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Author Reading Order

Alicia Thompson Books in Order

3Books
2022 – 2024Published
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Where to Start with Alicia Thompson

If you are new to Alicia Thompson's witty, character-driven romances, the best place to begin is her adult debut, Love in the Time of Serial Killers (2022). This novel perfectly showcases her signature blend of dark humor, pop culture references, and deeply relatable, flawed protagonists. The story follows a true-crime-obsessed PhD candidate who suspects her friendly neighbor might be a murderer, only to realize he might actually be the man of her dreams.

If you prefer workplace rivalries and forced proximity, you can also start with With Love, from Cold World (2023). Set in a kitschy, winter-themed amusement park in Florida, it features a dual POV enemies-to-lovers romance that tackles real-world struggles like grief, anxiety, and finding your place in the world. Starting here is also highly recommended if you plan to read Never Been Shipped, as the two books share a key character connection.

The "Cold World" Companion Connection

While the majority of Alicia Thompson's novels are standalone contemporary romances that can be read in any order, there is a direct character link between two of her books:

  • With Love, from Cold World (2023) introduces a side character named John, who is one of the housemates of the male lead, Asa.
  • Never Been Shipped (2025) promotes John to the main protagonist. The novel follows John and his former bandmate Micah as their old college band reunions on a themed cruise, sparking a second-chance, friends-to-lovers romance.

While you do not need to read With Love, from Cold World to understand Never Been Shipped, reading them in publication order will give you a fun sense of continuity and a deeper appreciation for John's journey.

Publication Order of Alicia Thompson's Books

If you prefer to watch an author's voice evolve over time, you can follow the chronological publication order of her works. This list spans her early young adult debut, her bestselling contemporary rom-coms, and her cozy mystery novella contribution:

  1. Psych Major Syndrome (2009) – Thompson's early young adult novel focusing on college life, academic pressure, and self-discovery.
  2. Love in the Time of Serial Killers (2022) – Her breakout adult contemporary romance debut.
  3. With Love, from Cold World (2023) – A workplace enemies-to-lovers romance set in a Florida theme park.
  4. The Art of Catching Feelings (2024) – A grumpy-sunshine sports romance set in the world of professional soccer.
  5. A Classic Case (2024) – A cozy mystery novella centered around a movie buff and a grumpy video store clerk, published as Book 6 in the multi-author Busybodies collection.
  6. Never Been Shipped (2025) – A cruise-ship-set, second-chance friends-to-lovers romance featuring John from Cold World.
  7. In Every Possible Way (2026) – A whimsical contemporary romance with elements of magical realism, following a protagonist who wakes up in Ireland after a head injury.

What to Know Before You Start

Alicia Thompson's novels stand out in the contemporary romance landscape for their high emotional intelligence. She doesn't shy away from heavy themes like grief, familial trauma, and mental health struggles, but she masterfully balances them with laugh-out-loud banter, heat, and pop-culture-savvy references (she is a self-proclaimed Paramore superfan, which often shines through her writing). Additionally, her stories are heavily grounded in her home state of Florida, utilizing humid, quirky, and local settings to build atmospheric backdrops for her love stories.

Frequently Asked

Do you need to read Alicia Thompson's books in order?

No. Most of her books are standalone novels. However, it is highly recommended to read With Love, from Cold World before Never Been Shipped, as the latter features John, a side character introduced in Cold World.

What is Alicia Thompson's debut novel?

Her young adult debut was Psych Major Syndrome in 2009. Her adult contemporary romance debut was the bestselling Love in the Time of Serial Killers, published in 2022.

Are there any fantasy or magical elements in her books?

Yes, her 2026 novel In Every Possible Way introduces elements of magical realism, following a protagonist who unexpectedly wakes up in Dublin, Ireland after a minor head injury.

What is A Classic Case about?

A Classic Case (2024) is a cozy mystery novella written for the multi-author Busybodies collection. It follows a film buff who enlists a grumpy video store clerk to help investigate a missing person.

Where does Alicia Thompson set her romance novels?

Many of her novels, including Love in the Time of Serial Killers, With Love, from Cold World, and The Art of Catching Feelings, are set in Florida, drawing inspiration from her own life in Central Florida.