Welcome to the HOUSEverse
For readers seeking steamy, soulful, and authentic stories of Black love, Alexandria House has created a literary empire. Often referred to by her dedicated fanbase as the "HOUSEverse," her fictional world is a web of interconnected contemporary romances, sports dramas, and dark suspense. While each book features a central couple achieving their happily-ever-after, characters frequently crossover, share family trees, and make cameos in other series.
Because her books are deeply interconnected, deciding where to start can feel daunting. This guide outlines the recommended reading pathways—including chronological flow, series breakdowns, and practical tips—to ensure you get the absolute best out of your HOUSEverse journey.
Recommended HOUSEverse Reading Order
While you can jump into individual series independently, reading them in order of their timeline placement preserves the organic development of recurring characters and prevents spoilers. Below is the recommended sequence to navigate the entire timeline:
Phase 1: The Foundations (Early Loves and Sisterhood)
- Higher Love (2017) – Love After Series #1
- Made to Love (2017) – Love After Series #2
- Real Love (2017) – Love After Series #3
- Stay with Me (2017) – Strickland Sisters Series #1
- Believe in Me (2017) – Strickland Sisters Series #2
- Be with Me (2018) – Strickland Sisters Series #3
- Merry Christmas, Baby (2017) – Short Story/Novella
Phase 2: The Rise of the McClains and Them Boys
- Let Me Love You (2018) – McClain Brothers Series #1
- Let Me Hold You (2018) – McClain Brothers Series #2
- Let Me Show You (2018) – McClain Brothers Series #3
- Let Me Please You (2019) – McClain Brothers Series #3.5
- Let Me Free You (2019) – McClain Brothers Series #4
- Baby, Be Mine (2018) – Short Story/Novella
- Always My Baby (2018) – Short Story/Novella
- Set (2019) – Them Boys Series #1
- Jah (2020) – Them Boys Series #2
- Shu (2020) – Them Boys Series #3
Phase 3: Campus Life and Professional Sports
- Teach Me (2020) – Romey University Series #1
- Touch Me (2021) – Romey University Series #2
- Temper Me (2022) – Romey University Series #3
- Flagrant (2021) – St. Louis Cyclones Series #1
- Technical (2021) – St. Louis Cyclones Series #2
- Personal (2022) – St. Louis Cyclones Series #3
- Should've Been (2019) – Short Story/Novella
- New Year, New Boo? (2019) – Short Story/Novella
- The Love Deluxe Mixtape (2020) – HOUSE Mixtapes #1
- The Love Galore Mixtape (2020) – HOUSE Mixtapes #2
- The Love Infinite Mixtape (2021) – HOUSE Mixtapes #3
Phase 4: Sires and Darker Paths
- All I Want (2019) – Short Story/Novella
- Sanctuary (2020) – Short Story/Novella
- The Holiday Shorts (2020) – Collection
- The Book of Nyles (2021) – Collection
- Goal (2022) – St. Louis Sires Series #1
- Holding (2023) – St. Louis Sires Series #2
- Assist (2024) – St. Louis Sires Series #3
- Lilith (2024) – Three Kings Series #1
Deep Dive into the Core Series
Love After Series
This series focuses on characters navigating life, healing, and second chances at love following difficult past relationships. Beginning with Higher Love, the series lays down the early roots of the shared universe. It is a fantastic starting point for readers who enjoy high-emotion contemporary romance centered on personal growth and self-discovery.
Strickland Sisters Series
Starting with Stay with Me, this series follows the romantic and personal lives of the Strickland sisters. It establishes the close family dynamics and Southern warmth that are hallmarks of House's writing style. The sisterly bonds act as a strong anchor for the romance plots, making it a fan-favorite series for readers who love family-oriented narratives.
McClain Brothers Series
Undoubtedly the heart and crown jewel of the HOUSEverse, this five-book series focuses on the McClain family. It begins with Let Me Love You, which follows rapper Everett "Big South" McClain and Jo Lena Walker. The series introduces major universe players, including the recurring, scene-stealing family patriarch Uncle Lee Chester. Character relationships established here ripple throughout almost all subsequent series.
Them Boys Series
Following the McClain Brothers, the Them Boys series (Set, Jah, and Shu) introduces a rougher, more protective set of heroes. They maintain the same high level of heat and emotional complexity while offering a slightly different perspective on contemporary romance within the same geographic universe.
Romey University Series
Moving into the academic setting of an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), this series (starting with Teach Me) focuses on campus life, young adulthood, and academic staff relationships. It connects directly with the broader universe through shared family networks and familiar regional settings.
St. Louis Cyclones and St. Louis Sires Series
These two sports romance series dive into the high-stakes worlds of professional athletes. The St. Louis Cyclones focuses on professional basketball players, highlighting Leland McClain's teammates (like Drayveon Walker). The St. Louis Sires shifts the focus to a professional Black hockey team, beginning with Maleek Jones and Nuri Knox in Goal. These books feature multiple crossovers and are highly recommended for fans of sports romance.
Three Kings Series
Leaning into darker erotic romance and elements of suspense, the Three Kings series begins with Lilith (2024), centering on the King sisters. Lilith, a boutique owner, and her captor Ray Nation start this series off on a high-stakes, intense path that contrasts with the lighter contemporary tones of the sports romances.
Practical Reader Advice
If you are a newcomer to Alexandria House, you do not have to read everything chronologically to enjoy the stories. Here are two main ways to approach the books:
The Fan-Favorite Entry Point: Start directly with the McClain Brothers series, beginning with Let Me Love You. This gives you the core flavor of the HOUSEverse, introduces you to the most popular characters, and makes subsequent cameos in sports series far more rewarding.
The Completionist Path: Start at the very beginning with Higher Love (Love After #1) and follow the chronological order. This ensures you see the organic evolution of the community and never miss a single recurring character detail or crossover joke.
A Note on the HOUSE Mixtapes: These are collections of short stories featuring characters from across multiple series. It is highly recommended that you do not read the Mixtapes first. Instead, save them until you have finished at least the McClain Brothers and Strickland Sisters series so you can appreciate the updates on your favorite couples.