Anna Todd Books in Order

Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path

If you are diving into Anna Todd’s bibliography for the first time, there is only one place to start: the global phenomenon that is the After series. While the series includes a prequel, reading chronologically will ruin the emotional journey. For the best experience, you should follow the publication order for the main series before moving on to the spin-offs and companion novels.

Here is the recommended reading path for the core story:

1. After (2014) – The book that started it all, introducing college freshman Tessa Young and the brooding Hardin Scott.
2. After We Collided (2014) – Continues the tumultuous, back-and-forth romance of Tessa and Hardin as secrets threaten to tear them apart.
3. After We Fell (2014) – The drama intensifies with family revelations and life-altering decisions for both characters.
4. After Ever Happy (2015) – The emotional conclusion to Tessa and Hardin’s main story arc.
5. Before (2015) – A prequel novel that explores Hardin’s life before Tessa, while also providing parallel perspectives on key scenes from the series.

Why You Shouldn't Read the Prequel First

Even though Before is technically a prequel, reading it first is a major mistake. It contains massive spoilers for the resolution of the main series, including the final events of After Ever Happy. Additionally, the emotional weight of Hardin’s backstory and his internal reflections only make sense once you have already witnessed the full trajectory of his relationship with Tessa. Read the main four books first, then treat Before as a retrospective companion piece.

The Landon Gibson Spin-Offs

Once you finish the main After series, you do not have to leave the universe behind. Anna Todd wrote a two-book spin-off series focusing on Landon Gibson, Hardin's stepbrother and Tessa’s close friend. Known as the "nicest guy" in the original books, Landon gets his own chance at love and self-discovery in New York City.

The Landon Gibson books should be read in this order:

1. Nothing More (2016)
2. Nothing Less (2016)

Chronologically, these books take place during and after the later events of the After series, specifically following Landon as he moves to New York. Reading them after After Ever Happy or Before ensures you have the complete context of Landon's character growth and his past relationships.

The Brightest Stars Trilogy (Karina & Kael)

Beyond the After universe, Anna Todd has written a compelling, mature romance trilogy focusing on the characters Karina and Kael. This series deals with themes of military life, trauma, trust, and healing. However, there is a minor chronological caveat that readers should be aware of regarding its publication history.

In 2018, Todd self-published a novel titled The Brightest Stars. Feeling that the story did not fully reflect her intended creative voice, she later withdrew it and extensively reworked, revised, and expanded the material. The rewritten version was officially published in 2022 under the title The Falling, which serves as the true beginning of the trilogy.

To read the Karina and Kael story correctly, follow this sequence:

1. The Falling (2022) – The reworked, definitive version of the first book.
2. The Burning (2023) – The second installment, continuing Karina and Kael’s complex relationship.
3. The Infinite Light of Dust (2024) – The dramatic conclusion to the trilogy.

If you come across a copy of the 2018 book titled The Brightest Stars, keep in mind that it is the older, out-of-print draft. For the intended reading experience, start with The Falling instead.

Standalone Novels and Anthologies

Anna Todd has also branched out into standalone projects that show off her versatility as a contemporary storyteller. These do not connect to the After universe or the Brightest Stars trilogy, meaning you can read them at any point.

• Imagines: Celebrity Encounters Starring You (2016) – An anthology project headlined and edited by Anna Todd, featuring second-person fanfiction stories written by various popular Wattpad authors. It includes fictional romantic encounters with celebrities like Zayn Malik, Justin Bieber, and Tom Hardy.
• The Spring Girls (2018) – A modern retelling of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel Little Women. Todd reframes the March sisters as four young women navigating love, family expectations, and military life on a contemporary army base.

After: The Graphic Novels

For fans who want to experience Tessa and Hardin's romance in a visual format, Anna Todd collaborated on a graphic novel adaptation of her bestselling series. These volumes stay true to the original Wattpad roots while offering a fresh visual take on the characters.

• After: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 (2022)
• After: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 2 (2023)

What to Know Before You Start

Anna Todd’s writing style is famously raw, fast-paced, and highly emotional. Because her books originated as interactive "social writing" on Wattpad, they feature intense cliffhangers and dramatic character arcs that keep readers hooked. However, new readers should note that the relationship dynamics in the After series are highly tumultuous, dealing with themes of codependency, anger, and emotional struggles. Understanding this dramatic, new-adult tone beforehand will help you fully appreciate the roller-coaster journey she creates.