Where to Start Reading Anna Zabo
If you are new to Anna Zabo's writing, the best entry point depends entirely on your preferred romance trope. For fans of high-heat contemporary corporate romance with kinky elements, starting with Takeover (the first book in the series of the same name) is highly recommended. If you prefer rock-star romance with deep emotional resonance and BDSM themes, Syncopation (Twisted Wishes Book 1) is a fantastic place to begin. For readers who love sports romance, particularly hockey, Rookie Mistake (co-authored with L.A. Witt) offers a perfect mix of humor and steam.
Because Zabo writes across multiple subgenres, their books are grouped into distinct series. While most books within a contemporary series can technically be read as standalones, reading them in publication order is best for following character growth, recurring side characters, and overarching relationships.
The Takeover Series
The Takeover series is set in the corporate world, blending high-stakes business subplots with BDSM/kink dynamics and queer romances. The books should be read in publication order to appreciate the recurring cast of characters:
- Takeover (2014) – Follows CEO Sam Anderson and employee Michael Sebastian on a business trip to Curaçao that turns into an intense workplace romance.
- Just Business (2015) – Explores the relationship between Justin Edwards and corporate auditor Aaron Vance as they navigate power dynamics and trust.
- Due Diligence (2016) – Follows a submissive tech consultant who finds an unexpected connection with an analytical executive.
- Daily Grind (2017) – Focuses on a coffee shop owner and a corporate worker finding their footing in a lifestyle relationship.
The Twisted Wishes Series
Set in the high-energy, demanding world of rock music, the Twisted Wishes series centers on the members of the band Twisted Wishes. This series features strong emotional healing, BDSM relationships, and deep trust. Read them in order:
- Syncopation (2018) – The story of Ray, a drummer struggling with his mental health, and Zev, a supportive therapist.
- Counterpoint (2018) – Focuses on Dominic, the band's bassist, and his complex relationship with another musician.
- Reverb (2019) – Follows David, the lead singer, as he navigates safety, healing, and romance with a bodyguard.
On the Board Series (Hockey Romances)
Co-authored with fellow romance writer L.A. Witt, the On the Board series is a contemporary hockey romance series. It features professional athletes navigating their careers, coming out, and finding love on and off the ice:
- Rookie Mistake (2022) – A grumpy/sunshine romance between an older veteran hockey player and a young, eager rookie.
- Scoreless Game (2023) – Follows teammates navigating the complications of secret relationships and professional sports.
Close Quarter Series (Paranormal Romance)
For readers who enjoy paranormal elements, the Close Quarter series is Zabo's debut fantasy romance universe, featuring vampires, magic, and epic struggles:
- Close Quarter (2012) – Introduction to sculptor Rhys Matherton and the tormented Silas on a transatlantic cruise. Won the 2014 EPIC Award for Paranormal Romance.
- Slow Waltz (2013) – Continues the paranormal romance, expanding the stakes and the vampire lore.
Shared Worlds and Collaborative Projects
Anna Zabo has participated in several popular multi-author shared-world projects. In these series, authors write standalone novels set in a shared universe, meaning they can be read in any order:
Bold Brew Books
Set around a kink-friendly coffeehouse in Western Pennsylvania, this multi-author project features standalone BDSM romances. While the local database lists 10 books in publication order, Zabo's individual contribution is book nine, Cinnamon Roll (2021). The full sequence includes:
- Cup of Joe (2021)
- Puppuccino (2021)
- Perfect Matcha (2021)
- Vanilla Steamer (2021)
- Order Up (2021)
- Silky Smooth (2021)
- Fair Trade (2021)
- Extra Whip (2021)
- Cinnamon Roll (2021) – Anna Zabo's standalone contribution.
- Double Shot (2021)
The Games We Play Books
A multi-author shared-world hockey series focusing on a minor league hockey season. The books take place concurrently and can be read in any order. Zabo's contribution is Love of the Game (2024), which is book nine in the sequence:
- Red Line (2024)
- Just Add Ice (2024)
- Even Strength (2024)
- On Thin Ice (2024)
- Cherry Picking (2024)
- Defensive Position (2024)
- Breakaway (2024)
- Power Move (2024)
- Love of the Game (2024) – Anna Zabo's contribution following a player sent down to the minor leagues.
- The Black Ace (2024)
Bluewater Bay Books
Bluewater Bay is a massive collaborative series set in a fictional town in Washington. Zabo's contribution is book 23, Outside the Lines (2017), which features a polyamorous (M/M/F) relationship between a miniature artist, a comic shop owner, and his wife.
Standalone Novels & Anthologies
In addition to their major series, Anna Zabo has written standalones and contributed to anthologies, which later saw standalone ebook releases:
- CTRL Me (2015) – A contemporary romance short story exploring Gabe and Tom's friendship transitioning into BDSM. Originally published in the anthology Rules to Live By.
- Weave the Dark, Weave the Light (2020) – A fantasy romance novella featuring a fire witch and an immortal being. Originally featured in the anthology Behind the Sun, Above the Moon.
What to Know Before You Start
Anna Zabo’s work is celebrated for its authentic representation of LGBTQ+ identities, including fluid, non-binary, and genderqueer characters, reflecting the author's own identity. Their contemporary romances often explore BDSM and kink dynamics, focusing heavily on communication, safety, and mutual respect. Many of Zabo’s contemporary novels are set in or around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, lending a rich, gritty local flavor to their storytelling.