The Recommended Reading Order for the Timeless Series
For readers diving into the emotional world of the Timeless series by E.L. Todd, the recommended reading path is simple and direct: follow the days of the week. E.L. Todd structured the series as a continuous narrative tracking the lives, healing, and romantic development of Francesca "Frankie" and Theodore "Hawke." Because each book picks up where the previous one left off or deals with the immediate aftermath of their decisions, reading them out of sequence will spoil major plot points and disrupt the emotional flow of the story.
Here is the recommended reading order for the Timeless series:
- Monday (2016): This is the book that starts it all. Readers are introduced to Frankie, an independent young woman who dreams of opening her own bakery and has spent years keeping people at a distance to protect her heart. Her structured life is turned upside down when she meets Hawke, a tattooed alpha male who carries deep emotional scars from a troubled and abusive childhood. Their connection is instant and intense, setting the stage for the rest of the series.
- Tuesday (2016): The story picks up two years after the heartbreaking events that closed the first book. Frankie is working hard to establish her bakery business while trying to move past the ghost of her relationship with Hawke. When Hawke suddenly re-enters her life, the two are forced to confront the unresolved feelings and the issues that originally drove them apart, testing the strength of their initial bond.
- Wednesday (2016): With Frankie and Hawke trying to find their footing once again, this installment focuses heavily on the themes of trust and forgiveness. As external pressures and internal anxieties threaten their progress, the couple must decide if they are willing to completely let go of the past to build a future together.
- Thursday (2016): The emotional stakes continue to rise as Frankie and Hawke face new challenges that test their commitment. This middle chapter of the series deepens their relationship, showing that maintaining love requires active work and mutual healing.
- Friday (2016): As the weekend approaches in their symbolic week-long journey, Frankie and Hawke deal with lingering doubts and external complications. The narrative builds momentum as the couple prepares to face the final hurdles to their happiness.
- Saturday (2016): This book serves as the penultimate chapter, bringing the primary conflicts of the series to a head. The emotional tension is high as Frankie and Hawke must make final choices about their paths and whether they can truly overcome their respective traumas together.
- Sunday (2016): The final book in the series provides a definitive resolution to the turbulent romance. It offers a satisfying happily-ever-after for Frankie and Hawke, wrapping up their long journey of mutual healing, self-discovery, and romantic redemption.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Unlike many romance series that feature different couples in each book, the Timeless series is a single, linear story focused entirely on Frankie and Hawke. Because of this, the publication order and the chronological order are identical. All seven books were published in quick succession throughout 2016, allowing readers to binge the entire story without waiting years for the next day of the week to release. Trying to read the books in any order other than the literal calendar sequence (Monday through Sunday) will result in confusion, as the plot relies on a continuous timeline of events and character growth.
What to Know Before You Start
Before starting the Timeless series, it is helpful to understand the specific tone and style that E.L. Todd brings to the contemporary and New Adult romance genres. The series is known for its raw storytelling and emotional intensity. While it features the classic banter and steamy romance scenes common to the genre, it also directly addresses serious themes, including childhood abuse, trauma, grief, and the struggles of self-worth. The relationship between Frankie and Hawke is not a smooth one; it is characterized by high angst, trust issues, and moments of separation that require both characters to grow individually before they can succeed as a couple.
Additionally, while E.L. Todd has written a vast library of connected novels—most notably her massive Forever and Ever and Forever and Always sagas—the Timeless series stands as a self-contained unit. You do not need to read any of the author's other books or series to fully understand or enjoy Frankie and Hawke's narrative arc. The series is complete at seven novels and does not feature crossover characters from Todd's other universes.
Practical Reader Advice
Can the Books Be Read as Standalones?
No, the books in the Timeless series cannot be read as standalone novels. Each entry is a direct continuation of the overarching plot. Reading Tuesday or Wednesday without the context of Monday will leave readers confused about the characters' history, motivations, and the emotional weight of their interactions. To get the intended experience, you should treat the seven books as a single, long novel divided into seven parts.
Best Starting Point
The only viable starting point for this series is Monday. Starting anywhere else will ruin the character development and the slow-burn resolution of Frankie and Hawke's relationship issues.
Are There Spin-Offs or Companion Series?
There are no direct spin-offs or companion series that follow the side characters of Timeless. E.L. Todd has kept this specific narrative universe dedicated exclusively to Frankie and Hawke. If you enjoy the style of the Timeless series, E.L. Todd's other series, such as the Angst series or the Forever and Ever series, offer a similar blend of high-emotion, contemporary romance and alpha-male leads, but they feature entirely different characters and settings.
Common Reading Order Disagreements
Unlike some romance franchises with complex timelines, there is no disagreement in the reader community or from the author regarding the reading order of the Timeless series. The calendar structure makes the progression clear and undisputed. The only minor point of note for international readers is that some foreign editions translate the titles of the books into their respective languages (for example, using German or French names for the days of the week), but the sequential order remains exactly the same.