How to Read the Pearl Series in Order
The Pearl series by Arianne Richmonde is a USA Today bestselling contemporary erotic romance saga. The core story follows Pearl Robinson, a 40-year-old documentary producer, and Alexandre Chevalier, a wealthy 25-year-old French billionaire. To experience their relationship as it was originally written, readers should begin with the main trilogy before diving into the companion novels told from Alexandre's perspective.
The Recommended Reading Path
The best way to read the series is in the original publication order of the main storyline, followed by the companion novels that expand on the events from Alexandre's point of view:
- Shades of Pearl (2012) – The story begins here. Pearl meets Alexandre Chevalier, sparking a passionate, intense connection that must navigate class differences, age gaps, and outside interference. (Also published under the title Forty Shades of Pearl).
- Shadows of Pearl (2013) – The drama intensifies as Pearl and Alexandre plan their wedding, only to face secrets from the past and tension involving Alexandre's sister, Sophie.
- Shimmers of Pearl (2013) – The emotional conclusion of the core trilogy, bringing Pearl and Alexandre's main narrative arc to its dramatic resolution.
- Pearl (2013) – A companion novel retelling the events of the first book, Shades of Pearl, entirely from Alexandre’s perspective.
- Belle Pearl (2013) – The final installment, also told from Alexandre's point of view. It continues past the timeline of the trilogy, offering new insights and a different, extended resolution to the overall story.
Other Releases and Novellas
- A Taste of Pearl (2013) – A short preview or sampler featuring early chapters of the series, intended to give new readers an introduction to the characters and writing style.
Alternative Reading: The Hooked Up Version
For readers who prefer a dual point-of-view experience rather than reading Pearl’s perspective first and Alexandre’s perspective later, the author released a reedited version of the story under a different title. The Hooked Up series features the same core plot rewritten as a dual-POV romance:
- Hooked Up: Book 1
- Hooked Up: Book 2
- Hooked Up: Book 3
If you choose to read the Hooked Up trilogy, you will get the full story of Pearl and Alexandre with both voices combined, serving as a streamlined alternative to reading the original books and their companion novels separately.
What to Know Before You Start
The Pearl series stands out in the contemporary romance genre by featuring a mature, 40-year-old heroine, contrasting with the younger protagonists typical of many billionaire romances. The story blends high-society glamour in New York and Provence with emotional self-discovery, trust-building, and light BDSM elements. While the original trilogy stands alone as a complete story, fans highly recommend reading the Alexandre POV novels (Pearl and Belle Pearl) to gain full context on his motivations and to experience the extended ending.