Before she became a bestselling author, Taylor Jenkins Reid actually worked in showbusiness, primarily as a casting assistant which birthed her love for stories and acting.
After three years, she decided to use this newfound passion to write her very first book, and while she could never have anticipated how popular it would become, fans were eager to buy every new installment she released after it.
While all of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books are well worth a read, and while they may not all technically be connected in their plots and characters, it can still be a good idea to read them in order to see Reid’s writing skills develop and so that you can enjoy everything that she’s brought out so far.
The good news is that you won’t have to scroll through the release dates of each book online one by one because we have the correct order of Reid’s books right here so that you can jump into her thrilling and magnificent stories today.
About Taylor Jenkins Reid Books
Taylor Jenkins Reid has written a total of nine books since her debut novel Forever, Interrupted released in 2012, and while her books may not all be part of a continuous story, there are a few writing techniques and trends that she does carry through into each of her stories that keen-eyed fans will notice.
However, one thing that certainly doesn’t stay the same with each of her novels is the genre and tone of the story.
From joyful and lighthearted romance to a nail-biting historical fiction novel, Taylor Jenkins Reid has managed to tell so many different types of stories that it ensures that you will have an entirely new and fresh reading experience each time you open a new book.
Here are each of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books in order for you to sink your teeth into when you want a story that you can guarantee is going to be engaging and exciting from the first page right to the last.
Elsie Porter is somewhat of a loner and someone who prefers to keep to herself much of the time, so when New Year’s Day rolls around, she decides to head out to pick up a pizza for one, but what should have been a pretty normal trip turns into a memorable visit that will change Elsie’s life forever, because this is where she runs into Ben.
Ben is a charming man around the same age as Elsie whom she instantly falls head over heels for, but while the relationship between the two of them is going incredibly well, a sudden accident puts Ben in the hospital, and this is where Elsie meets Susan, her mysterious mother-in-law who seems less than approving of Elsie and her involvement with her son.
As Elsie learns more about Susan, she realizes that maybe this old and fragile woman isn’t as innocent as she first thought she was as she begins to question the intentions of Ben’s family members while also holding on to hope that he will make a successful recovery and return to her in due time.
Pros
The mystery of Ben’s family keeps the story exciting and engaging.
Elsie is a very down-to-earth and relatable protagonist.
The relationship feels very natural and believable.
Cons
Ben can sometimes feel like a reactionary and relatively bland character.
Lauren and Ryan desperately want their marriage to work, but when they realize that the spark and connection they once had for one another has been fading away, they decide to take a break by not contacting each other for an entire year, so that they can work on themselves, and hopefully, reignite their marriage.
As we follow Lauren and her journey of self-discovery, she starts to ponder many aspects of marriage that we as the readers are made to think about too, such as how much loyalty and trust is required for a marriage to work, and if a marriage is worth fighting for when you know the love between two people has been lost.
Taylor Jenkins Reid takes a really deep dive into the more uncomfortable thoughts two people may have within their marriage, making for an incredibly vulnerable and realistic story that manages to tug at the heartstrings with each and every page.
Pros
A brilliant exploration into people’s doubts about marriage.
A very honest and real story about love being lost.
Many different self-improvement techniques are explained.
Hannah Martin is at a crossroads in her life. While she knows she wants to make a name for herself, and be someone that her family can be proud of, she also has absolutely no idea on what she actually wants to do with her life.
Having stayed in six different cities and applying for countless jobs, all of which have turned her away, her only source of happiness is hanging out with her best friend Gabby when she returns to Los Angeles.
When they visit a bar one night, Hanna comes face to face with Ethan, her ex-boyfriend from when she was in high school.
When both Gabby and Ethan ask Hannah to come home with them, we follow concurrent storylines that explore what would have happened depending on Hannah’s decision.
Pros
Using concurrent storylines is a unique and interesting way to tell the story.
Hannah receives a tremendous amount of growth throughout the story.
Los Angeles is described in beautiful detail.
Cons
Switching between both storylines can often become confusing.
Emma and Jesse were once an inseparable married couple who loved nothing more than adventure.
