Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start?
Amanda Sellet’s books span young adult (YA) fiction and adult romantic comedies, offering a couple of great entry points depending on your preferred age category and genre:
- For YA Rom-Com Lovers: Start with her debut, By the Book (2020). It introduces readers to Sellet's signature sharp wit, literary humor, and love of classic tropes through a modern lens.
- For Adult Romance Readers: Start with Hate to Fake It to You (2024). It serves as the opening chapter of her loosely connected adult companion novels, which focus on destination settings and recurring side characters.
- For Cozy Mystery Fans: Begin with Flirting with Murder (2026), the first book in the Castle Claude Mysteries. This series is a departure from her pure rom-coms, blending detective work with teenage banter.
Young Adult Standalone Novels
Amanda Sellet’s career began in young adult fiction, where she wrote two distinct standalone novels that pay homage to 19th-century literature.
By the Book (2020)
This debut novel follows Mary Porter-Malcolm, a high schooler who relies on classic literature—namely Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, and other 19th-century authors—to navigate the complicated social hierarchies of modern high school. When she notices her peers falling for boys she deems "scoundrels," Mary designs a "Scoundrel Survival Guide" to protect them, only to find herself falling for someone who might just challenge her rigid rules.
Belittled Women (2022)
In this subversive and satirical update of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, protagonist Jo Porter rebels against her family's primary source of income: a tourist attraction dedicated to Alcott's classic novel. Set in a replica of Orchard House, Jo is tired of pretending to live in the 19th century and playing the role of Jo March. The book deals with family expectations, sisterly bonds, and personal growth with a sharp, comedic edge.
The Castle Claude Mysteries (YA Series)
Unlike her standalones, this is a sequential young adult mystery series. It follows amateur sleuths Virginia Tillis and Felix as they get caught up in cases in unusual settings. These books should be read in publication order to follow the development of their partnership and romance.
1. Flirting with Murder (2026)
Virginia and Felix find themselves staying at Castle Claude, an artists' residence populated by eccentric retired theater folks. When a real murder occurs, the duo teams up to solve the mystery while navigating their growing attraction to each other.
2. Ticket to Die (2027)
The sequel takes Virginia, Felix, and their grandparents on a vintage murder mystery train excursion. The game becomes all too real when the train's leading lady vanishes, prompting another investigative adventure for the young sleuths.
Contemporary Adult Romances (Companion Novels)
Sellet expanded into adult romance with a series of loosely connected companion novels. While they feature distinct protagonists and can easily be read as standalones, they are set in the same universe and share recurring characters.
Hate to Fake It to You (2024)
Set against the tropical backdrop of Hawaii, this screwball comedy follows a waitress who finds herself posing as a social media influencer. It is packed with banter, fake dating tropes, and romantic chaos.
The Odds of Getting Even (2025)
This companion novel moves the action to South Dakota and follows Jean Harrington, a resort concierge. After being abandoned by a mysterious guest named Charlie, Jean pursues him to his hometown to exact revenge. The story highlights a romance between a shy snake scientist and a poker-playing artist, with characters from the first book making appearances.
My Best French Wedding (2026)
Set at a destination wedding in France, this gender-flipped retelling of His Girl Friday shifts the spotlight to Hildy, a supporting character from the previous two novels. Hildy finds herself locking horns with a rival reporter, bringing Sellet's signature screwball energy to a European setting.
Complete Publication Order of Amanda Sellet Books
If you prefer to read Amanda Sellet's work in the exact order she wrote and published them, use this list:
- By the Book (YA Standalone) — 2020
- Belittled Women (YA Standalone) — 2022
- Hate to Fake It to You (Adult Romance) — 2024
- The Odds of Getting Even (Adult Romance) — 2025
- Flirting with Murder (Castle Claude Mysteries #1) — 2026
- My Best French Wedding (Adult Romance) — 2026
- Ticket to Die (Castle Claude Mysteries #2) — 2027
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Amanda Sellet's bibliography, keep these elements in mind:
- Screwball & Classic Influences: Sellet is heavily influenced by classic literature and old-school cinema. Expect fast-paced banter, classic romance tropes (like fake dating or enemies-to-lovers), and plenty of easter eggs pointing to works by Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, or films like His Girl Friday.
- The "Hildy" Connection: The adult romance novels are tied together by Hildy, a character who plays a supporting role in the first two adult books before claiming the spotlight in My Best French Wedding. Reading them in order helps you appreciate her character arc, though it is not strictly necessary.
- Age Category Split: Her books are clearly split between YA (which include both contemporary standalones and the Castle Claude cozy mysteries) and adult romantic comedies. Make sure to choose the category that fits your reading preferences.