12 Exciting Books Like the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
When I look for books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I look for books set in Old Hollywood, biographical fiction about strong women, and historical fiction that explores women’s issues.
Perhaps it’s no surprise that I was enthralled by Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Evelyn Hugo is the embodiment of luxurious, Old Hollywood style with unexpected twists and turns sprinkled throughout. It’s a narrative that explores what it mean to be a women at the time and showcases just how strong Evelyn was in the face of social pressures.
While Evelyn Hugo may be hard to live up to, I think you will enjoy these books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo below.
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Biographical Fiction Books About Strong Women
Violeta
Author: Isabel Allende
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
One of the Best Books of the Year: Popsugar, Real Simple, Reader’s Digest
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is the story of Violeta, a woman whose life was bookended by two pandemics. An ordinary citizen of South America, her life story swept me away. She goes from wealth to destitution during the Great Depression, experiences numerous marriages, and navigates the dramas of her children and grandchildren. Ultimately, she lives a life rich in passion, loss, and joy.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic Abuse, Drug Abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
How have I never read an Isabel Allende book before? SHOCKING! When the story ended, I felt like I was parting with a dear friend.
Find this book in: Books About Poverty / Books by Female BIPOC Authors / Books with Colors in the Title / Epistolary Novels
Diva
Author: Daisy Goodwin
Year: 2024
Genre: Historical Romance
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Daisy Goodwin has done it again with this incredible biographical fiction about Maria Callas, famed Opera singer, and lover of Aristotle Onassis.
As usual with Daisy Goodwin’s stories, I found myself transfixed by the story of Maria’s life and her relationship with Onassis. It was fascinating to see how their courtship affected her performances and how she grew to become an unstoppable force in an industry ruled by men.
Why Kirsten loves it
I had previously read Gill Paul‘s story Jackie & Maria and thought I might find this book redundant, but I was wrong. They bring two different perspectives that flush out the Maria – Onassis- Jackie O love triangle. #gifted by St. Martins Press
Find this book in: Music Books / Biographical Fiction / New Historical Fiction Books
The Age of Light
Author: Whitney Scharer
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info:
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range:
Plot
This historical fiction novel is about real-life photographer and model, Lee Miller. I had never heard of Miller prior to this book, though I was familiar with her lover, Man Ray.
Why Kirsten loves it
Lee Miller made some life choices that I can’t say I agree with, but I found her to be a strong, feminist woman ahead of her time. This book is a five-star read, but be warned – there are some erotic scenes in the novel.
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction / Best Books of 2019 / Jazz Age Novels / Art Novels
The Other Windsor Girl by Georgie Blalock
I knew a little about Princess Margaret from what I gleaned from
She actually reminded me a lot of Wallace Simpson. She was most definitely a royal rebel. She’s still not my favorite royal but this historical fiction biography helped me understand her life, personality, and pressures. This book about QEII will give you a different perspective on being a royal.
Old Hollywood Books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
The Goddess of Warsaw
Author: Lisa Barr
Year: 2024
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info:
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range:
Plot
The story opens in 2005 with legendary actress Lena Browning, telling her dark, daring past to an actress who wants to star in and direct a biopic about Lena. It then flashes forward to Lena’s time in the Warsaw Ghetto.
There, Bina Blonski as she was known at the time, narrates a story of persistence and sacrifice within the Ghetto walls. Torn between two brothers and with a survival instinct, Bina uses her Arayan looks and skills as an actress to work for the resistance.
Eventually, the story returns to 2005 and post-war Hollywood where we learn how Bina became Lena and how Lena has always continued the fight against those who seek her annihilation.
Trigger Warnings
War, death
Why Kirsten loves it
This is the best story I’ve ever read about the Holocaust because it depicts Jewish people, particularly women, as fierce fighters determined to prove their right to exist. I was inspired and awed by both the writing and the characters.
I laughed, cried, screamed in frustration, and was on the edge of my seat throughout. The tension was so high at times I found myself fidgeting, walking around, and wringing my hands. I’ll be recommending this book for years to come. It’s an absolute must-read. #Gifted
Why Jackie loves it
I love that this story takes place in multiple time periods. Lena is a great character and I loved reading her story. I called Kirsten yelling and needing to know the ending- which she would not spoil for me. At the end of the book, I was yelling with joy.
Find this book in: Books about the Holocaust / World War II Books / Best Historical Fiction Books of 2024 /Ultimate List of Best Historical Fiction Books/ Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Nonlinear Narrative Novels / Old Hollywood Books / Hollywood Novels
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?
Author: Crystal Smith Paul
Year: 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: May 2023 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Upon her death, White silver screen star, Kitty Karr, leaves her entire estate to three young Black women. It results in a lot of questions, which Elise St. John, one of the recipients intends to find the answers to.
As Elise digs into Kitty’s past, she uncovers truths that could unravel Kitty’s legacy, Elise’s career, and the entire Sr. John family.
Trigger Warnings
Rape, Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved this story about Kitty’s past. It starts with how she had to leave her family behind to pass as white, covers her career, and explores the choices she made to keep her secret. It was both thought-provoking and entertaining, making it a perfect pick for ultimate beach reads and also for book clubs.
