Ashley Jade Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Ashley Jade

If you are new to Ashley Jade's boundary-pushing romance books, choosing your entry point depends on your favorite tropes. The author is famous for writing deeply flawed characters, enemies-to-lovers arcs, and dark new adult drama. Here are the three best paths to begin:

• The Standalone Gateway: Start with The Words (2022). This rockstar, enemies-to-lovers story is one of her most popular books and offers a perfect introduction to her signature angst and raw emotional depth without committing to a long series.
• The Bully Romance Gateway: Start with Cruel Prince (2019), the first book in the Royal Hearts Academy series. This is ideal if you love high school drama, complex family hierarchies, and redemption arcs.
• The Taboo Love Triangle Gateway: Start with Complicated Hearts 1 (2017) if you want to dive straight into gritty, unconventional relationships and moral ambiguity.

The Words and Star-Crossed Lovers Universe

Though The Words is structured as a standalone novel focusing on the stormy second-chance romance between Lennon and Phoenix, it also introduces side characters named Memphis and Skylar. If you want to follow their story, Ashley Jade wrote their spin-off under the pen name A. Jade.

Recommended Reading Order:

1. The Words (2022) - Introduces the universe and key side characters.
2. The Choice (2023) - Part one of Memphis and Skylar's Star-Crossed Lovers Duet.
3. The Consequence (2024) - Part two and conclusion of the duet.

Reading The Words first is highly recommended, as it establishes crucial background context and character dynamics that make the emotional payoff in the duet much stronger.

The Complicated Series: Duet vs. Trilogy

Ashley Jade has two series featuring the word "Complicated" in the title. While they focus on different couples, they share the same universe, and the second series acts as a direct spin-off. To avoid major spoilers, you should read the duet before starting the trilogy.

Complicated Hearts Duet

This duet must be read in order as it follows a single, continuous relationship journey.

• Complicated Hearts 1 (2017)
• Complicated Hearts 2 (2017)

Complicated Parts Trilogy

This spin-off trilogy centers on poker-themed titles and a fresh set of characters, but builds on the aftermath of the first duet.

• Fold (2018)
• Bluff (2018)
• All In (2021)

The Blame It Universe Order

Ashley Jade's early work includes the Blame It books. Although the three-part serial Blame It on the Shame is chronologically set earlier, readers and the author advise a specific order to get the best experience and spot all the clever Easter eggs.

Recommended Reading Order:

1. Blame It on the Pain (2016) - A full-length standalone novel focusing on Jackson and Alyssa.
2. Blame It on the Shame: Part 1 (2016) - Follows the characters Ricardo and Lou-Lou.
3. Blame It on the Shame: Part 2 (2016)
4. Blame It on the Shame: Part 3 (2017)

Reading the standalone Blame It on the Pain first gives you an outside perspective on characters who appear in the Shame serial, enhancing the overall narrative.

Royal Hearts Academy Series

Set in a wealthy, drama-filled academy, this series consists of interconnected standalones. Each book focuses on a different couple within the Covington family and their social circle. To fully understand the family conflicts and character evolution, you should read them in publication order.

Recommended Reading Order:

1. Cruel Prince (2019) - Jace and Dylan's story.
2. Ruthless Knight (2020) - Cole and Sawyer's story.
3. Wicked Princess (2020) - Bianca and Oakley's story.
4. Broken Kingdom (2020) - Oakley and Bianca's continuation and family resolution.

The Devil's Playground Duet

For readers who enjoy psychological suspense, mystery, and moral ambiguity, this dark duet must be read in consecutive order.

• The Devil (2018)
• The Devil's Advocate (2019)

Black Mountain Academy (Multi-Author Shared World)

Local database records include a long list of books under the Black Mountain Academy series, such as Pretty When She Cries (written by A. Zavarelli) and Sick Crush / Mr. D (written by Alta Hensley). It is important to know that this is a collaborative, multi-author shared world where each book is written by a different romance writer.

Ashley Jade's sole contribution to this shared universe is Hate Me (2021). You do not need to read the other books in the series to understand her contribution; it can be read completely as a standalone.