Alexis Hall Books in Order

Where to Begin: Recommended Starting Paths

Alexis Hall is a master of genre-hopping, blending sharp British wit with deeply emotional queer romances. Because they write across everything from contemporary romantic comedies to historical fantasy and steampunk, the best place to start depends entirely on your preferred genre flavor:

• For Contemporary Rom-Com Fans: Start with Boyfriend Material. This fake-dating smash hit is Hall's most popular work, full of hilarious banter, chaotic energy, and a heart-tugging romance.
• For Rich, Emotional Contemporary Romance: Start with Glitterland. This is Hall's debut novel and the beginning of the Spires Universe, offering a raw, poetic, and emotional look at love, mental health, and class differences.
• For Historical Romance Lovers: Start with A Lady for a Duke. This sweeping, emotional Regency standalone features a trans heroine finding love with her childhood best friend.
• For Fantasy and Mystery Fans: Start with Iron & Velvet. This kicks off the Kate Kane series, which is a campy, fast-paced urban fantasy detective story with vampires, succubus drama, and a dry sense of humor.

The London Calling Universe (Boyfriend Material & Material World)

Often referred to as the London Calling series, this contemporary universe follows the heartwarming and chaotic lives of modern queer couples in London.

The Core Boyfriend Material Trilogy

This central trilogy follows the relationship of Luc O'Donnell and Oliver Blackwood. These books must be read in order:

1. Boyfriend Material (2020)
2. Husband Material (2022)
3. Father Material (2026)

The Material World Spin-off Series

Set in the same contemporary universe, this series of standalones highlights companion characters who crossover from the main trilogy. While they can be read independently, they are best enjoyed after meeting the characters in the main series:

1. 10 Things That Never Happened (2023) — Features Tyler, who previously appeared in Husband Material.
2. Material World Book Two (Upcoming Cyrano de Bergerac retelling)

The Spires Universe

The Spires series is a collection of contemporary romances connected by theme, atmosphere, and the backdrop of Oxford. Although the novels function perfectly well as standalones, characters occasionally crossover, and the author recommends reading them in publication order:

1. Glitterland (2013) — Features the romance between a depressed writer and a lively model. (Often accompanied by the short story Aftermath).
2. Waiting for the Flood (2015) — A quiet, cozy romance set in the middle of a flood. (Accompanied by the companion short story Chasing the Light).
3. For Real (2015) — An exploration of age gap and BDSM dynamics.
4. Pansies (2016) — A story of healing, hometown origins, and unlikely attraction.

The Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator Series

For readers who enjoy urban fantasy, magic, and noir detectives, this series follows the snarky Kate Kane as she navigates the supernatural underworld of London. Unlike some of Hall's other series, these books feature a continuous narrative arc and must be read in order:

1. Iron & Velvet (2013)
2. Shadows & Dreams (2014)
3. Fire & Water (2020)
4. Smoke & Ashes (2020)
5. Time & Tide (Forthcoming fifth and final book)

Winner Bakes All Series

This delightful contemporary romance trilogy takes place around a fictional reality television baking competition. The books are companion novels focusing on different contestants, and are best read in order of release:

1. Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake (2021) — Sometimes listed or sub-titled as Truly, Madly, Sweetly.
2. Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble (2022)
3. Audrey Lane Stirs the Pot (2025)

Something Fabulous Series

If you like sparkly, campy, and highly comedic historical romances, this Regency trilogy is the perfect fit:

1. Something Fabulous (2022)
2. Something Spectacular (2023)
3. Something Extraordinary (2024)

Mortal Follies Series

This series blends historical Regency settings with magic, folklore, and whimsical fantasy elements. It is narrated by a cheeky narrator and should be read in order:

1. Mortal Follies (2023)
2. Confounding Oaths (2024)
3. Unearned Luck (2026) — A short story set in the series universe, published in the anthology The Hopeless Romantic's Guide to Enchantment.

The Prosperity (Steampunk) Universe

Set in a whimsical, phlogiston-powered steampunk sky world, this early series of Alexis Hall's highlights their expansive imagination. The order is:

1. Prosperity (2014)
2. There Will Be Phlogiston (2014)
3. Liberty & Other Stories (2018) — A collection of Prosperity universe short stories.

The Arden St. Ives Books

This series is a completed, humorous, and highly emotional gay billionaire romance trilogy. It is a loose, queer reimagining of the Fifty Shades structure and must be read in sequence:

1. How to Bang a Billionaire (2017)
2. How to Blow It with a Billionaire (2017)
3. How to Belong with a Billionaire (2019)

Standalone Novels

Alexis Hall has also penned several standout standalone novels that span multiple genres and require no background reading:

• Looking for Group (2016) — A contemporary romance centered around online MMORPG gaming.
• The Affair of the Mysterious Letter (2019) — A queer, cosmic horror fantasy homage to Sherlock Holmes.
• Murder Most Actual (2021) — A cozy murder mystery set in a snowed-in Scottish hotel.
• A Lady for a Duke (2022) — A Regency historical romance featuring a trans woman and a veteran duke.
• Hell's Heart (2026) — A sapphic sci-fi retelling of Moby Dick set in space.
• Never After (2026) — A melancholic, character-driven 19th-century historical queer romance of redemption.