Books On Board
series Reading Order

TBH Books in Order

8 Books
2018 – 2021 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with the TBH Series

For the best reading experience, you should start the TBH series at the very beginning with TBH, This Is So Awkward. Because the story follows a tight, continuous chronological timeline that tracks the characters' changing relationships, inside jokes, and personal growth, reading the books out of order will make the group chats highly confusing.

The series is written entirely through digital communications, including text messages, emails, group chats, school forum posts, and passed notes. This fast-paced, emoji-filled format keeps readers engaged, making it crucial to follow the narrative from the first day of sixth grade to the bittersweet transition of seventh grade.

TBH Books in Publication and Chronological Order

The series was published between 2018 and 2021. The publication order matches the chronological story progression perfectly. Here is the order in which to read the books:

  1. TBH, This Is So Awkward (2018)
  2. TBH, This May Be TMI (2018)
  3. TBH, Too Much Drama (2019)
  4. TBH, IDK What's Next (2019)
  5. TBH, I Feel the Same (2020)
  6. TBH, You Know What I Mean (2020)
  7. TBH, No One Can EVER Know (2021)
  8. TBH, I Don’t Want to Say Good-bye (2021)

Understanding the Story Timeline and Caveats

The story kicks off in Book 1 during the sixth-grade school year, introducing best friends Cecily, Gabby, and Prianka—collectively known as CPG4Eva. When a new girl named Victoria tries to join their circle, a hurtful text message accidentally goes viral, causing a massive middle school cyberbullying scandal. The girls have their phones confiscated, forcing them to learn how to communicate face-to-face.

As the series progresses, the timeline moves steadily forward:

  • Books 1 through 3 cover the ups and downs of their sixth-grade year, dealing with crushes, planning the school's spring fair, and surviving a chaotic Spirit Week where secrets are leaked through viral memes.
  • Book 4 transitions into the summer break, highlighting how the friends cope with being apart during camp and family trips.
  • Books 5 through 7 follow the group as they enter seventh grade, balancing new extracurricular activities, taking on leadership roles, and keeping secrets before the big Valentine's Day dance.
  • Book 8 marks the emotional conclusion of the series, detailing a major life shift when Gabby's mother reveals their family is moving to Texas, forcing the friends to figure out how to maintain their bond from afar.

What to Know Before You Start

The TBH series is specifically designed for middle-grade readers, generally between the ages of 8 and 12. Its unique format is excellent for reluctant readers who might find standard text-heavy novels intimidating. It sits comfortably alongside other diary-style and highly visual realistic fiction series like Dork Diaries, Invisible Emmie, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

While there are no direct spin-offs or sequels to the main TBH timeline, readers who finish the series and want more of Lisa Greenwald's signature style can check out her other works. These include the Pink & Green series, starting with My Life in Pink & Green, and the Friendship List series, which begins with 11 Before 12.

Frequently Asked

QDo you need to read the TBH books in order?

Yes, you should read them in order. The series follows a continuous chronological timeline tracking the girls through sixth and seventh grade, so skipping books will make the plot and character dynamics confusing.

QWho are the main characters in the TBH series?

The main characters are three best friends: Cecily (Cece), Gabby, and Prianka (known as CPG4Eva), along with Victoria, who joins their circle in the first book.

QWhat is the recommended starting book for TBH?

The best place to start is the first book, TBH, This Is So Awkward, which introduces the main characters and kicks off their middle school group chats.

QAre the TBH books graphic novels?

Not exactly. While they are highly visual, they are formatted as a series of text messages, emails, and notes rather than traditional comic panels, making them a unique hybrid of realistic fiction and modern digital formatting.

QHow many books are in the main TBH series?

There are exactly eight books in the main series, which concluded in 2021 with the publication of the final book, TBH, I Don’t Want to Say Good-bye.

QWhat age group is the TBH series suitable for?

The series is target-targeted at middle-grade readers, typically between the ages of 8 and 12 years old, who enjoy relatable school drama and friendship stories.