Every Taylor Jenkins Reed Book, Ranked

Taylor Jenkins Reed Has 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 was categorized by strong concepts as she took readers on engaging journeys of 1970s rock stars, aging Hollywood icons and sports legends returning for another shot at glory. With stories that often feature 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 noticing why 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 novel Daisy Jones and the Six has been adapted for television, and more adaptations of her work are slated to enter production soon. While it is true that It took Reid several novels to really find her voiceEach book has something enjoyable to offer readers.

9

Forever, Interrupted (2013)

Taylor Jenkins Reed’s debut novel

Taylor Jenkin’s Reid was only 29 years old when she published her debut novel Forever, interruptedis out In 2013. As a heartbreaking love story of grief and acceptance, there are hints to the writer that Reid would become, but the pieces just not all there Still, and this stood out as her weakest work. Forever, interrupted Cataloged the whirlwind romance of 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.

This is a book of sadness, but also, in alternate 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 lessened the emotional impact of the story as readers already knew Ben’s fate before they did. Have time to bond with him. There are moments of real vulnerability in Forever, interruptedBut the truth is that Reid is still finding her voice.

8

Still I Do (2014)

Taylor Jenkins Reed’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. Still I do Explore 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 has the potential to dig deep into the nature of self-fulfillment and that to be truly happy in marriage, one must be happy as an individual. However, that is not what happened.

The main issue that has persisted Still I do 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’s sleeping with someone else. Ryan was just as mean as he dismissed Lauren’s favorite foods and spent most of his time engulfed in passive-aggressive rage. There are the bones of a great book in Still I do; It just needs better characters.

7

Maybe in Another Life (2015)

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s third novel

It is a testament to Taylor Jenkin Reid’s dedication to her craft that her writing has continued to improve with each subsequent early novel. This was certainly the trend for Maybe in another LiveWhere Reid’s unique voice really began to come to life As she tells two simultaneous stories about the enormous impact of seemingly insignificant decisions. Maybe in another life Tells the stories of Hannah Martin and catalogs, in alternate chapters, two possible scenarios based on the choices she makes after bumping into her old flame, Ethan.

Maybe in another life Asks questions that every reader has probably thought before, because the idea of ​​being able to see what-if scenarios play out the infinite possibilities of his existence. There is charm and humor in this thought-provoking story, but some aspects miss the mark, and after the tenth reminder of Hannah’s love of cinnamon buns, it starts to get pretty stale. There is a lot to love Maybe in another lifeBut speech still has even greater heights to reach.

6

One True Love (2016)

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s fourth novel

Someone truly loves Starts 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 finding him, she must move on. However, after getting engaged to Sam and opening up to another chance at happiness, Jesse reappears, and Emma must make some tough decisions. Someone truly loves Has all the metabolism of a melodramatic tear-jerker, as his story has laid the foundation for great feelings and almost insurmountable emotional conflict.

While Someone truly loves was a devastating read that captured the upheaval and confusion of one man returning from the deadIt also jumped around Emma’s relationships and utilized flashbacks in a way that meant it was hard to connect with. While there were blimps of Emma and Jesse’s good times together, to be truly effective, it needed to dig deeper into the depths of their love. Someone truly loves Was an engaging novel, but this type of story was told better elsewhere.

5

Evidence of the Affair (2018)

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s short story

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Epistolary Short Story Evidence of the affair is told entirely through letters between Carrie Allsop and David Mayer, a correspondence that piece by piece reveals a heartfelt relationship between their husbands. The idea of ​​slowly unraveling pain is made all the more effective as the two scorned lovers lay 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 affair highlighted Reid’s lesser-seen talent for short-form fiction.

While Evidence of the affair Continuing Reid’s habit of alternating chapters, as it switches between Carrie and David’s writings, the confessional nature of this story made it feel unique. As two lives intertwined without each other’s consent, Carrie and David have 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.

4

Carey Soto Is Back (2022)

Taylor Jenkins Reed’s eighth novel

As the fourth book of Reid’s “Famous Women’s Quartet,” Kerry Soto is back Set 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 Reid’s work, Kerry Soto Was a fascinating study of determination and the incredible desire to be the best the world has ever seen. at the same time, Kerry Soto is back Also showed the way the media reacts to single-minded women, as the tennis star was endlessly picked apart and criticized.

While Kerry Soto is back Is not inspired by any single tennis playerHer character’s struggles and achievements reflect 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 can 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 all others had been called game, set and match on Carrie Soto’s career, this was a riveting sports story.

3

Malibu Rising (2021)

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s seventh novel

Malibu Rising Centered 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 Rising Explore themes of family loyalty and how parents can shape their child’s life, even if they are not around. Malibu Rising is about a family coming together, breaking apart, and the bonds, breakages, and strange beauty of tragedy.

As a novel filled with emotion, readers are sure to connect deeply with the struggles of the Riva family as Speech power powerfully captures their desires for love and belonging. While a litany of side characters has distracted from the main story, especially vi Malbu Rising Building to its big, fiery finale, this was a slight nitpick in an otherwise highly compelling story. the main thing Malibu Rising Reid’s skill at taking what could be a trashy edge-read concept and elevating it with real depth and human emotion is highlighted.

2

Daisy Jones and the Six (2019)

Taylor Jenkins Reed’s sixth novel

For music lovers and those with a penchant for historical fiction, Daisy Jones and the Six was a real treat and one of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s best works. Like the story of a fictional rock band that was Loosely based on Fleetwood Mac And their emotion-fueled recording of the record Rumors, Daisy Jones and the Six Captured the outrageous spirit of rock music in the 1970s and also created some truly compelling characters. With Daisy Jones as an almost otherworldly figure of incredible talent, the only downside of reading this novel is wishing the group were real.

Daisy Jones and the Six Used an oral history style as interviews of the band members guided the narrative and gave it an almost documentary-like feel. It was fascinating to witness how one band member’s recollection differed from another, as the story offered a unique insight into the drug-fueled complexities of 1970s superstardom. While Amazon Prime’s TV adaptation of Daisy Jones and the Six was an interesting depiction of this whirlwind story, it failed to live up to the excessive rock-star carnage that Reid so vividly brought to life on the page.

1

The Seven Men of Evelyn Hugo (2017)

Taylor Jenkins Reed’s fifth novel

Although Taylor Jenkins Reed already had four novels under her belt by this point, The Seven Men by Evelyn Hugo It was this work that brought her mainstream recognition. It was for a good reason, because this exciting look at an old Hollywood star recounting her seven marriages to a journalist was the culmination of all Reid’s style had been building to. With strong characters, an interesting hook and a story categorized by impeccable highs and heartbreaking lows, Reid finally found her voice with The Seven Men by Evelyn Hugo.

The Seven Men by Evelyn Hugo was a hit with readers as it took them on A journey into the elusive world of early Hollywood And 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, got a big scoop by securing interviews with the reclusive star. The Seven Men by Evelyn Hugo was a real page-turner that will make viewers laugh and cry as they experience each of Evelyn’s complex marriages.