A.J. Sherwood Books in Order

Where to Start with A.J. Sherwood

A.J. Sherwood (who also writes fantasy under the pen name Honor Raconteur) is beloved for her low-angst, high-humor M/M romance novels. Because her books feature expansive magic systems, found family dynamics, and overlapping storylines, deciding where to start can be tricky. Depending on your favorite subgenres, there are two primary entry points:

• For Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Mystery Fans: Start with Jon's Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case, the first book in the Jon's Mysteries series. This introduces you to a psychic detective and his protective partner, serving as the gateway to Sherwood's shared paranormal universe.
• For High Fantasy & Comedic Romance Fans: Start with Miracle 1, the opening volume of How I Stole the Princess's White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy (often called the Villainy series). This series is a hilarious, "crack" fantasy that subverts classic fairy tale tropes.

The Shared Urban Fantasy Universe (Jon & Mack)

Sherwood has constructed a delightful modern-day paranormal universe where psychics, ghosts, and magic-users coexist. The stories are cozy, lighthearted, and heavily focus on found families. The two primary series in this universe overlap, and reading them in publication order is recommended to prevent minor spoilers and enjoy the character crossovers.

1. Jon's Mysteries

This series follows Jonathan Bane, a psychic consultant who solves supernatural cases alongside his handsome partner, Donovan Havili. The recommended reading order is:

1. Jon's Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case (2019)
2. Jon's Crazy Head-Boppin' Mystery (2019)
3. Jon's Spooky Corpse Conundrum (2019)
4. Jon's Boom Shaka Laka Problem (2021)
5. Alan's Utterly Accidental Dream-Cute (2023) - Note: This is a spin-off companion novella focusing on Jon's brother, Alan.
6. Jon and Mack's Terrifying Tree Troubles (2023) - Note: A crossover book that bridges Jon's Mysteries and Mack's Marvelous Manifestations.
7. Jon's Helter Skelter Cold Case (2024)

2. Mack's Marvelous Manifestations

This companion series centers on Mack, a powerful medium who wrangles ghosts and solves spirits' unfinished business. It is best read alongside the Jon's Mysteries books:

1. Brandon's Very Merry Haunted Christmas (2019)
2. Mack's Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming (2020)
3. Mack's Rousing Ghoulish Highland Adventure (2021)
4. Jon and Mack's Terrifying Tree Troubles (2023) - Note: The joint crossover novella.

3. The Tribulations of Ross Young, Supernat PA

While set in a similar contemporary paranormal space, this comedic series follows the chaotic life of Ross Young, a normal human who somehow becomes the personal assistant to a demanding and powerful vampire. It can be read independently of the Jon and Mack books:

1. The Tribulations of Ross Young, Supernat PA (2021)
2. Additional Incident LARPing (2022)
3. Common Sense Deserts Once Again (2022)

The Fated Mates Chronological Puzzle

The Fated Mates series is a sweet paranormal romance series featuring shifters, magic, and fated bonds. However, the author has openly shared that she wrote this series backwards in terms of chronological event progression. Because of this, readers have two choices for how to tackle the order:

The Chronological Order (Author & Fan Recommended)

To experience the narrative timeline as the events actually happen, start with the prequel (Book 3/Book 0), which explains the characters' origins, and move forward:

1. Fated Mates and When to Keep Them (2024)
2. Fated Mates and How to Woo Them (2023)
3. Fated Mates and Where to Find Them (2023)

The Publication Order

If you prefer to read the books in the order they were released, follow this list:

1. Fated Mates and Where to Find Them (2023)
2. Fated Mates and How to Woo Them (2023)
3. Fated Mates and When to Keep Them (2024)

How I Stole the Princess's White Knight (The Villainy Series)

This high-fantasy series follows Tan, a chaotic Black Sorcerer, and Devan, the noble White Knight he accidentally corrupts. The series is divided into distinct story arcs. Because the individual volumes are short, they are often compiled into single collections, which is the preferred way for many readers to buy them.

Arc 1: The Miracle Arc

This is the initial quest where Tan and Devan meet and fall in love. It must be read in numerical order:

• Miracle 1 (2022)
• Miracle 2 (2022)
• Miracle 3 (2022)
• Miracle 4 (2022)
• Miracle 5 (2022)
• Miracle 6 (2022)

Bridge Story: The Coronation (2022) serves as the epilogue to the first arc.

Companion Story: How Tan Acquired an Apprentice (2024) is a side novel that introduces key apprentice characters.

Arc 2: The Bone Arc

This second main quest features the duo assisting a talking dragon skull named Steve in finding his missing bones. Read these volumes consecutively:

• Bone 1 (2024)
• Bone 2 (2024)
• Bone 3 (2024)
• Bone 4 (2024)
• Bone 5 (2024)
• Bone 6 (2024)

Co-Authored Books and Multi-Author Collaborations

Sherwood is a frequent collaborator, sharing worlds with other prominent M/M romance and fantasy authors.

Scales 'N' Spells (with Jocelynn Drake)

This popular series features mages, dragons, and soul bonds. The narrative is continuous and should be read in order:

1. Origin (2020)
2. Breath (2020)
3. Wish (2021)
4. Blood (2021)
5. Embers (2021)

Wings 'N' Wands

Set in a shared fantasy landscape, this series focuses on magic, adventure, and romance:

1. Ruins (2022)
2. Rise (2023)
3. Soar (2024)

Fortune Favors the Fae

This is a multi-author fantasy romance project linked by a traveling, sentient Fae coin that transports characters to other worlds. A.J. Sherwood wrote the first book in the series, while the subsequent books were written by other authors (such as Michele Notaro, Tavia Lark, and Alice Winters). While you can read them in any order, Sherwood's entry is:

• A Fae Coin Transported me into Another World and Now I'm the Gay Holy Maiden (2024)

Spellbound (with Devon Vesper)

A fun fantasy romance series starting with:

• The Insanity of Reincarnated Mages and Amorous Vampires (2024)

Other Notable Series by A.J. Sherwood

R'iyah Family Archives

A cozy fantasy series following mages and their companions:

1. A Mage's Guide to Human Familiars (2021)
2. A Mage's Guide to Aussie Terrors (2022)
3. A Mage's Guide to Wicky (2023)

The Sorcerer's Grimoire

This series details the adventures of sorcerers dealing with mythical beasts:

1. A(Non) Comprehensive Guide to Sea Serpents (2023)
2. Dealing With Mapinguari and Dogged Engineers (2024)

Unholy Trifecta

A contemporary romantic suspense series focusing on assassin, thief, and hacker dynamics:

1. How to Shield an Assassin (2019)
2. How to Steal a Thief (2020)
3. How to Hack a Hacker (2020)

What to Know Before You Start

Sherwood's books are highly focused on humor, snappy dialogue, and feel-good romance. If you are looking for heavy angst or high-stakes tragedy, you won't find it here; instead, expect cozy fantasy worlds, eccentric side characters, and happy endings. Her works are perfect for fans of romantic fantasy who enjoy the "found family" trope and lighthearted, fun adventures.