The Recommended Reading Path
For readers diving into the work of A.V. Geiger, the best place to start is with the duology that made her a global sensation. Because her bibliography consists of a connected duology, a standalone thriller, and digital-first stories, you do not have to worry about a complex web of timelines. The easiest and most satisfying way to experience her books is by publication order, starting with her debut smash hit.
1. The Follow Me Back Duology (Start Here)
This is Geiger's flagship series. It must be read in strict order because the plot of the second book directly resolves the massive cliffhanger and mystery established in the first. The story is a fast-paced, high-stakes look at online obsession, identity, and the dangerous side of celebrity fandom.
- Follow Me Back (2017): Introduces Tessa Hart, an agoraphobic fangirl who only feels safe online, and Eric Thorn, the pop star she is obsessed with. When they begin interacting anonymously via Twitter DMs, a genuine connection grows, but both are hiding dark secrets that lead to a thrilling, dangerous climax.
- Tell Me No Lies (2018): Picking up immediately after the shocking events of the first book, this sequel follows the aftermath of Eric's disappearance and Tessa's struggle to uncover the truth, culminating in a final resolution to their story.
2. Dive into Standalone Suspense
Once you finish the main duology, you can move on to Geiger's standalone mystery, which shifts the focus from social media to coding and augmented reality.
- Scared Little Rabbits (2019): This standalone thriller centers on Nora Weinberg, a shy, talented coder who wins a coveted spot at an elite summer camp. When she is pulled into a high-tech game of augmented reality and a fellow camper goes missing, Nora must use her coding skills to solve a real-life mystery before she becomes the next target.
3. Explore Her Romance and Wattpad Roots
Before publishing physical thrillers, Geiger built a massive following on the storytelling platform Wattpad. Romance fans and completionists should look into her alternative offerings:
- It's Only Temporary (2017): A New Adult contemporary romance originally published on Wattpad and later released as a Hachette audio production. The story follows Penelope "Penny" Stewart, an office temp who falls for her Wall Street boss, David Powers.
- Ari and Zac (formerly The Mermaid Hypothesis): A popular Wattpad web series set in a world where the music industry has been disrupted by a viral, voice-stealing technology called SirenSong. It follows Zac on a mission to find a unique human voice, leading him to Ari Callahan, a mute teenager who identifies with Ariel from The Little Mermaid.
A.V. Geiger Publication Order
If you prefer to read everything exactly as it was released to the public, follow this publication timeline, which includes her traditional book releases and major audio/web serials:
- Follow Me Back (Novel) — 2017
- It's Only Temporary (Wattpad / Audiobook) — 2017
- Tell Me No Lies (Novel) — 2018
- Scared Little Rabbits (Novel) — 2019
- Ari and Zac / The Mermaid Hypothesis (Wattpad Web Series) — Ongoing / Digital Only
What to Know Before You Start
Before jumping into A.V. Geiger's thrillers, there are a few stylistic and thematic elements that set her writing apart:
The Mixed-Media Format
Geiger’s thrillers are famous for their modern, immersive format. Instead of standard prose, the narratives of Follow Me Back and Tell Me No Lies are woven together using police interrogation transcripts, Twitter direct messages, forum posts, and text logs. This mixed-media approach makes the books incredibly fast reads and keeps the tension incredibly high.
An Epidemiological Edge
Geiger's day job as an epidemiologist studying psychiatric and reproductive health heavily influences her fiction. She brings a clinical, analytical eye to the psychological states of her characters, portraying agoraphobia, trauma, obsession, and anxiety with a realistic, grounded depth that elevates the stories beyond standard teen drama.
Fandom Culture Exploration
Unlike stories that dismiss online communities, Geiger’s background as a fan who began her writing career under a pseudonym on Wattpad allows her to treat online fandom with respect. She accurately captures the community, comfort, and escape that online spaces provide, while simultaneously exploring the very real dangers of parasocial relationships and digital stalking.