The Recommended Reading Order for Honey
For the best reading experience, you should read the Honey series in its original publication order. While the main books focus on different couples and can technically be read as standalones, they feature overlapping characters and recurring subplots that build chronologically. The final novella completes a story arc introduced in the third novel, making a sequential read highly recommended.
- The Deep End (2017) – Focuses on Olivier and Amélie.
- The Farthest Edge (2017) – Focuses on Branch and Evangeline.
- The Greatest Risk (2018) – Focuses on Stellan and Simone (Sixx).
- "More Than Everything" (2019) – A follow-up novella focusing on Molly, Maddox, and Diesel (published in the anthology Loose Ends: Volume One).
Where to Start
The clear and only starting point for this series is The Deep End. It establishes the rules, atmosphere, and key players of the exclusive Phoenix club, The Bee's Honey. Starting here helps readers ease into Kristen Ashley's transition from traditional alpha-male contemporary romance to a deeply sensual, emotional BDSM setting. Reading the books out of order will spoil character development, relationship outcomes, and the evolution of the club itself.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
There is no difference between the publication order and the chronological order of the Honey series. The events of each book flow directly into the next, culminating in the events of the novella, which serves as an epilogue to the trilogy. The main books were released rapidly between 2017 and 2018, followed by the follow-up novella in early 2019.
Deep Dive into the Books
1. The Deep End (2017)
The trilogy opens with Olivier, a handsome firefighter who presents an ultra-masculine alpha persona in his everyday life. Behind closed doors, however, Olivier harbors a deep, submissive side that he has long kept hidden. Seeking an outlet, he joins The Bee's Honey and meets Amélie, a professional, sophisticated French Dominatrix. Amélie guides Olivier as he surrenders control, fostering an intense bond that quickly extends beyond the club. Their connection is put to the test when Olivier's complicated past threatens to tear them apart.
2. The Farthest Edge (2017)
The second installment shifts the spotlight to Evangeline, a talented Dominatrix at the club who is reeling from a traumatic encounter with a submissive partner. Having withdrawn from the lifestyle to heal, she meets Branch Dillinger, an ex-military man living off the grid and running from his own heavy guilt. Branch wants to play with no boundaries or commitments, and Evangeline finds his offer too powerful to resist. Together, they push each other's emotional limits and embark on a healing journey grounded in trust and vulnerability.
3. The Greatest Risk (2018)
The final full-length novel centers on Stellan Lange and Simone "Sixx" Marchesa, two prominent Dominants within The Bee's Honey. Simone is a high-demand Domme who struggles to switch off her professional persona and let people see her true, vulnerable self. Stellan, who has secretly loved her for years, is determined to help her find balance. As they navigate their complex dynamic, they must face their fears and decide if they are willing to take the ultimate emotional risk to be together.
4. "More Than Everything" (Loose Ends: Volume One, 2019)
During the events of The Greatest Risk, a secondary MMF (Male/Male/Female) triad storyline involving characters Molly, Maddox, and Diesel is introduced. Because their story is left unresolved at the end of the third book, Kristen Ashley wrote "More Than Everything" to give them a proper conclusion. This novella is not sold as a standalone book but is included in her anthology, Loose Ends: Volume One. It is essential reading for fans who want to see this fan-favorite triad get their happily-ever-after.
What to Know Before You Start
A Bold Departure: If you are a fan of Kristen Ashley's other series, such as Rock Chick or the Colorado Mountain series, you should prepare for a very different tone. The Honey series features explicit BDSM relationships, erotic play, and unique psychological dynamics like the "alpha submissive" (men who are strong and dominant in daily life but submit in private).
No Crossover Connections: Unlike the vast majority of Kristen Ashley's books, which are famously interconnected in the shared "KA Universe," the Honey series stands completely alone. The author has confirmed that the characters and events of The Bee's Honey do not cross over into her other contemporary romance or paranormal worlds, making this an ideal standalone entry point for new readers.