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Evidence of the Affair
1 hour, 19 minutes
The repercussions of an illicit affair unfold in this short story by bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Dear stranger…
A desperate young woman in Southern California sits down to write a letter to a man she’s never met—a choice that will forever change both their lives.
My heart goes out to you, David. Even though I do not know you…
The correspondence between Carrie Allsop and David Mayer reveals, piece by piece, the painful details of a devastating affair between their spouses. With each commiserating scratch of the pen, they confess their fears and bare their souls. They share the bewilderment over how things went so wrong and come to wonder where to go from here.
Told entirely through the letters of two comforting strangers and those of two illicit lovers, Evidence of the Affair explores the complex nature of the heart. And ultimately, for one woman, how liberating it can be when it’s broken.
The repercussions of an illicit affair unfold in this short story by bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Dear stranger…
A desperate young woman in Southern California sits down to write a letter to a man she’s never met—a choice that will forever change both their lives.
My heart goes out to you, David. Even though I do not know you…
The correspondence between Carrie Allsop and David Mayer reveals, piece by piece, the painful details of a devastating affair between their spouses. With each commiserating scratch of the pen, they confess their fears and bare their souls. They share the bewilderment over how things went so wrong and come to wonder where to go from here.
Told entirely through the letters of two comforting strangers and those of two illicit lovers, Evidence of the Affair explores the complex nature of the heart. And ultimately, for one woman, how liberating it can be when it’s broken.
2 pages, Audible Audio
First published September 20, 2018
15050 people are currently reading
173950 people want to read
About the author
Taylor Jenkins Reid
22 books226k followersTaylor Jenkins Reid is the New York Times bestselling author of Carrie Soto Is Back, Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones & The Six, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, as well as four other novels. Her newest novel, Atmosphere, is out now. She lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 23,839 reviews
March 15, 2019
Oh my stars, that was fabulous.
I felt so much in only 100 pages? How is this possible? What kind of literary witch is Taylor Jenkins Reid? Why am I crying? What is happening?
I'm a sucker for books told in alternative formats, and this book of letters was just right. Though this format limits how much character description we get, I instantly connected to our protagonists. I want to give Carrie and David a big old hug.
This short story gave me a complete character arc and kept me on my toes the entire time! That's all you can really ask for.
I didn't think I would enjoy this as much as I did, but I'm so glad that I read it!
I felt so much in only 100 pages? How is this possible? What kind of literary witch is Taylor Jenkins Reid? Why am I crying? What is happening?
I'm a sucker for books told in alternative formats, and this book of letters was just right. Though this format limits how much character description we get, I instantly connected to our protagonists. I want to give Carrie and David a big old hug.
This short story gave me a complete character arc and kept me on my toes the entire time! That's all you can really ask for.
I didn't think I would enjoy this as much as I did, but I'm so glad that I read it!
October 10, 2018
10/10 do recommend reading this in the tub with a glass of wine and Fleetwood Mac playing softly in the background. SO DAMN GOOD.
June 18, 2021
3,5 ⭐
illicit affairs - taylor swift.
illicit affairs - taylor swift.
July 17, 2022
Mick Riva is absolutely everywhere except where he should be and where he should be is in a grave
September 23, 2018
taylor jenkins reid is the only author who can fuck me up in under 50 pages
April 24, 2024
➳
3.5/5 stars
✶࿐
"My life may not be perfect, but at least I can finally say it belongs to me."
Taylor has worked her magic once again, folks, and let me tell you, this book may be short in length, but its impact is profound. I've always been enamored with T.J.R.'s writing style; it have this captivating quality that draws you in from the very first page. And this book? It's no exception. It started off beautifully, weaving a tale that resonated deeply, only to deliver a plot twist that left my heart in pieces. I thought I was prepared for anything, but this unexpected turn? It truly caught me off guard.
In this narrative, we follow the journey of David and Carrie, whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways after discovering their partners' infidelity. When Carrie learns that her husband is cheating with David's wife, instead of succumbing to bitterness, she extends a hand of compassion and informs David of the situation. This act of empathy sparks a connection between them, leading to a blossoming friendship through exchanged letters.
