Where to Start with Addison Moore
Bestselling author Addison Moore is incredibly prolific, with over 150 books spanning young adult paranormal romance, cozy mysteries, and contemporary romance. Because her books are often set in shared universes or feature recurring crossovers, finding the right starting point can seem daunting. Here are the three best entry points depending on your favorite genre:
- For Paranormal Romance Fans: Start with Ethereal, the first book in the Celestra series. This is Moore's signature young adult series that put her on the map, full of Nephilim lore, mind-reading, and high-stakes romance on Paragon Island.
- For Cozy Mystery Lovers: Start with either Kittyzen's Arrest (Book 1 of the Country Cottage Mysteries) or Cutie Pies and Deadly Lies (Book 1 of the Murder in the Mix series). Both feature charming towns, supernatural sleuths, and adorable pets.
- For Contemporary Romance Readers: Start with 3:AM Kisses, the first novella in her popular college campus romance series set at Whitney Briggs University.
The Celestra Universe Reading Order
The Celestra universe is Addison Moore's most famous creation, centered around Skyla Messenger and the supernatural factions on Paragon Island. To get the full story without spoilers, follow this recommended reading order, which incorporates companion works and spin-offs:
1. The Original Celestra Series
The main Young Adult paranormal romance series should be read in its strict publication and chronological order:
- Ethereal (2011)
- Tremble (2011)
- Burn (2011)
- Wicked (2011)
- Vex (2011)
- Expel (2012)
- Toxic Part One (2012)
- Toxic Part Two (2012)
- Elysian (2013)
Note: The companion novel Ethereal Knights (2013) retells the events of the first book from the male leads Logan and Gage's perspectives. You can read it anytime after finishing Ethereal, though some readers prefer reading it after completing the main series to revisit the story.
2. The Countenance Trilogy and Companion Novellas
After finishing the main series, you can expand your journey with these adjacent stories set in the same universe:
- The Countenance Trilogy: Comprising Ephemeral (2012), Evanescent (2013), and Entropy (2013), this series is set in the same story world and can be read independently, but fits best after the original Celestra run.
- Perfect Love (2013): A companion novella that features Logan's perspective during the events of Elysian. It is best read after finishing both the main Celestra books and the Countenance trilogy.
- Season of the Witch (2015): A paranormal romance addition to the Celestra library.
3. Celestra Forever After
This New Adult sequel series continues Skyla's story as she transitions into adulthood. Read these after completing the original Celestra series:
- Celestra Forever After (2014)
- The Dragon and the Rose (2014)
- The Serpentine Butterfly (2016)
- Crown of Ashes (2017)
- Throne of Fire (2018)
- All Hail the King (2019)
The Cozy Mystery Universe: Crossover Palooza!
Addison Moore has built a massive, interconnected cozy mystery universe where different protagonists interact in what she calls a "Crossover Palooza!" While the individual mystery cases wrap up in each book, the characters' lives, relationships, and supernatural abilities evolve. Reading these series in their respective publication orders is highly recommended to appreciate the fun crossovers.
Country Cottage Mysteries
Set in Cider Cove, Maine, this series stars Bizzy Baker, an innkeeper who can read minds. She solves mysteries alongside her kitten Fish, her dog Sherlock Bones, and a handsome local detective. The series began in 2019 with Kittyzen's Arrest and has grown to over 25 books, including seasonal favorites like Santa Claws Calamity and A Christmas to Dismember.
Murder in the Mix
This series takes place in Honey Hollow and follows Lottie Lemon, a baker who has the unique ability to see the ghosts of deceased pets. She is accompanied by her cats Pancake and Waffles. The series launched in 2018 with Cutie Pies and Deadly Lies and features over 50 books.
How the Crossovers Connect
Bizzy Baker and Lottie Lemon frequently cross paths. For example, Felines and Fatalities serves as Book 6 of the Country Cottage Mysteries and Book 21.5 of the Murder in the Mix series. Another prominent crossover is Flag Cake Felonies, where Bizzy travels to Honey Hollow to visit Lottie.
Other Cozy Mystery Series in the Shared Universe
- Brambleberry Bay Murder Club: Stars Hattie Holiday, a mind reader in Brambleberry Bay who investigates crimes with her cat Cricket and golden retriever Rookie. (Starts with Brambleberry Bay Murder Club, 2022).
- Meow for Murder: Co-authored with Bellamy Bloom and set in Starry Falls, starring Bowie Binx, a protagonist who believes she has psychic visions. (Starts with An Awful Cat-titude, 2020).
- Cruise Ship Cozy Mysteries: Follows the adventures of Trixie Troublefield Baxter. (Starts with Cruising Through Midlife, 2022).
- Hot Flash Homicides: Set in Glimmerspell, featuring a protagonist who experiences spontaneous time travel triggered by hot flashes. (Starts with Midlife in Glimmerspell, 2021).
The Contemporary Romance Collections
If you prefer contemporary romance without paranormal elements, Moore offers several series set in college and small-town environments:
3:AM Kisses Series
Set at the fictional Whitney Briggs University nestled in the Blue Mountains of North Carolina, this 18-book series consists of contemporary romance novellas. While the first book, 3:AM Kisses (2013), introduces Baya Brighton and her brother's roommate Bryson Edwards, subsequent books shift focus to new couples around the campus. The books can be enjoyed as standalones, but reading in publication order allows you to spot returning characters in the background.
Beautiful Oblivion / Lake Loveless
A four-book contemporary romance series starting with Beautiful Oblivion (2013) and continuing through Beautiful Illusions, Beautiful Elixir, and Beautiful Deception.
Burning Through Gravity
A passionate contemporary trilogy consisting of Burning Through Gravity (2014), A Thousand Starry Nights (2015), and Fire in an Amber Sky (2015).
What to Know Before You Start
Addison Moore's background as a psychiatric therapist shines through in her character work, giving her protagonists deep emotional complexity despite the lighthearted, fast-paced nature of her plots. For her paranormal romance series, expect high drama, classic love triangles, and immersive lore. For the cozy mysteries, expect humorous dialogue, romantic tension, quirky pet companions, and lighthearted supernatural twists. Her thriller series, such as the Fallon Baxter FBI Mystery series (featuring FBI agent Fallon Baxter), offers a cleaner, suspense-driven alternative for readers looking for traditional mystery plots without the paranormal elements.