The Stark Books in Order

Where to Start in the Stark Universe

If you are stepping into the glamorous, high-stakes, and emotionally charged world of the Stark Series for the first time, there is only one place to start: the original Stark Trilogy. Bestselling author J. Kenner (Julie Kenner) introduced readers to billionaire Damien Stark and Nikki Fairchild in 2013 with Release Me. This book, followed immediately by Claim Me and Complete Me, establishes the core relationship, the intense chemistry, and the deep emotional traumas that both characters must overcome. Starting anywhere else will spoil major plot points and lessen the impact of their journey from a control-based arrangement to deep, healing love.

After completing the initial trilogy, readers face a choice: continue strictly with Damien and Nikki's lives, or branch out into the interconnected spin-off series that expand the broader Stark World. J. Kenner has created a sprawling universe where characters cross over, meaning that a chronological approach provides the richest reading experience.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For casual readers, the publication order of the main novels is often the easiest path. However, J. Kenner has released dozens of novellas and spin-off novels that fit between the major installments. To help readers navigate, the author uses a decimal numbering system (e.g., Book 3.1, Book 3.2) for the Stark Ever After novellas. These shorter stories are designed to bridge the gaps between full-length novels, showing milestones like Damien and Nikki's wedding, holidays, and early parenthood.

If you read only the main novels, you will still follow the primary plot, but you might miss out on the emotional tissue that connects them. Additionally, characters from the spin-off series, such as Jackson Steele from Stark International and the operatives of Stark Security, make crossover appearances. Reading chronologically ensures you understand every cameo and reference.

Breaking Down the Subseries

To understand how the books fit together, it helps to understand the four distinct pillars of the Stark World:

1. The Stark Saga (Damien & Nikki Core Books)

This is the main storyline following Nikki Fairchild and Damien Stark. It consists of full-length novels that chart their evolving relationship, from their first explosive meeting to their lives as a married couple facing external threats. The core novels include Release Me, Claim Me, Complete Me, Anchor Me, Lost With Me, Damien, and Enchant Me, along with the recent retrospective Interview with the Billionaire.

2. Stark Ever After (Novellas)

These are companion novellas focusing on Nikki and Damien. While they are not mandatory to understand the main plot, they are highly recommended for fans who want to see more of the couple's domestic life, holiday celebrations, and emotional milestones. Key entries include Take Me, Have Me, Play My Game, and Cherish Me.

3. Stark International

This spin-off series shifts the focus to other couples within the Stark corporate empire. The primary trilogy within this subseries—consisting of Say My Name, On My Knees, and Under My Skin—follows Jackson Steele and Sylvia Brooks. Another notable story is the novella Tame Me, which follows Jamie and Ryan. Because Jackson Steele is introduced in the Stark Ever After novella Play My Game, this subseries fits perfectly as a detour right after the early Nikki and Damien stories.

4. Stark Security

This romantic suspense spin-off focuses on the agents working for Stark Security, a firm protecting the wealthy and powerful. While Damien and Nikki make occasional appearances, these books function as standalone romances focusing on different couples, beginning with Shattered With You and continuing through books like Broken With You, Ruined With You, and the 2024 release Craved By You. They are heavier on action and suspense compared to the core erotic romance novels.

The Master Chronological Reading Order

For the complete, immersive Stark experience, follow this integrated timeline which weaves the core novels, novellas, and spin-offs together in chronological sequence:

1. Release Me (Stark Saga Book 1)
2. Claim Me (Stark Saga Book 2)
3. Complete Me (Stark Saga Book 3)
4. Take Me (Stark Ever After Novella - Book 3.1)
5. Tame Me (Stark International Novella)
6. Have Me (Stark Ever After Novella - Book 3.2)
7. Play My Game (Stark Ever After Novella - Book 3.3) - This novella introduces Jackson Steele, bridging to Stark International.
8. Say My Name (Stark International Book 1)
9. On My Knees (Stark International Book 2)
10. Under My Skin (Stark International Book 3)
11. Seduce Me (Stark Ever After Novella - Book 3.4)
12. Unwrap Me (Stark Ever After Novella - Book 3.5)
13. Deepest Kiss (Stark Ever After Novella - Book 3.6)
14. Take My Dare (Stark International Novella)
15. Entice Me (Stark Saga / Stark Ever After - Book 3.7)
16. Anchor Me (Stark Saga Book 4)
17. Tempt Me (Stark International Novella)
18. Hold Me (Stark Ever After Novella - Book 4.1)
19. Please Me (Stark Ever After Novella - Book 4.2)
20. Lost With Me (Stark Saga Book 5)
21. Justify Me (Stark International Novella)
22. Indulge Me (Stark Ever After Novella - Book 5.1)
23. Delight Me (Stark Ever After Novella - Book 5.2)
24. Shattered With You (Stark Security Book 1)
25. Shadows of You (Stark Security Book 2)
26. Broken With You (Stark Security Book 3)
27. Ruined With You (Stark Security Book 4)
28. Damien (Stark Saga Book 6)
29. Cherish Me (Stark Ever After Novella - Book 6.1)
30. Tease Me (Stark International Novella)
31. Wrecked With You (Stark Security Book 5)
32. Destroyed With You (Stark Security Book 6)
33. Embrace Me (Stark Ever After Novella - Book 6.2)
34. Memories of You (Stark Security Book 7)
35. Ravaged With You (Stark Security Book 8)
36. Enchant Me (Stark Saga Book 7)
37. Hidden With You (Stark Security Book 9)
38. Charmed By You (Stark Security Book 10)
39. Tangled With You (Stark Security Book 11)
40. Entwined With You (Stark Security Book 12)
41. Interview with the Billionaire (Stark Saga Book 8 / Retro)
42. Craved By You (Stark Security Book 13)

Practical Reader Advice

While the master chronological list looks daunting, you do not have to read all 40+ books to enjoy the series. If you only want Damien and Nikki’s main story, you can read the 7 core Stark Saga books in order. The spin-off series, particularly Stark Security, are designed so that each novel features a different couple and resolves its main romantic conflict within the book, meaning they can technically be read as standalones. However, reading them out of order will expose details about the relationships of characters from previous books, so following the subseries order is highly recommended.

What to Know Before You Start

The Stark Series belongs to the erotic romance and romantic suspense genres. It features strong themes of BDSM, power dynamics, control, submission, and recovery from severe childhood trauma. Damien Stark is a classic billionaire alpha male, but J. Kenner’s writing sets itself apart by focusing heavily on mutual respect, therapeutic healing, and emotional growth. The setting is a glamorous, idealized version of Los Angeles, filled with luxury, art, and high-profile security threats, providing the perfect dramatic backdrop for the characters' intense emotional arcs.