As their correspondence deepens, David and Carrie find solace and understanding in each other's words, forming a bond that transcends the betrayal they've experienced. Like many, I anticipated a resolution where their unfaithful partners would depart, paving the way for David and Carrie to find solace and perhaps love in each other's arms.
However, the story takes a sharp turn in the end, defying expectations and leaving readers like myself stunned. The jaw-dropping revelation left me reeling, prompting me to reread the chapter to ensure that what I had read was indeed reality.
°˖➴ Overall, if you're seeking a book that grabs your attention from the very first page and keeps you hooked until the end, then this one might just be your perfect match. 💌
౨ৎ QUOTES ⊹ ࣪ ˖
⚘ "Lying has just become so much easier than telling the truth. I don’t remember when things got so hard. But life has been a matter of keeping our heads above water for years now."
⚘ "It seems as if you see me exactly as I wish to be seen. There is no greater gift than that"
⚘ "It is funny the crazy things our brains make up to save us from the truth"
⚘ "You have changed me for the rest of my life, and if I had to go through all this, I’m lucky to have gone through it with you. You will be in my heart forever."
⚘ "Protect your happiness at all costs.”
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
꒰🌷⊹ ࣪ pre-read review —
reading this only bc I haven't read a tjr book in ages 😙🤌🏻
"My life may not be perfect, but at least I can finally say it belongs to me."
Taylor has worked her magic once again, folks, and let me tell you, this book may be short in length, but its impact is profound. I've always been enamored with T.J.R.'s writing style; it have this captivating quality that draws you in from the very first page. And this book? It's no exception. It started off beautifully, weaving a tale that resonated deeply, only to deliver a plot twist that left my heart in pieces. I thought I was prepared for anything, but this unexpected turn? It truly caught me off guard.
In this narrative, we follow the journey of David and Carrie, whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways after discovering their partners' infidelity. When Carrie learns that her husband is cheating with David's wife, instead of succumbing to bitterness, she extends a hand of compassion and informs David of the situation. This act of empathy sparks a connection between them, leading to a blossoming friendship through exchanged letters.
As their correspondence deepens, David and Carrie find solace and understanding in each other's words, forming a bond that transcends the betrayal they've experienced. Like many, I anticipated a resolution where their unfaithful partners would depart, paving the way for David and Carrie to find solace and perhaps love in each other's arms.
However, the story takes a sharp turn in the end, defying expectations and leaving readers like myself stunned. The jaw-dropping revelation left me reeling, prompting me to reread the chapter to ensure that what I had read was indeed reality.
°˖➴ Overall, if you're seeking a book that grabs your attention from the very first page and keeps you hooked until the end, then this one might just be your perfect match. 💌
౨ৎ QUOTES ⊹ ࣪ ˖
⚘ "Lying has just become so much easier than telling the truth. I don’t remember when things got so hard. But life has been a matter of keeping our heads above water for years now."
⚘ "It seems as if you see me exactly as I wish to be seen. There is no greater gift than that"
⚘ "It is funny the crazy things our brains make up to save us from the truth"
⚘ "You have changed me for the rest of my life, and if I had to go through all this, I’m lucky to have gone through it with you. You will be in my heart forever."
⚘ "Protect your happiness at all costs.”
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
꒰🌷⊹ ࣪ pre-read review —
reading this only bc I haven't read a tjr book in ages 😙🤌🏻
September 21, 2018
This was so good. No long review needed, just do yourself a favor and grab a copy. It'll be a worthy 30 minutes of your time, and it's currently free on Kindle Unlimited!
October 28, 2022
Evidence of the Affair, written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Julia Whelan, George Newbern, James Daniels, and Dara Rosenberg.
This is my second story by Taylor Jenkins Reid and my second that has some narration by Julie Whelan and I will be looking for stories where each of them are involved. Evidence of the Affair is related to us in the form of letters from Carrie, housewife of a doctor, writing to David, husband of the woman who is having an affair with the doctor. David writes back to Carrie and they share letters that have been written by their spouses to each other. I enjoyed this way of telling the story and have enjoyed how both of the stories I've read by Taylor Jenkins Reid have been related differently than most that I read. The story is short and I won't say any more except that I feel like the resolution for both Carrie and David were healthy for each party and their families.
