What Is The Correct Reading Order For The Best Laid Plans Book Series?

I'm waiting for someone to make one of those fancy interactive flowcharts for this series. You know, the kind where you click on your favorite character and it gives you a personalized path. Until then, I'm sticking with publication order.

So I spent a whole weekend untangling this, because the naming isn't exactly straightforward. The 'Good Intentions' series by Elliot Kay is the main series, starting with book one titled 'Good Intentions'. The second book is called 'Natural Consequences'. That’s your direct follow-up. Here’s where it gets messy, and where I almost fell into a trap. There are also the 'Gilded Intentions' books, which are sort of companion novels following different characters. Those have their own numbering ('Gilded Intentions', then 'Gilded Serpent'). They’re set in the same world and timeline overlaps, but they aren’t the core Alex, Lorelei, and Rachel story. If you just finished book one and want the immediate sequel, ignore the 'Gilded' ones for now—go straight to 'Natural Consequences'. After that, the main sequence continues with 'Lost Causes' and then 'Bloody Lessons'. I’d only dip into the 'Gilded' books after 'Natural Consequences' if you’re really invested in the world, because they focus on Molly and her crew. Jumping between series mid-stream messed with my momentum for the primary plot.

Man, I miss when series just had numbers on the cover. No fancy subtitles, just 'Book One'. Makes life easier. Anyway, for this series, while they don't have big numbers, the intended order is unambiguous. A quick Google search for 'Best Family Ever series order' brings up a list from reputable sources all saying the same thing. It's one of those questions with a single, clear answer. The internet agrees for once. That's your sign.

I got hooked on 'Tangled Destinies' partly because its timeline toys with you, so when friends asked me for the 'correct' reading order I started treating it like a little detective case. The simplest and safest rule I use is publication order: read the numbered main novels in the sequence they were released. That keeps character development and reveals intact, avoids accidental spoilers, and preserves the pacing the author intended. If the series lists Book One, Book Two, Book Three, etc., follow that listing. When an official numbering exists on the cover or the publisher's page, trust that — it usually means the story arcs were crafted with that progression in mind. Now, the trickier part is novellas, prequels, and tie-ins. There are usually three common placements: prequel novellas meant as gentle introductions that slot before Book One; interlude novellas designed to be read between two specific main novels (often marked in the novella’s subtitle or publisher notes); and epilogue/extra novellas or short stories that make the most sense after finishing the main sequence. I personally like to read any clearly labeled prequel before jumping into the main Book One so I have the right tone and context. For interludes, check the novella’s description — it’ll often say whether it fits between Book Two and Book Three, for example. If you're reading digitally, many stores show a recommended order or reader lists that mirror the author’s intent, which is super handy. Beyond pure order, I recommend two practical habits: (1) skim the author’s website or the publisher’s series page if you want the canonical order; many authors leave a reading guide that clarifies where each short falls, and (2) use publication order for first-time reads but try a chronological re-read later if you like to experience story-time continuity (that can highlight world-building details you missed). Personally, discovering a small novella that explains a side character’s choices felt like finding a hidden add-on level in a game — subtle but rewarding — and that’s why I usually sandwich novellas exactly where the author hints they belong. Happy reading, and enjoy the little reveals that come from following the intended order.