Welcome to the Mayson Family Universe
If you love protective, ultra-possessive alpha heroes, small-town warmth, and instant, soul-shattering connections, then you have likely heard of the Mayson family. Created by bestselling author Aurora Rose Reynolds, this universe is built around the concept of the "BOOM"—a sudden, absolute realization that you have met your soulmate. While the saga started with the original Until series, it quickly expanded into the next generation. This is where Until Him and its sister series, Until Her, come into play.
Specifically, the Until Him line focuses on the sons and male relatives of the original Mayson brothers (November, Trevor, Lilly, and Nico's children). Written with Reynolds' signature blend of low-angst romance, high-heat chemistry, and a dash of external suspense or danger, these books have become staples for contemporary romance readers. Below, we map out the best way to navigate these protective alpha males and their fierce love stories.
Recommended Reading Paths: Where to Start
Readers generally divide their approach to the Mayson family into two distinct paths, depending on how much time they want to invest in the universe:
- The Complete Universe Path (Recommended): Start with the original Until series (beginning with Until November), and then read the Until Him and Until Her books in combined publication order. Because the characters are closely related, characters from the original books frequently appear as parents, uncles, and mentors. Reading in order ensures you do not get spoiled on who ended up with whom or how many kids they had.
- The Spin-off Only Path: If you want to jump straight to the next generation, you can start directly with the first books of the spin-off series. While you won't have the full backstory of the parents, Aurora Rose Reynolds writes each romance as a complete standalone story. You can easily pick up Until Jax (the first official Until Him book) and follow along without feeling lost.
Until Him: The Reading Order
Here is the chronological publication sequence of the books focused primarily on the male-led stories of the second-generation Mayson clan, as well as closely connected companion novellas:
- Until Jax (2015) – The romance of Jax Mayson and Ellie Anthony.
- Until Sage (2017) – The story of Sage Mayson and Kimberly Cullen.
- Until Cobi (2018) – The story of Cobi Mayson and Hadley Emerson.
- Until Talon (2020) – The story of Talon Mayson and Mia Allenton.
- Keeping You (2023) – A companion novella featuring Bridgett and Noah.
- Brodie (2024) – A companion novella featuring professional hockey player Brodie Pierce and Reese Shepard.
- Until Bax (2024) – The story of Bax Mayson and Olivia Gannon.
Note: In the broader, combined Until Him/Her universe, these titles alternate with the female-led books. For example, Until July (an Until Her book) actually kicked off the second-generation line in 2015 right before Until Jax. For the ultimate reading experience, mixing the two series chronologically by publication year is highly recommended by fans.
Book-by-Book Breakdown
Until Jax (2015)
The series officially kicks off the male-centric next generation with Jax Mayson. Jax meets Ellie Anthony, a hardworking single mother who is extremely cautious about letting men into her life. When Jax experiences the Mayson family "BOOM," his protective instincts kick in immediately. Set against the cozy backdrop of small-town Tennessee, Jax has to work hard to dismantle Ellie’s trust issues and shield her from past heartbreaks.
Until Sage (2017)
Sage Mayson is known for his wild side, but everything changes when he crosses paths with Kimberly Cullen. Kimberly has her own share of personal demons and external threats, making her hesitant to trust Sage's intense advances. Their fiery connection is tested by real-world danger, forcing Sage to step up as her ultimate protector.
Until Cobi (2018)
Cobi Mayson is a man who knows exactly what he wants, and the moment he sees Hadley Emerson, the BOOM strikes. Hadley is dealing with the aftermath of chaos in her life, and Cobi's fast-paced, direct romance is exactly what she needs, even if she fights it at first. This installment blends suspense with a heartfelt story of finding stability in a partner's arms.
Until Talon (2020)
Talon Mayson (son of Nico Mayson) is a blue-collar construction worker whose world is upended when a tornado literally brings Mia Allenton into his path. Mia has moved to Tennessee from Montana to help support her sister's family after a messy betrayal. Skeptical of men, Mia tries to resist Talon's persistent charm, but a series of dangerous sabotage attempts at Talon's construction sites forces them closer together.
Keeping You (2023)
This standalone novella was originally published as part of the 1001 Dark Nights series. It shifts slightly away from the core Mayson name to follow Bridgett and Noah. Bridgett is struggling to rebuild her life after an abusive ex-husband, but when a fire leaves her stranded, she has to accept help from Noah—a protective police officer who happens to be her brother's best friend. It is a sweet, high-heat, and fast-paced entry.
Brodie (2024)
Another companion novella in the extended line, this story features professional hockey player Brodie Pierce and Reese Shepard. It delivers all the hallmarks of a classic Reynolds romance: instant chemistry, an alpha hero who falls first and hard, and a sweet, low-angst journey toward a happy ending.
Until Bax (2024)
Bax Mayson is a rugged, blue-collar worker who runs a construction business. When his childhood crush and best friend's little sister, Olivia Gannon, moves back home to escape a bad breakup, the chemistry is undeniable. Using the popular "best friend’s sibling" trope, Bax has to navigate family dynamics and protect Olivia when a mysterious, threatening figure begins targeting her.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the series, keep a few things in mind. First, the "BOOM" is an essential element of the universe. If you do not enjoy instant-love tropes, this series might feel a bit fast-paced. Second, Aurora Rose Reynolds loves to inject mild suspense subplots—such as stalkers, sabotage, or local threats—to give her couples a reason to band together. Finally, the books are set in small-town Tennessee, which provides a comforting, recurring cast of local characters and family members who show up across both the Until Him and Until Her series.