Pub Dec 2019
This was a Kindle Unlimited audio selection.
This is my second story by Taylor Jenkins Reid and my second that has some narration by Julie Whelan and I will be looking for stories where each of them are involved. Evidence of the Affair is related to us in the form of letters from Carrie, housewife of a doctor, writing to David, husband of the woman who is having an affair with the doctor. David writes back to Carrie and they share letters that have been written by their spouses to each other. I enjoyed this way of telling the story and have enjoyed how both of the stories I've read by Taylor Jenkins Reid have been related differently than most that I read. The story is short and I won't say any more except that I feel like the resolution for both Carrie and David were healthy for each party and their families.
Pub Dec 2019
This was a Kindle Unlimited audio selection.
November 7, 2018
This is a great idea, but it's a little more basic than I was hoping for from the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
It's an epistolary novella, featuring letters exchanged between a man and a woman who have discovered their spouses are having an affair together. It is compelling enough to keep me wondering how it would end, but it's unfortunate that everything went pretty much exactly how I expected. No surprises here.
I was also a little put off by some of the gushy language. Carrie and David quickly become "I don't know what I would do without you" friends, which I suppose seems realistic given the circumstances, but it was a little too much. They wouldn't stop telling each other how amazing they are, and it grew repetitive and annoying.
Still... an interesting idea. I especially liked how - because it's told through letters - a lot of things happen off-page and we have to piece together events through what is revealed in their correspondence.
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It's an epistolary novella, featuring letters exchanged between a man and a woman who have discovered their spouses are having an affair together. It is compelling enough to keep me wondering how it would end, but it's unfortunate that everything went pretty much exactly how I expected. No surprises here.
I was also a little put off by some of the gushy language. Carrie and David quickly become "I don't know what I would do without you" friends, which I suppose seems realistic given the circumstances, but it was a little too much. They wouldn't stop telling each other how amazing they are, and it grew repetitive and annoying.
Still... an interesting idea. I especially liked how - because it's told through letters - a lot of things happen off-page and we have to piece together events through what is revealed in their correspondence.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
August 24, 2021
I once heard some diet guru say that you really only need to eat three bites of anything. Take one bite to say “hello,” one bite to savor the flavor, and one bite to say “goodbye.” Hahhahahhahaha!
No.
For some reason that ridiculousness came to mind after finishing Taylor Jenkins Reid’s exquisite epistolary short story, Evidence of the Affair. It made me realize I would actually rather take three metaphorical bites of anything she’s written than binge on a lesser author’s novel offering.
In a mere 80 pages, TJR takes readers back to 1976 when the wife of a philandering husband writes to his mistress’s husband to inform him of the affair and see if he might be able to bring context to the relationship. Their exchange of correspondence reveals the details of both marriages and the unfulfilled dreams crushed under their weights.
Gorgeous words. Believable characters. Satisfying conclusion. Goes to show that successful storytelling truly is about the quality of the ingredients.
Evidence of the Affair is an Amazon Original Story and is part of the Kindle Unlimited collection.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
No.
For some reason that ridiculousness came to mind after finishing Taylor Jenkins Reid’s exquisite epistolary short story, Evidence of the Affair. It made me realize I would actually rather take three metaphorical bites of anything she’s written than binge on a lesser author’s novel offering.
In a mere 80 pages, TJR takes readers back to 1976 when the wife of a philandering husband writes to his mistress’s husband to inform him of the affair and see if he might be able to bring context to the relationship. Their exchange of correspondence reveals the details of both marriages and the unfulfilled dreams crushed under their weights.
Gorgeous words. Believable characters. Satisfying conclusion. Goes to show that successful storytelling truly is about the quality of the ingredients.
Evidence of the Affair is an Amazon Original Story and is part of the Kindle Unlimited collection.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
January 23, 2022
Tudo pra mim ❤️
May 7, 2023
The only author who knows how to write the cheating trope... I'm in tears 😭😭
April 26, 2023
1.5 "dullest coffee date ever" star !!!
Most(est) Fun Review Written in 2022 Award
Dear TJR,
I wish I could say I was charmed or pleasantly surprised or even amused during our first coffee date.
So many of my GR friends and gal pals adore your work and I must say that the covers of your Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo books intrigued me. My intuitions kept telling me to put you off.
