Taylor Jenkins Reid has become one of the most celebrated contemporary authors of the 21st century. With her evocative writing style and a gift for creating complex, relatable characters, she has captivated readers around the globe. Known for exploring themes of love, loss, fame, family, and identity, Reid’s books delve deep into the human experience, leaving readers both emotionally moved and intellectually engaged. Whether you’re a long-time fan of her work or someone looking to embark on a literary journey, the world of Taylor Jenkins Reid offers an unforgettable escape. In this discussion, we will explore her books, the best reading sequence, and the aspects of her writing that make it so compelling.
| Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (2017) | Details |
| The Daisy Jones & The Six (2019) | Details |
| Evelyn Hugo: The Next Generation (2020) | Details |
| Malibu Rising (2021) | Details |
| One True Loves (2022) | Details |
Okay, imagine this: a reclusive Hollywood icon, Evelyn Hugo, who’s had seven husbands and now, finally, wants to tell her story. The catch? She’s only willing to talk to a seemingly unknown journalist, Monique Grant. As Evelyn recounts her glamorous yet tumultuous life, full of love, loss, and scandals, we get sucked into the drama, wondering what the real truth behind those marriages is. It’s a mix of historical fiction, love stories, and moral dilemmas, all wrapped in the glitzy packaging of old Hollywood.
Oh, Daisy Jones & The Six? It’s like if you were given a front-row seat to one of the most legendary rock bands of the ’70s, complete with all the chaos, passion, and eventual breakup. The story is told in the form of an oral history, where band members and others in their orbit give their take on what went down. From Daisy’s rise to stardom, to the volatile chemistry with the band, to the implosion of it all-this book captures that era of music like no other. It’s raw, real, and will have you questioning whether some love stories are just doomed from the start.
Now, this one is a bit different. It’s a spin-off, kind of like a side story that delves deeper into the life of one of Evelyn’s former husbands, but told from the perspective of a new character. It’s a slower burn, taking you through the aftermath of all the scandals Evelyn left behind, but it’s filled with twists that you won’t see coming. If you loved her first book, this one definitely keeps you in that same emotional whirlwind of longing and regret.
Imagine this: Malibu, 1983, a legendary party at the Reva family’s beachfront mansion, and the fire that destroys everything. The book focuses on the four Riva siblings-each carrying their own baggage and navigating family drama-leading up to that fateful night. You get the sense of a family torn apart by fame, scandal, and the expectations of living up to their famous last name. This one is part family saga, part wild ride, and a whole lot of heartache, all set against the sun-soaked California coast.
This one starts off with heartbreak: Emma, the protagonist, is suddenly widowed after her husband, Jesse, dies in a plane crash. But years later, just as she’s moving on and about to marry another man, guess who walks back into her life? Yep, Jesse. Alive. This creates a whirlwind of love, guilt, and impossible choices as Emma has to figure out who her heart really belongs to. It’s a love story that asks the big question: Can you love two people with the same intensity? Get ready to have your heart in knots.
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s works cover a broad spectrum of genres and styles, but they are consistently characterized by rich storytelling and complex, multi-layered characters. Reid’s books are often set in contemporary worlds, but they feel timeless in their exploration of universal themes.
This novel catapulted Reid into international stardom. It tells the story of the fictional Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo, who recounts her tumultuous love life to a young journalist named Monique Grant. The narrative is as much about the glitz and glamour of Hollywood as it is about the personal sacrifices and struggles Evelyn faces in her pursuit of happiness and fame. The book skillfully blends historical fiction with contemporary themes of love, ambition, and regret.
A fictional oral history of a 1970s rock band that mirrors the drama, chaos, and passion of real-life legends like Fleetwood Mac, this novel captures the essence of what it means to live for music and the sacrifices that come with fame. Told from the perspectives of band members, Daisy Jones & The Six explores the relationships, egos, and personalities that create and ultimately tear apart a band.
Set in the 1980s, this novel follows the four Riva siblings-children of the legendary singer Mick Riva-on the night of an epic party that will change everything. The book combines elements of family drama with glitzy Los Angeles culture, while examining themes of fame, family loyalty, and secrets. It’s a wild ride full of music, surf culture, and the price of fame.
