How to Read Ava Wilder’s Books
Ava Wilder has quickly established herself as a powerful voice in contemporary romance, known for setting her stories against the dazzling yet demanding backdrop of the entertainment industry. While her books are all standalone novels that do not share characters or direct storylines, they are bound together by recurring themes: the price of fame, the struggle for authenticity under the public eye, and the path to emotional recovery.
Because there is no narrative continuity linking her books, you can read them in any order you choose. However, reading them in publication order is a great way to experience her growth as a writer and follow the evolution of her storytelling style.
Ava Wilder Books in Publication Order
To date, Ava Wilder has published three contemporary romance novels. Here is the order in which they were released:
- How to Fake It in Hollywood (2022)
- Will They or Won't They (2023)
- Some Kind of Famous (2025)
A Closer Look at the Books
How to Fake It in Hollywood (2022)
Wilder's debut novel introduces readers to Grey Brooks, a rising actress trying to secure her next major role, and Ethan Atkins, a former A-list star who has become a reclusive, cynical alcoholic following a tragic loss. In desperate need of good publicity, their mutual publicist concocts a fake-dating scheme. As they play the happy couple for the paparazzi, the boundary between their public performance and private feelings begins to blur.
This book uses the classic fake-dating trope but elevates it with a mature, realistic look at grief, addiction, and the brutal ageism that women face in the entertainment industry. It is a slow-burn romance packed with intense chemistry and emotional depth.
Will They or Won't They (2023)
In her second novel, Wilder takes readers behind the scenes of the television industry. Lilah Hunter and Shane McCarthy are the stars of a hit paranormal TV series called Intangible. On-screen, they have legendary chemistry; off-screen, they have spent years harboring a deep, mutual dislike fueled by a secret, failed romance from their first season. When the show is renewed for one final season, the two are forced to work closely together to give their fans the ending they demand, rekindling their old feelings in the process.
This enemies-to-lovers story is filled with crackling dialogue, behind-the-scenes television production details, and the high-tension environment of a long-running TV set. It is a great pick for fans of second-chance romance and forced proximity.
Some Kind of Famous (2025)
Wilder's third novel shifts the focus from acting to the music industry. Merritt Valentine was once a massive singer-songwriter before a highly publicized mental breakdown caused her to flee Los Angeles and retreat from the spotlight. A decade later, she is living a quiet life in the mountain town of Crested Peak, Colorado, focusing on her mental health. When she purchases a house that needs serious work, she hires local contractor Nikolaos "Niko" Petrakis to handle the renovations.
What follows is a heartwarming "black cat x golden retriever" romance. Niko is steady, kind, and supportive, while Merritt is protective, guarded, and healing from her past. The novel balances the coziness of a small-town setting with the heavy shadow of celebrity trauma, focusing on trust, recovery, and what it means to rebuild your life after a crisis.
The Best Starting Point for Readers
Since all of Ava Wilder’s books are standalones, your starting point depends entirely on what tropes and settings you prefer:
- Start with How to Fake It in Hollywood if you love classic fake-dating dynamics, celebrity glitz, and high-tension emotional struggles.
- Start with Will They or Won't They if you enjoy workplace romance, paranormal TV show trivia, and high-contrast enemies-to-lovers tension.
- Start with Some Kind of Famous if you prefer small-town settings, protective love interests, and stories that focus deeply on recovery and mental health.
What to Know Before You Start
Ava Wilder’s romances are often described as "angsty" and emotionally intense. While they deliver the satisfying happy endings required by the romance genre, they do not shy away from heavy topics. Readers should be prepared to encounter themes of grief, alcoholism, anxiety, panic attacks, and public scrutiny. The emotional arcs of her characters are given just as much weight as the romance itself, making her books feel exceptionally real, grounded, and rewarding.