Your influence however persisted and so I was glad to note through a recent review by new GR pal that you had this longish short story.
Luckily I did not pay for the coffee or cake and our interaction was mercifully short as I skimmed you while rolling my eyes when they weren't drooping from boredom.
This is a hallmark movie gone terribly wrong with atrocious acting, improbable happenings and dishcloth characters.
Let's call it quits for now and be glad that we did not opt for a dinner date.
Jaidee
Most(est) Fun Review Written in 2022 Award
Dear TJR,
I wish I could say I was charmed or pleasantly surprised or even amused during our first coffee date.
So many of my GR friends and gal pals adore your work and I must say that the covers of your Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo books intrigued me. My intuitions kept telling me to put you off.
Your influence however persisted and so I was glad to note through a recent review by new GR pal that you had this longish short story.
Luckily I did not pay for the coffee or cake and our interaction was mercifully short as I skimmed you while rolling my eyes when they weren't drooping from boredom.
This is a hallmark movie gone terribly wrong with atrocious acting, improbable happenings and dishcloth characters.
Let's call it quits for now and be glad that we did not opt for a dinner date.
Jaidee
April 19, 2021
WOW! Outstanding short story! I listened to this Audible book on my morning walk. What an enjoyment!
This is one of the BEST short stories I've listened to. The story is cleverly told in letters. I think only Taylor Jenkins Reid can pull this style off! So much feeling packed into this little story! I'm a little late on this treasure but "better late than never."
I loved the narration as well. It was perfection and part of it was narrated by a personal favourite- Julie Whelan. To my pleasant surprise there was a Daisy Jones reference. That made me smile!
This is one of the BEST short stories I've listened to. The story is cleverly told in letters. I think only Taylor Jenkins Reid can pull this style off! So much feeling packed into this little story! I'm a little late on this treasure but "better late than never."
I loved the narration as well. It was perfection and part of it was narrated by a personal favourite- Julie Whelan. To my pleasant surprise there was a Daisy Jones reference. That made me smile!
September 24, 2018
Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a 2018 Amazon Original Stories publication.
Beginning in 1976, a written correspondence commences between the wife and husband whose spouses are having an affair with one another.
The epistolary story evolves from here to also include the letters exchanged by their spouses, revealing their thoughts and feelings as they continue with their marriages as though nothing was going on.
This a very short story, but packs a powerful, poignant, and emotional punch. How an author manages to cram so many turbulent feelings, and incredible character growth into such a small amount of space is remarkable.
I’m a short story skeptic most of the time, but this one is exceptional- but of course, so is the author.
I am once again sincerely indebted and grateful my friends on GR who posted reviews and recommended this book so highly. Otherwise, this one might have slipped under my radar.
So, I’m going to pay it forward- This one is easy to fit into your reading schedule and is included in your Kindle Unlimited subscription. Check it out- you'll be glad you did.
4 stars
Beginning in 1976, a written correspondence commences between the wife and husband whose spouses are having an affair with one another.
The epistolary story evolves from here to also include the letters exchanged by their spouses, revealing their thoughts and feelings as they continue with their marriages as though nothing was going on.
This a very short story, but packs a powerful, poignant, and emotional punch. How an author manages to cram so many turbulent feelings, and incredible character growth into such a small amount of space is remarkable.
I’m a short story skeptic most of the time, but this one is exceptional- but of course, so is the author.
I am once again sincerely indebted and grateful my friends on GR who posted reviews and recommended this book so highly. Otherwise, this one might have slipped under my radar.
So, I’m going to pay it forward- This one is easy to fit into your reading schedule and is included in your Kindle Unlimited subscription. Check it out- you'll be glad you did.
4 stars
March 15, 2021
I am stunned. This short story was brilliant. Powerful. Gripping.
87 pages. That's all it took to make me love the characters, to make me cry (more than once!) and to make me root for David and Carrie with all my heart. I'm in awe with how TJR made me feel so many strong emotions.
''Lately, it feels like my whole life has a similar feeling to when you check the clock on a Saturday and realise it's already half past four.''
The whole book is written through letters, but don't let that stop you: it was definitely the perfect way to tell this story. Some letters were gut-wrenching and litteraly made me feel nauseous. They felt so real, like they were adressed to me.
