Anna Bell Books in Order

Where to Start with Anna Bell

If you are new to Anna Bell's delightful world of British contemporary chick-lit and romantic comedies, the best place to start is with her breakout hit, Don't Tell the Groom. This book established her signature style of relatable, slightly chaotic, yet deeply lovable heroines who find themselves in hilarious predicaments. If you prefer a completely self-contained story to test the waters, The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart or her newer release Note to Self are outstanding starting points that showcase her growth as a writer.

The Don’t Tell Series (Penny’s Stories)

The Don’t Tell series is Anna Bell's most famous set of books. It follows Penny, a budget-conscious wedding planner who struggles to manage demanding brides, her career, and her own relationship struggles. While the core series was published between 2012 and 2015, there is a short prequel story that takes place beforehand.

Recommended Reading Order for the Don't Tell Series

1. Don't Tell Penny (2013) – This is a prequel novella (Book 0.5) that gives readers a quick look into Penny’s life before the main events of her wedding planning adventures.
2. Don't Tell the Groom (2012) – The first full-length novel in the series, where Penny attempts to plan her dream wedding on a strict budget, leading to secrets and chaotic situations.
3. Don't Tell the Boss (2014) – Penny takes on a new job and must navigate the trials of corporate life while trying to keep her personal secrets safe.
4. Don't Tell the Brides-to-Be (2015) – Penny is now a professional wedding planner, but she finds that managing other people’s big days is twice as stressful as planning her own.

The Millie Series (Written as Annabell Scott)

Before achieving mainstream success under her real name, Anna Bell self-published a trilogy about a young British girl named Millie navigating life, university, and romance. These books were originally published under the pen name Annabell Scott (sometimes spelled Annabel Scott). While the first book published was Millie and the American Wedding, the chronological timeline actually starts with Millie's university years in the United States.

Chronological Reading Order for the Millie Series

1. Millie and the American University (2013) – Although published second, this is a prequel that chronologically starts the series, detailing Millie's experiences studying abroad in the U.S. and navigating sorority life.
2. Millie and the American Wedding (2010) – Millie's debut release, where she travels to New York as a bridesmaid and must confront her ex-boyfriend and past flames.
3. Millie and the American Proposal (2014) – The final chapter in Millie's story, where she faces major career choices and relationship decisions that take her across the globe.

Standalone Novels

For readers who enjoy complete, standalone stories that do not require any prior reading, Anna Bell has built a robust catalog of contemporary romances. These books feature different characters and settings but maintain the same witty, warm, and highly relatable tone. They are listed below in order of their publication:

• The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart (2016) – After a painful breakup, Dylan decides to complete her ex's bucket list to win him back, only to discover new things about herself along the way.
• The Good Girlfriend's Guide to Getting Even (2017) – A funny and empowering tale of a woman finding her path after discovering her boyfriend's betrayal.
• It Started With A Tweet (2017) – A digital detox rom-com about a woman who deletes her social media accounts and moves to a remote cottage.
• If We're Not Married by Thirty (2018) – Two childhood friends make a pact to get married if they are still single at thirty, leading to unexpected feelings when the deadline arrives.
• We Just Clicked (2020) – An engaging romance centering on social media influences, authenticity, and finding real connection.
• The Man I Didn’t Marry (2021) – A heartwarming story about memory loss, second chances, and falling in love with the same person all over again.
• Note to Self (2022) – Edie receives emails she wrote to her future self when she was a teenager, leading her to re-evaluate her current life and love prospects.
• Once Upon a Leap Year (2024) – A delightful romance structured around Leap Day, exploring how rare moments can change the course of love.
• Virtually Yours (2026) – Chloe searches for connection in a virtual reality platform after losing her best friend, embarking on an adventure to New York to find her virtual date in the real world.

What to Know Before You Start

Anna Bell’s writing style is heavily character-driven and falls squarely under modern British chick-lit. The stories are filled with lighthearted humor, relationship mishaps, and strong elements of female friendship. While the Don't Tell books and the Millie series benefit from being read in chronological order to witness the characters' growth, her standalones can be enjoyed completely independently and in any order you choose.