My two cents: avoid starting with 'Truly Madly Guilty'. It’s a good book, but the slow, circular pacing around one event can be frustrating if you’re not already a fan of her character work. I’ve seen a few people try it as their first and bounce off, thinking all her books are that deliberately paced.
It’s better appreciated once you trust her. You know she’s going to make the journey worth it, so you can relax into the minutiae of the characters’ guilt and relationships. Starting with a more plot-forward book builds that trust first.
My order was based on library due dates and holds coming in at random times. It was chaotic: 'Nine Perfect Strangers', then 'The Last Anniversary', then 'The Husband’s Secret'. And you know what? It was fine. More than fine.
Because each book is its own universe, it didn’t matter. I got a funky, non-linear view of her career, jumping from her latest style back to her earlier, quirkier stuff. It made me appreciate each book individually, without comparing it to ‘what she wrote next’. Sometimes constraints breed the most interesting reading journeys.
Has anyone else found that the ‘less popular’ ones randomly become their favorite? Everyone raves about 'Big Little Lies', but 'Three Wishes', her first, is so raw and funny about sister dynamics. It doesn’t have the tightest plot, but the heart is huge.
Sometimes reading an author’s debut last lets you appreciate their growth. Sometimes reading it first lets you fall for their potential. There’s no wrong path, only different kinds of appreciation. I’d almost recommend leaving one of the mega-hits for the middle, as a palate cleanser between the deeper cuts.
2026-07-23 10:50:06
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Don’t stress too much about a strict order, honestly. They’re all standalone, so you can jump in anywhere. But if you’re a completionist, the publication sequence is: 'Three Wishes', 'The Last Anniversary', 'What Alice Forgot', 'The Hypnotist’s Love Story', 'Big Little Lies', 'Truly Madly Guilty', 'Nine Perfect Strangers', 'Apples Never Fall', and 'The Last Resort'. I’d argue starting with 'Big Little Lies' isn’t a bad idea—it’s the gateway drug for most of us. You can always circle back to the earlier ones later.
Don't overthink it. Her books are popular because they're accessible and addictive. 'The Husband's Secret' has the most 'I need to know what happens next' momentum from page one, in my opinion. It's a one-sitting kind of book if you have the time.