The Roommate Series Recommended Reading Order
The Roommate Duet series is a highly popular contemporary romance series originally co-authored by Brooke Cumberland and Lyra Parish under the joint pseudonym Kennedy Fox. Known for its intense chemistry, forced proximity, and emotional storylines, the series was originally released as three separate duets (two books per couple) alongside a prequel novella. However, following the retirement of the Kennedy Fox pseudonym, the series has undergone a major rebranding. Brooke Cumberland (now writing as Brooke Fox and sometimes co-authoring with Brooke Montgomery) has consolidated the duets into single-volume editions under the title Between Us.
Because the overarching subplots and friend groups carry over from one story to the next, it is highly recommended to read this series in order. You can choose to read either the original duets or the new consolidated single volumes.
Option 1: The Original Duets (Six-Book Reading Order)
If you are reading the original releases published under the name Kennedy Fox, this is the chronological and publication order you should follow:
- Forever Mine (2019) – A prequel novella featuring Hayden and Savannah. While it sets up the broader friend group, it can also be read after the main duets.
- Baby Mine (2019) – Hunter & Lennon (Part 1). The story begins with a cliffhanger.
- Baby Yours (2019) – Hunter & Lennon (Part 2). Concludes Hunter and Lennon's main story.
- Truly Mine (2019) – Mason & Sophie (Part 1). The story begins with a cliffhanger.
- Truly Yours (2019) – Mason & Sophie (Part 2). Concludes Mason and Sophie's main story.
- Always Mine (2019) – Liam & Maddie (Part 1). The story begins with a cliffhanger.
- Always Yours (2020) – Liam & Maddie (Part 2). Concludes Liam and Maddie's main story and wraps up the original run.
Option 2: The "Between Us" Trilogy (Consolidated Reading Order)
If you prefer a faster reading experience without mid-story cliffhangers, you should read the consolidated single-volume re-releases published under the name Brooke Fox. Each book in this trilogy combines the two parts of the original duets into one complete volume:
- Between Hate and Desire (2024) – Hunter and Lennon's complete story (combining Baby Mine and Baby Yours).
- Between Regrets and Promises (2024) – Sophie and Mason's complete story (combining Truly Mine and Truly Yours).
- Between Secrets and Obsession (2025) – Liam and Maddie's complete story (combining Always Mine and Always Yours).
Understanding the Two Formats: Duets vs. Single-Volume Re-Releases
The transition from the Kennedy Fox pseudonym to individual branding has created some confusion among new readers. Brooke Cumberland and Lyra Parish co-wrote the original books from 2016 to 2022 before retiring their collaborative name. To ensure the stories remained available to fans, the books were re-edited, rebranded with new covers, and published under Brooke Cumberland's current pen name, Brooke Fox.
The primary benefit of the newer Between Us trilogy editions is the elimination of the cliffhangers. The original duets were structured so that the first book of each pair ended on a dramatic cliffhanger, requiring readers to jump immediately into the second book. The consolidated volumes combine the narrative arcs seamlessly, providing a smoother transition from the initial roommates-to-lovers tension to the final happily-ever-after.
Meet the Couples: The Heart of the Series
Hunter & Lennon (Baby Mine & Baby Yours / Between Hate and Desire)
The main series kicks off with Hunter and Lennon, delivering a high-angst roommates-to-lovers story built on forced proximity and shared grief. Lennon is dealing with a tragic loss when she finds herself sharing a living space with Hunter, her late boyfriend's best friend. Despite an adversarial past and years of bickering, the forced proximity sparks a deep, undeniable connection. Their journey deals heavily with healing, overcoming guilt, and finding love in the wake of tragedy.
Mason & Sophie (Truly Mine & Truly Yours / Between Regrets and Promises)
The second installment follows Mason and Sophie. Sophie is Lennon's best friend, and Mason is Hunter's close friend, making for a natural continuation of the group's dynamics. This story centers on a classic enemies-to-lovers arc. Mason is a protective alpha male with a playboy reputation, while Sophie is independent, sharp-tongued, and determined not to fall for his charms. When they end up as roommates, their banter quickly turns into sizzling chemistry, accompanied by suspenseful twists and emotional depth.
Liam & Maddie (Always Mine & Always Yours / Between Secrets and Obsession)
The final couple in the primary lineup is Liam and Maddie. Maddie is Hunter's sister, and Liam is Hunter's best friend, setting up a classic forbidden, brother's-best-friend romance. Because of their history and Liam's protective nature over his friendship with Hunter, they try to deny their attraction for years. However, when Maddie needs a place to stay and moves in with Liam, the boundaries they set begin to crumble, leading to a dangerous and emotional climax that tests the bonds of the entire friend group.
Hayden & Savannah (Forever Mine Prequel)
Hayden and Savannah's story is a second-chance romance about high school sweethearts who find their way back to each other ten years after a painful separation. Released as a short novella, it provides a warm introduction to the setting and the core group of characters before the main duets begin.
What to Know Before You Start Reading
Before diving into the Roommate universe, there are a few practical elements to keep in mind. First, the series is written in dual first-person points of view, allowing readers to get inside the heads of both main characters. Second, the series falls firmly under the New Adult and contemporary romance banners, meaning it features high emotional drama, explicit romantic scenes, and mature themes.
While each couple gets a complete resolution (and a guaranteed happily-ever-after) by the end of their respective duet or consolidated volume, the overarching subplots, friendships, and chronological timelines are heavily interconnected. Reading them out of order will spoil major plot points and relationship developments from the previous books, so sticking to the chronological path is highly recommended.