To get the most out of the characters' evolving relationship and the escalating espionage plots, we highly recommend reading the Alex and Cassidy books in order of their publication. The main sequence...
To get the most out of the characters' evolving relationship and the escalating espionage plots, we highly recommend reading the Alex and Cassidy books in order of their publication. The main sequence introduces the romance and transitions into a broader geopolitical saga.
Intersection (2014)
Betrayal (2014)
Commitment (2014)
Conspiracy (2015)
Untold (2017)
Identity (2019)
The Swan and The Sparrow (2023)
Fealty (2024)
Concealment (2024)
The By Design Crossover Connection
Author Nancy Ann Healy also writes under the pen name J.A. Armstrong, under which she publishes her popular By Design series. The two universes officially merge in a crossover storyline. For the most complete narrative experience, readers should insert the crossover novel Fallout (2023, published as J.A. Armstrong) after The Swan and The Sparrow and before Fealty. In these crossover books, the Toles and Reid families combine forces to deal with conspiracies targeting the White House and the CIA.
Frequently Asked
QWhere should I start reading the Alex and Cassidy series?
Start with Intersection, the first novel in the series, to watch the romance between FBI agent Alex Toles and teacher Cassidy O'Brien develop from the very beginning.
QWho is J.A. Armstrong?
J.A. Armstrong is the pen name of author Nancy Ann Healy, used primarily for publishing her contemporary lesbian romance and political drama books.
QHow does the By Design series connect to Alex and Cassidy?
The two series officially cross over in the novels Fallout (2023) and Fealty (2024), where the main characters from both series work together to unravel a massive intelligence conspiracy.
QDo I need to read the entire By Design series to understand the crossovers?
No, you do not need to read all of the By Design books, but reading the specific crossover books (especially Fallout) is highly recommended before starting Fealty.
QIs there a difference between the publication and chronological order?
The chronological order matches the publication order. The main detail is integrating the crossover novel Fallout (2023) directly after The Swan and The Sparrow.
QHow many books are in the Alex and Cassidy series?
There are nine books cataloged in the primary series sequence, plus the additional crossover novel Fallout which connects the story to the wider universe.
