Taylor Jenkins Reid books are super popular, and once you've read a few, it's easy to see why. Her character writing is (in my opinion) 10/10. I've lost count of how many times I've finished one of her books and *immediately* googled it because I can't believe I wasn't reading about real people. She started out writing contemporary fiction before switching to what I would describe as “modern historical” (i.e., set within the last 60 years).
If you’ve never read anything by TJR and you’re wondering where to start, hopefully you'll find this spoiler-free guide helpful!
After I Do
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Afer I do was one of her earlier books, and it follows a woman who’s been with her partner for most of their adult lives. Their relationship is no longer working, so they decide to take a year-long break where they have to live independently with no contact. At the end of those 12 months, they plan to come back together and decide if they really want to be together.
The main character felt realistically written but unfortunately I couldn’t relate to her at all. I couldn't get behind her actions and found myself becoming more and more frustrated. The only positive is the audiobook is narrated by Julia Whelan, who's one of my favourite audiobook narrators.
One True Loves
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
When Emma loses her husband Jesse in a helicopter accident, she is understandably heartbroken. Years later, she's started to put her life back together and has recently gotten engaged to someone else, when she receives a phone call to say Jesse is still alive...
The first half shows you how Emma fell in love with both men and did a great job at helping me feel invested in the story. Unfortunately it lost me in the second half. The ending had a great overall message, however I didn't enjoy the route we took to get there. It wasn't bad, but it hasn't stuck with me long-term.
Forever, Interrupted
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s debut novel follows Elsie, who marries Ben after a whirlwind romance — only for him to die in an accident ten days later. At the hospital, Elsie meets Ben’s mother, who didn’t even know she existed.
It’s a story about grief and family, and while I appreciated the premise, I felt it didn’t dive as deeply into the emotions as I wanted. Both women were understandably grieving, but they were also bad at communicating, which made it frustrating. A solid debut, but I’ve read more impactful grief stories elsewhere.
Maybe in Another Life
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out of all of Taylor Jenkin Reid’s contemporary books, this is my favourite. It follows Hannah, who is approaching 30 and has recently moved back to California after years of travelling. One night at a bar, she runs into her high school boyfriend and is faced with two options. Stay out and continue chatting, or go home with a friend. The story splits, with each timeline showing the repercussions of each of those decisions.
I love a 'Sliding Doors'-style narrative exploring how seemingly small decisions can impact your life in huge ways. I related to Hannah more than any of her other contemporary protagonists, but the story felt a little bland compared to TJR’s later work which is why I struggled to rate it higher than 3-stars.
Daisy Jones & The Six
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Told in an interview-style format, Daisy Jones & The Six follows members of a fictional 1970s rock band. From how they wrote their first album to finally revealing why they broke up on the night of their final concert.
I read this on my Kindle but I’ve heard amazing things about the audiobook (it has a full cast narration). The ending felt a little anti-climatic but it was compulsively readable and I loved the drama and how the characters felt so real.
Malibu Rising
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you're heading away on a beach holiday, Malibu Rising is the perfect summer read imo. It follows four siblings who are famous for being the children of famous rock star Mick Riva. Every summer they throw a huge party, however this year things spiral out of control.
I love reading about complex family dynamics. Each sibling felt distinct, and I felt invested in all of them. The atmosphere made me feel like I'd been transported to California in the 80s. The ending fell a bit flat but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey to get there.
Carrie Soto is Back
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Carrie Soto was the world's best tennis player when she retired 5 years ago. Now that another player has matched her record, she decides to come out of retirement to try and defend her title.
If you have zero interest in tennis then you may find this boring because there's A LOT of tennis in this book. I found the match scenes so dynamic and immersive. Carrie is not a 'likeable' character, but I found it fascinating being inside her head and seeing her drive and ambition. I also appreciated the commentary on how the media portrays women in sport. It's not quite a perfect book as the pacing towards the end felt a bit rushed but otherwise I think this is a great place to start with Taylor Jenkin's Reid's books.
Atmosphere
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TJR’s newest release Atmosphere made me cry A LOT! The plot follows Joan, who is chosen as one of the first women to join NASA's space shuttle programme. Joan is one of the more likeable characters Taylor has written, and I loved following her story. I especially appreciated the discussions the characters had on the pressure they felt to be perfect as they were paving the way for future generations.
If you enjoyed reading about complex family dynamics, found family and friendship, I would strongly recommend it. Most of all, this is a beautiful sapphic love story.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was the first Taylor Jenkins Reid book I ever read and it is STILL my number one. I read it during lockdown in 2020 and devoured it in one sitting. It follows Evelyn Hugo, who was an iconic movie star in the 1950s and 60s until she retired from public life decades ago. Now an elderly woman, she is finally ready to tell her story.
Evelyn is a complex and flawed character but she is unapologetically herself. She's easy to dislike, but I couldn't help but feel captivated by her story. It conjures the atmosphere of Old Hollywood, without romanticising it. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.
Have you read any Taylor Jenkins Reid books? Which is your favourite?