''It seems as if you see me exactly as I wish to be seen. There is no greater gift.''
I'm very picky when it comes to putting books on my ''favorites'' shelf. When I finished this one, I didn't hesitate one second. It was an amazing, hopeful read and the ending was everything I wished it would be without being predictable. After three great books by this author, I can say that she has a new fan!
87 pages. That's all it took to make me love the characters, to make me cry (more than once!) and to make me root for David and Carrie with all my heart. I'm in awe with how TJR made me feel so many strong emotions.
''Lately, it feels like my whole life has a similar feeling to when you check the clock on a Saturday and realise it's already half past four.''
The whole book is written through letters, but don't let that stop you: it was definitely the perfect way to tell this story. Some letters were gut-wrenching and litteraly made me feel nauseous. They felt so real, like they were adressed to me.
''It seems as if you see me exactly as I wish to be seen. There is no greater gift.''
I'm very picky when it comes to putting books on my ''favorites'' shelf. When I finished this one, I didn't hesitate one second. It was an amazing, hopeful read and the ending was everything I wished it would be without being predictable. After three great books by this author, I can say that she has a new fan!
October 23, 2020
There is a certain point in this story that made me say "OH" out loud.
If talking to yourself while reading isn't a raving endorsement of a book I don't know what is.
And hopefully a raving endorsement is enough of a review.
4 stars
If talking to yourself while reading isn't a raving endorsement of a book I don't know what is.
And hopefully a raving endorsement is enough of a review.
4 stars
June 19, 2019
My thoughts in a nutshell
I usually don't read short stories but TJR is my newest favorite author and I was really curious if she could write a great story on only 115 pages? Yes, she could.
No matter whether it is 100 pages or 400, she's just a marvelous writer and she can do anything. :)
I adored this little novel. This is not a spoiler, but it's about an affair. The two involved characters start a conversation by letters and they found out that their partners sleep together. The whole story takes place in the '70s.
“It is funny the crazy things our brains make up to save us from the truth.”
I enjoyed the discussion between the main characters. We could see into the lovers' relationship and also the cheated person's life.
Compared to only 115 pages (on Kindle) it is a well-written love story. The atmosphere was bittersweet. I believe that if someone cheated on his/her loved one, their relationship ends. It would not work in the future.
“I guess I find it pretty easy to look like nothing is happening when everything has changed.”
I didn't expect the ending. The twist was so good. It lifted my enjoyment.
I absolutely love Taylor's works. I recommend Evidence of the Affair to everyone. It is a perfect short, quick read if you don't have time to something long. I gave it 4.5 stars because of the twist.
November 19, 2020
"Evidence of the Affair" by Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of those books you keep thinking about days after you read the last page!
What would you do if you found out your husband was having an affair? You found her letters to your husband, so the evidence is in your hands! Would you sit down, write a letter to her husband and 'spill the beans'? Well, that's what devastated wife Carrie Alsop did and she bravely mails the letter to David Mayer! Carrie wants to know if David, by chance, has found any letters written by her husband to his wife. If so, she would like them forwarded to her and if he would like the letters his wife wrote to her husband, she will send them to him, as well.
David's response takes a while, he's shocked by the news but knows his marriage is struggling or perhaps it's simply run its course. More letters travel slowly back and forth, forming a common bond between these two broken people. What should they do next? Should they approach their spouses? Fear of the unknown seems to be crippling both of them and the compassion and support they feel from each other's letters soothes their mutual pain.
As this story progresses, you think it is going one way and then it goes another and then...BOOM! Was this book only 87 pages? A short story, really? Then.What.Just.Happened? I am so caught up in this read, still thinking about these characters and I definitely want more of them! If you haven't read this little gem yet you need to give yourself a treat!
I highly recommend it to all!
What would you do if you found out your husband was having an affair? You found her letters to your husband, so the evidence is in your hands! Would you sit down, write a letter to her husband and 'spill the beans'? Well, that's what devastated wife Carrie Alsop did and she bravely mails the letter to David Mayer! Carrie wants to know if David, by chance, has found any letters written by her husband to his wife. If so, she would like them forwarded to her and if he would like the letters his wife wrote to her husband, she will send them to him, as well.
