Honestly, if you haven't been living under a literal rock for the last five years, you’ve seen the palm trees. You know the ones—the sunset-drenched covers of Malibu Rising or the iconic green dress on The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Taylor Jenkins Reid books have basically become the unofficial uniform of airport lounges and beach bags everywhere.
But here’s the thing. Most people think she just suddenly appeared out of nowhere with a bestseller list and a Netflix deal. That’s just not true. She spent years writing what she calls "mid-list" romances that didn't exactly set the world on fire at first. Now? She’s a juggernaut. As of early 2026, she’s sold over 21 million copies worldwide. She even secured a massive $40 million deal for her next five projects. Not bad for someone who started with a $50,000 advance.
The Famous Quartet and the Mick Riva of it All
If you're looking for where to start, you’ve gotta understand the "Famous Four." This is the unofficial series of Taylor Jenkins Reid books that follow famous women through different decades of the 20th century.
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (1950s-80s): An Old Hollywood starlet tells her life story to a random journalist. It’s about fame, sure, but it’s actually a secret queer romance that will wreck you.
- Daisy Jones & The Six (1970s): Written as an oral history. It feels so real that people still Google if the band was a real thing. (Spoiler: They weren't, though they're heavily inspired by Fleetwood Mac).
- Malibu Rising (1983): Four famous siblings throw a party. By the end of the night, the house is literally on fire.
- Carrie Soto Is Back (1990s): A "difficult" tennis legend comes out of retirement to defend her record. It’s surprisingly high-stakes.
The coolest part is how they all connect. There’s a character named Mick Riva. He’s the third husband in Evelyn Hugo, the absentee father in Malibu Rising, and his music is played in the background of Daisy Jones. Even Carrie Soto first showed up as "the other woman" in Malibu Rising. It's a whole cinematic universe, just in paperback form.
The "New" Era: Atmosphere and Beyond
In June 2025, Reid finally broke her "famous person" streak with Atmosphere. If you haven't picked it up yet, it’s a bit of a departure. Set in the 1980s, it follows Joan Goodwin, a scientist in NASA’s Space Shuttle program. It’s got that signature TJR "sweeping romance" feel, but with more physics and fewer paparazzi.
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It was a #1 New York Times bestseller almost immediately. Target even named it their Book of the Year. It’s proof that she isn't just the "Hollywood author." She can write about anything as long as there’s a complicated woman at the center of it.
What’s Actually Happening with the Movies?
People keep asking when the Evelyn Hugo movie is coming out. As of January 2026, we’re still in wait-and-see mode, but there's movement. Netflix is handling the adaptation with Maggie Betts directing. They were supposed to start shooting in Los Angeles in mid-2025.
Casting is still the biggest mystery on the internet. Everyone has a theory. Is it Jessica Chastain? Ana de Armas? The studio is being incredibly tight-lipped. Meanwhile, Atmosphere is already being turned into a movie by Laika Studios. Yes, the Coraline people. It’s being directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the duo behind Captain Marvel.
"I do know where we're going next."
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That’s what Reid told fans at the Las Vegas Book Festival in late 2025. She’s already finished a manuscript for a new book. She described it as being about "bad girls on the road." It’s currently in the revision stage with her editor, so don't expect it until 2027.
Don't Ignore the "Early" Taylor Jenkins Reid Books
Before she was writing about rock stars and tennis pros, Reid wrote contemporary "what-if" stories. If you’ve already blazed through the famous ones, go back to the beginning.
Maybe in Another Life is basically Sliding Doors. One choice leads to two different timelines. In one, she goes home with a guy; in the other, she doesn't. It’s a fun, quick read. Then there’s One True Loves, which was actually made into a movie in 2023 starring Phillipa Soo. It asks a brutal question: if your husband is presumed dead and you move on, what happens if he comes back years later?
Honestly, her older stuff is more "traditional" romance. It doesn't have the grit of Daisy Jones, but the emotional gut-punches are still there.
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How to Read Them All (The Best Order)
You don't have to read them in order. But if you want the full experience of the Easter eggs, try this:
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (To meet Mick Riva first).
- Daisy Jones & The Six (To see the 70s rock scene).
- Malibu Rising (This is where all the threads come together).
- Carrie Soto Is Back (The perfect follow-up to the Riva family drama).
- Atmosphere (Her newest and most "mature" work).
If you’re feeling completionist, you can slot in her short story Evidence of the Affair. It’s told through letters between two people whose spouses are having an affair with each other. It’s short, sharp, and very TJR.
Why People Love (and Hate) Her Writing
You’ll see a lot of "is she overrated?" discourse on TikTok. Some critics say her prose is too simple. Others think the "interconnected universe" is a gimmick.
But her real strength isn't complex metaphors. It’s pacing. She writes books that you can’t put down even when you’re tired. She understands the "cost of greatness"—how being the best at something (tennis, acting, singing) usually ruins your personal life. That’s a theme that resonates whether you’re a billionaire or just someone trying to survive a 9-to-5.
Moving Forward with Your TJR Journey
If you're ready to dive in, start with the "Famous Four." They are the heart of her brand for a reason. Once you've finished those, keep an eye out for news on the "Bad Girls" book coming in 2027.
The best way to stay updated is through the official Taylor Jenkins Reid website or by following the production news for the Netflix Evelyn Hugo film. With five more books on the way via her new contract, the TJR era is nowhere near over. Grab a copy of Atmosphere if you want to see where she’s heading next—it’s the bridge between her Hollywood past and her more experimental future.