The Perfect Starting Point: The Soulmates Universe
If you are new to Aja’s bibliography, the absolute best place to start is with her acclaimed Soulmates Series. This series blends contemporary romance with deep, intuitive, and sometimes spiritual connections. The books should be read in order of release to appreciate how the characters' lives interconnect in their shared Pittsburgh setting.
Start with She’s Got Soul (2019), which introduces Zola Lewis, a dynamic podcast host, and her slow-burn romance with Khalil. From there, follow the natural progression of the series:
- She's Got Soul (2019)
- Deep in My Soul (2020)
- Soul Love (2021)
- Soul Ties (2021)
- We Are One (2023)
Entering the Enigma Universe
For readers who enjoy high-stakes, intense connections, Aja's Enigma Series is a must-read. Set in a gritty, passionate, and raw version of Pittsburgh, this series is tightly serialized and focuses on secrets, family loyalty, and fierce romance. To get the full experience, read these books in order before tackling the major crossover event:
- Smoke (2022)
- Maestro (2022)
- Slick (2023)
- We Are One (2023)
- Her Vow (2024)
The Ultimate Universe Crossover: We Are One
A major highlight of Aja's storytelling is the cross-series convergence in We Are One (2023). This book serves as both Book 5 of the Soulmates Series and Book 4 of the Enigma Series. The author highly recommends reading both the preceding Soulmates and Enigma novels before starting this book, as it merges the storylines and features a reunion of characters from both sides of the universe.
Navigating Multi-Author Collaborations
Aja frequently contributes to collaborative, multi-author anthologies and themed series. In these projects, each author writes a standalone novella set around a common theme or event. You do not need to read the entire multi-author series to enjoy Aja's contribution, but knowing which book is hers makes navigating them easy:
- Carnivale Chronicles: Aja wrote Book 2, The Swan (2020), which follows Nova Bradford and Mikhail Luther on a Caribbean cruise.
- Baes of Christmas: Aja contributed Book 3, Eight Naughty Notes (2021).
- Baes of Juneteenth: Aja wrote Book 5, Mr. Big Stuff (2023).
- Four20 Bae: Aja contributed Book 5, Smoke N' Stroke (2024).
Other Contemporary Series & Standalones
Beyond her main universes, Aja has written several shorter contemporary series and standalone projects that are perfect for quick, emotional reads:
Crown & Fire Books
A high-passion contemporary romance duology:
- Wicked Nights (2022)
- Queen's Heart (2023)
Love & Passion Series
An early series tracking deep romantic bonds:
- I Am Yours (2015)
- Breaking Her Rules (2016)
- Good Old Soul (2018)
- One Night (2020)
Love & Redemption Series
- Love's Required (2019)
- Love Taps (2019)
The Unexpected Series
- Be With Me (2016)
- The Pursuit (2018)
Sweet Spot Shorts
Quick, sizzling holiday-themed stories from 2020 that can be read in any order: Tease, Allure, Sizzle, and Santa's Baby.
Standalone Novels & Novellas
- Love Stages (2017)
- For Once (2021)
- Where Hope Grows (2020)