1. "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" (2017)
Told across several decades, we follow the Liz Taylor-esque
Evelyn, a Hollywood star during the ‘50s and ‘60s who’s telling her story to a
biographer. One of Evelyn’s husbands (her third) is singer Mick Riva, who will
later appear in several of Jenkins Reid's books and have a major part in "Malibu Rising."
Supporting characters Celia St. James and Don Adler also get mentioned again in later books.
Magazines play a prominent role in all the books. In this one, we’re introduced to Vivant and Sub-Rose,
the former with whom Evelyn shares her life story. The influence of these magazines will span decades and spill into the other novels.
Ciro’s Restaurant is a Hollywood hot spot that we’ll hear
more about later, too.
2. "Evidence of the Affair" (2018)
This epistolary short story set in the ‘70s doesn’t have a
ton of overlap with the other Jenkins Reid novels, but the characters listen to music by Daisy Jones and Mick Riva.
3. "Daisy Jones & The Six" (2019)
Next up is Jenkins Reid’s oral rock history as told by the
members of the ‘70s Laurel Canyon Band, Daisy Jones & The Six. The book
feels like a fictional take on the trials and tribulations of a Fleetwood Mac-type
band, with Daisy serving as Stevie Nicks.
Though mostly set in the ‘70s, there are passing references
to characters introduced in “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”: Mick
Riva, Evelyn’s ex, who shows up at a party Daisy attends.
Warren Rhodes, drummer of The Six, will be mentioned again
in another book (with girlfriend Lisa Crowne), as well as Runner Records, which
is the band’s label.
4. "Malibu Rising" (2021)
Jenkins Reid’s universe really starts to gel in this ‘80s
set family drama. Mick Riva's kids are the main characters dealing with the absence of their rockstar father, who is also, as you may remember, Evelyn’s (who is referred to but
not named) third husband.
Half of the book talks about the doomed romance between Mick and his wife June and the other is about eldest daughter Nina and the epic party she holds in the wake of her own marriage troubles with husband Brandon Randall, a professional tennis player.
Brandon has just left her for Carrie Soto (who will later get her own book).
Because it is set in Malibu, there are lots of Hollywood names
that get dropped. The Six drummer Warren Rhodes is mentioned as a party guest
from a past party along with girlfriend Lisa Crowne and the dating life of
Celia St. James is also speculated upon. Violet North (daughter of Evelyn's
fourth husband) goes to Nina's party. Don Adler is mentioned again and of course, the celebs
love to hang out at Ciro’s restaurant. Runner Records comes up too.
The two magazines, Vivant and Sub Rosa, are mentioned here again. Nina owes her
fame as a surfer to Vivant Magazine and her mother June reads Sub Rosa.
5. "Carrie Soto is Back" (2022)
The most current book in the Jenkins Reid empire (and she has said this will be the last crossover book) is this
novel about the career comeback of tennis professional Carrie Soto. You might
remember Carrie as the other woman from "Malibu Rising" and now, in the ‘90s, she's making a return to tennis.
Because Carrie is tangentially related to the Riva clan
through Brandon, their names come up in this book. Javier, Carrie’s father specifically
mentions his dislike of Mick Riva, who has now appeared in everyone of these
books.
Carrie Soto reads a biography of Daisy Jones while Vivant Magazine supports Carrie's big comeback.