David's response takes a while, he's shocked by the news but knows his marriage is struggling or perhaps it's simply run its course. More letters travel slowly back and forth, forming a common bond between these two broken people. What should they do next? Should they approach their spouses? Fear of the unknown seems to be crippling both of them and the compassion and support they feel from each other's letters soothes their mutual pain.
As this story progresses, you think it is going one way and then it goes another and then...BOOM! Was this book only 87 pages? A short story, really? Then.What.Just.Happened? I am so caught up in this read, still thinking about these characters and I definitely want more of them! If you haven't read this little gem yet you need to give yourself a treat!
I highly recommend it to all!
August 20, 2024
“𝓘𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓯𝓾𝓷𝓷𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓬𝓻𝓪𝔃𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓫𝓻𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓼 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓾𝓹 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓾𝓼 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓻𝓾𝓽𝓱.” ― Taylor Jenkins Reid, Evidence of the Affair
October 11, 2018
Totally......*totally* engaging!!!!!!!
....”Then I moved on to Daisy Jones and Carole King”.
....”Then I moved on to Daisy Jones and Carole King”.
October 12, 2018
Dear Mr. David Mayer,
My name is Carrie Allsop. Please accept my apologies for contacting you out of the blue. I am writing to ask a quite humbling favor. I recently found some love letters in my husband's briefcase that I believe to be from your wife, Janet...
With those words, this potent short story by Taylor Jenkins Reid begins. It's December 1976, and Carrie Allsop has taken every last ounce of courage to write the man whose wife she believes is having an affair with her husband. She asks him if he has seen any letters her husband wrote to his wife, and if he has, she asks him to send them to her. She offers to do the same if he'd like to see his wife's letters, but Carrie imagines his first reaction to her letter will be shock.
"It is funny the crazy things our brains make up to save us from the truth. I have had fantasies that Ken is writing a screenplay and that he had the letters for research. Isn't that wild?"
David is, as Carrie surmised, shocked by the news she has sent him and is hurt by his wife's betrayal, but isn't really surprised, as their marriage had been strained for some time. As he tries to recover from the blow, he realizes that the only person he can rely on is Carrie, and the two begin to build a friendship based on such an awkward common bond.
As their friendship grows, they struggle with what to do. Should they confront their spouses, which could lead to the end of their marriages? Is that what they want? Do they want to start life anew, or do they want one more try at recapturing the magic they once had with their spouse? Both Carrie and David aren't sure what they want, and they aren't sure at first what their spouses' next steps will be either.
"I've always been struck by the idea that you can't be all that happy something has returned if it doesn't go away in the first place. But what if the thing goes away and never comes back?"
Reid holds your attention from start to finish, and throws in a bit of a twist for good measure. It's amazing how satisfying, how powerful, how poignant a story like this can be, and while I felt like she took you on a complete journey in a short number of pages, I'd still love to see what came next for these characters.
I read Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo a week or two ago, and it will undoubtedly be on my list of the best books I read this year. Once again, she proves she is an expert storyteller, and I can't wait to jump in and devour more of her fiction, because I love the way she writes.
Some may not love short stories, but this epistolary story feels more like a conversation than anything else. It won't take you long to read it, but definitely read it.
My name is Carrie Allsop. Please accept my apologies for contacting you out of the blue. I am writing to ask a quite humbling favor. I recently found some love letters in my husband's briefcase that I believe to be from your wife, Janet...
With those words, this potent short story by Taylor Jenkins Reid begins. It's December 1976, and Carrie Allsop has taken every last ounce of courage to write the man whose wife she believes is having an affair with her husband. She asks him if he has seen any letters her husband wrote to his wife, and if he has, she asks him to send them to her. She offers to do the same if he'd like to see his wife's letters, but Carrie imagines his first reaction to her letter will be shock.
"It is funny the crazy things our brains make up to save us from the truth. I have had fantasies that Ken is writing a screenplay and that he had the letters for research. Isn't that wild?"
David is, as Carrie surmised, shocked by the news she has sent him and is hurt by his wife's betrayal, but isn't really surprised, as their marriage had been strained for some time. As he tries to recover from the blow, he realizes that the only person he can rely on is Carrie, and the two begin to build a friendship based on such an awkward common bond.