This novel centers on Emma, a woman who has been grieving her husband’s disappearance and presumed death. Years later, she is faced with the return of her husband, and she must navigate the complex emotions of having moved on and started a new life. This is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the unexpected twists life can take.
A novel that imagines the multiple lives of a woman, Hannah, as she faces a crucial decision on the night she reunites with an ex-boyfriend. The book explores the paths we choose and the ones we don’t, posing the question of how different choices might lead us to entirely different lives.
This novel deals with the complexity of long-term relationships. It follows Lauren and Ryan, a married couple who have grown apart over the years. In a last-ditch effort to save their marriage, they decide to take a year off from each other, allowing space for reflection, personal growth, and perhaps, reconciliation.
In addition to these novels, Reid has written short stories and novellas, including works like Forever, Interrupted (2013), which explores grief, love, and healing. Her writing is marked by emotional depth, compelling plots, and profound character studies, making her one of the defining voices of modern literature.
While each of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novels is self-contained, some readers may wonder if there’s an optimal way to read her works. Though there’s no official order for reading her books, many fans recommend tackling them in a sequence that builds on the themes, characters, and overarching narrative styles.
This novel is arguably Reid’s most iconic and introduces many of the themes-love, fame, and identity-that permeate her later works. It offers a compelling glimpse into Reid’s ability to craft unforgettable, flawed characters. For many, it serves as a perfect entry point into her literary universe.
If you’ve enjoyed the emotional depth and character-driven storytelling of Evelyn Hugo, then Daisy Jones & The Six is an ideal next read. It takes a similar approach to complex relationships but in the realm of rock and roll, making it a more dynamic, fast-paced read.
Malibu Rising expands on Reid’s interest in fame, family dynamics, and Los Angeles culture, tying in characters from Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six. It’s a great follow-up, especially for readers who appreciate the intertwining of personal histories and the impact of public personas.
If you’re looking for something a bit different, Maybe in Another Life and One True Loves provide a departure from the Hollywood glamour and focus more on the personal journeys of their protagonists. These novels are more introspective, exploring pivotal decisions and the long-lasting effects of love.
Explore the earlier works: "After I Do" and Forever, Interrupted
If you are truly invested in exploring the full scope of Reid’s career, her earlier novels are worth reading. They lay the groundwork for her later, more complex stories, with After I Do focusing on the challenges of marriage and Forever, Interrupted exploring grief.
There is much to appreciate about Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books, but what stands out most is her exceptional ability to blend high-concept premises with deeply personal, emotional storytelling. Her characters are never one-dimensional; they are shaped by their pasts, their choices, and their vulnerabilities. Each book invites readers into the intricate world of its protagonists, making you feel as though you are living their struggles and triumphs alongside them.
Another highlight of Reid’s writing is her exploration of fame, celebrity, and the way these concepts impact individuals’ private lives. Whether it’s Evelyn Hugo’s storied career in Hollywood or the tumultuous rise and fall of Daisy Jones & The Six, Reid beautifully dissects the tension between the public and private self. She captures the costs of fame-the sacrifices and compromises people make for success, and the emotional toll it takes on relationships.
Moreover, Reid has a knack for creating stories that resonate with readers on a deeply personal level. Her exploration of love and loss, identity and self-discovery, resonates with anyone who has ever faced the complexities of relationships, whether familial, romantic, or personal. Her novels are a reflection of our own emotional journeys, and the experience of reading them often feels like a catharsis.
While it’s not essential to read Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books in any particular order, there are benefits to reading them chronologically. Some of her novels, particularly Malibu Rising, feature characters from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six. For fans who enjoy the Easter eggs Reid places in her books, reading them in order allows you to appreciate these connections. Furthermore, there is a thematic progression across her novels, as she moves from exploring fame in Hollywood to more intimate stories about love, grief, and personal choices.
That said, the books are all standalone stories with different protagonists and settings, so it’s entirely possible to jump into any of them without feeling lost. The connections between the novels are more for the pleasure of long-time readers, rather than a necessity for understanding the storylines.