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series Reading Order

Man of the Month Books in Order

14 Books
2018 – 2021 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Man of the Month Series

If you want the absolute best experience reading J. Kenner's (Julie Kenner) Man of the Month series, you should read it in publication order. While each book is written as a standalone romance featuring a different couple, the underlying overarching plot—the race to save the beloved Austin, Texas bar The Fix on Sixth from financial ruin—develops sequentially. Reading the books out of order will spoil which characters end up together and how the community calendar project progresses.

The recommended reading path is simple: start with the first calendar hunk in Down on Me and follow the timeline as the year unfolds, inserting the companion cookbook/story collection and the royal-themed bonus book at their natural points.

The Recommended Reading Order

  1. Down on Me (2018) – Jenna & Reece (January)
  2. Hold on Tight (2018) – Brooke & Spencer (February)
  3. Need You Now (2018) – Mina & Cameron (March)
  4. Start Me Up (2018) – Christina & Mason (April)
  5. Get It On (2018) – Eva & Tyree (May)
  6. In Your Eyes (2018) – Sarah & Ethan (June)
  7. Turn Me On (2018) – Tara & Austin (July)
  8. Shake It Up (2018) – Peyton & Noah (August)
  9. Bar Bites: A Man of the Month Cookbook (2018) – Companion recipes & character updates (Co-authored with Suzanne M. Johnson)
  10. All Night Long (2018) – Selma & Easton (September)
  11. In Too Deep (2018) – Hannah & Matthew (October)
  12. Light My Fire (2018) – Beverly & Griffin (November)
  13. Walk the Line (2018) – Elena & Brent (December)
  14. Royal Cocktail (2021) – Skye & Prince Leopold (Bonus Book)

Understanding the Chronology and Caveats

The series was written as a rapid-release experiment in 2018, with Kenner publishing a new story every few weeks to mimic the passage of a calendar year. Because of this, the core twelve books (January through December) are tightly sequenced. However, there are two distinct titles that often confuse readers regarding placement: Bar Bites and Royal Cocktail.

Where Does Bar Bites Fit In?

Co-authored with Southern food specialist Suzanne M. Johnson, Bar Bites is not a standard novel. It is a companion cookbook containing drink and appetizer recipes inspired by the fictional bar The Fix on Sixth. However, it also includes short stories and character vignettes that check in on the couples from the first eight books. Because of this, reading it right after Book 8 (Shake It Up) is the ideal placement, as it bridges the gap before the final push to save the bar in the autumn and winter months.

What About Royal Cocktail?

Published in 2021, Royal Cocktail is a full-length bonus romance set in the same universe but focusing on a brand-new couple: attorney Skye Porter and Prince Leopold of Avelle-am-see. Because it was written years after the main 2018 calendar arc concluded, it serves as a fun, royal-themed epilogue. You can read it at the very end of your binge, or completely as a standalone if you just want a quick royal second-chance romance.

The Core Tropes and Key Books to Watch

The beauty of the Man of the Month series lies in its diverse array of popular romance tropes. Each month brings a completely different dynamic, ensuring there is a flavor for every reader:

  • Friends-to-Lovers: Down on Me kicks off the series with bar manager Reece and Jenna, delivering a high-heat transition from lifelong friendship to romance.
  • Second-Chance Romance: Hold on Tight (Spencer & Brooke) and Get It On (Tyree & Eva) focus on old flames rekindling their passion, with the latter introducing a secret daughter storyline.
  • Fake Relationship: In Too Deep stars Matthew and Hannah in a delicious fake engagement scenario that quickly begins to feel all too real.
  • Forbidden / Workplace Love: Walk the Line closes out the main calendar year with Brent (head of security) and Elena (the owner's daughter), wrapping up the survival plot of the bar.

What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive in, keep in mind that J. Kenner's books exist in a larger shared universe. While you do not need to read her bestselling Stark series (featuring Damien Stark) to understand the events at The Fix on Sixth, sharp-eyed readers will spot occasional cameos and references to characters from her other popular contemporary romance series, including the Blackwell-Lyon novels. The tone of the series is classic J. Kenner: fast-paced, highly sensual, emotionally satisfying, and deeply rooted in the camaraderie of the local Austin community.

Frequently Asked

QCan the Man of the Month books be read as standalones?

Yes. Each book features a self-contained romance with a guaranteed happily-ever-after. However, because the overarching plot about saving the bar The Fix on Sixth develops across the calendar year, reading them in order is highly recommended.

QWhat is Bar Bites and do I need to read it?

Bar Bites is a companion cookbook containing recipes inspired by the series alongside short character updates. While it isn't mandatory to follow the main plot, it is best read after Book 8, Shake It Up, to avoid spoilers for the early books.

QHow is Royal Cocktail connected to the main series?

Royal Cocktail (2021) is a standalone bonus book featuring a college-reunion, royal romance set in the same Austin universe. It can be read independently or as an epilogue to the main twelve-book series.

QWhere does the series take place?

The entire series is set in the vibrant city of Austin, Texas, primarily centered around a local neighborhood bar called The Fix on Sixth.

QWho wrote the Man of the Month series?

The series is written by New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner (also known as Julie Kenner), with the companion book Bar Bites co-authored by Southern food expert Suzanne M. Johnson.