Ashley Antoinette Books in Order

Where to Start with Ashley Antoinette

Ashley Antoinette is a titan of urban fiction, writing both as a solo powerhouse and in collaboration with her husband, JaQuavis Coleman (under the joint pen name Ashley & JaQuavis). Because her stories feature deep character crossovers and sprawling family sagas, deciding where to begin can be daunting. There are three primary entry points depending on what flavor of drama you want to experience first:

• The Okafor Universe (Solo): Start with the standalone novel Moth to a Flame. This is the ultimate starting point for her most emotionally intense, character-driven narrative web that flows directly into the Ethic and Butterfly series.
• The Cartel Saga (Collaborative): Start with The Cartel. Co-written with JaQuavis Coleman, this series is the gold standard of high-stakes, action-packed street literature.
• The Prada Plan (Solo): Start with The Prada Plan. This is Antoinette's breakout solo series, focusing on a fierce female lead navigating ambition, betrayal, and revenge.

The Okafor Universe: Moth, Ethic, and Butterfly

This is Ashley Antoinette's most popular and tightly connected solo universe. The saga centers around Ezra "Ethic" Okafor, a character who first appeared as a secondary figure in her standalone book, Moth to a Flame. Ethic's growth from a grimy street operator to a protective father trying to leave the criminal underworld behind forms the emotional heart of this series, which then transitions into the next generation with the Butterfly series. To avoid major spoilers and understand character dynamics, you should read them in this precise chronological order:

1. Moth to a Flame (2010) – The essential foundation introducing key players, including Ethic.
2. Ethic (2018)
3. Ethic 2 (2018)
4. Ethic 3 (2018)
5. Ethic 4 (2019)
6. Ethic 5 (2019)
7. Ethic 6 (2019)
8. Christmas With The Okafors (2019) – A holiday standalone novella that fits right after Ethic 6.
9. Butterfly (2020) – The beginning of the spin-off focus.
10. The Invitation (2020) – A bridging novella focusing on Ethic and Alani that takes place between Butterfly and Butterfly 2.
11. Butterfly 2 (2020)
12. Butterfly 3 (2020)
13. Butterfly 4 (2022)
14. Butterfly 5 (2023)

The Cartel Saga (Co-authored with JaQuavis Coleman)

The Cartel series is a legendary urban fiction saga detailing the rise, fall, and legacy of a massive drug empire. While the books are largely linear, there is a prequel series centered on the patriarch, Carter Diamond. You have two options for reading this saga:

Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)

Reading in publication order allows you to experience the mysteries and character revelations exactly as the authors intended. You will read the first three books of the main series, jump back in time to the Carter Diamond prequels to understand the family's origins, and then return to the main storyline.

1. The Cartel (2008)
2. Tale of the Murda Mamas (2009)
3. The Last Chapter (2010)
4. Carter Diamond (2012) – Prequel
5. Carter Diamond Part 2 (2013) – Prequel
6. Diamonds Are Forever (2012)
7. La Bella Mafia (2013)
8. The Demise (2016)
9. Illuminati (2017)
10. Long Live The Cartel (2020)
11. Money Devils 1 (2020) – Spin-off
12. Money Devils 2 (2021) – Spin-off
13. Cartel Queen: Aries Manifesto (2023) – Spin-off

Option 2: Chronological Order

For readers who want to follow the timeline from the very beginning, start with the prequels first:

1. Carter Diamond (2012)
2. Carter Diamond Part 2 (2013)
3. The Cartel (2008)
4. Tale of the Murda Mamas (2009)
5. The Last Chapter (2010)
6. Diamonds Are Forever onwards (following the order above)

The Prada Plan Series

If you prefer a solo drama focused on romance, ambition, and survival without the sprawling family branches of the Okafor universe, The Prada Plan is the perfect choice. It follows Disaya "Yaya" Morgan as she navigates the dangerous streets and high stakes of urban life. Read this series in straightforward publication order:

1. The Prada Plan (2009)
2. The Prada Plan 2: Leah's Story (2010)
3. The Prada Plan 3: Green-Eyed Monster (2011)
4. The Prada Plan 4: Love and War (2014)
5. The Prada Plan 5 (2017)

Other Collaborative Series and Standalones

Beyond her main universes, Ashley Antoinette has co-authored several standalone trilogies and shorter series that offer excellent, self-contained reading experiences:

• Murderville Series: A gritty, standalone crime trilogy following A'Shai and Liberty. Read in order: Murderville (2011), The Epidemic (2012), and The Black Dahlia (2013).
• Dirty Money Series: An early collaborative series featuring Dirty Money (2005), Diary of a Street Diva (2005), and Supreme Clientele (2007).
• Luxe Series: A duology comprising Luxe (2015) and Luxe Two (2016).
• Luxury & Larceny Series: A two-part story consisting of Luxury and Larceny, Part 1 (2016) and Luxury and Larceny, Part 2 (2016).