Making Out Books in Order

Where to Start Your Chatham Island Journey

If you want to experience the storm-swept beaches, messy love triangles, and intense teen drama of Making Out, there is only one place to begin: at the very beginning. The series is a serialized, soap-opera-style narrative where each book directly continues the storylines, cliffhangers, and character developments of the previous one. Jumping in mid-series will leave you completely lost amid the tangled web of Chatham Island's secrets.

You should start with the first book, Zoey Fools Around, which introduces the core cast of characters and the central conflicts that define the first arc of the series. Alternatively, you can pick up the first volume of the 2015 omnibus editions, titled The Islanders, which compiles the first two books in a single volume.

The Complete Making Out Book List in Reading Order

The series consists of 28 novels published between 1994 and 1998. To follow the narrative timeline correctly, you should read them in their original publication order:

1. Zoey Fools Around (1994) – The series kicks off as Zoey Passmore is torn between her long-term boyfriend Jake and the returning bad-boy Lucas, while Claire harbors a dark secret.
2. Jake Finds Out (1994) – Jake deals with the fallout of Zoey's betrayal, and the island's gossip machine kicks into high gear.
3. Nina Won't Tell (1994) – Focuses on Nina McNeal's private struggles and her hidden feelings for Benjamin.
4. Ben's in Love (1994) – Follows Benjamin's perspective as relationships shift and new alliances are forged.
5. Claire Gets Caught (1994) – The icy, ambitious Claire is confronted with her actions, threatening her standing on the island.
6. What Zoey Saw (1994) – Zoey witnesses a pivotal event that changes how she views her closest friends.
7. Lucas Gets Hurt (1994) – Lucas faces physical and emotional challenges, testing his relationship with Zoey.
8. Aisha Goes Wild (1994) – Aisha Gray seeks self-discovery, shaking up the social hierarchy of Chatham Island.
9. Zoey Plays Games (1996) – A new school year brings fresh conflicts and long-term consequences.
10. Nina Shapes Up (1996) – Nina attempts to rebuild her life and reputation amid family drama.
11. Ben Takes a Chance (1996) – Benjamin steps out of his comfort zone, leading to unexpected romantic developments.
12. Claire Can't Lose (1996) – Claire schemes to regain her influence, regardless of who gets hurt.
13. Don't Tell Zoey (1996) – Secrets are kept from Zoey to protect her, but the truth threatens to leak.
14. Aaron Lets Go (1996) – Focuses on Aaron's struggles to move past his personal history and family expectations.
15. Who Loves Kate? (1996) – Introduces deep romantic questions surrounding Kate's future on the island.
16. Lara Gets Even (1996) – Lara seeks retribution for past slights, introducing a new wave of chaos.
17. Two-Timing Aisha (1996) – Aisha finds herself caught between two worlds and two potential partners.
18. Zoey Speaks Out (1996) – Zoey decides she has had enough of the secrets and confronts the group.
19. Kate Finds Love (1997) – Kate navigates a complicated new relationship that challenges her boundaries.
20. Never Trust Lara (1997) – The group learns the hard way that Lara's intentions are rarely pure.
21. Trouble with Aaron (1997) – Aaron's past choices catch up to him, affecting everyone around him.
22. Always Loving Zoey (1997) – The core love triangle of Zoey, Jake, and Lucas reaches a dramatic turning point.
23. Lara Gets Lucky (1997) – Lara's schemes finally pay off, but at a high cost to her relationships.
24. Now Zoey's Alone (1997) – Zoey must learn to navigate the challenges of Chatham Island without her usual support systems.
25. Don't Forget Lara (1998) – Lara makes a final play to secure her place among the islanders.
26. Zoey's Broken Heart (1998) – Heartbreak strikes the group once again as they prepare for life after high school.
27. Falling for Claire (1998) – An unexpected romance blooms, forcing Claire to show her vulnerable side.
28. Zoey Comes Home (1998) – The final book wraps up the main character arcs, bringing the Chatham Island saga to a nostalgic close.

The Islanders Omnibus Editions

In 2015, HarperTeen repackaged the first eight books of the series into four omnibus volumes under the collective title The Islanders. This is the most accessible way to read the core of the series today. The omnibus collections are structured as follows:

• The Islanders: Vol. 1 (2015) – Contains Zoey Fools Around and Jake Finds Out.
• The Islanders: Vol. 2 (2015) – Contains Nina Won't Tell and Ben's in Love.
• The Islanders: Vol. 3 (2015) – Contains Claire Gets Caught and What Zoey Saw.
• The Islanders: Vol. 4 (2015) – Contains Lucas Gets Hurt and Aisha Goes Wild.

Please note that only these first eight books were ever compiled into the Islanders format. Books 9 through 28 remain available only in their original paperback format or through digital marketplaces.

Publication History: From Boyfriends/Girlfriends to Making Out

The history of this teen soap opera is a bit confusing due to title changes across different regions. When the series was first launched in the United States in 1994, it was published under the series name Boyfriends/Girlfriends. However, when the books were exported to the United Kingdom and other international markets, they were retitled Making Out. The UK title proved more popular and was eventually adopted as the official series name for subsequent US reprints and digital releases.

Another important aspect of the series is its authorship. The series was created by K.A. Applegate (Katherine Applegate) and her husband Michael Grant. Together, they wrote the first eight books, establishing the characters, the voice of the island, and the main dramatic arcs. Beginning with Book 9, Zoey Plays Games, the writing was handed over to a team of ghostwriters who completed the final 20 books under Applegate's name. Because of this, many fans note a slight shift in tone and pacing between the first eight books and the ghostwritten sequels.

What to Know Before You Start

While Making Out has plenty of romance and typical '90s teenage drama, it is also remembered for tackling surprisingly heavy themes for YA fiction of its era. Over the course of the 28 books, the characters deal with serious issues including the death of family members, divorce, physical disability, substance abuse, and juvenile delinquency. The authors balanced these heavy themes with a unique narrative structure: standard third-person chapters are regularly broken up by handwritten-style journal entries, letters, and notes written from the first-person perspective of individual characters, giving readers a direct window into their inner thoughts.