Where to Start: The Academy of Stardom Series
For most readers, the best entry point into Bea Paige’s writing is the contemporary, dance-focused universe. The absolute best place to start is the Academy of Stardom series. This gritty, slow-burn reverse harem saga follows Penelope Scott, a talented dancer who lands a scholarship to the elite Stardom Academy, only to be reunited with the Breakers—the former crew who betrayed her years prior. Reading this series first establishes the setting and several key characters that cross over into other series.
You should read the Academy of Stardom books in the following publication order:
- Freestyle (2020)
- Lyrical (2020)
- Breakers (2021)
- Finale (2021)
- Encore (2023)
The Connected Underbelly and Dark Romance Universe
Bea Paige is famous for building a shared contemporary universe filled with crossovers, cameos, and recurring side characters. Once you finish the Academy of Stardom series, you can expand into several companion duets and series that take place in the same gritty world.
Their Obsession Duet
This dark contemporary duet focuses on Christy, a resilient dancer who is kidnapped by three brothers known as "The Masks" (Leon, Konrad, and Jakub) in a complex plot of revenge and family debts. Because it shares the dance theme and the same underworld setting, reading this right after Stardom is highly satisfying. Read them in this order:
- The Dancer and The Masks (2022)
- The Masks and The Dancer (2022)
The Deana-Dhe Duet
Diving into the dangerous, diamond-filled mafia aspects of her shared universe, this duet delivers high stakes and deep emotional tension. Read them in order:
- Debts and Diamonds (2022)
- Curses and Cures (2023)
Grim & Beast Duet
Another thrilling, dark duet set within the same gritty contemporary world. Follow these books in order:
- Tales You Win (2022)
- Heads You Lose (2022)
Academy of Misfits Series
Set in the same overarching universe, this series deals with intense themes of rejection, found family, and survival. You should follow the story of these characters in this sequence:
- Delinquent (2019)
- Reject (2019)
- Family (2020)
Callous Crew
This standalone release expands the gritty contemporary world. While it stands on its own, reading it alongside the other dark romances helps round out the universe's lore:
- Onyx Hearted Bastards (2022)
Sisters of Hex (Paranormal Romance)
If you prefer magic, curses, and paranormal elements over contemporary dance and crime, the Sisters of Hex universe is where you should focus. This magical world is split into two character-driven trilogies. While both can be read independently, fans recommend starting with the Accacia trilogy to establish the world's rules before moving on to Fern's story.
Sisters of Hex: Accacia Trilogy
This trilogy follows Accacia, a woman cursed to avoid daylight, as she navigates danger, magic, and romance. Read them in order:
- Accacia's Curse (2019)
- Accacia's Blood (2019)
- Accacia's Bite (2019)
Sisters of Hex: Fern Trilogy
This trilogy shifts focus to Fern, continuing the magical adventures and romantic stakes of the sisterhood. Read them in order:
- Fern's Decision (2018)
- Fern's Wings (2018)
- Fern's Flight (2018)
Other Series and Standalones
Beyond her main interconnected contemporary and paranormal universes, Bea Paige has written several other standalone series that can be read in any order, though you should read the individual books within each series sequentially.
Brothers Freed Series
A contemporary romance series featuring deep emotions and intense dynamics. Follow them in order:
- Avalanche of Desire (2017)
- Storm of Seduction (2018)
- Dawn of Love (2018)
Finding Their Muse Series
A dark, gothic-tinged romance series focused on tortured artists, muses, and emotional redemption. Read them in order:
- Steps (2018)
- Strokes (2019)
- Strings (2019)
- Symphony (2019)
Infernal Descent Series
A dark paranormal/demonic romance trilogy that plunges readers into a tense underworld. Read them in order:
- Hell's Calling (2018)
- Hell's Weeping (2018)
- Hell's Burning (2019)
Princetown Heirs Series
A newer contemporary dark romance series exploring power, crime, and passion. Read them in order:
- The Thug And His Doll (2024)
- The Rogue and His Flower (2024)
Broken Shores
A standalone contemporary release that does not require reading any other book to understand:
- Beyond the Horizon (2021)
What to Know Before You Start
Bea Paige’s novels are highly regarded for their emotional depth and intense character relationships, particularly in the reverse harem (why choose) subgenre where the heroine does not have to choose between her love interests. However, because she writes dark romance, these books explore heavy themes including trauma, abuse, crime, and physical danger. Readers are strongly advised to check the content and trigger warnings on the author's official website or at the beginning of each book before diving in.
While many of her contemporary series can technically be read as standalones, following the recommended path starting with Academy of Stardom ensures you will spot the fun cameos and avoid minor spoilers regarding character relationships and ongoing subplots in the shared London underworld.