The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

I finally read the very popular Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid but I seem to be in the minority on this one. Minor spoilers and major rant ahead, be warned before proceeding!

Let’s start with what I liked:
•The newspaper clippings and timeline jumps
•Old Hollywood setting
•The pacing was well done
•Harry Cameron
•Quick read

The things I didn’t like:

•As someone who suffered a miscarriage, I hated that Evelyn faked one for selfish reasons. It’s weak writing to use this as a plot device and made me immediately hate Evelyn. Yes I know not every character will be likable and you can enjoy unlikeable characters but these characters were too unlikeable for me.

•Celia and Evelyn’s relationship-you’re telling me that I’m supposed to ROOT FOR THEM?! They’re both toxic on their own and their relationship is toxic. I was excited for the bi rep but it was so poorly done.

•Celia’s biphobia/bierasure was heartbreaking and shouldn’t be acceptable in a relationship. Not to mention Evelyn exemplifies Bi stereotypes creating further harm to the community. As a Bi woman I was hurt and angry-if this is what representation is to TJR, she can keep it. And going off of this, the lesbian rep isn't great either, making Celia predatory and shaming Evelyn for loving men and not being exclusively in love with women.

•I won’t speak too much at length about this as others have brought it up, but race and Monique’s racial identity were poorly written. Being bisexual does not mean I should understand what it’s like to be biracial as TJR seemed to imply.

I can understand why people like this book and I’m not saying you can’t love it, but I hope you’ll at least acknowledge the problematic stereotypes.