Books On Board

Submissive Books in Order

  • 18 Books
  • 2012 – 2022 Published

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How to Read Tara Sue Me's Submissive Series

If you are looking to enter the BDSM romance world of Tara Sue Me's Submissive series, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of entries. What began as a popular online writing exercise has expanded into an 18-book universe featuring core novels, spin-offs, and companion eNovellas. Navigating this series is simple once you understand how the central characters and their wider community, known as the Partners in Play, connect.

The Golden Rule: Follow Publication Order

The author officially recommends reading the Submissive series in publication order. Because the books alternate between the core couple (Abby King and Nathaniel West) and other couples within their Delaware and New York BDSM playgroup, reading in publication order ensures that you do not spoil the relationship milestones, marriages, or family updates of the main characters. Even the shorter eNovellas serve as direct bridges between major installments, making the published sequence the most cohesive reading path.

The Complete Reading Order

Here is the full list of the Submissive books in the recommended reading order, including their publication years and how each entry fits into the overall timeline:

  1. The Submissive (2012) - The series debut introduces Abby King, a quiet librarian seeking adventure, and billionaire Nathaniel West, who agrees to take her on as a submissive.
  2. The Dominant (2012) - This companion novel retells the events of the first book from Nathaniel's perspective, revealing his complex past and internal struggles.
  3. The Training (2013) - The conclusion to the original trilogy, focusing on Abby and Nathaniel as they define their terms and confront the emotional depth of their bond.
  4. The Chalet (2014) - A companion novella that serves as an epilogue to the initial trilogy, following Abby and Nathaniel on a weekend getaway.
  5. Seduced by Fire (2014) - The first major spin-off, focusing on a new couple, Daniel and Julie, while expanding the world of the Partners in Play.
  6. The Enticement (2015) - A return to Abby and Nathaniel's story as they navigate new challenges in their relationship and family life.
  7. The Collar (2015) - A spin-off novel focusing on Dena Jenkins and Jeff Parks, a long-time friend of Nathaniel.
  8. The Exhibitionist (2015) - Abby and Nathaniel return to center stage, dealing with public exposure and private desires.
  9. The Master (2016) - This installment shifts to Cole Johnson and Sasha Blake, exploring trust and healing after trauma.
  10. The Exposure (2016) - Abby and Nathaniel face external threats to their lifestyle and relationship.
  11. The Claiming (2016) - A novella focusing on Abby and Nathaniel as they reaffirm their commitment to one another.
  12. The Flirtation (2017) - Shifts focus to Lynne, Abby and Nathaniel's nanny, and her online connection to her former Dom, Simon.
  13. Mentor's Match (2018) - Focuses on architect Kate Herrington and Fritz Brose, starting with a casual arrangement in Berlin that follows them back to the United States.
  14. The Mentor and the Master (2018) - A novella that returns to Julie and Daniel, showing how their relationship has evolved.
  15. Top Trouble (2019) - A playful enemies-to-lovers story featuring Evan and Kelly, two Dominants who hide their mutual attraction behind constant bickering.
  16. Nathaniel's Gift (2020) - A holiday novella featuring Abby and Nathaniel West as they escape for a private vacation away from family duties.
  17. The Pretender (2021) - A novella following Abby and Nathaniel as they interact with Ellery Manne, Nathaniel's new CIO, and her husband.
  18. The Anniversary (2022) - A novella focusing on Cole Johnson and Sasha Blake as they celebrate their relationship and plan for the future.

Core Storylines vs. Spin-Offs

While all 18 books are set in the same New York City BDSM community, they can be grouped into distinct focus areas depending on which characters you want to follow. If you only want to read about the main couple, you can focus on the Abby and Nathaniel books, though you will miss some of the context provided by the community spin-offs.

The Abby King and Nathaniel West Arc

Abby and Nathaniel's relationship is the foundation of the series. The initial trilogy, consisting of The Submissive, The Dominant, and The Training, establishes their dynamic. Their story continues in The Chalet, The Enticement, The Exhibitionist, The Exposure, The Claiming, Nathaniel's Gift, and The Pretender. Following their specific path allows readers to watch them grow from a librarian and a guarded billionaire into a married couple managing their desires alongside family life.

The Partners in Play Community Spin-Offs

The remaining books explore other members of the BDSM community in Delaware and New York, offering a variety of romantic dynamics:

  • Daniel and Julie: Featured in Seduced by Fire and the novella The Mentor and the Master.
  • Jeff Parks and Dena Jenkins: Featured in The Collar. Jeff is a close friend of Nathaniel.
  • Cole Johnson and Sasha Blake: Featured in The Master and the novella The Anniversary. Cole is another prominent member of the group, and Sasha's story deals heavily with healing.
  • Simon and Lynne: Featured in The Flirtation, linking the nanny of the West household to her own romantic journey.
  • Fritz Brose and Kate Herrington: Featured in Mentor's Match.
  • Evan and Kelly: Featured in Top Trouble, providing a unique "Dom meets Dom" dynamic.

Chronological Caveats and Standalone Reading

Can you read these books out of order? Yes, but with some caveats. The spin-off novels (such as Seduced by Fire, The Collar, The Master, and Mentor's Match) introduce the main characters of those books as secondary characters in previous installments. Reading them out of order can spoil who ends up together or reveal details about the central Abby and Nathaniel storyline. Furthermore, the eNovellas are deeply tied to the timeline; for example, The Chalet takes place immediately after the events of The Training, and reading it later will feel out of sequence.

If you prefer a streamlined experience, you can read the core Abby and Nathaniel books sequentially while skipping the spin-offs, but for the full emotional impact and character depth, the publication order remains the gold standard.

What to Know Before You Start

Tara Sue Me initially wrote The Submissive as a writing exercise, posting it online where it gathered millions of reads before being picked up by Penguin Random House. While it is frequently compared to Fifty Shades of Grey due to its billionaire BDSM romance theme, the series is widely noted for its focus on consent, trust, and communication. The author balances explicit erotic scenes with character-driven plots and emotional growth, making it an accessible entry point for romance readers curious about the BDSM lifestyle.

Frequently Asked

What is the recommended reading order for the Submissive series?

The best way to read the series is in publication order. This sequence follows the natural timeline of the Partners in Play BDSM community and avoids spoilers for the recurring cast of characters.

Which books focus on the main couple, Abby and Nathaniel?

Abby King and Nathaniel West are the focus of The Submissive, The Dominant, The Training, The Chalet, The Enticement, The Exhibitionist, The Exposure, The Claiming, Nathaniel's Gift, and The Pretender.

Can the spin-off books be read as standalones?

Yes, books like Seduced by Fire, The Collar, and The Master feature different couples and can be read as standalones. However, reading them in order provides a better understanding of the secondary characters and overall community timeline.

What is the difference between The Submissive and The Dominant?

While The Submissive is told from Abby King's perspective, The Dominant retells the same events from Nathaniel West's perspective, offering deeper insight into his backstory and motivations.

Are the novellas in the series essential to read?

Although they are shorter than the novels, the eNovellas (such as The Chalet and The Claiming) bridge major story gaps for Abby and Nathaniel, making them highly recommended for fans of the core couple.

Who are the main characters of the spin-off books?

The spin-offs focus on other couples in the community, including Daniel and Julie (Seduced by Fire), Jeff and Dena (The Collar), Cole and Sasha (The Master), Simon and Lynne (The Flirtation), Fritz and Kate (Mentor's Match), and Evan and Kelly (Top Trouble).