Taylor Jenkins Reidhas made a name for herself as one of the most exciting authors writing today and has had great success across her eight novels and one short story. With a distinctive and witty authorial voice, Reid’s work has been categorized by strong concepts as she has taken readers on engaging journeys of 1970s rock stars, aging Hollywood icons, and sports legends returning for one more shot at glory. With stories that often include strong and resilient female characters, Reid’s novels always burst with creativity, excitement, and wit.
One of the most enjoyable parts of reading these stories is noticingwhich Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books are part of the same universe, spotting all the hidden Easter eggs and interconnected characters in her work. Reid has taken the literary world by storm in recent years as her novelDaisy Jones & the Sixwas adapted for television, and more adaptations of her work look set to enter production soon. While it’s true thatit took Reid a few novels to truly find her voice, each book has something enjoyable to offer readers.
9Forever, Interrupted (2013)
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s debut novel
Taylor Jenkin’s Reid was just 29 years old when her debut novelForever, Interrupted, was publishedin 2013. As a heartbreaking love story of grief and acceptance, there are hints at the writer that Reid would become, but the pieces just weren’t all there yet, and this stood as her weakest work.Forever, Interruptedcataloged thewhirlwind romanceof Elsie and Ben, a young couple who fell head over heels for each other, quickly eloped, and just nine days later, while riding his bike, Ben was hit by a truck and killed on impact.
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This is a book of mourning, but also, in alternating chapters, readers get to learn how Elsie and Ben fell in love in the first place. It’s a charming concept, but the love story just didn’t have the realism needed to feel truly urgent, and the fact that Ben died in the opening chapter curtailed the emotional impact of the story as readers already knew Ben’s fate before they had time to grow attached to him. There are moments of real vulnerability inForever, Interrupted, but the truth is Reid was still finding her voice.
8After I Do (2014)
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s second novel
The pitfalls of marriage, monogamy, and maintaining a long-lasting relationship are the main themes of Taylor Jenkin Reid’s second novel.After I Doexplores Lauren and Ryan’s wayward marriage and their unusual experiment just before it reaches a breaking point. This was when the two decided to spend one year apart, with the only rule being not to contact one another. This fascinating concept had the potential to dig deep into the nature of self-fulfillment and that to be truly happy in marriage, one must be content as an individual. However, this was not what happened.
There are the bones of a great book inAfter I Do; it just needed better characters.
The main issue that held backAfter I Dofrom reaching the heights of Reid’s best work was just how unlikable the two main characters were. Lauren truly despises Ryan and, after heartlessly criticizing him at every turn, spends most of the book obsessing over whether he is sleeping with somebody else. Ryan was just as bad as he dismissed Lauren’s favorite foods and spent most of his time engulfed by passive-aggressive rage.There are the bones of a great book inAfter I Do; it just needed better characters.
7Maybe In Another Life (2015)
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s third novel
It’s a testament to Taylor Jenkin Reid’s devotion to her craft that her writing continued to improve with each subsequent early novel. This was certainly the cast forMaybe in AnotherLife, whereReid’s unique voice really started to come to lifeas she told two simultaneous stories about the enormous impact of seemingly insignificant decisions.Maybe in Another Lifetold the stories of Hannah Martin and cataloged, in alternating chapters, two possible scenarios based on the choices she makes after bumping into her old flame, Ethan.
Maybe in Another Lifeasks questions that every reader has surely pondered before, as the idea of being able to see what-if scenarios play out highlights the endless possibilities of one’s existence. There’s charm and wit in this thought-provoking story, but some aspects miss the mark, and after the tenth mention of Hannah’s love of cinnamon buns, it starts to get quite grating. There’s a lot to love aboutMaybe in Another Life, but Reid still has even greater heights to reach.
6One True Loves (2016)
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s fourth novel
One True Lovesstarts off with a seemingly perfect love story as Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart Jesse, but after his helicopter goes missing and years pass without him being found, she has to move on. However, after getting engaged to Sam and opening herself up to another chance of happiness, Jesse reappears, and Emma must make some tough decisions.One True Loveshas all the makings of a melodramatic tearjerker, as its narrative laid the groundwork for big feelings and almost unsurmountable emotional conflict.
WhileOne True Loveswas a devastating read that captured the elation and confusion of having one husband return from the dead, it also jumped around through Emma’s relationships and utilized flashbacks in a way that meant it was hard to connect with. While there were glimpses of Emma and Jesse’s good times together, to be truly effective, it needed to dig deeper into the depths of their affection.One True Loveswas an engaging novel, but this type of story has been told better elsewhere.