Having traveled much of the world together, there weren’t many places both of them had not yet been to, but this fun and loving relationship soon comes crumbling down when Jesse is declared missing after riding a helicopter over the Pacific Ocean.
Full of confused and negative emotions, and unsure of whether her husband is even still alive or not, Emma moves back to her hometown in Massachusetts and runs into Sam, a childhood friend who quickly becomes her second shot at happiness.
Sam is young, charming, handsome, and the type of guy Emma would usually be interested in, but she can feel her emotions being pulled between her newfound interest in this new man, and her undying hope that one day she will see Jesse again.
When Emma and Sam eventually become engaged, and as Emma attempts to move on from the horrific accident that took place all those years ago, Jesse returns to her seemingly out of nowhere, forcing her to decide who her true love is, and ponder why she even lost hope in the first place.
Pros
The theme of hopelessness is expressed beautifully throughout the story.
Many different plot twists keep the story exciting.
The pacing remains very strong from start to finish.
All side characters feel essential to the wider plot.
Evelyn Hugo is undoubtedly a unique and very mysterious woman.
Being surrounded by wealth and luxury her entire life, and having a very high and well-acclaimed position within the social hierarchy, she feels that it’s time to hire someone to write her life story, including all the details about her multiple careers, her family, and who could forget her seven husbands.
Monique Grant is the reporter that she asks to write the biography, and while the timid woman is initially very thankful for the offer, she can’t help but wonder why it was her that was chosen, and why not one of the many reporters that Evelyn already know so well, and who she knows would write her story in a romanticized light.
Nonetheless, Monique proceeds to work on the biography, including every last detail, but as she becomes closer to Evelyn and starts to uncover the more hidden aspects of her life, she starts to realize that both of their lives might be more connected than she once thought.
Pros
Evelyn Hugo is a multi-layered and very intriguing character.
The mystery never becomes predictable.
A very honest narrative on exploitation within show business in 1950s Los Angeles.
Monique is a lovable protagonist with lots of quirky dialogue.
This heartbreaking and deeply personal story is told entirely through the letters exchanged between two complete strangers who might not know one another on a personal level, but who have shared a similarly harrowing experience in their lives, that being that both of their spouses have been caught having an affair.
As Carrie and David confide in one another, they start to open up about their thoughts on the whole situation more and more with each page, speaking about how they never saw the affair coming, if they feel like they could have prevented it, and how they can ever hope to trust another person in such a way ever again.
This is a real tear-jerker of a story that is gripping from beginning to end, and while the book is only told from the perspective of two people, because of the incredible writing and very imaginative descriptions, it still gives us a clear image of all the other characters involved in the story and their personalities.
Pros
Another very uniquely told story.
Very prominent themes of trust and regret within marriage.
The excellent and descriptive writing makes each character feel believable.
A few very unexpected plot twists.
Cons
Some of the letters feel like filler and aren’t very relevant to the story.
While many of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books are set in the present day, fans of her previous books will notice that she loves writing about the past, specifically the wild and free period of Los Angeles during the 1950s and 60s, so when she came to write Daisy Jones & The Six, she decided to go all in with her love for this part of history, telling a story unlike any of her previous ones.
Daisy is a young girl who has an undying love for rock and roll and the wild lifestyle that comes along with it, but while she has the kind of beauty and charisma that could take her a long way, she, unfortunately, has little luck actually landing a gig or joining a band during her time in Los Angeles.
However, this all changes when she is offered a position to play for The Six, a band is well known for their crazy antics, wild lifestyle, and jamming music.
Billy Dunne is the lead singer who has been going down a dangerous spiral for quite some time, something Daisy very quickly comes to realize after joining the band.
Pros
The relationship between Daisy and Billy feels very organic.
Taylor Jenkins Reid describes the rock and roll era of 1960s LA in incredible detail.
Very morally gray characters that are complex and captivating to read about.
Cons
Some of the more violent scenes can be needlessly graphic.
Everything is leading up to the big end-of-summer part that takes place every year, and as everyone starts counting down the days until they can see their close friends again, one person who is not as thrilled to be attending is Nina Rivas, the star of the show.
