Taylor Jenkins Reid has cemented herself as one of the most impactful contemporary fiction authors for me. Her books have a way of reaching into your chest, pulling out all your emotions and holding them up to the light. While every one of her novels is unique, they all seem to circle back to the same big questions about fame, love, identity and what it really means to live a full life. From “Daisy Jones & The Six” to “After I Do”, there’s something in Reid’s storytelling that stays with you long after you’ve closed that book.

For me, her three best novels are “Carrie Soto Is Back,” “Malibu Rising” and “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” They don’t just showcase her talent as a writer but also demonstrate her versatility  when it comes to creating deeply human characters, each with their own struggles, dreams and flaws.

“Carrie Soto Is Back” was the first book I read in one day, it truly was a page-turner. At first, Carrie isn’t the most likable character. She’s blunt, hyper-focused and unapologetically ambitious. Though that’s the point –Reid doesn’t write about perfect people; she writes about real ones. Watching Carrie Soto fight for her comeback in tennis, while also navigating her complicated relationship with her father and herself, feels like watching someone unravel and rebuild in front of your eyes. It’s not just about sports; it’s about legacy, sacrifice and the hunger to matter. What hit me hardest was how Reid captured the pain of realizing that even when you win, it can feel a little empty if you’ve lost yourself along the way.

Then there’s “Malibu Rising.” This book is electric, full of tension and nostalgia. The story revolves around the Riva siblings, who are all connected by their surf culture and the shadow of their famous father, Mick Riva. What captivated me is how Reid layers the family dynamics. Each sibling is carrying something heavy, and it all builds up to the explosive party that serves as the climax. The dual timeline, switching between their childhood and the infamous party night, keeps the pacing tight and emotional. Also, the setting of Malibu is practically a character itself. Reid makes one feel the salt air, the heat of the sun and the underlying fire waiting to break loose.

Finally, there’s “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” the book that arguably put Reid on the map in a huge way. This is probably her most iconic novel for good reasons. Evelyn Hugo is one of the most complex, morally ambiguous and fascinating characters I’ve ever read about. Her life story, told through her relationships, her rise to stardom and her sacrifices feels so real that one might forget she’s fictional. Reid doesn’t shy away from Evelyn’s flaws, and yet one can’t help but root for her as she chases after the things that really matter to her. The twist at the end hit me like a ton of bricks, but it also tied everything together in such a bittersweet way.

What I think makes Taylor Jenkins Reid stand out is her ability to make one care about characters who feel so far removed from one’s own life. I don’t know what it’s like to be a tennis champion, a Hollywood star or the child of a rock star, but I do know what it’s like to struggle with family, love and identity. That’s where Reid’s genius comes in, she writes these grand and glamorous lives, but grounds them in emotions that anyone can relate to.

But Reid’s impact on me goes beyond just telling incredible stories. She’s the reason I started reading again. For a while, books didn’t really interest me, and it felt like I’d lost that part of myself. Then I picked up “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” and everything changed. I couldn’t put it down. It wasn’t just a book; it was an escape —a reminder of how powerful stories can be. After Evelyn, I dove into “Malibu Rising” and “Carrie Soto Is Back,” staying up late and completely hooked. Reid didn’t just make me want to read again, she made it feel exciting and necessary.

While I’ve read all of her books, these three are the ones I always go back to in my mind. They’re not just stories; they’re experiences. Reid doesn’t just make one read; she makes one feel. In a world full of distractions, that’s a pretty rare gift.