Recommended Reading Order for Once Upon a Funeral
The Once Upon a Funeral series is a collaborative contemporary romance project written by four powerhouse authors: Elle Wright, Sherelle Green, Angela Seals, and Sheryl Lister. The series follows the four Prescott brothers—Cooper, Dominic, Maverick, and Hunter—who are called back to their hometown of Rosewood Heights after the passing of their grandfather, patriarch Abraham Prescott, to fulfill his final wishes. Fulfilling these wishes forces each brother to confront their past, their roles in the family empire Prescott Holdings, and the unexpected path to finding love.
Because the series was released simultaneously in 2021 and each book focuses on a different brother's romance, they can easily be enjoyed as standalones. However, reading them in publication order provides the most satisfying character progression and family timeline. Here is the recommended reading path:
- Finding Cooper (2021) by Elle Wright – Focuses on Cooper Prescott, the charming and hot-tempered family rebel who must come to terms with the legacy left by his grandfather.
- Inspiring Dominic (2021) by Sherelle Green – Follows Dominic Prescott, the Chief Security Officer of Prescott Holdings, and investigative reporter Samara Alonso after a chance encounter turns into a sizzling romance.
- Craving Maverick (2021) by Angela Seals – Features Maverick Prescott, a Prescott Holdings board member and owner of the popular nightclub The Lux, in a second-chance romance with Simone.
- Tempting Hunter (2021) by Sheryl Lister – Centers on Hunter Prescott, the independent "lone wolf" of the family, as he learns to drop his defenses and open his heart.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Since all four books were published in 2021 and take place concurrently or closely following the patriarch's death, the chronological order aligns directly with the publication order. While some elements of the overarching family drama span across the books—particularly the execution of their late grandfather’s last wishes—the individual love stories are self-contained. Readers do not need to worry about major spoilers if they choose to read the books out of order, though starting with Finding Cooper establishes the initial family dynamics and setting best.
Detailed Book Breakdown
Finding Cooper by Elle Wright
The series kicks off with Cooper's story. Cooper is the classic black sheep of the Prescott family—fiery, stubborn, and highly resistant to returning to the family fold in Rosewood Heights. When his grandfather Abraham passes away, Cooper is forced to return home to settle his affairs. The novel sets up the core emotional conflict of the series, showing how grief can lead to new beginnings and how the stubbornest hearts are often the ones most in need of healing.
Inspiring Dominic by Sherelle Green
Dominic is the protective shield of the Prescott family, working as the Chief Security Officer for Prescott Holdings. He has spent his entire life taking care of others, leaving little room for his own desires. That changes when he crosses paths with Samara Alonso, a determined investigative reporter. Their initial meeting starts with an impulsive, chemistry-filled kiss in a bar, but they soon find themselves tangled in both professional and personal conflicts. Sherelle Green weaves a highly emotional story about vulnerability and learning to prioritize one's own happiness.
Craving Maverick by Angela Seals
Maverick Prescott is often underestimated by his brothers and the corporate board of Prescott Holdings, viewed as a "goody two-shoes" despite running a highly successful local nightclub, The Lux. In this installment, Angela Seals delivers a passionate second-chance romance. Maverick is reunited with Simone, a woman from his past with whom he shares years of mixed signals, missed opportunities, and unresolved feelings. The story is a fan favorite for its high emotional stakes and deep chemistry.
Tempting Hunter by Sheryl Lister
The final book focuses on Hunter Prescott, the ultimate lone wolf. Hunter has long preferred his privacy and independence over the spotlight of the Prescott family name. Fulfilling his grandfather's wishes forces him out of his shell and back into the close-knit community of Rosewood Heights. Sheryl Lister crafts a slow-burn romance that challenges Hunter's emotional barriers, showing how even the most guarded person can find redemption and peace in love.
The Rosewood Heights Shared Universe
Rosewood Heights is a fictional Southern small town that serves as the perfect cozy backdrop for the Prescott family's journey. With its close-knit community, Southern traditions, and deep-rooted history, the setting is integral to the plot of each book. The town itself acts as a healing agent for the brothers, forcing them to slow down, reconnect with their roots, and engage with the people who matter most. The authors capture the warmth and charm of a small town while keeping the focus on modern, relatable conflicts.
The Co-Authorship and Collaboration Style
Writing a collaborative series is no small feat, but the team of Elle Wright, Sherelle Green, Angela Seals, and Sheryl Lister has mastered the art of the shared romance universe. Having previously worked together on popular series like Once Upon a Bridesmaid and Once Upon a Baby, the authors bring a seamless continuity to Once Upon a Funeral. While each book is written by a different author and features a distinct tone, the overlapping family dynamic, joint appearances of the brothers, and the overarching plot of Abraham Prescott's last wishes remain consistent throughout. This ensures that readers feel like they are reading one cohesive saga rather than four disconnected stories.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the Prescott family saga, here are a few tips to maximize your reading experience:
- Standalone Friendly: If you are only interested in a specific trope—such as second-chance romance in Craving Maverick or a protective security hero in Inspiring Dominic—you can jump straight to that book without feeling lost.
- Deep Interconnections: While the books are standalones, character cameos and references to previous events are frequent. To fully appreciate the secondary characters and references to other families, reading the authors' prior collaborative series can add extra depth, though it is not strictly necessary.
- Steamy and Emotional: The series balances high-heat romance with deep emotional themes like working through grief, coping with family expectations, and learning to trust again after heartbreak.