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series Reading Order

Beautiful Books in Order

10 Books
2013 – 2016 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Beautiful Series

Penned by writing duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (writing as Christina Lauren), the Beautiful series (also widely known as the Beautiful Bastard series) is a cornerstone of modern contemporary romance. While the core novels can be read as standalones, we strongly recommend following the publication order. The authors release companion novellas between the main books that continue the stories of previously introduced couples, meaning you will encounter major spoilers if you skip around.

Beautiful Series Recommended Reading Order

Here is the recommended order, blending both the full-length novels and the essential companion novellas:

  1. Beautiful Bastard (2013) – The novel that started it all, following the fiery hate-to-love workplace romance of intern Chloe Mills and her demanding boss, Bennett Ryan.
  2. Beautiful Bitch (2013, Novella #1.5) – A follow-up novella exploring Chloe and Bennett navigating their new relationship dynamic.
  3. Beautiful Stranger (2013) – The second novel, shifting to New York City and following free-spirited Sara Dillon and British finance executive Max Stella.
  4. Beautiful Bombshell (2013, Novella #2.5) – A fun group-trip novella set in Las Vegas, bringing the characters from the first two books together.
  5. Beautiful Player (2013) – The third novel, pairing driven grad student Hanna Bergstrom with her brother's charming best friend, Will Sumner.
  6. Beautiful Beginning (2013, Novella #3.5) – A novella that serves as the grand culmination of Chloe and Bennett's wedding planning and big day.
  7. Beautiful Beloved (2015, Novella #3.6) – A sweet look at Max and Sara's transition into parenthood.
  8. Beautiful Secret (2015) – The fourth novel, centering on Max's older brother Niall Stella and his workplace intern Ruby Miller.
  9. Beautiful Boss (2016, Novella #4.5) – A novella updating readers on Will and Hanna's career adjustments and marriage.
  10. Beautiful (2016) – The fifth and final full-length novel, acting as a road-trip romance featuring Hanna's brother, Jensen Bergstrom, and Ruby's best friend, Pippa Bay Cox.

Crossover with the Wild Seasons Series

If you want to expand your reading experience, the authors' other hit contemporary romance series, Wild Seasons, exists in the same shared universe. The crossover is most apparent in Beautiful Secret, where characters from both universes make brief appearances, establishing a fun connection between the two separate storylines.

Frequently Asked

QCan the Beautiful series books be read as standalones?

Yes, the main novels can technically be read as standalones because each focuses on a different couple. However, because the characters are closely connected friends who frequently appear in each other's stories, reading them out of order will spoil previous plotlines and relationships.

QWhich novellas are essential to the main storyline?

While all of them add depth, Beautiful Bitch and Beautiful Beginning are highly recommended for fans of Chloe and Bennett, as they directly bridge the gap between their introduction and their wedding.

QHow are the Beautiful and Wild Seasons series connected?

They share a universe. The connection is highlighted during the events of Beautiful Secret, where characters from both series overlap and interact, though you do not need to read Wild Seasons to enjoy the Beautiful books.

QWho are the writing duo behind Christina Lauren?

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings.

QWhat book finishes the Beautiful series?

The series officially concludes with the novel Beautiful, which brings the entire cast back together and wraps up the remaining character threads through the romance of Jensen and Pippa.