Where to Start Reading Alison Hammer
Alison Hammer writes in two distinct styles, making your starting point dependent on your current reading mood. If you are looking for emotionally resonant, tear-jerking contemporary women's fiction that tackles complex family dynamics and personal growth, start with her solo work. Specifically, her debut novel, You and Me and Us, is the perfect entry point. It captures the heart-wrenching balance of grief and hope, making it a favorite for fans of authors like Jodi Picoult and Kristin Hannah.
If you are in the mood for something lighter, fun, and romance-focused, look to her collaborative works. Writing alongside Bradeigh Godfrey under the joint pen name Ali Brady, Hammer delivers upbeat contemporary romances. For this side of her bibliography, you should begin with their debut collaborative novel, The Beach Trap, which establishes their signature recipe of family secrets, friendship, and second-chance romance against a sun-drenched backdrop.
Alison Hammer Solo Standalone Novels
Alison Hammer's solo novels are deeply emotional, upmarket women's fiction. Each book functions as a complete standalone, so they can be read in any order, though reading them in order of publication highlights her growth as a solo storyteller.
You and Me and Us (2020)
Released in April 2020, Hammer's debut novel introduces readers to a workaholic mother, Tommy, and her teenage daughter, Cece. When the family's rock—husband and father Dan—is diagnosed with terminal cancer, the mother and daughter are forced to confront their distant relationship and learn how to navigate grief and healing together. Set during a final, poignant summer at a Destin, Florida beach house, this book is highly praised for its authentic portrayal of family struggles and emotional depth.
Little Pieces of Me (2021)
Published in April 2021, this novel was inspired by a real-world scenario where a friend took a commercial DNA test and uncovered unexpected family secrets. The story follows Paige, who discovers through a DNA registry that the man who raised her is not her biological father. Spanning dual timelines, the book alternates between Paige's present-day search for identity and her mother's past in Chicago during the 1970s. It explores themes of identity, memory, and what truly makes someone a parent.
The Ali Brady Collaborative Romances
Under the pen name Ali Brady, Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey write lighter, beachy contemporary romance novels. These books also stand alone, meaning readers can pick up whichever premise sounds most appealing to them. However, they are listed here in order of release to help you track their publication history.
The Beach Trap (2022)
Their joint debut follows two half-sisters, Kat and Blake, who inherited a beach house together. The catch is that they didn't know each other existed until their father's death. Kat is a free spirit, while Blake is a rule-following planner. They are forced to spend the summer co-managing the property, leading to sisterly clashing, house renovations, and unexpected romance for both.
The Comeback Summer (2023)
This novel focuses on two sisters, Hannah and Libby, who must save their late father's public relations agency in Chicago. To save the business, they need to sign a hot new client—a handsome but reclusive former athlete. The sisters must participate in a wilderness survival challenge to prove their dedication, mixing sisterly rivalry, career stakes, and outdoor romance.
Until Next Summer (2024)
Note that during its development phase, this novel was publicized under the working title Camp People. Published in July 2024, the story centers around Jessie and Hillary, former best friends who grew apart after a falling out. They reunite for one last adult summer camp session at their beloved childhood campgrounds, Camp Chickawah, before it is sold forever. The novel blends nostalgia, second chances, and summer camp charm.
Battle of the Bookstores (2025)
Released in June 2025, this novel plays on a modern, reverse version of the classic 'You've Got Mail' trope. Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson manage competing bookstores on the same street in Boston—one focuses on serious literature, the other strictly on romance. When the corporate owner decides to merge the two locations, they are pitted against each other in a summer-long competition to keep their jobs, unaware that they are already confiding in each other online under anonymous pseudonyms.
Ali Brady Holiday Novellas
In addition to their full-length books, the Ali Brady writing duo has published shorter, holiday-themed romances perfect for quick seasonal reads.
One Night, Two Holidays (2024)
Released in December 2024, this cozy novella follows two neighbors who find themselves stranded in a snowstorm during the winter holidays. The narrative blends Christmas and Hanukkah traditions into a single night, exploring themes of community and unexpected romance.
Merry Little Bookshop (2025)
Released in November 2025, this longer holiday novella (exceeding 200 pages) follows Shira Schwartz, who is tasked with opening a holiday pop-up bookstore in the small town of Azalea, Texas. Expecting a lonely holiday away from family, she instead finds community, warmth, and love with local resident Jonny McKay. The setting was inspired by a real Texas bookstore, The Reading Rabbit, which the authors visited during a promotional tour.
What to Know Before You Start
First-time readers should know that while Alison Hammer's solo novels contain romantic elements, they are primarily focused on emotional family dramas and identity. The Ali Brady books, on the other hand, are designed from the ground up as traditional contemporary romances with dual-perspective narrative voices and happier, lighter tones. None of the books across either catalog share recurring characters or overlapping plots, so there are no continuity concerns. You are free to read these books in any order that suits your interest.