As their friendship grows, they struggle with what to do. Should they confront their spouses, which could lead to the end of their marriages? Is that what they want? Do they want to start life anew, or do they want one more try at recapturing the magic they once had with their spouse? Both Carrie and David aren't sure what they want, and they aren't sure at first what their spouses' next steps will be either.
"I've always been struck by the idea that you can't be all that happy something has returned if it doesn't go away in the first place. But what if the thing goes away and never comes back?"
Reid holds your attention from start to finish, and throws in a bit of a twist for good measure. It's amazing how satisfying, how powerful, how poignant a story like this can be, and while I felt like she took you on a complete journey in a short number of pages, I'd still love to see what came next for these characters.
I read Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo a week or two ago, and it will undoubtedly be on my list of the best books I read this year. Once again, she proves she is an expert storyteller, and I can't wait to jump in and devour more of her fiction, because I love the way she writes.
Some may not love short stories, but this epistolary story feels more like a conversation than anything else. It won't take you long to read it, but definitely read it.
December 4, 2021
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED!
My heart goes out to you, David. Even though I do not know you…
Thus begins the correspondence between Carrie Allsop and David Mayer as they examine the devastating proof that their spouses are cheating with each other.
What a great listen. I chose to listen to the audiobook as I was driving to meet a client today. I loved the narration and the letters. Totally enjoyable and a worthwhile read/listen.
I highly recommend this book.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
My heart goes out to you, David. Even though I do not know you…
Thus begins the correspondence between Carrie Allsop and David Mayer as they examine the devastating proof that their spouses are cheating with each other.
What a great listen. I chose to listen to the audiobook as I was driving to meet a client today. I loved the narration and the letters. Totally enjoyable and a worthwhile read/listen.
I highly recommend this book.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
December 21, 2023
3.5 - quick little novella that’s perfect if you’re trying to hit your reading goal! Only 88 pages and it’s a story of an affair told through letters. I think I finished this in like 15/20 minutes lol
September 28, 2018
I read one book at a time and routinely read at the gym on the treadmill and bike, but the book I’m reading is a hard copy and I can’t hold it as comfortably as my kindle. I had downloaded this short story/novella for free from Amazon thanks to my Goodreads friend Melisa so my dilemma was solved . I read this and can get back to my book . About this story - wow! I always enjoy epistolary novels and I wasn’t sure how this would work as a short story, but it certainly did for me. It’s engaging, sad, thought provoking with a surprisingly lovely ending.
July 30, 2021
I have to hand it to Taylor Jenkins Reid … even in an 86-page short story she knows how to reel me in. Carrie is a stay-at-home wife of her dermatologist husband, Ken. David is the spouse of Janet, Ken’s other woman. When Carrie discovers hidden love letters from Janet to Ken, she writes to David, a man she’s never met, to see if he might’ve found similar letters from her husband to Janet.
And so begins an epistolary exchange between Carrie and David as they commiserate and lend support to one another about their cheating spouses over the next year and a half. Also shared with the reader are the letters between Janet and Ken, which reveal sides much different than what their spouses have believed them to be.
For those of you who’ve read about serial cheater Mick Riva in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and/or Malibu Rising, there’s even a reference made to Ken repeatedly playing his albums, which I thought was a tongue-in-cheek foreshadowing of how things might play out for him.
It was in turns sweet, thoughtful and melancholy as Carrie and David grow closer through the shared pain of their rejection and self-doubts, but also angering as their spouses’ hidden lives and thoughts are brought to light. My only complaint was that Janet and Ken’s letters felt a little too fawning and high school crush-like at times. Overall, the story, though brief, felt complete and the ending, though part of it was unexpected, left me satisfied.
I read this on my Kindle while listening to the Audible narrated so nicely by Julia Whelan (Carrie), George Newbern (David), James Daniels (Ken) and Dara Rosenberg (Janet). If you have an hour to spare on the joys and heartaches of marriage and friendship, this is an excellent way to spend it.
★★★ ½ (rounded to 4)
And so begins an epistolary exchange between Carrie and David as they commiserate and lend support to one another about their cheating spouses over the next year and a half. Also shared with the reader are the letters between Janet and Ken, which reveal sides much different than what their spouses have believed them to be.
