Recommended Reading Order for Bad Habits
Staci Hart’s Bad Habits series is a contemporary romance collection set in the heart of New York City. The series follows an interconnected group of friends as they navigate life, ambition, and unexpected love. Because the characters appear across all the books and their personal timelines overlap, the best way to read the series is in publication order, which also matches the chronological order of their stories.
- With a Twist (July 2015) – Lily and West's story (Friends-to-Lovers)
- Chaser (October 2015) – Maggie and Cooper's story (Sibling's Best Friend / Fling-to-Forever)
- Last Call (February 2016) – Rose and Patrick's story (Second-Chance / Roommate Romance)
- Happily Ever Habits (December 2018) – Series Epilogue Novella
Understanding the Bad Habits Universe
While the first three novels each focus on a different couple and can technically be read as standalone stories, they are heavily interconnected. The characters are roommates, siblings, and best friends who constantly pop into each other's lives, meaning you will encounter spoilers for previous books if you read them out of order. Reading them in sequence allows you to see the relationships grow naturally before wrapping everything up with the epilogue novella.
With a Twist (Book 1)
The series kicks off with Lily Thomas, a dedicated ballerina with the New York City Ballet. When her long-time crush on a fellow dancer doesn't pan out, she finds support in her charming neighbor, West Williams. What starts as a platonic friendship and mutual assistance quickly turns into a slow-burn, emotional friends-to-lovers romance.
Chaser (Book 2)
The second installment follows West's sister, Maggie Williams. After fleeing her own wedding, Maggie retreats to New York City to stay with her brother and starts a no-strings-attached fling with his best friend, the local playboy Cooper Moore. Their chemistry is undeniable, but keeping things casual proves much harder than expected.
Last Call (Book 3)
The final full-length novel centers on Rose Fisher, a bartender determined to move on from her past. However, her plans are thrown into disarray when her tatted-up ex-boyfriend, Patrick Evans, moves into her spare room. This second-chance romance forces both characters to confront the unresolved history and lingering feelings that drove them apart.
Happily Ever Habits (Book 3.5)
Published in 2018, this 30,000-word epilogue novella brings the entire Bad Habits crew back together. It provides readers with a heartwarming look at the couples' futures, checking in on major life milestones including weddings, pregnancies, and new beginnings in New York City.