Where to Start Reading Brittany Kelley
For readers new to Brittany Kelley, the best starting point depends on your favorite romance subgenre. If you love spooky, lighthearted paranormal romantic comedies with a "Scooby-Doo meets steam" vibe, begin with Happily Haunted Afters (2022). If you prefer high-heat contemporary sports romance filled with banter and classic tropes like fake marriage and grumpy-sunshine dynamics, start with Against the Clock (2023), the first book in the Wilmington Football series.
Happily Haunted Afters Series (Paranormal Rom-Com)
This series blends second-chance romance, small-town cozy settings, and supernatural occurrences. While each book features a different couple, reading them in order helps you appreciate the recurring elements and setting progression:
- Happily Haunted Afters (2022) – Emma and Jack navigate a haunted inn while dodging creepy dolls and rekindling childhood feelings.
- A Ghost of a Chance (2023) – Sizzling tension meets ghostly antics in another spooky, cozy setting.
- In the Autumn Spirit (2025) – Sylvie inherits a property in East Texas, needing to survive a year inside it alongside a cozy, magical atmosphere.
Wilmington Football Series (Sports Romance)
This contemporary series follows the players and personnel associated with the Wilmington professional football team. Each book is a standalone romance following a unique couple, but they are best read in publication order to follow background character arcs:
- Against the Clock (2023) – Quarterback Daniel and reporter Kelsey navigate fiery chemistry and high-stakes tension.
- Against the Rules (2023) – Professional cheerleader Savannah and playboy wide receiver Ty Matthews end up accidentally married in Las Vegas and agree to fake-date to protect her job.
- Against the Odds (2023) – Cameron and Jacob find themselves trapped in a severe winter storm, forcing them to confront old sparks and dynamic tension.
Standalone Novels
If you want quick, self-contained stories without committing to a multi-book universe, Kelley offers excellent standalone options:
- Misfits and Mistletoe (2022) – A small-town holiday rom-com set in Primrose Glenn, where a boutique owner teams up with the local grump, Asher Green, to challenge the strict town council.
- Ship Outta Luck (2024) – A high-heat adventure rom-com featuring a history professor seeking a 500-year-old Spanish shipwreck and an ex-Marine named Dean who suspects she has details on a narcotics shipment.
What to Know Before You Start
Brittany Kelley’s books are known for being highly trope-driven, focusing on popular themes like enemies-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine, fake dating, and forced proximity. Her stories feature high heat and descriptive spice alongside humorous banter. While her series are set in shared universes, the main couples reach their happy endings in their respective books, meaning you can read them as standalones if you choose to jump around.