How to Start Reading Ashley Woodfolk
Ashley Woodfolk has quickly established herself as a major voice in contemporary Young Adult (YA) fiction. Her stories are celebrated for their emotional depth, diverse characters, and honest explorations of complex teenage experiences—ranging from the pain of grief and friendship breakups to the fire of queer love. If you are new to her work, deciding where to start depends on what you enjoy most:
- For emotional contemporary standalone stories: Begin with her debut novel, The Beauty That Remains (2018). It is a poignant exploration of grief, music, and healing that perfectly showcases her signature empathetic tone.
- For a lyrical, queer romance: Start with Nothing Burns as Bright as You (2022). Written in gorgeous, poetic prose, this story captures the intense and messy relationship between two girls.
- For a fun, character-driven series: Start with Lux: The New Girl (2020), the first installment of the Flyy Girls series, which follows a close-knit group of Black teenage girls attending a creative arts high school in Harlem.
The Flyy Girls Series Reading Order
The Flyy Girls series is set in Harlem and focuses on a group of four high school girls at the Augusta Savage School of the Arts. Each book is written from a different girl's perspective, capturing their unique struggles with family, identity, expectations, and friendship. While the events overlap and you get to see the girls interacting throughout the series, it is best to read them in publication order to see their friendships and personal growth unfold naturally:
- Lux: The New Girl (2020) – Follows Lux Eddings as she tries to fit into her new school while dealing with a secret tragedy from her past.
- Micah: The Good Girl (2020) – Focuses on Micah Reed, who feels the heavy burden of being the "perfect" daughter while secretly navigating a relationship.
- Noelle: The Mean Girl (2021) – Explores Noelle's tough exterior and the vulnerabilities she hides behind her sharp words.
- Tobyn: The It Girl (2021) – Centers on Tobyn Alexis, who dreams of a music career while struggling to balance her ambitions with her family's expectations.
Collaborative Novels: Blackout and Whiteout
Ashley Woodfolk has teamed up with other powerhouse YA authors—including Angie Thomas, Nicola Yoon, Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, and Nic Stone—to write two highly popular collaborative novels. These books are collections of interconnected stories centering on Black teen love, set against the backdrop of major weather events.
- Blackout (2021) – Set during a sweltering summer heatwave in New York City, where a massive power outage forces teens to confront their feelings and find love under the dark city skyline.
- Whiteout (2022) – Set during a winter snowstorm in Atlanta, following a group of teens trying to pull off a grand romantic gesture before flights are canceled and roads are blocked.
Because the events in Whiteout follow the structural style and crossover energy of Blackout, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order.
Ashley Woodfolk's Standalone Novels
If you prefer standalone stories that do not require committing to a series, Ashley Woodfolk has a rich library of contemporary YA fiction. The standalone novels are listed below in publication order:
- The Beauty That Remains (2018) – A deeply moving debut about three teenagers—Autumn, Logan, and Shay—who must find a way to navigate their lives and heal after losing people they loved.
- When You Were Everything (2020) – An honest look at the pain of a friendship breakup. The book alternates between "Then" and "Now" timelines to examine the falling out of best friends Cleo and Layla.
- Made by History (2021) – Note: This title is included in some database lists as a standalone, though details on its publication are scarce and it is often associated with non-fiction biographical profiles.
- Nothing Burns as Bright as You (2022) – A fast-paced, emotionally raw novel in verse that explores the passionate, boundary-testing relationship between two girls whose love burns too bright.
- Louder Than Words (2024) – Co-authored with actress Lexi Underwood, this novel follows Jordyn Jones at a new school as she gets caught up in the drama of an anonymous podcast revealing students' deepest secrets.
Non-Fiction and Picture Books
Beyond her YA fiction, Woodfolk has branched out into non-fiction essay collections and picture books for younger readers:
- Opening My Eyes Underwater: Essays on Hope, Humanity, and Our Hero Michelle Obama (2022) – A collection of personal essays where Woodfolk reflects on her own life experiences with bullying, identity, and resilience through the lens of Michelle Obama's inspiring quotes.
- Beach Hair (2024) – A beautifully illustrated picture book (art by Niña Mata) celebrating family diversity, the joy of summer beach trips, and the freedom of letting your hair run wild.
What to Know Before You Start
When diving into Ashley Woodfolk's work, it is helpful to keep a few things in mind. First, her books frequently tackle heavy themes such as grief, loss of family members, mental health, and the pain of ending significant relationships. If you are sensitive to themes of bereavement, it is best to prepare yourself before reading The Beauty That Remains. Second, her books are known for their representation of Black and queer teens, offering highly authentic and diverse windows into high school life. Finally, almost all of her standalone books can be read in any order, so you are free to pick up whatever premise intrigues you the most.