Angela Verdenius Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Angela Verdenius

If you are new to Angela Verdenius's work, the best place to start depends heavily on your favorite genre. Verdenius is highly regarded for her body-positive romance, writing characters with real-world flaws, curves, and vulnerabilities. Her stories are packed with humor, emotional depth, and a distinct touch of Australian charm.

For Contemporary Romance: Start with Doctor's Delight

For readers who love sweet, funny, and steamy contemporary romance, the Big Girls Lovin' trilogy is the perfect starting point. The first book, Doctor's Delight, introduces Cherry, a curvy nurse who captures the heart of a handsome doctor. It sets the tone for Verdenius's small-town romances: highly body-positive, relatable, and full of witty banter.

For Sci-Fi Romance: Start with Heart of an Outlaw

If you prefer romance set in space or speculative worlds, begin with the Love, Heart & Soul series. Start with the first published book, Heart of an Outlaw (sometimes sold simply as Outlaw). This series is an epic sci-fi saga filled with mercenaries, outlaws, and intense romantic pairings.

The Love, Heart & Soul Series

This is Angela Verdenius's longest-running and most expansive series. Spanning over fifteen novels and novellas, it blends planetary sci-fi, space opera adventure, and intense romance. Because the series was written over a long period, readers often debate whether to read in publication order or chronological order.

Love, Heart & Soul: Publication Order

Reading in publication order lets you experience the universe as the author built it. Here is the publication order of the books:

1. Heart of an Outlaw (2003)
2. Soul of a Mercenary (2003)
3. Heart of the Betrayed (2003)
4. Love's Sweet Assassin (2003)
5. Heart of the Forsaken (2004)
6. Heart of a Traitor (2005)
7. Soul of the Forgotten (2006)
8. Love's Beguiling Healer (2006)
9. Heart of a Peacekeeper (2007)
10. Soul of a Predator (2007)
11. Soul of a Hunter (2008)
12. Love's Winsome Warrior (2010)
13. Heart of a Smuggler (2010)
14. Soul of a Guardian (2010)
15. Love, Heart & Soul Moments (2010)
16. Shattered Soul (2011)
17. Love's Bewitching Thief (2011)
18. Soul of a Witch (2013)

Love, Heart & Soul: Chronological Order

If you prefer to follow the timeline of the universe chronologically, the order changes slightly, particularly with some mid-series entries that serve as prequels or timeline-adjacent stories:

1. Heart of an Outlaw (2003)
2. Soul of a Mercenary (2003)
3. Heart of the Betrayed (2003)
4. Love's Sweet Assassin (2003)
5. Soul of a Hunter (2008)
6. Love's Bewitching Thief (2011)
7. Heart of the Forsaken (2004)
8. Soul of a Witch (2013)
9. Heart of a Traitor (2005)
10. Soul of the Forgotten (2006)
11. Love's Beguiling Healer (2006)
12. Heart of a Peacekeeper (2007)
13. Soul of a Predator (2007)
14. Love's Winsome Warrior (2010)
15. Heart of a Smuggler (2010)
16. Soul of a Guardian (2010)
17. Love, Heart & Soul Moments (2010)
18. Shattered Soul (2011)

Understanding the Chronological Shifts

The main differences in the chronological order center around Soul of a Hunter, Love's Bewitching Thief, and Soul of a Witch, which take place earlier in the timeline than their publication years suggest. For example, Soul of a Hunter (published 11th) actually takes place 5th chronologically, setting up character dynamics that carry over into later novels. While you won't be completely lost reading in publication order, switching to chronological order gives a smoother character progression for these specific threads.

One caveat for new readers: because of the sci-fi world-building, some terms and technology might feel overwhelming initially. However, the emotional core of each book is the romantic relationship, making the series highly accessible even to those who do not typically read hard science fiction. The focus is always on the personal connection between characters surviving in a hostile universe.

