Books On Board

Ann Liang Books in Order

  • 5 Books
  • 2022 – 2025 Published

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Reading order
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Where to Start Reading Ann Liang

For most readers, the best place to start is with Ann Liang’s breakout debut, If You Could See the Sun. This novel perfectly encapsulates her signature style: academic rivals-to-lovers romance, sharp humor, a touch of speculative magic, and a vivid Beijing boarding school setting. It is also the first book set in her shared contemporary universe, which later expands with companion novels.

If you prefer sweeping historical narratives, mythological lore, and high-stakes drama over modern school rivalries, you should begin with her adult debut, A Song to Drown Rivers. Inspired by the legend of Xishi, it offers a much more dramatic, tragic, and epic reading experience.

Ann Liang Books in Publication Order

Though most of her novels are standalone stories or companion works, reading them in order of publication lets you watch her style and world-building evolve. Here is the complete list of her books by release date:

  • If You Could See the Sun (2022) – A speculative YA novel about a scholarship student who gains the power of invisibility and uses it to uncover her classmates' secrets.
  • This Time It's Real (2023) – A contemporary YA romance centering on a girl whose viral essay about love forces her into a fake relationship with a famous teen actor.
  • I Hope This Doesn't Find You (2024) – A YA rivals-to-lovers story about a girl whose secret, brutally honest draft emails are accidentally sent to her entire school.
  • A Song to Drown Rivers (2024) – Ann Liang's adult debut, a historical fantasy reimagining the legend of Xishi, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China.
  • I Am Not Jessica Chen (2025) – A dark speculative YA novel about a girl who makes a desperate wish to swap lives with her "perfect" cousin.
  • Never Thought I'd End Up Here (2025) – A YA contemporary romance about a girl sent on a travel program across China who runs into the boy she blames for ruining her life.
  • I Hope This Finds You (2025) – A sequel novella to I Hope This Doesn't Find You, following Sadie and Julius on a trip to California.
  • I Could Give You the Moon (2026) – A companion novel to her debut, focusing on an influencer and an emotionally guarded boy sharing visions of the future.
  • To Dream in Darkness (2026) – An epic historical fantasy following a bargain between the Death God and the God of Healing in Ancient China.

Connected Worlds and Companion Books

The 'If You Could See the Sun' Universe

While If You Could See the Sun and I Could Give You the Moon function as individual stories, they are set within the same speculative world. You do not strictly need to read them in order, but starting with the debut provides the best foundation for the setting and minor crossovers.

The 'I Hope This Doesn't Find You' Duology

Unlike her other contemporary works, this storyline features a direct sequel. You should read these in chronological order:

  • I Hope This Doesn't Find You (Novel)
  • I Hope This Finds You (Sequel Novella)

    • Standalone YA & Historical Fantasies

    Her other contemporary novels, such as This Time It's Real and Never Thought I'd End Up Here, are completely standalone romances. Similarly, her historical fantasies (A Song to Drown Rivers and To Dream in Darkness) are separate, self-contained epics that do not share continuity.

    What to Know Before You Start

    Ann Liang's YA novels are heavily influenced by C-dramas, featuring fast-paced banter, high-achieving but deeply flawed protagonists, and emotional coming-of-age journeys. Her stories often touch on the diaspora experience, balancing cultural expectations with personal desires. Whether you are looking for lighthearted fake-dating tropes or high-stakes historical fantasy, her books deliver clean romance, sharp dialogue, and memorable characters.

    Frequently Asked

    What is the recommended starting book for Ann Liang?

    New readers should start with her debut YA novel, If You Could See the Sun, or her adult historical fantasy, A Song to Drown Rivers, depending on their preferred genre.

    Are Ann Liang's books standalones?

    Yes, most of her novels are standalones or companion books. The main exception is the novella I Hope This Finds You, which is a direct sequel to I Hope This Doesn't Find You.

    How are 'If You Could See the Sun' and 'I Could Give You the Moon' related?

    I Could Give You the Moon is a companion novel set in the same speculative world as If You Could See the Sun, but it follows a new set of characters.

    What is Ann Liang's first adult novel?

    Her adult debut is A Song to Drown Rivers, a 2024 historical romance inspired by the legend of Xishi.

    In what order should I read Sadie and Julius's story?

    You should read the novel I Hope This Doesn't Find You first, followed by the sequel novella I Hope This Finds You.