Where to Start Reading Amanda Usen
If you are new to Amanda Usen's delectable world of romance, the best place to start is with the Sexy Chefs series, beginning with her debut novel, Scrumptious (2012). This book perfectly showcases Usen's signature style: blending her real-world culinary expertise (as a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America) with high-heat contemporary romance. It sets the tone for her other foodie romances by featuring professional kitchen rivalries, mouthwatering culinary descriptions, and intense romantic chemistry.
Alternatively, if you prefer a holiday vibe, you can jump straight into the Matzo Ballers series, starting with The Dreidel Do-Over. This series, co-created with Jessica Topper, offers a lighter, festive, and heartwarming look at a close-knit group of friends, while still delivering the culinary treats and romance Usen is known for.
Amanda Usen's Complete Series and Reading Orders
Most of Amanda Usen's books are written in contemporary romance subgenres where each novel focuses on a different couple. This means the books can technically be read as standalones. However, they share character groups, settings, and timelines, so reading them in publication order provides the most rewarding experience as recurring characters reappear in subsequent stories.
Hot Nights Series
The Hot Nights series follows three friends who graduate from culinary school and navigate the high-stakes, high-temperature worlds of professional kitchens and romance. The series should be read in publication order to follow the character relationships and personal growth chronologically:
- Into the Fire (2013) – Centered on Jackson Calabrese and Lila Grant as they face off in a culinary rivalry.
- Seducing the Playboy (2014) – Follows playboy chef Matt Gable and his unexpected connection with a determined food blogger.
- Make Me, Take Me (2014) – Focuses on pastry chef Chloe and the rugged security specialist hired to protect her.
Sexy Chefs Series
This is the series that established Amanda Usen as a premier voice in "foodie romance." These books feature independent culinary professionals finding love amidst kitchen chaos. They can be read in either order, but publication order is recommended:
- Luscious (2012) – Transporting readers to Italy, this romance features a pastry chef and a rich developer amidst a backdrop of gorgeous scenery and tiramisu.
- Scrumptious (2012) – Usen's debut novel, centering on pastry chef Marlene Bennett and executive chef Joe Rafferty as their professional rivalry boils over into passion.
Unforgettable Fire Series
A contemporary romance series focusing on unexpected encounters, second chances, and high emotional stakes. These stories are highly standalone but share a common, sizzling tone:
- One Night Stand After Another (2022)
- One Night Stand with Benefits (2023)
- One Night Stand Ever After (2024)
Talent (Dark Awakening) Series
This series represents Amanda Usen's foray into paranormal romance and romantic suspense, featuring characters with unique, supernatural abilities (referred to as the "Talented"). To understand the overarching plot and world-building, it is highly recommended to read these in order:
- Dark Awakening (2019) – Introduces the paranormal world and the core conflict of the Talented.
- Dark Threat (2021) – The second installment, focusing on high-stakes danger and telepathic connections.
- Dark Adaptation (2022) – The third book, which continues the romantic suspense and complex supernatural lore.
Matzo Ballers Series (Co-Created with Jessica Topper)
Co-written and co-created with author Jessica Topper, the Matzo Ballers series is a Hanukkah-themed romance project. It follows a group of eight childhood friends (the "OG Matzo Ballers") who reunite every year for a holiday cruise in Manhattan. The books are designed as "companion standalones" released in pairs (duets) that occur at the same time. You can read either book in a pair first, but reading them in their release pairs is the most fun:
- The Hanukkah Hook-Up (2023) – Written by Jessica Topper.
- The Dreidel Do-Over (2023) – Written by Amanda Usen, featuring a catering chef who reunites with a camp friend.
- Latke'd and Loaded (2025) – Written by Jessica Topper.
- Challah-day Fling (2025) – Written by Amanda Usen, following a pastry chef's winter getaway in Palm Beach.
Men of the Zodiac Contribution
The Men of the Zodiac is a massive, multi-author contemporary romance project where each book is inspired by an astrological sign. Amanda Usen contributed the very first book to this series:
- Impulse Control (2015) – Represents the astrological sign Aries. It features a survivalist reality star and a lifestyle blogger forced to collaborate on a television special in the freezing Adirondacks.
While the rest of the Men of the Zodiac books (such as The Millionaire's Forever by Rachel Bailey or Ten Days in Tuscany by Kristin Miller) are written by other authors, they all share the astrological theme. You do not need to read the other books in the series to enjoy Impulse Control, as it is a complete standalone.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Amanda Usen's catalog, here are a few practical tips to help you get the most out of her novels:
- Authentic Culinary Detail: Because Usen is a Culinary Institute of America alumna and has worked as a professional pastry chef, her food descriptions are incredibly detailed and accurate. Expect to get hungry while reading her Sexy Chefs and Hot Nights series!
- High Steam and Playful Tone: Usen's contemporary books are known for being very hot, with high sensory detail and playful, witty dialogue. If you prefer closed-door or sweet romances, the Matzo Ballers series is slightly more balanced but still features her trademark warmth and chemistry.
- Paranormal vs. Contemporary: Make sure you know which genre you are picking up. The Talent series (beginning with Dark Awakening) is a complete departure from her contemporary kitchen romances, leaning heavily into romantic suspense and paranormal abilities.