Contemporary Romance Series

Outside of her sci-fi endeavors, Verdenius has created several beloved contemporary romance series, mostly set in cozy Australian environments.

Big Girls Lovin' Trilogy

This series focuses on plus-size women finding love with protective, handsome heroes. The tone is deeply body-positive, humorous, and heartwarming. The characters are refreshingly real, dealing with relatable body image struggles while finding partners who cherish them exactly as they are.

• Doctor's Delight (2011) - Follows the romance between nurse Cherry and a dashing doctor, exploring insecurities and small-town gossip.
• Cop's Passion (2011) - Focuses on a curvy heroine finding love with a local police officer, featuring sweet tension and humor.
• Vet's Desire (2012) - The final installment of the trilogy, highlighting a warm romance with a local veterinarian.

Gully's Fall Series

Set in a charming outback farming town, the Gully's Fall series features a cast of local police, veterinarians, and town residents. It was originally planned as a shorter run but expanded to six books due to reader demand. The books should be read in publication order to track the recurring town drama and relationships:

1. Burn for You (2014) - Introduces the town and the sizzling chemistry between Scott and Ash.
2. Fall for You (2014) - Builds on the town's community dynamic with another local couple's story.
3. Lie to Me (2015) - Adds element of mystery and secrets to the romance.
4. Fly with Me (2015) - Features a heartwarming and uplifting romance centered on second chances.
5. You're the One (2015) - Explores deeper emotional struggles and relationship building.
6. Second Chance (2015) - Concludes the main town narrative arc with a satisfying reunion romance.

The Lawson Boys

A short, sweet duology centered on two brothers navigating love and family life in their local community:

• Alex (2012) - Follows Alex's journey as he meets a woman who challenges his structured life.
• Marty (2012) - Focuses on Marty's romance, bringing humor and family banter to the forefront.

The Mackay Sisters

Another short series focused on sisterly bonds, humor, and finding love in close-knit communities:

• Call on Me (2013)
• Lean on Me (2013)

The Wells Brothers

Following three brothers, this series combines strong family ties, humor, and emotional romance:

• Luke (2016)
• Aaron (2016)
• Blue (2017)

Standalones and Novellas

Verdenius has also written several standalone novels and short novellas. These are perfect when you want a quick read without committing to a full series:

• The Virgin Sex Queen (2013) - A lighthearted, humorous contemporary romance.
• Seducing Sam (2013) - Focuses on sweet persuasion and romance.
• Adam's Thorn (2014) - A contemporary tale that some readers read alongside the Mackay Sisters due to its similar themes.
• The Goodbye Girl (2014) - A poignant story of letting go and finding new love.
• Kitties from the Blog (2015) — A playful zombie comedy novella inspired by her real-life cat, Evie.
• Promises (2016) - A heartwarming standalone about commitments.
• Echoes (2017) - Deals with memories, healing, and romance.
• Christmas Blue at Flynn's (2017) - A festive romance set during the holiday season.
• Secrets (2018) - A contemporary romance featuring hidden pasts and trust.

Additionally, she co-authored the romance collection Boys Down Under (2007) with Maggie Nash, offering a fun look at Australian heroes.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Angela Verdenius's books, here are a few useful tips to enhance your reading experience:

• Aussie Flavor: Verdenius is proud of her Australian heritage. Her contemporary books are filled with genuine Aussie slang, locations, and cultural references, which gives them a unique, grounded feel. If you're unfamiliar with Australian terms, don't worry—the context makes them easy to understand.
• Real-Life Inspiration: Having worked as a nurse, Verdenius draws on her professional insights to build realistic caregiving characters (such as Cherry in Doctor's Delight), giving them a level of empathy and professional realism.
• Animal Love: Verdenius is an avid animal welfare advocate, and you will notice that pets, cats, and dogs frequently play important roles in her stories. Her mischievous real-life cat, Evie, even serves as a direct inspiration for some of her writing.