Which Book Should I Start With In Briar U Series In Order?

Most people asking this are probably trying to figure out if they’ve missed any novellas or special editions, and I totally get that. There are four main novels in the Briar U series: 'The Chase', 'The Risk', 'The Play', and 'The Dare'. That's your core reading order right there. Elle Kennedy did write a fifth book, 'The Legacy', which is kind of a crossover with her Off-Campus series, focusing on Logan and Grace's wedding. It slots in after 'The Dare' chronologically, but it feels more like a bonus epilogue for both series rather than a strict Briar U #5. So for a complete experience, you'd read the four main books, then maybe 'The Legacy' if you’re invested in the whole world.

If you're asking about the 'Briar U' books, there seems to be a bit of confusion because that isn't the actual series name. Elle Kennedy's series is called 'Off-Campus', and the follow-up is 'Briar U'. The whole thing is basically one big hockey romance universe, and reading them out of order will have you missing inside jokes and cameos like crazy. The chronological order you want is: 'The Deal', 'The Mistake', 'The Score', 'The Goal', and then 'The Chase' and 'The Risk' from the Briar U set. Honestly, you could maybe skip 'The Goal' if you're pressed for time—it's fine, but it feels a bit like an extended epilogue for the first three couples. Starting with 'The Deal' is non-negotiable though; it sets up the whole friend group dynamic and the college setting. I tried reading 'The Chase' first once because the blurb hooked me, but I kept wondering who all these people in the background were and why their banter seemed so loaded. Went back, did it right, and it was a way better experience. The later books assume you know the crew.

I was looking for this exact info last week! The 'Briar U' series by Elle Kennedy has three main books—'The Chase', 'The Risk', and 'The Play'—which focus on different couples at the university. There isn't a traditional spin-off series, but the 'Off-Campus' series, which came first and is set at the same fictional college, is deeply connected. Characters from 'Off-Campus' like Garrett and Logan pop up all the time in the 'Briar U' books. So if you're asking about reading order, you could start with 'Off-Campus' (the first book is 'The Deal') and then move to 'Briar U' for a chronological experience. But honestly, you can jump into 'Briar U' on its own; the author does a decent job filling in the backstory. I just finished 'The Risk' and didn't feel lost, even though I haven't read all the earlier books.

I’ve read them all, and my ranking changes every time I think about it. That’s a sign of a great author—no single book is objectively the ‘best.’ They all have different strengths. So just dive in. The water’s lovely. You’ll probably end up reading them all anyway, so the starting point is just where the journey begins.

There's a straightforward answer to this, but the journey is where things get weird (in the best way). You absolutely have to start with 'Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door'. That's book one. It introduces Riley, her reluctant psychic abilities, her hilariously intrusive ghost roommate, and the whole mess with the hot but frustrating detective. The series really builds on her accepting her powers and the cast of characters around her. From there, it's just publication order: 'Riley Thorn and the Corpse in the Closet' is second, and 'Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past' is third. The author, Lucy Score, hasn't released more beyond those three yet. Why this order matters is because the romantic subplot with Nick Santiago develops chronologically, and the mysteries, while mostly self-contained per book, have running jokes and character growth that you'll miss if you jump around. The third book delves a lot into Riley's family history, which wouldn't hit the same without the foundation of the first two. I tried skimming the second one first once and was totally lost on who certain side characters were and why their dynamics were so funny.

Colleen Hoover's 'Maybe Someday' is where it all begins. I remember picking it up because the cover looked interesting, then spending the whole night reading. The series order gets a little confusing because there are novellas and companion books, but the core trilogy is 'Maybe Someday', then 'Maybe Not', and finally 'Maybe Now'. 'Maybe Not' is a novella about Warren, and it slots in after the first book but before 'Maybe Now'. I’d actually recommend reading 'Maybe Not' right after 'Maybe Someday' even though it’s a side story, because some of the emotional payoff in 'Maybe Now' hits better if you know Warren’s side of things. The audiobooks are fantastic for this series too, with the original songs included.

Brina Palencia is a fantastic voice actress, but if you're asking about books she's narrated, I'd recommend starting with 'The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making' by Catherynne M. Valente. Palencia's narration brings this whimsical, lyrical story to life in a way that feels like a warm hug from a childhood fairy tale. The way she captures the protagonist's curiosity and the bizarre charm of Fairyland is pure magic. Another great pick is 'The House of the Scorpion' by Nancy Farmer. Palencia's performance in this dystopian sci-fi novel adds layers to the emotional turmoil of the protagonist, Matteo. Her ability to shift between childlike innocence and chilling tension makes this a gripping listen. If you're into darker themes with a touch of hope, this one’s a must-experience with her voice guiding you through.

If you want one place to jump into Karen Kingsbury and get hooked, I’d point you straight toward the 'Baxter Family' saga — it’s the emotional hub where most readers fall in love with her characters. Start with the earliest Baxter books and read in publication order so you follow the family as the kids grow, relationships evolve, and the recurring themes (faith, loss, hope, second chances) build on each other. That sequence really rewards patience: small moments in an early book become powerful payoffs later on. The writing is warm and direct, and the family threads cross over into other series, so you’ll have that satisfying continuity without needing to hunt for scattered background pieces. After you’ve lived with the Baxters for a while, branch out into her standalone novels and shorter series — they’re perfect if you want a compact, emotional read without committing to dozens of installments. Lots of Kingsbury’s other series (for example, 'Redemption' and 'Cedar Ridge') either share tone or cross paths with Baxter characters, so you can hop around and still get that same comforting voice. If you prefer, read the standalones in between big Baxter arcs as palate cleansers: they’re a great way to pace yourself and try different settings and character types without losing the overall familiar vibe. A couple of practical tips from my own bookshelf: follow publication order for any multi-book series unless an author posts a clear chronological guide that’s different; use omnibus or boxed-set editions if you want to binge; and don’t stress about perfect order — Kingsbury writes a lot of emotionally complete stories, so even if you dip into a later book first, you’ll often still come away satisfied. I always come back to the Baxters, though — they stick with you in the best possible way.

The first chapter of 'The Visitor' (also called 'Running Blind' in some markets) is one of Child’s best hooks. It’s so bizarre and creepy it instantly pulls you in. Another solid contender if you want to be grabbed by the throat on page one.

Does it even matter? The HEA is guaranteed in each book. You're here for the journey, not a complex lore timeline. Pick one with a premise that makes you smile.