Where to Start with Ally Crew
If you are new to Ally Crew’s signature style of fast-paced contemporary romance, curvy heroines, and swoon-worthy alpha heroes, the best entry point is her debut novel, Extra Hot. Published in 2020, this book serves as the first entry in her popular Instalove Hearts series. It perfectly encapsulates everything fans love about her writing: high steam, quick romantic sparks, and a cozy small-town setting complete with mouthwatering recipes blended directly into the narrative.
Alternatively, if you prefer festive, seasonal vibes, starting with Jingle Belle is an excellent choice. Co-written with Brynn Hale, this novella kicks off the highly successful Holiday Hotties series, which blends holiday warmth with instant connection and high-heat romance.
Instalove Hearts Series
The Instalove Hearts series is Ally Crew's core collection. These books focus on intense, immediate attractions between characters who must overcome minor hurdles to secure their happily-ever-afters. While each book functions perfectly well as a standalone story, they feature cameos and character crossovers that reward readers who stick to the publication order.
Publication Order of Instalove Hearts Books
- Extra Hot (2020)
- Open Doors (2020)
- Show Time (2020)
- Going Down (2020)
Instalove Hearts at Chartreuse Clover Pub (Spin-off Series)
After finishing the original Instalove Hearts books, readers should immediately transition to the spin-off series, Instalove Hearts at Chartreuse Clover Pub. This subseries centers around the staff, regulars, and stories unfolding at the lively Irish-themed Chartreuse Clover Pub. It features a tighter continuity and a structured order following the pub's primary bachelors.
Publication Order of Instalove Hearts at Chartreuse Clover Pub Books
- Thorn (2021) – Explores the romance between the Irish bartender Thorn and the pub owner's daughter, Becca.
- Brody (2021) – Focuses on Brody navigating the complex waters of coworker attraction.
- Jason (2021) – Features Jason falling for his best friend's sister, Enya, amidst secrets from her past.
- McCoy (2021) – The final book, centering on McCoy (dubbed "The Stallion of Chartreuse Clover Pub") and a visiting author named Aylette.
Holiday Hotties Series (Co-Authored with Brynn Hale)
Co-written in close collaboration with romance author Brynn Hale, the Holiday Hotties series is a sprawling, fun collection of novellas. The series is divided into two distinct arcs: a winter/holiday themed arc published in late 2020, and a patriotic-themed character-name arc published in mid-2021. Reading these in publication order ensures you catch all the background details and overlapping small-town references.
Publication Order of Holiday Hotties Books
- Jingle Belle (2020)
- Wynter Wonderland (2020)
- Candy Canes (2020)
- First Noelle (2020)
- Holly Jolly (2020)
- Honor (2021)
- Liberty (2021)
- Glory (2021)
- Justice (2021)
Love in the Falls Series
Another charming collaboration, the Love in the Falls series features small-town romance and rapid-fire attraction. Because it is a short, two-book series, it can be easily binged in a single afternoon.
Publication Order of Love in the Falls Books
- Leelyn (2020)
- Molly (2020)
Lonely Hearts Club Contribution
The Lonely Hearts Club is a multi-author collaborative project featuring standalone, Valentine's-themed romances by various writers. Ally Crew contributed the opening book, Be My Handy Mechanic, in early 2021. While the books in this collection are written by different authors, they share a unified tone. For readers who want to follow Ally Crew's contribution and the surrounding project, they are ordered as follows:
Publication Order of Lonely Hearts Club Books
- Be My Handy Mechanic (2021) – Ally Crew's contribution
- Be My Naughty Neighbor (2021)
- Be My Grumpy Mountain Man (2021)
- Be My Charming Prince (2021)
- Be My Burly Bartender (2021)
- Be My Dirty Billionaire (2021)
- Be My Flirty Firefighter (2021)
- Be My Bad Boy (2021)
- Be My Private Chef (2021)
- Be My Romantic Nerd (2021)
Short Stories and Novellas
In addition to her main series, Crew released a quick standalone romance perfect for readers looking for a brief preview of her style.
- Instant Replay (2020)
What to Know Before You Start: Reading Tips and Continuity
Ally Crew specializes in the "instalove" subgenre of contemporary romance. This means the romance develops exceptionally fast, often within days or even hours of the characters meeting. The focus is on intense attraction, immediate emotional bonds, and low-angst setups that resolve happily.
A unique feature of Crew's books is the incorporation of her personal love for culinary arts. Many of her books contain actual recipes at the end, allowing readers to recreate the home-cooked meals described in the stories. Because of the quick pace and interconnected small-town settings, sticking to publication order within each individual series (especially the Holiday Hotties and the Chartreuse Clover Pub series) is highly recommended to enjoy character cameos and timeline details.