In the past few years, Taylor Jenkins Reid, the best-selling author of several highly acclaimed novels, has skyrocketed in popularity, mainly due to the influence of social media. In the past two years, a community called “BookTok” has emerged from the app TikTok, profoundly impacting the reading world by dictating what books are popular. Reid rose to fame on BookTok for her adored book, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Although the book was released in 2017, it came into the limelight in 2021, along with several of her other books. Reid is an expert at capturing any historical era in her novels and steals the hearts of readers who come across them. While all eight of Reid’s books are worth reading, we have selected 5 of her best works for her new fans.  

1. Daisy Jones & The Six

Daisy Jones & The Six recounts the iconic, unexplained history of the fictional 70s-80s rock band “The Six” and their partnership with Stevie Nicks-inspired singer Daisy Jones. The novel depicts the band’s journey in an interview-style format, beginning with their formation and ending with their final demise. The book primarily follows Daisy Jones, and Billy Dunne. The readers watch as they both ascend into stardom and collide. The book details their complicated relationship, following them as we see their infamous albums being crafted. Daisy Jones & The Six is a captivating, painful, and page-turning novel that will grab your heart. 

The author encapsulates the rock scene of this time perfectly. The reader is immediately immersed in this world and gradually learns the entire, uncensored account of what happened to the band. The novel evokes every emotion – warmth, heartache, joy, and tenderness can occur in a single chapter. It has a unique format, as it is told through interviews with each character, that makes the book feel much more personal. Everyone, regardless of gender or age group, can instantly relate to the book and connect with its characters. Daisy Jones & The Six is a book everyone should read at one point in their life because of its realistic depiction of love, life, and pain. The book is completely unique, and can change how anyone views reading.

2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

This book chronicles the career of bisexual Cuban Hollywood starlet Evelyn Hugo from the 1950s through the 1970s. Evelyn, who is well known for having seven husbands and for her scandalous Hollywood affairs, is atopic of interest. Monique, a struggling journalist, is given a chance to interview Evelyn and learn the details of her enigmatic and dramatic history.

Throughout the story, the readers are taken on a heartbreaking, emotional, and tragic journey through Evelyn’s life. Reid has crafted Evelyn like a real person, allowing the readers to connect with her character and empathize with her decisions and struggles. The author uses vivid imagery, and specific language to make readers feel as if they were a part of the book. The book is fast-paced, detailed, and intriguing, making it almost impossible to put down. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of the most intriguing novels I’ve ever read. The book has something for every audience, and left a significant impact on me. The book possesses every emotion; every age group could find something about this book to enjoy or connect with. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was the main factor that got me into reading again, and could help others out of a reading slump. For anyone looking for an enthralling romance book that hosts themes of family, loyalty, and loss, this book is for you.

3. Malibu Rising

Malibu Rising tells the story of the children of Mick Riva, a fictional singer and superstar, who happens to be one of Evelyn Hugo’s husbands. Each chapter flips back and forth from the time Mick and his first wife June met, to the current day where his daughter, Nina Riva, is throwing an end-of-summer party. As a surfer and supermodel, Nina has gained almost as much popularity as Mick. She married famous tennis player Brandon Randall, who also appears in the novel Carrie Soto Is Back. The readers are taken through the day of the party and get a glimpse of the lives of all four Riva siblings – Nina, who is struggling after being left by her husband, Hud, who has fallen in love with his brother’s ex-girlfriend, Jay, whose recent health issues may end his career as a surfer, and Kit, who is struggling with her identity and sexuality. The party is a monumental night for everyone, as all of the characters mentioned throughout the book intersect and each individual’s drama culminates during the party.

Malibu Rising possesses the addictive quality that all of Reid’s books are known for.  The book is so fascinating, you could read it in a single day. You are desperate to find out how everything ends and the readers can’t help but keep turning the page. With surfing, Malibu beaches, family drama, romance, and self-discovery, this makes for the perfect summer read. Fast-paced and filled with energy, you will be left with a Riva-shaped hole in your heart. Malibu Rising is also currently in the early stages of a Hulu TV show adaptation.

4. Carrie Soto is Back

Taylor Jenkins Reid has a beautiful way of connecting little bits of one story to another. Carrie Soto, for example, happens to be a side character in Malibu Rising that got to star in her own novel. This story follows Carrie, a world-famous tennis player, on her journey coming out of retirement to reclaim her world record number of Grand Slam titles. We spend the first portion of the book learning about her childhood and past tennis history, and then follow her in the present through her quest to regain the number one title.

As a tennis fan myself, I really enjoyed all of the talk and references of the sport. This book is great for anyone looking to learn more about tennis, and definitely doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the sport to enjoy it. It is clear that much research was conducted during the writing process, as Carrie often talks about tennis strategy with her father, who also happens to be her coach. This book is, above all, a father-daughter love story, and their love for one another is endearing and heart-tugging. 

5. One True Loves

This book is a romance novel that follows a woman named Emma Blair, whose husband died in a tragic helicopter accident, as she learns to move on by falling in love with someone new. However, just when Emma finds herself starting to fall in love again, she gets a call from her late husband – turns out, he is not dead at all, and has spent the past few years trying to get back to Emma. The book then follows Emma as she tries to figure out who she truly wants to be with. 

While deeply emotional, the majority of this book is spent listening to Emma’s inner monologue and rantings about her confusion. Jesse, her first husband, also has a rather unrealistic storyline of surviving the accident. However, despite these flaws, the book writes the love triangle wonderfully. While both love interests have a shot at winning Emma’s heart, Emma finds that the choice ultimately comes down to who she is as a person and how she’s changed throughout her life. The readers, who are stuck in the middle of the love triangle along with Emma, have no idea how the story will end, making the book addictive. It is worth the read for anyone looking for a bittersweet, short, and easy romance novel.

Although all of her books are different, Taylor Jenkins Reid has a book for everyone. Her books encapsulate humor, romance, sadness, and stress. She is not only one of the most popular, but one of the best writers of the past five years, and everyone should give her novels a chance. Whether you are interested in surfing, 70s rock, 60s glamor, or intense tennis matches, you will adore all of her books, from start to finish.