Hello, book lovers! If you are here, you probably love Taylor Jenkins Reid. Or maybe you just saw Daisy Jones & The Six on TV. Either way, welcome to the fan club! We are going to dive deep today. We will explore the life of this incredible author. We will look at her books in order. We will even uncover the secrets of the “Reid-verse.” Yes, her books are connected! It is like the Marvel Cinematic Universe but with more emotional damage.
So, grab your coffee. Or maybe a cocktail if you’re feeling like Evelyn Hugo. Let’s get into the fascinating biography of Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Who Is Taylor Jenkins Reid?
Taylor Jenkins Reid is an American novelist. She is a New York Times bestselling author. She was born on December 20, 1983. She was born in Maryland but grew up in Acton, Massachusetts. She is not just a writer. She is a cultural phenomenon. Her books capture the zeitgeist of specific eras perfectly.
She didn’t start as a famous author, though. Her journey is actually quite relatable. It proves that dreams really can come true.
The Origin Story: Before the Fame
Taylor attended Emerson College in Boston. She majored in media studies. After graduation, she packed her bags. She moved to the sunny skies of Los Angeles. She wanted to work in the film industry. And she did! She worked as a casting assistant for years.
This experience was crucial. It gave her a front-row seat to Hollywood. She saw the glitz and the glamour. But she also saw the gritty reality behind the scenes. This verisimilitude shines through in her later books. You can feel that insider knowledge on every page.
Eventually, she tried something else. She worked at a high school. It was during this time that she started writing. She signed with an agent at age 24. It wasn’t an overnight success story, though. It took hard work and dedication.
The Early Era: Love and Heartbreak
Her first novel was Forever, Interrupted. It was published in 2013. It is a heartbreaking story about a young widow. It deals with sudden loss and grief. It is a tearjerker, for sure.
Next came After I Do in 2014. This one explores a marriage in trouble. It asks if you can fall back in love with your spouse. It is honest and raw.
Then came Maybe in Another Life in 2015. This book is fascinating. It explores the concept of parallel lives. It asks “what if?” in the best way possible. It is like the movie Sliding Doors.
Finally, she wrote One True Loves in 2016. This might be her most emotional early work. A woman’s husband goes missing. She moves on and finds new love. Then, years later, her husband returns. It is an impossible choice. It rips your heart out.
These early books are great. They are “contemporary romance” treasures. But they were just the warm-up act. Taylor was about to level up.
The Turning Point: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
In 2017, everything changed. Taylor published The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. This book is a masterpiece. It is the book that made her a superstar.
It tells the story of an Old Hollywood icon. Evelyn Hugo is famous, beautiful, and scandalous. She has been married seven times. Now, she is ready to tell the truth. She chooses an unknown reporter, Monique Grant, to write her biography.
Why is this book so good? It feels real. You will want to Google Evelyn Hugo. You will want to watch her movies. But she doesn’t exist! Taylor created a fictional biography that feels like non-fiction. This simulacrum of reality is her superpower.
The book also explores complex themes. It deals with bisexuality and hidden identity. It looks at the price of fame. It is glamorous but also deeply sad. It is a modern classic.
The Rock Star Era: Daisy Jones & The Six
Taylor didn’t stop there. In 2019, she released Daisy Jones & The Six. This book takes us to the 1970s. It is about a rock band on the rise. It is about sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll.
The format is unique. It is written as an oral history. It looks like a transcript of interviews. The characters talk directly to you. They contradict each other constantly. This technique creates a sense of unreliable narration. You have to decide what the truth is.
Daisy Jones is a chaotic force. Billy Dunne is the brooding frontman. Their chemistry is electric. The book feels like listening to a classic album. You can practically hear the music. It was so popular it became a TV show. Reese Witherspoon produced it!
The Malibu Party: Malibu Rising
In 2021, we got Malibu Rising. This story takes place in 1983. It is set over the course of one night. It is the night of the annual Riva party.
The main characters are the Riva siblings. They are the children of a famous singer. (We will get to him later!) Nina Riva is the surfer supermodel. She is hosting the party of the year.
