The Recommended Reading Order for the Fangover Series
The Fangover series, co-authored by USA Today bestselling authors Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love, is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud paranormal romance duology. The books follow the chaotic exploits of the New Orleans vampire rock band, The Impalers. Because the characters' relationships, personal growth, and the overarching mystery of a faked death develop directly from the first book to the second, it is highly recommended to read them in order of release.
Publication and Chronological Order
- The Fangover (2012) – Focuses on Wyatt and Stella, alongside Berto "Cort" Cortez and Katie Lambert.
- Fangs for Nothing (2013) – Focuses on Johnny Malone and Lizette, alongside Drake Hanover and Josie Lynn.
Understanding The Impalers: Band Roster & Romance Pairs
Unlike many paranormal romance series that dedicate one full novel to a single couple, each installment in the Fangover series utilizes an ensemble format featuring dual romantic pairings. This structure allows readers to follow the chaotic nights of the entire band simultaneously.
- Wyatt Axelrod & Stella Malone: Wyatt is the band's steady bass player who has harbored a quiet crush on Stella for years. Stella is the human manager of the band and the sister of Johnny Malone. Their romance kicks off in the first book when Stella is accidentally turned into a bat during a drunken argument and needs Wyatt's help to survive and transform back.
- Berto "Cort" Cortez & Katie Lambert: Cort is the band's keyboardist, and Katie is the band's washboard player. After the wild blackout in the first book, Katie wakes up to find she has been turned into a vampire and is suddenly married to Cort, forcing them to navigate their new immortal and marital status together.
- Johnny Malone & Lizette: Johnny is the band's charismatic, wild-card leader and drummer. After faking his death in the first book, he is tracked down in the second book by Lizette, a prim, French representative of the Vampire Alliance sent to investigate his fraudulent demise.
- Drake Hanover & Josie Lynn: Drake is the band’s playboy guitarist. In the second book, he wakes up trapped in a sex swing with no memory of the night before and is rescued by Josie, a human caterer who becomes wrapped up in the band's chaotic quest to recover their stolen gear and money.
The Books in Detail
1. The Fangover (2012)
The series begins with the band throwing a raucous, grief-stricken Irish wake for their drummer and leader, Johnny Malone, who has seemingly committed suicide. Consuming blood spiked with high-proof alcohol, the band members experience a massive blackout. They wake up the next morning scattered across New Orleans with zero memory of the night, a missing fang, and a host of bizarre problems. Stella finds herself stuck in the body of a bat, unable to change back, while washboard player Katie discovers she is now a vampire and married to Cort. The band must trace their steps through the French Quarter and Bourbon Street to solve the mystery of their wild night.
2. Fangs for Nothing (2013)
The madness continues in the sequel, which begins at the wedding of their bandmate Saxon to a dominatrix. Once again, spiked punch leads to an epic blackout. Drake Hanover wakes up suspended in a sex swing, Johnny Malone wakes up handcuffed to an uptight French Vampire Alliance investigator named Lizette, and the group finds their money, phones, and even the bride's dress missing. As Lizette attempts to audit Johnny's faked death, sparks fly between the uptight investigator and the reckless rocker. Meanwhile, Drake teams up with the catering coordinator, Josie, to recover the stolen items, leading to another fast-paced romp through New Orleans.
Can the Books Be Read as Standalones?
While each book resolves its primary romantic pairings, they should not be read out of order. Fangs for Nothing directly addresses the fallout of Johnny Malone's "suicide" from the first book, revealing that his death was actually a faked stunt. Reading the second book first will completely spoil the central mystery of the first book and make the band's dynamics difficult to follow. For the best reading experience, start with the self-titled debut.
What to Know Before You Start
The series is heavily inspired by comedy films like The Hangover, swapping dark, brooding gothic tropes for laugh-out-loud banter, slapstick situations, and steamy romance. The setting of New Orleans plays a major role, acting as a vibrant, gritty backdrop that perfectly matches the rebellious rock-and-roll lifestyle of the vampire band. Because the series was co-authored by Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love, the narratives feel collaborative and carry a distinct, lighthearted energy that fans of humorous paranormal romance will appreciate.