Where Should You Start Reading Ashley Herring Blake?
Ashley Herring Blake writes across three distinct age groups: adult contemporary romance, young adult (YA) contemporary, and middle-grade (MG) fiction. Because her stories span these different categories, your best starting point depends entirely on what kind of book you want to read:
- For Adult Romance: Start with Delilah Green Doesn't Care. This is the first book in the popular Bright Falls series and acts as the perfect introduction to her adult romance writing.
- For Middle-Grade Readers: Start with Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World. It is a highly acclaimed, Stonewall Honor-winning story about identity and family.
- For Young Adult Readers: Start with Girl Made of Stars, a deeply emotional and powerful novel tackling heavy themes like consent, trauma, and family loyalty.
The Bright Falls Series (Adult Sapphic Romance)
This series of companion novels is set in the small, charming town of Bright Falls. While each book focuses on a different couple, the characters are all closely connected friends or family members. It is highly recommended to read them in order of publication so you can follow the character growth and ongoing friendships without spoilers.
- Delilah Green Doesn't Care (2022) – Focuses on Delilah Green, a photographer returning to her hometown, and Claire Sutherland, a single mother.
- Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail (2022) – Focuses on Astrid Parker, an interior designer trying to rebuild her life, and Jordan Hall, a local carpenter.
- Iris Kelly Doesn't Date (2023) – Focuses on Iris Kelly, an author in a creative rut, and Stefania Woodcock, a local business owner, entering a fake-dating arrangement.
The Clover Lake Series (Adult Sapphic Romance)
This series moves the romance to the town of Clover Lake. While these are standalone stories focusing on different couples, reading them in order allows you to follow the community dynamics and recurring characters.
- Dream On, Ramona Riley (2025) – Follows Ramona Riley, a small-town waitress, and Dylan Monroe, a Hollywood actress, who reconnect in their hometown.
- Get Over It, April Evans (2026) – Follows April Evans, a goth tattoo artist, and Daphne Love, as they navigate forced proximity and unexpected attraction at a summer resort.
Standalone Adult Romance
If you want a festive, holiday-themed sapphic romance that stands on its own, Blake has written a dedicated seasonal book:
- Make the Season Bright (2024) – A festive, enemies-to-lovers holiday romance. Note that while this is a standalone novel, the main characters form a band called Beach Glass, which is later referenced in the Clover Lake series, providing a fun crossover for eagle-eyed readers.
Middle-Grade Standalone Novels
Ashley Herring Blake is celebrated for her sensitive and authentic middle-grade stories centering on queer identity, grief, and family dynamics. These books are completely standalone and can be read in any order:
- Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World (2018) – A Stonewall Honor book about a 12-year-old girl who loses her home in a tornado and struggles to express her developing attraction to girls.
- The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James (2019) – A story about a girl recovering from a heart transplant who sets out to do a series of life-changing milestones, navigating a reunion with her mother and her first crush on a girl.
- Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea (2021) – A touching exploration of grief, trauma, and healing after a girl loses her mother and relocates to a coastal town.
Young Adult Standalone Novels
Blake's young adult books are emotional, contemporary stories addressing complex family secrets, identity, and healing. They are standalones and can be read in any order:
- Suffer Love (2016) – Blake's debut YA novel, which is a contemporary Romeo and Juliet story about two teens navigating forbidden love and intense family secrets.
- How to Make a Wish (2017) – Follows a teenage pianist dealing with an unstable mother, finding solace and strength in a new friendship and romance.
- Girl Made of Stars (2018) – A powerful and emotional novel about a bisexual teen dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault allegation within her family.
Anthologies and Collaborative Works
In addition to her full-length novels, Blake has also co-edited and contributed to collections:
- Fools In Love (2021) – A YA romance anthology co-edited with Rebecca Podos, featuring stories that celebrate classic romance tropes.
What to Know Before You Start
Ashley Herring Blake's novels are celebrated for their strong focus on found family, queer joy, emotional vulnerability, and healing. However, reader discretion is advised for some of her books. Her YA novel Girl Made of Stars contains heavy themes, including sexual assault, while her middle-grade book Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea deals extensively with grief and drowning trauma. Her adult romances, particularly the Bright Falls series, feature explicit steam and romantic comedy elements, making them suitable only for adult audiences.