How to Start Reading Arianne Richmonde
Arianne Richmonde has built a diverse bibliography split broadly into two distinct styles: steamy, emotional contemporary romance and dark, twisty psychological thrillers. How you start reading her work depends entirely on which genre you prefer.
If you want to dive into the steamy contemporary romance that made her a global bestseller, your starting point should be Shades of Pearl (also known as Forty Shades of Pearl), the first entry in her signature series. If you are a fan of domestic suspense and psychological thrillers, start with The Wife's House or The Newlyweds, which showcase her talent for high-stakes secrets and unexpected plot twists.
The Pearl Series: Erotic Romance & Billionaire Drama
The Pearl series remains Richmonde's most famous work, centering on Pearl Robinson, a 40-year-old documentary producer, and Alexandre Chevalier, a younger French billionaire. The series explores their age-gap dynamic, intense chemistry, and the complex secrets that threaten their relationship. Readers can experience this story in two ways: the original series or the updated dual-perspective remake.
The Original Pearl Series Reading Order
To experience the story as it was originally published, read the books in the following sequence:
- Shades of Pearl (2012) - Introduces Pearl Robinson and Alexandre Chevalier. Published in some markets as Forty Shades of Pearl.
- Shadows of Pearl (2012) - The second chapter of their romance, introducing new complications and secrets.
- Shimmers of Pearl (2013) - The dramatic conclusion to the core Pearl and Alexandre story.
- Pearl (2013) - A retelling of the events of Shades of Pearl from Alexandre's perspective, offering insight into his thoughts.
- Belle Pearl (2013) - A continuation of the story that focuses on the couple's life after the events of the main trilogy.
Note that A Taste of Pearl (2013) is a sampler companion containing early chapters and teaser content from the first book, so it does not need to be read as a standalone volume.
The Hooked Up Series: The Dual-POV Alternative
If you prefer reading romance novels with both the hero and heroine's perspectives shared throughout the book, Richmonde re-edited the core Pearl story into the Hooked Up series. Because it covers the same narrative arc, you should choose either the original series or this version, rather than reading both back-to-back.
- Hooked Up: Book 1 (2015)
- Hooked Up: Book 2 (2016)
- Hooked Up: Book 3 (2016)
The Glass Trilogy: Survival, Passion, and Secrets
Moving from pure billionaire romance into romantic suspense, the Glass Trilogy follows characters dealing with deep trauma, healing, and dangerous secrets. It is highly recommended to read this trilogy in order due to the continuous story arc:
- Shards of Glass (2015) - Follows the initial connection between characters recovering from painful pasts. This novel is a significantly expanded full-length adaptation of Richmonde's 2012 short story/novella, Glass.
- Broken Glass (2015) - The story deepens as secrets from the past threaten the characters' fragile peace.
- Hearts of Glass (2015) - The final installment of the trilogy, resolving the suspense and romantic conflicts.
The Beautiful Chaos Trilogy
This emotional contemporary romance series focuses on star-crossed lovers, fame, and personal struggles. You should read these books in order:
- Shooting Star (2014)
- Falling Star (2014)
- Shining Star (2014)
Standalone Psychological Thrillers
In recent years, Richmonde has focused heavily on psychological suspense. These standalone novels do not share characters or continuity, meaning you can read them in any order you choose. They are perfect for readers looking for quick, intense domestic thrillers.
- Stolen Grace (2014) - An early foray into suspense, centering on the nightmare of a stolen child and a mother's desperate search.
- The Wife's House (2020) - A widow moves into a remote, clifftop glass house after her husband's death, only to realize someone is watching her.
- The Newlyweds (2021) - A story about a marriage built on deception, domestic control, and secrets that spiral out of control.
- The Guilty Sister (2021) - A tense thriller about family secrets, sibling relationships, and murder.
- The Breakdown (2022) - A gripping story exploring memory, trust, and psychological manipulation.
- The Prenup (2023) - A high-stakes suspense novel focusing on a prenuptial agreement and the deadly secrets surrounding it.