The book is fast-paced. It builds tension beautifully. You know the house will burn down by morning. You just have to wait to see how. It explores family dynamics perfectly. It shows how the sins of the father haunt the children. It is a quintessential summer read.
The Competitor: Carrie Soto Is Back
Then came Carrie Soto Is Back in 2022. This book is about tennis. But you don’t need to like tennis to love it. It is about ambition. It is about female rage and power.
Carrie Soto is a tennis legend. She holds the record for Grand Slam titles. But a new player is threatening her record. So, at age 37, Carrie comes out of retirement. She wants to defend her title.
Carrie is not “likable” in the traditional sense. She is fierce. She is unapologetic. She is the “Battle Axe.” And we love her for it. Taylor makes us root for the difficult woman. It is a triumphant story of perseverance.
The Latest Masterpiece: Atmosphere (2025)
And now, we have her latest hit. In June 2025, Taylor released Atmosphere. This book takes us to the stars. Literally.
It is set in the 1980s. It follows the space shuttle program. The main characters are Joan and Vanessa. They are two women trying to become astronauts. It is a high-stakes setting.
But at its core, it is a love story. It is a romance between these two ambitious women. They have to hide their love to survive in a man’s world. The tension is astronomical.
The reviews have been glowing. Readers love the dual timeline. They love the research into NASA history. It proves Taylor can write about anything. From Hollywood to rock bands to outer space. She is truly an auteur of historical fiction.
The Reid-verse: How It Is All Connected
Here is the fun part. All these books are connected! They exist in the same universe.
The key to it all is Mick Riva. He is a fictional singer. He is the third husband of Evelyn Hugo. He hits on Daisy Jones at a party. He is the father of the siblings in Malibu Rising. He is the man everyone loves to hate.
There are other connections too.
- Brandon Randall dates Nina Riva in Malibu Rising. He leaves her for Carrie Soto.
- Magazines like Vivant appear in multiple books.
- Characters often cross paths in the background.
It creates a rich tapestry of stories. It rewards loyal readers. Finding an Easter egg feels like a secret high-five from the author.
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Personal Life
Taylor is quite private. But she has shared some things. She lives in Los Angeles. She is married to Alex Jenkins Reid. He is a screenwriter. They have a lovely daughter together.
In 2025, Taylor shared something personal. She came out as bisexual in a Time magazine interview. She spoke about her identity with grace. She said her book Evelyn Hugo was a way to explore that side of herself. It was a beautiful moment for her fans. It added a new layer of depth to her queer characters.
Her Writing Process
How does she do it? She is very disciplined. She treats writing like a job. She sets strict word counts for herself. She knows the beginning and the end before she starts. But she doesn’t know the middle. She discovers the journey as she writes.
She does months of research. For Daisy Jones, she listened to 70s rock on repeat. For Atmosphere, she studied the space shuttle program. She immerses herself completely. This dedication creates that feeling of authenticity.
Taylor Jenkins Reid Books in Order
Do you want to start reading? Here is the list by publication date:
- Forever, Interrupted (2013)
- After I Do (2014)
- Maybe in Another Life (2015)
- One True Loves (2016)
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (2017)
- Evidence of the Affair (2018) – A short story!
- Daisy Jones & The Six (2019)
- Malibu Rising (2021)
- Carrie Soto Is Back (2022)
- Atmosphere (2025)
You can read them in any order. But reading the “famous women” quartet in order is fun. That way, you catch the Mick Riva cameos as they happen!
Why We Love Her
Taylor Jenkins Reid is special. She writes about women who are messy. They are ambitious. They make mistakes. They are human. She doesn’t judge them. She celebrates them.
Her writing is accessible but profound. She uses simple language to convey complex emotions. She creates worlds we want to live in. We want to wear Evelyn’s gowns. We want to sing Daisy’s songs. We want to surf with Nina Riva.
She has conquered the literary world. She has a massive net worth of influence. Her books are everywhere. You see them on TikTok. You see them in airports. You see them on the beach.
So, if you haven’t read her yet, start now. Pick up Evelyn Hugo. Or maybe Daisy Jones. You won’t regret it. You will fall in love. And you will join the rest of us in the Reid-verse. Happy reading!
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