If you've read my About Me page or my review of this incredible novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, you'll already know how much I adore it.

I recently heard that The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is being made into a film, and I honestly couldn't be more excited!

To celebrate the news, I thought I'd share my 10 favourite quotes from one of my favourite books ever.

⚠️ Warning: Major Spoilers Ahead!

If you haven't read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo yet, this article contains major spoilers from the entire novel.

You've been warned!

10

"I can't speak for all people who have been hit by someone they love, but I can tell you that forgiveness is different from absolution." — Evelyn Hugo

When you forgive someone, it doesn't mean the hurt never happened. It simply means you've chosen to move forward.

Evelyn says this after meeting Don Adler for the first time since their divorce. Don was the first man she truly loved, but their marriage became abusive, and eventually ended after his violence and infidelity.

Years later, they meet again while filming a movie. Don is sober, deeply apologetic and clearly a changed man.

Evelyn wasn't obligated to forgive him—but she chose to, partly because they had to work together.

What I love most about this quote is that Evelyn makes it clear that forgiving someone doesn't erase what they did. Forgiveness isn't the same as pretending it never happened.

I think that's an incredibly powerful message. Forgiveness is complicated, and this quote reminds us that it isn't always black and white.

9

"No… because they are just husbands. I am Evelyn Hugo. And anyways, I think once people know the truth, they will be much more interested in my wife." — Evelyn Hugo

This quote sums up the entire novel.

Everyone is fascinated by Evelyn's seven husbands, but that's never really what her story is about.

It's about her.

It's about her telling the truth at last and revealing that the greatest love of her life was Celia St. James.

8

"I'm bisexual. Don't ignore half of me so that you can fit me into a box." — Evelyn Hugo

This quote is one of the most important in the entire book.

Evelyn refuses to let other people define who she is.

She loves Celia completely, but that doesn't erase the fact that she's bisexual. The novel celebrates love, identity and acceptance during a time when being openly LGBTQ+ could destroy a career—or even a life.

I think it's a beautiful reminder that nobody should ever have to hide who they are.

7

"Say to them, 'Evelyn Hugo just wants to go home. It's time for her to be with her daughter, and her lover, and her best friend, and her mother.' Tell them Evelyn Hugo says goodbye." — Evelyn Hugo

This is one of the saddest moments in the book.

Every time I read it, it brings tears to my eyes.

Despite all of Evelyn's flaws, she experiences so much heartbreak throughout her life—abuse, grief, loss and loneliness.

By the end, it finally feels like she's ready to rest and be reunited with the people she loved most.

It's heartbreaking, but strangely comforting too.

6

"The devastating luxury of panic overtook me. And it has never left." — Evelyn Hugo

This line is devastating.

Evelyn describes that moment after someone dies—when everything that needed to be done has been done, and suddenly you're left alone with your thoughts.

That's when the panic arrives.

The first time we experience this is after Harry Cameron dies, but the feeling returns each time Evelyn loses someone she loves.

It's such a simple sentence, but it says so much.

5

"Which is just about the cruellest thing you can do to someone you love. Give them just enough good to make them stick through a hell of a lot of bad." — Evelyn Hugo

I think about this quote a lot.

Evelyn constantly feels she has to hide her relationship with Celia.

She makes decisions that hurt the person she loves, believing it's the only way to protect them both. But every time she hurts Celia, she also gives her just enough hope to stay.

It's heartbreaking because you know they truly love each other, but love alone isn't always enough.

4

"I spent half my time loving her, and the other half hiding how much I loved her." — Evelyn Hugo

By now you've probably realised that my favourite part of this book is Evelyn and Celia's relationship.

This quote perfectly captures the tragedy of their love.

Because of the time they lived in, Evelyn believed she had to hide who she really was.

Nobody should ever have to hide the person they love, and that's what makes this line so emotional.

3

"And just as she was about to leave the microphone, she said, 'And to anyone tempted to kiss the TV tonight, please don't chip your tooth.'" — Celia St. James

This quote always makes me smile.

After Celia wins her first Oscar, Evelyn is so excited that she kisses the television and chips her tooth!

Years later, when Celia wins another Oscar, she remembers to tell Evelyn not to do it again.

It's such a sweet little moment and reminds us that even when they're arguing or apart, their love never really disappears.

2

**"Evelyn, who was your great love? You can tell me."

Evelyn looks out the window, breathes in deeply, and then says, "Celia St. James."

The room is quiet as Evelyn lets herself hear her own words.

Then she smiles.

"I feel like I spent my entire life loving her."**

These lines are one of the biggest reasons I love this book so much.

Watching Evelyn finally say those words aloud after hiding them for decades is incredibly moving.

Taylor Jenkins Reid writes Evelyn and Celia's relationship so beautifully that I still find myself thinking about them almost every day—even during school!

1

"But if you have to go, then go. Go if it hurts. Go if it's time. Go knowing you were loved, that I will never forget you... Go knowing that I love you purely, Harry... Because you were my best friend." — Evelyn Hugo

This is my favourite quote in the entire book.

It absolutely breaks my heart every single time I read it.

Harry Cameron is probably my favourite character, and I love the friendship he and Evelyn build throughout the novel. They respect each other completely, create a family together and always support one another.

His death is one of the saddest moments I've ever read in a book.

No matter how many times I reread it, I still cry.

Final Thoughts

That wraps up my top ten favourite quotes from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

I'd love to know yours!

If you've read the book, which quotes stayed with you long after you finished?

And if you haven't read it yet…

Well, first—you were warned about the spoilers.

Second… what are you waiting for?