Evidence of the Affair

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars | 41,011 ratings

Price: 0.99

Last update: 01-10-2025


About this item

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.


Top reviews from the United States

  • A.G
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and heartbreaking
    Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2024
    This is a beautiful short told in letters (which somehow makes it feel more immersive and deep) that made you feel all of the things. Such a wide range of emotion and such a small amount of pages. I very rarely do reviews but I think this short story certainly deserves to be read. It's a window into realistic feeling lives during a tumultuous and complicated period in 2 marriages. Great read.
  • Claire - plants.and.romance
    4.0 out of 5 stars Loved this format.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2024
    Carrie discovers her husband's affair after finding letters to him written by another woman, who is also married. Carrie reached out to David, the other woman's husband, to share the news. This decision Carrie makes will change many lives. This story is told through the letters written between Carrie and David, and dives into the complex nature of the heart.

    I loved how this story was set in the 70s when people didn't have as many distractions in their lives. I also loved how there is almost something healing to this story, with Carrie and David communicating. I had a few ways in mind that this story could end with, but the ending was unexpected, only as TJR can do. So many feelings packed into such a short story. I'm pretty sure this book just proves that she can write anything and I'll read it. Same goes for Julia Whelan. I definitely want a sequel, even though I know TJR has no plans to write in the future. A girl can dream.

    The narration was amazing! If you've been following me for some time now, you know how I feel about Queen Julia. George, James, and Dara are all new to me, but I wouldn't hesitate picking up one of their other narrations. Plus, I'm a sucker for anything with a full cast.

    THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You enjoy books written in alternate formats, love complex, short stories, and want something you can read in one sitting.
  • Michelle Laughlin
    3.0 out of 5 stars quick read to a weak ending
    Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2024
    I wanted a quick read and this served its purpose. All throughout this short story I came up with so many endings of where this book was going to land. It came up really, really short. Great author, still one of my favorites.
  • KELSEY
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing short story! I listened to this Audible book this morning while working.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2022
    Amazing short story! I listened to this Audible book this morning while working.

    I am a little late to the party on this one...but I loved it! ❤️

    Beginning in 1976, a written correspondence commences between the wife and husband whose spouses are having an affair with one another.

    87 pages. That's all it took to make me love the characters and to make me root for David and Carrie with all my heart. I'm in awe with how Taylor Jenkins Reid made me feel so many strong emotions. 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 . They felt so real, like they were addressed to me.

    “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.”

    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

    Not only was this book heart wrenching, it was also fascinating, what with the aspect of music and lyrics bringing Sydney and Ridge together. If there’s one thing that gets me as emotional as books do, it’s music. I have to say: my favorite part of this whole novel would be the lyrics. Every word was just so perfect for every scene, every emotion, and I just loved it beyond everything else. A gorgeous soundtrack accompanies Maybe Someday and it contains the songs Sydney and Ridge wrote for and about each other. Listening to the soundtrack album while reading the respective scenes was the best thing ever! I’ve never had such an unforgettable reading experience until this one!

    “Lately, it feels like my whole life has a similar feeling to when you check the clock on a Saturday and realize it’s already half past four.”

    I didn't expect the ending. The twist was SO GOOD!
    I felt so many emotions reading the letters-heartbreak, despair, hope. As a married woman, I would be devastated if something like this happened to me, and I shed real tears for Carrie and David. I did like that we got to see some of the letters from Janet and Ken as well, despite how sick and angry they made me feel. While their spouses were having an affair, these strangers found each other, helped and supported each other, and it was beautiful.

    “It is funny the crazy things our brains make up to save us from the truth.”

    If you like:
    Short Stories
    Emotional reads

    Then this book is for you.
  • Shey Wilkin
    4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging Read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024
    Highly recommend listening as an audiobook because it switches between the main characters reading their letters. My heart really hurt for them. It kept my attention and was a quick read/listen.
  • Michelle Sumner Garman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow. Just wow!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2024
    I first read After I Do but this author and I have to say.. I'm so hooked to her writing style and how close to home all of her stories can hit. Thank you
  • Alejandra
    4.0 out of 5 stars Short and sweet
    Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2024
    This came before "Daisy Jones and the Six" and it truly feels like Jenkins was on giving the reader just enough to keep them engaged. I really liked it.
  • Alexandria
    3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 - Not what I thought
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024
    It was an okay read. Short and simple. Had a somewhat happy ending to it but I always find it hard when someone cheats and the other person stays.

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