her father and get some answers.
This story follows tales from all three women and the importance of relationships in their lives. The characters are dynamic, flawed, and relatable, making their journey all the more meaningful.
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5. The Invisible Life Of Addie Larue – V.E. Schwab
I love how The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo tells the story from different points in her life. If you liked the biographical elements, then you will appreciate a book like The Invisible Life Of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab.
In 1714, Addie Larue made an incredible bargain that would completely change her life. Addie can live forever, but everyone she meets will forget her.
These conditions led Addie to live an extraordinary life with no regrets. After all, nobody would remember the moves she made.
However, Addie’s way of life is turned around when 300 years later, she meets a man who remembers her name.
I loved how Addie grew up in this story. It has all the coming-of-age themes of a woman finding herself, which was also one of the things I loved about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
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6. City Of Girls – Elizabeth Gilbert
For more books like The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo that have theatre connotations, I suggest City Of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book will take readers to the theatre scene of the 1940s.
Vivian is sent to live with her aunt Peg in Manhattan. Peg owns a theatre where her niece is introduced to an unconventional group of thespians.
A moment of temptation leads Vivian to make a mistake that ends up in controversy. While this moment could be Vivian’s biggest downfall, it also leads her to the love of her life.
Readers will enjoy the biographical elements of this story, as it’s narrated by an elder Vivian, as she talks about the ups and downs of exploring her sexuality in an era where it wasn’t accepted.
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7. Swans of Fifth Avenue – Melanie Benjamin
I love reading about scandals from old-time high society, which is why I loved Swans Of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin, which I think will also be loved by fans of The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo.
This story takes readers to New York in the 1950s and is inspired by true events. It follows two characters, Truman Capote and Babe Paley, well-known figures in high society at the time.
The two spark up an unexpected affair that leads to betrayal and scandal.
One of the things that makes this novel so interesting is how it exposed the secretive lives of public figures.
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8. A Touch Of Stardust – Kate Alcott
Fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will enjoy A Touch Of Stardust by Kate Alcott. This story takes readers back to the golden era of Hollywood and focuses on two legendary romances.
Julie Crawford leaves her hometown in Indiana to chase her dreams of becoming a Hollywood screenwriter.
She meets an actress from her hometown, Carole Lombard. Carole hires her as an assistant, and Julie sees the real-life romance between Carole and a married Clark Gable.
Throughout this book, Julie gets tangled up in the show as she watches Carole and Clarke’s characters get romantic on-screen and a romance that leads to bad publicity off-screen.
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9. Last Night At The Telegraph Club – Malinda Lo
Do you want to read more old-time-era LGBTQ books like The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo? Then I suggest you pick up a copy of Last Night At The Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo which has similar themes.
Being a Chinese woman in America wasn’t easy in the 1950s. Things are even more difficult for women exploring their sexuality.
Yet, when Lily sees Kathleen outside a lesbian bar called The Telegraph Club, she realizes that some things are worth taking a risk for.
Yet, with her family facing deportation and threats of the Red Scare paranoia, Lily believes this isn’t the right time for love.
The book’s depiction of the struggles of success of a gay, Chinese female in the 50s adds depth and meaning to the story.
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10. Pulp – Robin Talley
If you loved reading Evelyn’s story, I think you’ll have trouble putting Pulp by Robin Talley down. This book has a bit more romance than The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and would best suit a reader who enjoys a novel with a slow burning romance.
Janet is in love with her best friend Marie. But, in 1955, this wasn’t a relationship the two could go public with.
Janet felt alone like nobody else (other than Marie) would understand why she felt this way. That was until she came across a series of romance books, with both leads female.
These books light a fire in Janet. She begins to write her lesbian romance novel.
However, if she publishes this novel, she threatens to expose secrets that Marie isn’t ready to tell.
The romance between the characters is electric, simmering with tension and heat that jumps off the page. It explores themes of prejudice and bravery, and is one book that LGBTQ readers will find relatable and poignant.
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11. Passing Strange – Ellen Klages
Fans of romance from the older eras will enjoy Passing Strange by Ellen Klages. This book brings readers to San Fransisco in the 1940s.
In the 1940s, San Fransisco was a place people from all over the US are fascinated by.
There are so many worlds within this city, making it the perfect place for curious hearts to explore.
Passing Strange follows 6 different women and how their stories interwind with each other.
This book features all of the things that make an older-era story exciting: romance, mystery, scandal, and brilliant artwork.
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12. Plain Bad Heroines – Emily M Danforth
One of my favorite books like The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo is actually a suspense novel.
If you enjoyed Taylor Jenkins Reid’s best-selling novel, then you won’t be able to put Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M Danforth down.
In 1902, two students, Flo and Clara, had a secret romance. They also shared the same favorite author, so the girls had a fan club devoted to her. Their secret meeting spot ended up being the spot where they were murdered.
The school shut down after the murders. However, 100 years later, it re-opens as a crew films a horror movie based on the events.
Before they can begin filming, the past begins to tangle with the present, putting the leading ladies at risk.
The themes of love, betrayal, and ambition will keep readers engaged and invested in the story until the very end.
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13. The Girls In The Picture – Melanie Benjamin
If you enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, then I suggest picking up some of Melanie Benjamin’s books as she has a similar writing style to Taylor Jenkins Reid.
One book I think fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will enjoy is The Girls In The Picture.
This story shows readers how powerful the bond between females can be when they are rooting for each other’s success.
Things weren’t easy for working women in 1914 Hollywood. Nobody knows this better than two superstars of the time, actress Frances and screenwriter Mary.
When the two collaborate on a project, they show the world that females are a powerful force.
The dialogue is sharp and witty, perfectly capturing the snappy, flapper-era vibes of the period.
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14. Daisy Jones and the Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid
If you loved The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo, then it’s a no-brainer that you should pick up some other Taylor Jenkins Reid books.
She is known for writing amazing romance stories of different eras, and one I can’t get enough of is Daisy Jones and the Six.
This is a rockstar romance book that follows a popular rock band in the 1970s, Daisy Jones and the Six.
It’s always been a mystery why this band split up during the peak of their success.
I love how you follow the band’s journey of meeting, creating legendary music together, and ultimately breaking up. It felt raw, authentic and had me hooked on every page.
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15. Malibu Rising – Taylor Jenkins Reid
Another great book by Taylor Jenkins Reid is Malibu Rising. This book brings readers to the early 1980s.
The Riva family has always been in the spotlight. Nina is a supermodel who’s also one of the best female surfers in Malibu.
One of her brothers is a famous surfer, while the other is a well-known photographer. Everyone is fascinated by this family, mainly because they are the kids of superstar musician Mick Riva.
Every family that seems perfect on the outside has secrets behind closed doors. But, one party that becomes out of control is about to bring all their secrets to light.
The book delivers a sweet and satisfying romance against a vibrant, glittering Malibu backdrop.
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Final Words On Books Like The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo
This concludes my list of the best books to read after The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and I hope that it gave you some inspiration.
I’ve included many different styles, plot lines, and romances on this list, but they are all as powerful and emotive as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was.
If you think I’ve missed anything, or you have another book to recommend, let me know in the comments below!
