How to Read Adam Sass’s Books: Recommended Reading Path
Adam Sass’s bibliography is composed of standalone novels that span wildly different genres—ranging from dark survival thrillers and campy horror to contemporary romance. Because most of his works are self-contained stories, you have plenty of flexibility in how you approach them. However, because some books share a universe and characters, we recommend two primary paths depending on your reading preferences:
Option 1: The Publication Order (Highly Recommended)
Reading in order of publication allows you to witness the author's stylistic evolution and spot the subtle Easter eggs that tie his contemporary romances together. If you choose this path, the order is:
- Surrender Your Sons (2020)
- The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers (2022)
- Your Lonely Nights Are Over (2023)
- Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts (2024)
Option 2: The Romance & Companion Duology Path
If you prefer to focus entirely on his lighter, romantic contemporary stories, you can read the books set in the Chicago-based romance universe. In this path, you will follow a clear character continuation:
- The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers (2022)
- Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts (2024)
Publication Order of Adam Sass Standalone Novels
For readers who want to experience the books exactly as they hit shelves, here is the complete publication order of his full-length novels:
- Surrender Your Sons (September 2020)
- The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers (September 2022)
- Your Lonely Nights Are Over (September 2023)
- Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts (July 2024)
Prequels and Anthology Contributions
Beyond his four primary novels, Adam Sass has written companion material and short fiction that fans of his work will appreciate:
The Surrender Your Sons Digital Prequel
- The Search for Drew Schreiber (2020): A digital prequel novella released alongside his debut. It follows Evelyn Schreiber's global quest to locate her missing nephew, Drew, leading directly into the events of the main novel.
Anthologies
- Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder (2022): Sass contributed the short story "Reshadow" to this science-fiction collection.
- I Want That Twink OBLITERATED! (2024): A queer pulp sci-fi and fantasy anthology featuring short stories from Sass and other LGBTQIA+ writers.
Chronological Flow and Universe Caveats
While you do not need to worry about complex timelines for his thriller or horror books, there are two important connections to keep in mind:
The Surrender Your Sons Timeline
If you want a strictly chronological read for his debut thriller, you should start with the prequel novella The Search for Drew Schreiber before diving into Surrender Your Sons. However, because the prequel was designed as a promotional companion, starting with the main novel works perfectly fine and preserves the core mystery.
The Micah Summers & Grant Rossi Connection
Although The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers and Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts are marketed as standalone contemporary romances, they are set in the exact same universe. Grant Rossi, the protagonist of Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts, is actually Micah's ex-boyfriend from the previous novel. Reading Micah Summers first gives you crucial context on Grant's history, his past heartbreak, and why he believes he is "cursed" when his own book begins.
What to Know Before You Start
Adam Sass’s stories are celebrated for their authentic LGBTQ+ representation, witty banter, and atmospheric settings. Because his genre footprint is so diverse, here is a quick guide to what you should expect from each title:
- Surrender Your Sons: A dark, gripping survival thriller that deals with the heavy reality of conversion therapy camps. Expect high-stakes tension and a fight for survival.
- Your Lonely Nights Are Over: A campy slasher mystery described as a queer Scream meets Clueless. It focuses on the intense bond between two best friends who find themselves suspected of murder.
- The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers & Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts: Whimsical, fairy-tale-inspired contemporary romances focusing on mental health, healing, self-discovery, and second-chance romance.