💌 Book Review: Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Kindle Edition)
A poignant, epistolary short story that explores betrayal, emotional intimacy, and the unexpected bond between strangers—Taylor Jenkins Reid delivers a quietly powerful tale told entirely through letters.
🧠 Overview
Published in 2018 as part of Amazon Original Stories, Evidence of the Affair is a brief but emotionally rich novella set in 1976. The story begins when Carrie Allsop discovers love letters between her husband, Ken, and a woman named Janet Mayer. Realizing Janet is married to David Mayer, Carrie writes him a letter. What follows is a series of deeply personal exchanges between Carrie and David as they navigate the fallout of their spouses’ affair.
Through their correspondence, the two strangers form a connection that’s equal parts therapeutic and transformative. As they share their pain, doubts, and reflections, the story becomes less about the affair and more about the healing power of being truly seen.
✨ Key Themes & Highlights
- 💔 Infidelity & emotional fallout – Explores the ripple effects of betrayal on identity and trust.
- ✉️ Epistolary format – Told entirely through letters, creating an intimate, confessional tone.
- 🧠 Emotional growth – Both Carrie and David evolve from wounded spouses to self-aware individuals.
- 🪞 Contrast in relationships – The lustful letters between Ken and Janet are juxtaposed with the thoughtful, vulnerable exchanges between Carrie and David.
- 🧩 Narrative restraint – Reid’s minimalist style allows readers to fill in emotional gaps, making the story feel deeply personal.
“This novella proves that powerful storytelling doesn’t require epic scope or complex plotting—sometimes the most profound stories emerge from two people simply trying to understand their place in the world.”
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: ~4.0/5 from over 100,000 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise its emotional depth, unique format, and Reid’s ability to evoke empathy with few words.
- 🧾 Some note that it’s short and subtle, with no dramatic twists—but that’s part of its quiet charm.
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format – Designed for a one-sitting read; don’t expect a full novel arc.
- 📚 Epistolary style – May not appeal to readers who prefer traditional narrative structure.
- 🧠 Emotionally introspective – Focuses on internal transformation rather than external action.
🏁 Final Verdict
Evidence of the Affair is a beautifully restrained, emotionally intelligent short story that captures the complexity of love, loss, and unexpected connection. Perfect for fans of character-driven fiction and those who appreciate the quiet power of words shared between strangers.
