Recommended Reading Order
For readers who want to follow the natural flow of the friend groups and family connections, reading the series in publication order is highly recommended. Below is the complete order of books in the main series:
- Mister Sexy Pants (Prequel Novella, 2022) — Milo Dawson and Veronica Valentine's initial spark.
- The Virgin Next Door (Book 1, 2022) — Milo and Veronica's main office romance.
- Two a Day (Book 2, 2022) — Drew Adams (also known as Drew Erickson) and Brooke Holland.
- The Good Guy Challenge (Book 3, 2022) — Gabe Clements and Ellie Snow.
- My So-Called Sex Life / My So-Called Love Life (Book 4, 2023) — Hazel Valentine and Axel Huxley.
The Companion Novel
- Most Likely to Score (Companion / Originally in Ballers and Babes, 2018) — Jones Beckett and Jillian.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
While the publication order is the most straightforward route, reading chronologically offers a slightly different experience. Since Mister Sexy Pants is a prequel novella, it takes place before the events of The Virgin Next Door. Reading it first allows you to experience the chronological setup of Veronica and Milo's relationship. However, because the main books are standalone contemporary romances, reading them in any order works perfectly well without spoiling major plot points.
A unique case is the companion novel, Most Likely to Score. Originally published in 2018 as part of the Ballers and Babes series, it shares the same sports romance setting and character universe. Because of this, it is frequently grouped into digital listings of The Dating Games. If you want a strictly chronological read of the universe, you would start with this 2018 sports romance long before diving into the core 2022 releases.
A Deep Dive into the Books
Mister Sexy Pants (Prequel Novella)
This prequel novella introduces us to Veronica Valentine and Milo Dawson. Set in a fast-paced environment where flirty banter takes center stage, it gives readers a sneak peek at the immediate attraction and playful dynamic between the two leads before they officially become boss and employee in the main series.
The Virgin Next Door (Book 1)
The first full-length novel in the series tells the story of Veronica Valentine, a former children's book editor who secretly writes a column titled 'Tales of a Naughty Virgin.' Following a disastrous email blunder where she accidentally sends a spicy draft to her entire company, she meets her new boss, Milo Dawson. Combining workplace tension and a sweet-yet-steamy fake relationship, their story sets a playful tone for the rest of the series.
Two a Day (Book 2)
Focusing on the sports romance side of the series, this book follows Drew Adams (noted as Drew Erickson in some databases), a star quarterback, and Brooke Holland, a fiery professional coordinator. The narrative thrives on forbidden sports-romance tropes, workplace boundaries, and high-energy banter between two fiercely independent characters.
The Good Guy Challenge (Book 3)
This entry centers on the fake dating trope. The story follows Gabe Clements and Ellie Snow. Gabe, a close friend of Drew, tries to prove he can be a 'good guy' while helping out Ellie, who happens to be the best friend of Veronica Valentine. The fake-relationship setup quickly dissolves as genuine feelings and old sparks reignite.
My So-Called Sex Life / My So-Called Love Life (Book 4)
Originally published as My So-Called Sex Life and later re-titled My So-Called Love Life, this novel follows Veronica's sister, Hazel Valentine, a successful romance author. Hazel is forced to share a sleeper car during a European train tour with her former writing partner and current rival, Axel Huxley. It is a classic enemies-to-lovers and forced-proximity story packed with tension.
Most Likely to Score (Associated Book)
This book features Jones Beckett, a professional football player, and Jillian, a team publicist. Bound by a strict professional arrangement, their forced proximity leads to a forbidden workplace romance that fits right in with the themes of the core series.
Practical Reading Tips: Standalones and Starting Points
You can read these books completely out of order if you prefer, as each novel focuses on a different couple and reaches a definitive conclusion. However, starting with Mister Sexy Pants or The Virgin Next Door is the best path because the subsequent books introduce friends and family members who spin off into their own stories. For example, Ellie from Book 3 is Veronica's best friend, and Hazel from Book 4 is Veronica's sister, making the transition between books feel like a natural evolution of a close-knit social circle.
What to Know Before You Start
Lauren Blakely's romance novels are celebrated for their witty dialogue, low-angst storylines, and highly steamy encounters. The series is set in modern urban backdrops like Los Angeles and New York, dealing with relatable 21st-century dilemmas such as misdirected emails, dating apps, and career-versus-love decisions. If you are planning to read Book 4, keep in mind that editions bearing either My So-Called Sex Life or My So-Called Love Life contain the exact same story, so there is no need to purchase both.