Where Should You Start Reading Allison Hobbs?
Allison Hobbs is a prolific voice in contemporary urban fiction and erotica, with a career spanning over two decades and more than thirty novels. Because the majority of her bibliography consists of standalone novels, you have plenty of freedom in how you approach her catalog. However, we recommend two distinct starting paths depending on what flavor of drama you prefer:
- The Standalone Route (Recommended): Start with her debut novel, Pandora's Box (2002). It is the perfect introduction to her gritty storytelling, detailing a woman's desperate descent into the underworld of a Philadelphia massage parlor. It sets the tone for her raw, intense, and emotionally complex writing style.
- The Series Route: Start with Double Dippin' (2006). This is her most famous and award-nominated series, focusing on family drama, romance, and betrayal. It is a fantastic entry point if you want to settle in for a multi-book character journey.
Publication Order of the Double Dippin' Series
The Double Dippin' series is a sprawling, high-drama saga that follows the chaotic and passionate lives of brothers Tariq and Shane Batista. You should read these in the order they were published to follow the character development and evolving family drama:
- Double Dippin' (2006)
- Big Juicy Lips (2008)
- Lipstick Hustla (2010)
- Brick (2012)
- Misty (2014)
Other Major Allison Hobbs Series
The Insatiable Series
This duology centers on a fierce and obsessive rivalry between two women, Terelle and Kai, who are locked in conflict over the same man, Marquise. Expect dark themes of revenge, psychological breakdowns, and prison drama. These must be read in order:
- Insatiable (2004)
- The Climax (2008)
The Enchantress Series
If you want a blend of erotica and supernatural elements, this paranormal duology is the perfect fit. It follows Eris, a fallen goddess seeking vengeance, stretching from the antebellum South to modern-day Philadelphia:
- The Enchantress (2006)
- The Sorceress (2009)
The Munch Series
A darker, highly intense series of novels that should be read in chronological sequence:
- Munch (2014)
- Munch 2 (2017)
- Munch 3 (2019)
The Make Me Beg Novellas
This series of novellas features Vanessa and Spike, a couple exploring the boundaries of their marriage. Important Note: Before starting these, you should read the standalone novel No Boundaries (2013), which officially introduces the couple and sets up the events of the novellas:
- Make Me Beg (2014)
- Make Me Beg 2 (2015)
The Fantasy Heat Series
A series focused on highly sensual themes, starting with:
- Alicia (2020)
Writing Under Pseudonyms: Joelle Sterling & Aria Johnson
For readers who want to explore different genres, Hobbs has written under two notable pen names:
- Joelle Sterling (Paranormal Romance): Under this name, she wrote The Eternal Dead series, a vampire trilogy combining romance and suspense. The reading order is Midnight Cravings (2012), The Dark Hunger (2013), and Forbidden Feast (2013).
- Aria Johnson (Thrillers): Under this name, she wrote the psychological thriller The Child Snatcher (2016), which focuses on abduction and is a departure from her usual erotica style.
What to Know Before You Start
Hobbs' work is raw, graphic, and features explicit sexual content and adult themes. She does not shy away from taboo subjects, urban grit, or heavy issues such as exploitation and betrayal. While the standalone novels can be picked up in any order, checking publication dates can help you appreciate her evolution as a writer, particularly as she shifts between traditional urban erotica and genre-blending paranormal tales.