Every once in a while, readers discover an author whose books feel impossible to read just one at a time. You finish one novel and immediately find yourself reaching for another. For many contemporary readers, that author is Taylor Jenkins Reid. Known for her compelling characters and emotionally layered storytelling, Reid has built a reputation for writing stories that explore ambition, fame, love, and the complicated choices people make while trying to live fully.
What makes Reid’s work especially engaging is how real her characters feel. Whether she’s writing about Hollywood icons, musicians, athletes, or ordinary people navigating extraordinary moments, her stories capture the messy, human side of success and reinvention. Many of her protagonists are women who are unapologetically ambitious, flawed, and determined to define success on their own terms—something that feels especially fitting to celebrate during Women’s Month. I’m currently reading Atmosphere, her latest novel, and it reminded me just how easy it is to get pulled into her world. If you’re looking for an author worth diving into, here are five Taylor Jenkins Reid books that showcase why readers keep coming back for more.
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A woman journaling in her book as she reflects on her thoughts while sitting quietly in the forest and enjoying the nature
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This bestselling novel follows the life of Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo, who finally decides to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandal-filled career. Through an interview with a relatively unknown journalist, Evelyn recounts her rise to fame, her seven marriages, and the secrets she kept along the way.
Evelyn Hugo is the kind of character you don’t easily forget—bold, strategic, and willing to make difficult choices to protect the life she built. What I loved most about this book is how it slowly peels back the layers of her story, revealing the sacrifices behind the glamour. It’s a reminder that public success often hides deeply personal struggles. The novel is currently in development as a Netflix film, and I’m honestly so excited to see how Evelyn’s iconic story will be brought to the screen.
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Written in an interview-style format, this novel chronicles the rise and fall of a fictional 1970s rock band. The story unfolds through the voices of band members as they reflect on fame, music, relationships, and the tensions that eventually tore them apart.
This book feels incredibly immersive because of its documentary-style format. Each character’s perspective adds another layer to the story, making it feel almost like you’re piecing together the truth behind the band’s history. It’s one of those novels that makes you wish the band actually existed. The story has already been adapted into a television series, and it translates beautifully on screen. I also highly recommend the audiobook version—it features a full cast and really brings the characters and the music industry drama to life.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Set during one unforgettable summer night in Malibu, this novel follows the four famous Riva siblings as they host their annual end-of-summer party. As the night unfolds, secrets surface, and tensions rise, revealing the complicated family history behind their glamorous lives.
What I appreciated most about this novel is how Reid manages to tell both a big, cinematic story and an intimate family drama at the same time. The party setting gives the book an energetic pace, but the emotional core lies in the relationships between the siblings. It’s ultimately a story about resilience and the quiet ways people try to build better lives despite complicated family histories.
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This novel follows Carrie Soto, a retired tennis champion who decides to return to professional tennis in her late thirties to reclaim her record after another player threatens to surpass it. Determined and fiercely competitive, Carrie faces both younger rivals and the expectations surrounding her legacy.
Carrie is not always the easiest character to love—and that’s exactly what makes her so fascinating. She’s unapologetically ambitious and incredibly driven, which can make her seem intimidating or even unlikable to those around her. But as the story unfolds, you start to understand the discipline and sacrifice behind that intensity. I found myself rooting for her not just to win matches, but to rediscover her purpose and joy in the sport she dedicated her life to.
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This emotional novel centers on Emma Blair, who loses her husband in a tragic accident and eventually rebuilds her life with someone new. Years later, she receives unexpected news: her first husband is actually alive. Faced with two great loves, Emma must decide what her future truly looks like.
This book asks one of those impossible questions: can someone have more than one true love? Reid explores grief, healing, and personal growth with sensitivity, showing how people change as they move through different seasons of life. What stayed with me most was the idea that love isn’t static—it evolves as we do. It’s a deeply emotional story that makes you reflect on how life rarely follows the plans we once imagined.
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novels remind us that strength doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes it looks like ambition, sometimes reinvention, and sometimes simply the courage to start again. Her characters are messy, determined, and deeply human—and that’s exactly why readers connect with them.
During Women’s Month especially, it feels fitting to celebrate stories about women who refuse to be defined by expectations, who chase their passions, and who continue to rewrite their own narratives. Reid’s books capture that spirit beautifully.
If you have a favorite Taylor Jenkins Reid novel or an author you think deserves an “Author Obsession” feature, I’d love to hear from you. Email me at ihorton@whatsupmag.com and let’s keep the conversation going.
