The Recommended Reading Order for Barbara Conrey's Books
Barbara Conrey has built a reputation for crafting deeply emotional women's fiction that explores the complexities of family secrets, grief, and resilience. Because her work includes both connected stories and standalones, you have a couple of options for how to approach her catalog.
For the best reading experience, we recommend starting with her linked novels before moving to her standalone work. Here is the breakdown of how to read them:
The Emma Blake & Maggie Bryan Series
Conrey's first two books exist in the same literary universe and share characters, though they are written to be read as standalone stories. You can choose to read them in one of two ways:
Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)
Reading in publication order allows you to experience the characters as the author originally presented them, uncovering the backstory of a beloved supporting character after meeting her later in life.
- Nowhere Near Goodbye (2020)
- My Secret to Keep (2022) - Prequel
Option 2: Chronological Order
If you prefer to follow the linear timeline of the characters' lives from the past to the present, you can read the prequel first. My Secret to Keep begins in the late 1940s and spans decades, set prior to the events of Nowhere Near Goodbye.
- My Secret to Keep (2022)
- Nowhere Near Goodbye (2020)
Standalone Novels
Once you have finished the connected books, you can dive into Conrey's standalone contemporary drama, which explores entirely separate characters and themes.
- A Fine Layer of Dust (2025)
Deep Dive into the Books
Nowhere Near Goodbye (2020)
Conrey's debut novel is a powerful family drama focusing on Emma Blake, an oncologist who has dedicated her life and career to finding a cure for glioblastoma, a rare brain cancer. Emma's devotion to her medical research is driven by a deep personal tragedy—the loss of her childhood best friend to the same disease. However, Emma's intense focus on her career strains her relationship with her daughter and husband. When long-buried secrets begin to surface, Emma is forced to confront the delicate balance between professional ambition, maternal duty, and the painful process of letting go. The novel won the 2021 NYC Big Book Award for Contemporary Fiction and established Conrey as a bestselling author.
My Secret to Keep (2022)
Serving as a prequel to her debut, this novel centers on Maggie Bryan (referred to as Miss Maggie in the first book). The story begins in the late 1940s, tracing Maggie's life as a pregnant teenager who is disowned by her family. As Maggie navigates the hardships of single motherhood, societal judgment, and forbidden love in a conservative era, the narrative spans several decades. It offers readers a rich, multi-generational look at the choices that shaped Maggie's resilient character, winning the 2024 American Legacy Book Award for Women's Fiction.
A Fine Layer of Dust (2025)
Published in October 2025, this standalone domestic drama follows Jake Trenton, a successful attorney, and his wife, Sophia. When Sophia decides to become a surrogate mother for a couple unable to conceive, the decision sparks tension in their marriage. The situation becomes even more complicated as the pregnancy progresses, forcing Jake to confront a traumatic, hidden secret from his past related to his brother's death. As the due date approaches, Jake's internal struggle and poor choices threaten to tear his family apart, resulting in a dramatic story about secrets, forgiveness, and the true meaning of family support.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Barbara Conrey's work, it helps to understand the recurring elements and emotional tone she brings to her storytelling:
- Heavy Themes with Hopeful Resolutions: Conrey's books deal with sensitive topics including terminal illness (glioblastoma), teen pregnancy, historical societal prejudices, and the complex emotional landscape of surrogacy. While emotional, her stories focus heavily on hope, healing, and second chances.
- Canine Cameos: Conrey is an advocate for rescue dogs, particularly beagles. Inspired by her own rescue dog, Miss Molly, readers will notice charming canine characters making appearances across her novels, adding warmth to otherwise intense emotional storylines.
- Late-Blooming Inspiration: Conrey began her professional writing career later in life, publishing her debut novel in her late 50s after working in healthcare and finance. This real-life perspective brings a mature, empathetic depth to her writing, particularly in how she handles family dynamics and career transitions.