For those of you who’ve read about serial cheater Mick Riva in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and/or Malibu Rising, there’s even a reference made to Ken repeatedly playing his albums, which I thought was a tongue-in-cheek foreshadowing of how things might play out for him.
It was in turns sweet, thoughtful and melancholy as Carrie and David grow closer through the shared pain of their rejection and self-doubts, but also angering as their spouses’ hidden lives and thoughts are brought to light. My only complaint was that Janet and Ken’s letters felt a little too fawning and high school crush-like at times. Overall, the story, though brief, felt complete and the ending, though part of it was unexpected, left me satisfied.
I read this on my Kindle while listening to the Audible narrated so nicely by Julia Whelan (Carrie), George Newbern (David), James Daniels (Ken) and Dara Rosenberg (Janet). If you have an hour to spare on the joys and heartaches of marriage and friendship, this is an excellent way to spend it.
★★★ ½ (rounded to 4)
November 13, 2018
But why wasn’t this an actual novel?! There was so much to this short story, that I became quickly invested in it. I can only imagine what it would’ve been like if it was longer: heart-wrenching and gorgeous.
March 1, 2019
Touching short story set in the 70's about two people (Carrie and David) who correspond through letters after they discover that their spouses (Ken and Janet) are cheating on them with each other. The entire story is told through letters. I sort of hoped some things would have turned out differently at the end of the story, though, so I was a bit disappointed. I read this book in one sitting and despite the ending, I still enjoyed it.
August 1, 2020
I am a little late to the party on this one...but I loved it! ❤️ I mean TJR can turn me into an emotional mess in something like 87 pages. Well done TJR. Somehow she got me emotionally involved with these characters in under an hours time and all in letters. WOW.
This is a story of two married couples, an affair and some letters. That is really all you need to know. The cover is gorgeous and fitting as it took place in the 1970's. I really can't say much more because I don't want to give it away.
Let's just say I was completely surprised at the way this ended. I would love to see more of this from this author. I can't believe how invested she got me into this book in such a short amount of time.
This is a story of two married couples, an affair and some letters. That is really all you need to know. The cover is gorgeous and fitting as it took place in the 1970's. I really can't say much more because I don't want to give it away.
Let's just say I was completely surprised at the way this ended. I would love to see more of this from this author. I can't believe how invested she got me into this book in such a short amount of time.
July 15, 2019
This was an engaging novella which takes place in the late 70's in California. Two people who are married are having an affair. Carrie finds love letters from a woman named Janet in her dermatologist husband Ken's briefcase. Carrie and Ken have been married about ten years. Carrie doesn't work because Ken says he wants her to relax so that she can get pregnant. They have been trying for quite some time, without success. Eventually, Carrie decides to write to David, the husband of Janet. She tells David that his wife Janet is having an affair with her husband Ken, and that she will send David xerox copies of the letters if he would like to read the evidence for himself. This launches a letter writing relationship between Carrie and David born out of the shared betrayal by their spouses.
David is a teacher in his thirties who has grayed early, and is constantly fretting about finances. He and his wife Janet have four children, and it's difficult providing for his family on the one income.
It is very easy to follow the authorship of the dueling letters because they have their own special fonts. The entire novella is comprised of the letters of the adulterers as well as their jilted spouses. This timeline was before computers, and it is easy to understand how the personal thrill of a physical letter from a caring party of the opposite sex can bring people closer over time.
This was a very frank and understanding look at human failings, served up to the reader in a very digestible and relatable format.
Thank you to Amazon Prime Reading for providing a free read.
David is a teacher in his thirties who has grayed early, and is constantly fretting about finances. He and his wife Janet have four children, and it's difficult providing for his family on the one income.
It is very easy to follow the authorship of the dueling letters because they have their own special fonts. The entire novella is comprised of the letters of the adulterers as well as their jilted spouses. This timeline was before computers, and it is easy to understand how the personal thrill of a physical letter from a caring party of the opposite sex can bring people closer over time.
This was a very frank and understanding look at human failings, served up to the reader in a very digestible and relatable format.
Thank you to Amazon Prime Reading for providing a free read.
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