Recommended Reading Order
For the best experience, we recommend reading the I Heart series in chronological order. Because the narrative follows Angela Clark’s life, relationships, career shifts, and personal growth sequentially, reading them out of order will spoil major plot points, including who she ends up with and significant life milestones. The recommended reading order integrates the two Jenny Lopez spin-off novellas directly into Angela's main timeline:
- I Heart New York (2009)
- I Heart Hollywood (2009)
- I Heart Paris (2010)
- Jenny Lopez Has a Bad Week (2011) – Optional Novella
- I Heart Vegas (2011)
- I Heart London (2012)
- I Heart Christmas (2013)
- Jenny Lopez Saves Christmas (2014) – Optional Novella
- I Heart Forever (2017)
- I Heart Hawaii (2019)
The Main Series in Publication Order
If you prefer to stick strictly to the primary novels, the publication order matches the chronological timeline perfectly. Here is the chronological path of Angela's international escapes:
- I Heart New York (2009): Reeling from catching her boyfriend cheating at her best friend's wedding, Angela Clark flees London on an impulse trip to New York City. There, she starts a blog for a major magazine, meets a new best friend named Jenny, and navigates the attention of two handsome suitors.
- I Heart Hollywood (2009): Angela is sent to sunny Los Angeles to interview a handsome British actor. She finds herself caught up in the high-stakes world of Hollywood paparazzi, celebrity gossip, and relationship drama.
- I Heart Paris (2010): Angela travels to the city of love with her rock star boyfriend, Alex Reid. However, the romantic getaway quickly turns into a series of comedic misunderstandings and tests their relationship.
- I Heart Vegas (2011): Angela’s adventures continue in Las Vegas, where marriage proposals, quick chapel weddings, and chaotic situations force her to make major decisions about her future.
- I Heart London (2012): Angela returns to her home country of England. Confronting her past, her family, and the life she left behind in London makes for a highly emotional and funny homecoming.
- I Heart Christmas (2013): Back in New York, Angela prepares for a festive holiday season while facing career uncertainties and trying to pull off the perfect Christmas celebration.
- I Heart Forever (2017): Angela is married, working hard at the magazine she co-founded, and trying to keep her life stable. But when Alex goes away on a trip, Angela is left to navigate career upheavals and a major personal secret: she is pregnant.
- I Heart Hawaii (2019): The final installment of the series. Feeling overwhelmed by motherhood and life in New York, Angela goes on a press trip to Hawaii with Jenny. It is a nostalgic, fun-filled farewell that highlights the enduring bond of their friendship.
The Jenny Lopez Short Stories and Novellas
Jenny Lopez is Angela’s loyal, outspoken, and larger-than-life best friend who plays a crucial role throughout the series. Lindsey Kelk penned two companion short stories focusing entirely on Jenny’s own hilarious perspectives:
- Jenny Lopez Has a Bad Week (2011): Set between the events of I Heart Paris and I Heart Vegas, this novella gives readers a front-row seat to Jenny's chaotic personal and professional life in New York. While not mandatory to understand Angela's journey, it provides delightful context for Jenny's character.
- Jenny Lopez Saves Christmas (2014): Published after I Heart Christmas, this festive story follows Jenny as she tries to orchestrate the ultimate holiday season. It functions as book 6.5 in the series and is a perfect quick read for the winter holidays.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order Caveats
Fortunately for readers, there are no complicated timeline jumps in the I Heart series. Lindsey Kelk wrote the books sequentially, meaning that publication order and chronological order are identical. The only minor decision readers need to make is when to slot in the two Jenny Lopez novellas. We recommend reading them in their respective publication slots (after I Heart Paris and I Heart Christmas) because they enrich the world and explain Jenny's mood and situation in the subsequent novels.
The Inspiration Behind the Series
Lindsey Kelk wrote the debut novel, I Heart New York, during a difficult period in her life when she was facing debt and a failing relationship. After taking a transformative holiday to New York, she fell in love with the city and channeled that escapist fantasy into Angela Clark's story. Angela's journey from a heartbroken Londoner to a confident, globetrotting blogger mirrors Kelk's own relocation to the United States. This genuine affection for the locations shines through in the writing, making cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Paris feel like characters themselves.
Key Characters in the I Heart Universe
To fully appreciate the continuity of the books, it helps to get acquainted with the recurring cast members who populate Angela's world:
- Angela Clark: The relatable, clumsy, and charming protagonist. She has a knack for finding herself in embarrassing situations but possesses a resilient spirit and a loyal heart.
- Jenny Lopez: Angela's fierce, fashion-forward, and hilariously blunt best friend in New York. She is Angela's ultimate support system.
- Alex Reid: A British musician and rock singer who becomes the main love interest of the series. His relationship with Angela forms the romantic backbone of the books.
- James Jacobs: A glamorous Hollywood actor who plays a key role in the drama of I Heart Hollywood.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Angela Clark’s adventures, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of the series:
- Can the books be read as standalones? While each book has a self-contained plot focused on a specific city, they are not true standalones. The overarching romance, career progression, and character growth build directly from one book to the next. Reading them out of order will result in major spoilers.
- The Tone: The series is classic chick lit and contemporary romance, featuring a heavy dose of late 2000s and 2010s pop culture, fashion references, and Carrie Bradshaw-esque vibes. It is lighthearted, funny, and deeply comforting.
- The Core Relationship: While the romance between Angela and Alex is central, many fans agree that the real heart of the series is the platonic love and friendship between Angela and Jenny.