5Evidence Of The Affair (2018)
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s short story
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s epistolary short storyEvidence of the Affairwas told entirely through letters between Carrie Allsop and David Mayer, a correspondence that piece-by-piece reveals a heartbreaking affair between their spouses. This idea of slowly unraveling pain was made all the more effective as the two scorned lovers laid their fears and heartbreak bare to one another. As a behind-the-scenes look at how the comfort of a stranger can soothe the devastation of a broken heart,Evidence of the Affairhighlighted Reid’s lesser-seen talent for short-form fiction.
Evidence of the Affaircontinued Reid’s tradition of referencing her other work by having the characters listen to Daisy Jones' music.
WhileEvidence of the Affaircontinued Reid’s habit of alternating chapters, as it switched between Carrie and David’s writings, the confessional nature of this narrative made it feel unique. As two lives intertwined without each other’s consent, Carrie and David had a lot in common and much to share as a result of their partner’s infidelity. With believable characters and a satisfying conclusion, it was impressive how much emotional resonance Reid could pack into under 100 pages.
4Carrie Soto Is Back (2022)
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s eighth novel
As the fourth book of Reid’s “famous women quartet,”Carrie Soto Is Backset its sights on the world of tennis as it explores the fictional life, career, and relationships of one of the world’s greatest sports stars. As yet another strong and empowered female character in the work of Reid,Carrie Sotowas a fascinating study of determination and the incredible desire to be the best the world has ever seen. At the same time,Carrie Soto Is Backalso showcased the way the media reacts to single-minded women, as this tennis star was endlessly picked apart and criticized.
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WhileCarrie Soto Is Backwas not inspired by any single tennis player, her character’s struggles and achievements reflected elements of many great players, such as the Williams sisters, Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Chris Everett, and Steffi Graf. Hints of John McEnroe’s over-the-top persona could also be felt in the character of Bowe Huntley, Carrie’s contemporary, eventual coach, and love interest. As the story of an extraordinary comeback when everyone else had already called game, set, and match on Carrie Soto’s career, this was a riveting sports story.
3Malibu Rising (2021)
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s seventh novel
Malibu Risingcentered around an incident in 1983 that changed the lives of the famous Malibu Riva family as their mansion was engulfed in flames on the day of their annual summer party. As the story of four famous siblings, each with unique personal issues and grievances,Malibu Risingexplored themes of family loyalty and how parents can shape their child’s life, even if they’re not around.Malibu Risingis about a family coming together, breaking apart, and the bonds, breakages, and odd beauty of tragedy.
As a novel packed with emotion, readers will surely form an intense connection with the struggles of the Riva family asReid powerfully captures their desires for love and belonging. While a litany of side characters did distract from the main narrative, especially asMalbu Risingbuilds toward its grand, fiery finale, this was a small nitpick in an otherwise highly compelling story. Most of all,Malibu Risinghighlighted Reid’s skill for taking what could be a trashy beach-read concept and elevating it with real depth and human emotion.
2Daisy Jones & The Six (2019)
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s sixth novel
For music lovers and those with a fondness for historical fiction,Daisy Jones & the Sixwas a real treat and one of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s very best works. As the story of a fictional rock band that wasloosely based on Fleetwood Macand their emotion-fueled recording of the recordRumours,Daisy Jones & the Sixcaptured the outrageous spirit of rock music in the 1970s while also creating some truly compelling characters. With Daisy Jones as an almost otherworldly figure of incredible talent, the only downside of reading this novel was wishing the group was real.
Daisy Jones & the Sixutilized an oral history style as interviews from the band members guided the narrative.
Daisy Jones & the Sixutilized an oral history style as interviews from the band members guided the narrative and gave it an almost documentary-like feeling. It was fascinating to witness how one band member’s recollections differed with another, as the story gave a unique insight into the drug-fueled complexities of 1970s superstardom. WhileAmazon Prime’s television adaptation ofDaisy Jones & the Sixwas an interesting depiction of this whirlwind story, it failed to live up to the excessive rock star carnage that Reid had powerfully brought to life on the page.
1The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo (2017)
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s fifth novel
Although Taylor Jenkins Reid already had four novels under her belt by this point,The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugowas the work that brought her mainstream recognition. This was for a good reason, as this enthralling look at an agingOld Hollywood star recounting her seven marriagesto a journalist was the culmination of all Reid’s style had been building toward. With strong characters, an engaging hook, and a narrative categorized by impeccable highs and heartbreaking lows, Reid had finally found her voice withThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugowas a hit with readers as it took them ona journey into the elusive world of early Hollywoodand the intense romance or shocking abuses experienced by Evelyn. This was juxtaposed with the story of an unknown magazine reporter named Monique Grant who, against all odds, has gotten a major scoop by securing interviews with the reclusive star.The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugowas a real page-turner that will make viewers laugh and cry as they experience each one of Evelyn’s complex marriages.
