The Recommended Reading Order for Dating Games
If you are diving into the wholesome and heart-warming world of Melody Carlson's Dating Games series, the reading path is straightforward. The story of five high school sophomores navigating romance and faith flows chronologically, matching the order in which the books were published. To get the best experience and watch the characters grow, you should follow this sequence:
- First Date (2013)
- Blind Date (2014)
- Double Date (2015)
- Prom Date (2015)
Because the overarching narrative follows the group's sophomore year of high school from the beginning of autumn homecoming prep to the final spring prom, reading them in any other order will disrupt the natural progression of their friendships, inside jokes, and dating club guidelines.
Dating Games: Book-by-Book Breakdown
First Date (2013)
The series kicks off at the start of sophomore year. Five close friends—Devon Fremont, Emma, Cassidy, Brynn, and Abby—realize they have never been on a real date. Determined to change this before the high school homecoming dance, they form a secret alliance: the "DG" (Dating Games) club. The rules are simple: members will anonymously set each other up on dates. However, coordinating five different personalities, dealing with parents, and keeping the club a secret leads to humorous mishaps, awkward encounters, and critical lessons about staying true to themselves and their values.
Blind Date (2014)
With homecoming behind them, the DG club faces a new test when their school hosts a masquerade ball. The girls decide to take their matchmaking to the next level by planning blind dates for one another. As masks are selected and secrets are kept, tension rises. The girls start to wonder if they can truly trust their friends' matchmaking instincts. What was meant to be a fun dating challenge threatens to turn into a social disaster, forcing the group to address jealousy, miscommunications, and the true meaning of support.
Double Date (2015)
As the holiday season approaches and the school's Christmas Ball looms on the horizon, the secret of the DG club begins to leak. Other girls at their Christian high school express interest in joining, creating internal friction. Meanwhile, finding dates for the Christmas Ball proves difficult as the girls struggle to drum up interest among the high school boys. To ease the pressure, the club experiments with double dating, which brings both hilarious double-up disasters and unexpected opportunities for self-reflection and growth.
Prom Date (2015)
The sophomore year is drawing to a close, and the ultimate high school social milestone is here: junior-senior prom (which the sophomores hope to attend). The pressure is at an all-time high to secure the perfect date, the perfect dress, and the perfect night. But when an unexpected crisis hits one of the club members, the girls must put their romantic ambitions aside. They learn that their bond of friendship and their faith are far more resilient than any high school dance, bringing a satisfying and heartwarming conclusion to their sophomore journey.
What to Know Before You Start Reading
Melody Carlson's Dating Games is a staple of contemporary Christian young adult fiction. Published by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, the series offers a wholesome alternative to mainstream teen romance. The tone is lighthearted, conversational, and deeply relatable, portraying the everyday drama of high school—from gossip and makeovers to peer pressure and parental rules—while anchoring the characters in Christian morals.
While the books are centered on dating, the core theme is actually the power of female friendship and personal integrity. The romance is clean and faith-centered, making it highly recommended for middle schoolers and younger teens (ages 12–16) who are starting to show interest in dating dynamics but still benefit from wholesome guidance.
The Main Characters: The Founding Members of the DG
Understanding the dynamics of the group is key to enjoying the series. The five girls represent distinct archetypes that readers will easily recognize and relate to:
- Devon Fremont: Often the initiator and a natural leader, Devon is outgoing but sometimes struggles with control and expectations.
- Emma: Thoughtful and sweet, Emma brings a grounded perspective to the club, prioritizing her deep-seated values.
- Cassidy: Fun-loving and energetic, Cassidy adds humor and a bit of impulsiveness to their matchmaking schemes.
- Brynn: Loyal and supportive, Brynn often acts as the glue that keeps the friendships intact when dating mishaps threaten to tear them apart.
- Abby: Practical and introspective, Abby helps keep the girls focused on what truly matters beyond the superficial excitement of a date.
Can Dating Games Books Be Read as Standalones?
Technically, each book focuses on a specific school dance or event (Homecoming, Masquerade, Christmas Ball, Prom) and wraps up its primary plot line. However, we highly advise against reading them out of order. The relationships between the girls evolve significantly, new club rules are introduced, and their maturity levels develop across the four volumes. Starting with First Date is essential to understanding the origin of the Dating Games club and the foundational dynamics of the friend group.
Beyond Dating Games: What to Read Next
If you have finished the Dating Games series and want more from Melody Carlson, she has written several other highly successful young adult series that deal with similar themes of faith, friendship, and growing up:
- Diary of a Teenage Girl: A 16-book series split into sub-series following different teenage girls (Caitlin, Chloe, Kim, and Maya) navigating deep personal challenges, relationships, and faith.
- Carter House Girls: An 8-book series focusing on six girls living together in a boarding house run by a retired fashion icon, balancing modern high school social circles with timeless life lessons.