Nina is the child of the legendary singer Mick Riva, and since she is also a very talented surfer, along with all of her siblings being very well-known internationally, everyone is eager to get to know Nina at the party, and maybe even make friends with her.
The party is set to take place at midnight in the Riva mansion, and when it does, chaos is sure to break out, especially since the Riva siblings weren’t exactly on the best terms with one another when they were last face to face.
Pros
The anticipation of the party is intense and incredibly engaging.
Every member of the Riva family is unique in their own way.
An explosive third act with plenty of unseen revelations.
There are many reasons why this latest book by Taylor Jenkins Reid became a #1 New York bestseller so fast, from the relatable and charismatic characters to the compelling story centered around wanting to succeed even when the world tells you that you shouldn’t, it really is one of the most memorable and emotional stories Reid has ever written.
When she was in her twenties, no one could step up to Carrie Soto on the tennis court. Having claimed twenty Grand Slam titles, she was recognized by the sports media as one of the greatest, if not the best tennis player to ever live, but as the years passed by, her body began slowing down, and she soon made the decision to retire.
Upon witnessing a new champion, Nicki Chan, break her Grand Slam record, Carrie decides that it’s time to step out of retirement and get back onto the court, even if the media is calling her a weathered “battle axe” who doesn’t have what it takes to compete anymore.
Pros
A much more serious tone than many of Reid’s previous books.
The story is incredibly uplifting and inspirational.
Reid is at her best in terms of writing and prose.
A fascinating insight into the world of tennis players and their mentality.
Cons
Constant jumps between the past and present can create confusion.
Whether it’s two people who have been cheated on confiding in one another, two concurrent storylines depicting how a story could have gone, or even a countdown to an event that we know is going to be chaotic and full of suspense, Reid knows how to keep readers engaged and it’s why she has won so many fans over, despite her catalog of books being reasonably small in comparison to many authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Any Of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Books Becoming Movies Or TV Shows?
As of right now, four of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s nine books are being adapted onto the big screen. These books are One True Loves, The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones & The Six, and Malibu Rising.
Taylor and her husband are actually the ones writing the screenplay for the One True Loves movie, and while no release date has yet been announced, some of the actors have already been confirmed including Simu Liu who will play Sam, and Luke Bracey who will portray Jesse.
The tv adaptation of Daisy Jones & The Six finished production in the summer of 2022, and while a release date is yet to be announced, we can expect it to hit our screens very soon.
The movie and tv adaptations of Malibu Rising and The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo have remained more under wraps, but there are rumors that they will both be heading to either Netflix or Hulu upon their release.
What Awards Have Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Books Earned?
Three of Taylor’s books have won the Goodreads Choice Award for Historical Fiction. The books to earn these awards were Daisy Jones & The Six in 2019, Malibu Rising in 2021, and Carrie Soto Is Back in 2022.
What Is Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Shortest Book?
Being less than 100 pages, Evidence Of The Affair is by far the shortest book in Taylor Jenkins Reid’s series of books, to the point where many people will actually refer to it as a short story.
Despite the shorter length, this intimate story is still packed full of emotion and is sure to have you weeping by the time you finish the final page.
What Is Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Most Popular Novel?
While nearly every one of Taylor’s books has gone on to become a best-seller, the one that often stands out among the rest in terms of popularity is The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo.
A big reason for this is because of how many literary genres the book falls into, with it being a historical novel, a personal biography, and a romance all in one novel.
The news of the book turning into a Netflix series has also sparked people’s attention and brought in more readers, along with the fact that the book has been making the rounds on Instagram and TikTok book recommendation accounts.
You also can’t rule out the incredibly compelling premise of the book which is another reason why so many people have taken such a keen liking to it.
While many people assume that it would be a relatively standard and maybe even predictable romance story from the title, they soon realize that it is much more than this, making for a very memorable read.
Hi, my name is Anna Davis and I have been working with books for five years now. I got a job at my local library, so I could be closer to all of the books! I created this website in the hopes of inspiring others to start reading again. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favorite book from my site!
