Where should I start reading the Songs of Submission series?

You should start with Beg , which is the first novella in the series, or the omnibus collection One Night with Him (sometimes titled Submission ), which bundles the first three parts together.

What is the difference between 'Submit' and 'Submission'?

Submit is the third individual novella in the series. Submission is the title of the first bundled collection, which compiles the novellas Beg , Tease , and Submit into a single volume.

Can the Songs of Submission books be read as standalones?

No. The series is a highly serialized story with a continuous plot and character arcs. You must read them in order to understand the narrative.

What is the chronological order of the spin-off series?

It is best to read the main Songs of Submission series first. Follow it with the Corruption series (Theresa's story), and then the Forbidden series (Fiona's story).

When should I read the novella 'Breathe'?

You should read Breathe last. It acts as the final epilogue and wrap-up to Monica and Jonathan's story, taking place after the events of Coda .

Songs of Submission Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path

The story of aspiring singer Monica Faulkner and the dominant, wealthy hotelier Jonathan Drazen is a continuous, highly serialized narrative. Because of this, you absolutely must read the books in order to understand the character development and plot progression. There are two primary ways to read the series depending on whether you are reading the original novellas or the newer compiled omnibus editions.

Option 1: The Bundled Omnibus Editions (Recommended)

To make the series easier to digest, author C.D. Reiss compiled the original novellas into three full-length novels. For most modern readers, this is the easiest and most cost-effective route to take. The bundle reading order is:

One Night with Him (also sold under the title Submission) – Collects the first three novellas: Beg, Tease, and Submit.
One Year with Him – Collects the next four installments: Control, Burn, Resist, and the companion perspective piece Domination.
One Life with Him – Collects the final acts of the main story: Sing, Coda, the companion piece Dominance, and the collection Connection.
Breathe – A standalone epilogue novella that should be read last to wrap up Monica and Jonathan’s journey.

Option 2: The Original Novella Publication Order

If you are tracking down the original individual releases, read them in this order to follow the timeline exactly as it was released between 2013 and 2015:

Beg (2013) – Monica meets Jonathan, launching their intense, boundary-pushing arrangement.
Tease (2013) – The relationship deepens as emotional walls begin to crumble.
Submit (2013) – Monica explores her submissive side while attempting to maintain her personal independence.
Control (2013) – The stakes rise as external forces and personal histories threaten their bond.
Burn (2013) – Secrets are exposed, leading to a passionate but volatile turning point.
Resist (2013) – The couple fights to stay together despite mounting challenges.
Sing (2013) – The emotional climax of their primary relationship arc.
Coda (2015) – An essential post-happily-ever-after look at how the couple handles long-term commitment and trauma recovery.

Chronological Caveats and Companion Pieces

During the original publication run, Reiss published several companion pieces and alternative perspective novellas. Understanding where they fit keeps the timeline smooth:

Submission (2013): Often confused with the individual novella Submit, this is actually the title of the first collected edition of Beg, Tease, and Submit. If you purchase the book titled Submission, you do not need to buy those three novellas separately.
Domination (2013) and Dominance (2014): These are companion pieces that offer Jonathan Drazen’s perspective on key events in the series, helping readers understand his motivations and internal struggles. In the omnibus editions, these are integrated directly into volumes 2 and 3.
Connection (2015): A collection of scenes, extra perspectives, and transitional material that bridges the gap between the final chapters.
Sing / Coda (2015): A combined omnibus edition of the novels Sing and Coda.
Breathe (2015): The official epilogue novella. It is set after the events of Coda and serves as the final sign-off for Monica and Jonathan.

Expanding the Drazen Family Universe

Once you finish Monica and Jonathan's story, C.D. Reiss has expanded the world with spin-off series focusing on Jonathan’s sisters. These series feature the same gritty, emotional, and high-heat style, and they frequently feature cameos from the original couple.

The Corruption Series (Songs of Corruption)

This spin-off follows Theresa Drazen (Jonathan's sister), a clean-cut lawyer who falls for Antonio Spinelli, a dangerous man tied to the criminal underworld. The trilogy consists of:

Spin (also published as Rogue)
Ruin
Rule

You can also find this entire story collected in a single omnibus titled Corruption.

The Forbidden Series (Songs of Perdition)

This series centers on Fiona Drazen. It was originally known as the Songs of Perdition series (and some books were published under titles like Affluence), but it is now officially cataloged as the Forbidden series. The reading order is:

Kick
Use
Break

Like the other series, these three books are also available in a single combined volume titled Forbidden.

What to Know Before You Start

The Songs of Submission series is a cornerstone of modern erotic romance. While it was inspired by the boom of BDSM romance in the early 2010s, Reiss's work is widely praised for its high-quality, lyrical prose and its emphasis on active consent, communication, and emotional realism. The series does not shy away from the psychological complexities of dominance and submission, making it a deep character study rather than just a collection of steamy scenes. Because the plot is highly continuous, starting anywhere other than Beg (or the first omnibus One Night with Him) will leave you lost.