A Quick, Satisfying Short Story (and it's free!): Evidence of the Affair

Typically, I’m not a short story reader. I have nothing against them and have even written a few that are tucked into the back of some of the paperback versions of my books, but I don’t often gravitate to reading them. I think there are a number of reasons for this. One, often short stories fall under the literary fiction category, and I’m more of a commercial fiction gal. Two, I like to be immersed in a story and short stories have less time to get me into that state. Three, I don’t know if it’s just been my luck, but the short stories I’ve read have often had no real ending or are super grim, and they’ve left me with a “what was the point of that?” feeling.

However, I’m happy to report that none of those are the case in the one I’m recommending today. I’m not even sure how Evidence of the Affair came into my line of sight. I’m sure the Amazon recommending machine was at work. But when I saw the cover (I love mid-century modern architecture—though I’m freaked out by all the windows now after reading I’ll Be Gone in the Dark), my attention was snagged. Then I saw it was written by Taylor Jenkins Read, who has written some of my favorite books of the last decade or so of my reading life. That’s all I needed to know. I was in. Bonus surprise: the short story is free if you’re an Amazon Prime member or if you have Kindle Unlimited. (If not, the 1.99 price is still a steal.)

This story is set in the 1970s (another thing I loved about it) and told all through letters. I love stories told in interesting ways, and the epistolary format really worked here. The main letters being exchanged are from the spouses of the cheating partners. One discovers the affair and writes to the other. Interspersed are letters between the cheating couple. I wasn’t sure where the story would go and it kept me guessing (and got me worried at points), but I will say that it was a satisfying ending.

So, if you’re looking for something a little different or for a quick read to get out of a reading slump (or to beef up your reading challenge numbers!), I recommend picking up Evidence of the Affair. If you like her writing style, I highly recommend tracking down her backlist. I’m still working my way through hers, but One True Loves has been my favorite so far.

Happy reading!

Any good short stories to recommend?

Roni's Recs: One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

There are books I enjoy. There are books I like. There are books I tell you about. Then there are books that I devour in every free minute I have, tell everyone they NEED to read it, and then go buy the author's backlist. This is the latter. And it's been a while since I've had one of those.

I started reading One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid on a plane last Friday on the way to the Daytona 500. Then I went to to two full days of auto racing. And I still finished this book on Monday before the plane ride home. I brought he book to the race, y'all, and read on the breaks during caution laps. That's the kind of book this was.

Yes, it was so good, I read it during caution laps at the Daytona 500. 

Now, this book wouldn't be shelved in the romance section because it's technically not a genre romance. But it IS romantic. And it IS a love story. And it does have an ending you'll be happy with. So I guess it's technically "women's fiction" but that term never feels right to me. What does that even mean? So let's just say, this could've been a movie with a 90s era Meg Ryan in it. 

And man the hook on this one. Here's the back cover:

From the author of Maybe in Another Life—named a People Magazine pick—comes a breathtaking new love story about a woman unexpectedly forced to choose between the husband she has long thought dead and the fiancé who has finally brought her back to life.

In her twenties, Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, far away from the expectations of their parents and the people of their hometown in Massachusetts. They travel the world together, living life to the fullest and seizing every opportunity for adventure.

On their first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter over the Pacific when it goes missing. Just like that, Jesse is gone forever.

Emma quits her job and moves home in an effort to put her life back together. Years later, now in her thirties, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and finds herself falling in love again. When Emma and Sam get engaged, it feels like Emma’s second chance at happiness.

That is, until Jesse is found. He’s alive, and he’s been trying all these years to come home to her. With a husband and a fiancé, Emma has to now figure out who she is and what she wants, while trying to protect the ones she loves.

Who is her one true love? What does it mean to love truly?

Emma knows she has to listen to her heart. She’s just not sure what it’s saying.

Now, I'll warn you. There are sad parts. It is hard to witness Emma's grief, especially if you have a partner you love deeply. BUT you know from the start (the first chapter gives it away) that her husband survives. She just doesn't know that for years. So you might get teary, but you also know he's going to make it.

There are so many things I loved about this book. It was a very fast read and there were so many sweet, poignant moments. There's a bookstore and I love books about book people. There are two really great guys to root for and break your heart over. There are funny parts. Endearing parts. There's jumping around in time (a favorite writing technique of mine.) And this book makes you ask yourself questions: What would I do in this situation? How would I feel? Is there really such thing as one true love?

I can't convey how much I enjoyed this book and it's been a long time since I've raved about anything, so basically, just go buy it, read it, and thank me later. :)

Grab your copy: Amazon | B&N | Indiebound

Favorite quote:

"Good things don't wait until you're ready. Sometimes they come right before, when you're almost there. And I figured when that happens, you can let them pass by like a bus not meant for you. Or you can get ready. So I got ready."

What are you reading this weekend?