The Recommended Reading Order for the Slightly Series
Written by New York Times bestselling author Wendy Corsi Staub under her romantic-comedy pen name Wendy Markham, the Slightly series is a classic of the 2000s chick-lit era. The series follows the chaotic, humorous, and heartfelt life stages of Tracey Spadolini (whose name is occasionally spelled "Traci" in retail and library listings) as she grows from a young single woman in New York City to a married woman adjusting to life in the suburbs.
Because the novels follow a strict chronological timeline tracking Tracey's aging, career transitions, and relationship developments, it is essential to read them in order of publication:
- Slightly Single (2002) - Introduces 24-year-old Tracey living in a sweltering, un-air-conditioned East Village apartment, trying to survive the summer and reinvent herself after her boyfriend leaves for summer stock theatre.
- Slightly Settled (2004) - Tracey balances professional ambitions, office gossip, and a complicated love triangle involving a new romantic interest named Jack.
- Slightly Engaged (2006) - Tracey and Jack move in together, but the pressures of societal and family expectations trigger a comedic obsession with getting a marriage proposal.
- Slightly Married (2007) - Explores the hectic preparations, cold feet, and family drama leading up to Tracey and Jack's wedding.
- Slightly Suburban (2008) - Tracey and Jack leave the noise of Manhattan behind for the quiet of the suburbs, only to face new challenges including sudden unemployment and invasive in-laws.
Beware of the Rename Confusion (Alternative Titles)
If you are hunting for physical copies or digital editions of the Slightly books, you may run into a common source of confusion: several books in the series were republished under completely different titles. To ensure you do not accidentally purchase the same story twice, keep this translation guide handy:
- Slightly Single was also published as So Not Single.
- Slightly Settled was also published as Confessions of a One Night Stand.
- Slightly Engaged was also published as Did Someone Say Fiancée?.
- Slightly Married was also published as Happily Ever After All.
- Slightly Suburban was also published as What Happens in Suburbia.
What to Know Before You Start
Wendy Corsi Staub is widely celebrated for her dark psychological thrillers, but she adopted the Wendy Markham pseudonym specifically to write lighter, humor-driven contemporary romance and women's fiction. The Slightly series was initially published by Harlequin's popular Red Dress Ink imprint, which defined the vibrant, independent urban-girl aesthetic of the early 2000s. Readers should expect plenty of nostalgic references to dial-up internet, subways, and classic NYC landmarks, giving the series a wonderful time-capsule quality.
Spin-Offs and Companion Reading
While there are no direct character spin-offs starring Tracey Spadolini, readers who enjoy Wendy Markham's comedic voice can transition to her other chick-lit projects. This includes the Chickalini Family series (which begins with The Nine-Month Plan and includes Once Upon a Blind Date, Bride Needs Groom, and That's Amore) as well as standalone contemporary romances like Mike, Mike & Me and Hello, It's Me (which was adapted into a popular Hallmark Channel television movie in 2015).