Cara Malone Books in Order

How to Start Reading Cara Malone

Cara Malone is a prolific voice in contemporary sapphic romance, known for her deeply emotional stories, small-town settings, and relatable LGBTQ+ characters. While she has written over fifty novels and novellas, her books are structured to be accessible. Most of her series are set in self-contained sub-universes, and individual novels within those series can usually be read as standalones. However, reading them in publication order allows you to appreciate recurring character relationships and local community building.

If you are new to Malone's work, the two best entry points are:

• Lakeside Hospital Series: Best for readers who love high-stakes medical dramas, professional tension, and slow-burn chemistry.
• The Rulebooks Series: Best for readers looking for sweet, contemporary romances featuring neurodivergent protagonists and emotional depth.

Lakeside Hospital Series

Set in a bustling hospital, this series follows the lives, losses, and loves of doctors, surgeons, and paramedics. The books are interconnected through their shared workplace setting but each spotlights a different sapphic couple.

1. The Origins of Heartbreak (2017)
2. A Cut Above (2018)
3. Love Trauma (2018)
4. Labor of Love (2019)
5. Mouth to Mouth (2020)

Fox County Forensics Series

For readers who prefer a mix of romance and mystery, Fox County Forensics offers romantic suspense. The series focuses on women working in law enforcement, forensic science, and investigation as they solve crimes and find love.

1. Mind Games (2019)
2. Radio Silence (2021)
3. Dark Skies (2021)
4. Chain Reaction (2021)
5. Lady Killer (2021)
6. Destroying Angel (2023)
7. Angel of Mercy (2023)
8. Guardian Angel (2024)

Fur-ever Veterinary Romances

This lighthearted, small-town contemporary series features pet lovers, veterinarians, and animal shelter workers. It is highly recommended for readers who enjoy cozy environments, animal companions, and low-angst relationships.

1. Lucky in Love (2020)
2. Foxy Lady (2020)
3. Puppy Love (2020)
4. Cat's Meow (2020)
5. Lovebirds (2021)
6. Slow Burn (2022)

The Rulebooks Series

This trilogy is highly acclaimed in the sapphic fiction community, particularly for its positive representation of autism. The story centers on rules, boundaries, and the unexpected ways love breaks them.

1. The Rules of Love (2017) – Earned a Rainbow Award honorable mention.
2. The Rules of Engagement (2017)
3. The Rules of Parenthood (2018)

Sapphic Fairy Tales (Grimm Falls)

These modern fairy tale retellings are set in the fictional town of Grimm Falls. They reimagine classic stories with strong, queer female leads, such as a firefighter Cinderella. They can easily be read out of order.

• Cinders (2018)
• Fairest (2019)
• Seeing Red (2021)

Collaborations and Shared Universes

Malone has contributed to several multi-author projects and collections, which can be read at any time:

I Heart Sapphfic Pride Collection

Malone contributed to this collection alongside other prominent romance authors. The books explore self-discovery and romance during Pride celebrations.

• The Glow Up (2022)
• Faux Pas (2022)
• The Perfect Fit (2022)
• HOWL (2022)
• Take Two (2022)
• Every Version (2022)
• Pride Festival (2022)
• Down to A Science (2022)

ShudderCon Series

This series centers around the events of a horror convention, with Malone contributing key volumes alongside other writers.

1. The Shark (2019)
2. The Payoff (2019)
3. The Show (2019)
4. The Longshot (2019)

Other Series and Standalones

Awakened Books

This is a short sci-fi romance duet that marked the beginning of Malone's publishing career in 2017.

1. Sleepwalking (2017)
2. Awakened (2017)

Emerald Mountain

A festive duet set in a holiday-themed mountain town.

• Destiny (2022)

Standalone Novels

If you want to read a single, self-contained story without committing to a series, Cara Malone has published several standalones spanning contemporary romance and romantic comedy:

• Love in the Stacks (2017)
• Falling Gracefully (2017)
• Fixer Upper (2017)
• Trail Magic (2018)
• When Stars Align (2018)
• Thick as Thieves (2019)
• Good Vibes (2019)
• The Beginning of Everything (2020)
• Wicked Girls (2022)
• Against All Odds (2023)
• Gillian's Island (2024)