Find this book in: Old Hollywood Books / Books Like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo / Faux Celebrity Fiction / Hollywood Novels
The Great Pretenders
Author: Laura Kalpakian
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
What a ride!!! I was expecting a light-hearted story about the glamorous world of 1950s Hollywood with Cary Grant, Ginger and Fred, Rock Hudson, and the like. I got them, but this old Hollywood book had meat on its bones. Roxanne is a granddaughter of a movie studio head but she decides to strike out on her own as a Hollywood agent. Upset with her grandfather’s callous treatment of his loyal writers with former communist ties, she begins representing blacklisted writers under pseudonyms.
As if this plotline wasn’t compelling enough, she then begins a deep, meaningful romance with a young black journalist covering the emerging civil rights movement. The author brought to light so many issues of the time in such a thoughtful way.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
I had never considered how the shifting politics of the time would affect the film industry. The glamour of Hollywood was present and the book was overflowing with old movie references, but it was the love and personal growth at the heart of this story that I found most compelling.
Why Jackie loves it
I read this for my real-life book club and I loved it. So did everyone else! Check out our Old Hollywood book club to see pictures from the night!
Find this book in: Old Hollywood Books / Books Like the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo / Best Books of 2019
The Girl in White Gloves
Author: Kerri Maher
Year: 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The storyline is split between Grace’s rise to Hollywood stardom and her future as a settled princess. Kerri Maher brought Grace Kelly to life in this biographical fiction book about her life. I had no idea about her home life struggles, her many romances, or the state of her marriage to Rainer.
Why Kirsten loves it
I adored this royal read about Grace Kelly and had trouble putting it down. The writing was so captivating that I found myself sneaking pages on my Kindle all over town.
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction / Books Like Evelyn Hugo / Books with a color in the Title / Books Like the Crown / Old Hollywood Books
Historical Fiction Books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
The Spectacular: A Novel by Fiona Davis
This book set in New York City in 1956 is about Marion Brooks who decides to audition to become a Radio City Rockette. When tragedy strikes Radio City Music Hall, the city still in turmoil over the inability to catch the “big Apple Bomber.”
Soon, Marion finds herself helping the police with the search along with Peter Griggs, a young doctor who wants to use profiling to catch the criminal. I fell hard for this story, another example of a Fiona Davis book capturing my attention and holding it until the end.
She creates the best characters and weaves a historical fiction tale that feels like it could be true. I learned so much about the Rockettes and now I’m dying to see them perform.
Malibu Rising
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: June 2021 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick,
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Nina Riva is having her annual summer party which is famous for its epic scale and exclusivity. But this year, the party will end with devastation. Nina and her siblings are famous children of one of the biggest rock stars of all time and they each have their secrets. Perfect for a list of books about music, right?
Why Kirsten loves it
I have loved the last two books by Taylor Jenkins Reid so much that I often recommend them to friends for their universal appeal. I had high hopes for this family saga but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
Why Jackie loves it
I enjoyed the book but I felt that it was a little drawn out at times. Still, I loved Nina’s character and her ability to surf puts her on our list of books about women in sports!
Adaptation Information
The same team that adapted Little Fires Everywhere is set to adapt this book to TV for Hulu. Liz Tigelaar will produce it and Amy Talkington will be the writer.
Find this book in: Books Becoming Movies and TV Series / Taylor Jenkins Reid Books in Order / Books like Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo / Novels About Music / Family Sagas / Hollywood Novels
Plot
Jo Piazza has written the PERFECT summer novel, striking a delicious balance between being relaxing enough to enjoy on the beach but thought-provoking enough to discuss with your book club.
I was swept into the story of Sara and her quest to learn about her unexpected inheritance and the possible murder of her great-grandmother, Serafina. To solve the mystery and claim her inheritance, she must travel to the Italian countryside – giving her a break from her recently closed restaurant and her failed marriage.
The dual-timeline narrative focuses on Sara’s quest and Serafina’s life as a woman coming into her own in the 1900s. The stakes are high for both women as they balance staying true to their dreams in the face of society’s oppression of women, especially when it turns dangerous.
Why Kirsten loves it
I could go on and on about this one. The vivid imagery that Jo paints with her writing had me picturing the town, tasting the food, and smelling the Sicilian soil. I SWEAR, at one point I touched my chin to see if the oil from the meal she was writing about was dripping down my face.
It’s a multi-genre, multigenerational masterpiece of a beach read. #gifted by Dutton Books
Why Jackie loves it
I could not put this book down. The characters and the plot compelled me to keep reading, the descriptions of the people and the places made me feel like I was actually there. The fact that some of this is based in a true story is just a cherry on top of this sundae!
Find this book in: Beach Read 2024 / Books Set in Italy / Family Drama / Best Historical Fiction of 2024 / Best Mystery Books 2024 / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Giftable Books
Plot
The Bushes are modern-day American royalty. This story, while heavily fictionalized, is based on the life of Laura Bush. It covers her young life, meeting her husband and his illustrious family, and also his presidency.
I didn’t know much about the Bush dynasty prior to reading this and while I realize it is political fiction, it gave me some good insight into the political world of America.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is such an interesting and well-written book. It gave me such insight into a different world.
Find this book in: Fiction Books About Women in Politics
Have you read any of these Old Hollywood books?
How to Host a Glamorous Old Hollywood Book Club
If you love this list of books like Evelyn Hugo, check out the guide to creating the perfect book club.
Just the main book for this email – The 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I loved it.