Where to Start with Cari Quinn
Cari Quinn's extensive bibliography spans high-octane rockstar dramas, MMA sports romances, and lighthearted small-town rom-coms. Because her work is divided between solo novels, co-authored projects with Taryn Elliott, and collaborative releases under the pen name Taryn Quinn, finding the right starting point depends on your favorite romance subgenre:
- For Rockstar Romance Fans: Start with the Lost in Oblivion series. Co-authored with Taryn Elliott, this is her signature universe. You can begin with the prequel novella Seduced or the first full-length novel, Rocked.
- For Classic Contemporary Romance: Start with the solo-authored Love Required series, beginning with No Dress Required. It is a perfect introduction to Cari's solo voice, featuring great banter and relatable, emotional storylines.
- For Cozy, Steamy Small-Town Rom-Coms: Dive into the Crescent Cove series, written under the joint pseudonym Taryn Quinn. Start with Have My Baby to experience the quirky, sweet, and baby-filled town.
The Flagship: Lost in Oblivion & The Oblivion World
Co-authored with Taryn Elliott, the Lost in Oblivion series is a sprawling, multi-band rockstar saga. It is highly recommended to read this series in order, as the characters' lives, relationships, and band dramas evolve continuously from book to book.
Lost in Oblivion Reading Order
The core series follows the band members of Oblivion through their rise to stardom and personal struggles:
- Seduced (2013) – The prequel novella that introduces the band's gritty beginnings.
- Rocked (2012) – Book 1, focusing on Gray and Lily.
- Rock, Rattle and Roll (2014) – A fun holiday-themed companion novella (also published as Rattled).
- Twisted (2014) – Book 2, focusing on Nick and Lila.
- Untwisted (2015) – Nick and Lila's story continues.
- Destroyed (2015) – Book 3, focusing on lead singer Simon and violinist Margo.
- Consumed (2015) – A transition novella featuring raw emotion.
- Committed (2015) – A novella focusing on the band's progression.
- Shattered (2015) – Book 4, following Zack and Kenzie.
- Fused (2016) – A novella tracking the band's changing dynamics.
- Owned (2016) – The emotional series finale for the core band.
- Merry Oblivion (2016) – A festive holiday wrap-up.
- Paradise in Oblivion (2019) – A follow-up check-in with the characters.
The Spinoff: Found in Oblivion
After finishing the main series, you can jump straight into the Found in Oblivion spinoff, which follows characters connected to the original band:
- Bedded Bliss (2016)
- Triple Trouble (2016)
- Dirty Duet (2017)
- Lost Lyric (2017)
- Perfect Pitch (2017)
- Raw Rhythm (2017)
- Finding Forever (2018)
Connected Oblivion Universe Series
Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott expanded this world with several interconnected bands and communities. These can generally be read as standalones, but they share characters and settings with Oblivion:
- Winchester Falls Series: Originally published as a trilogy featuring the titles Anything But Mine (2014), Bulletproof Weeks (2018), and Edge of Forever (2018). In the broader Oblivion world timeline, these are also known as Tangled, Torn, and Tied.
- Hammered Series: A rock band series focusing on heavy-metal musicians. The order is Manaconda (2016), Manhandled (2016), Manipulated (2016), and Manster (2017).
- Rock Revenge Series: A three-book arc containing Rock Revenge (2018), Rock Reclaimed (2018), and Rock Redemption (2018).
- Brooklyn Dawn Series: Follows the next generation and associated characters in Play Dirty (2019), Play Fast (2019), and Play Mine (2020).
- Wilder Rock Series: Features Rockstar Daddy (2017) and Rockstar Lost (2018).
Cari Quinn Solo Series
If you want to read Cari Quinn's solo-authored contemporary romance series, she has two major completed works:
Love Required Series
A fun, emotional contemporary series centered around friends and colleagues navigating modern romance:
- No Dress Required (2011)
- No Flowers Required (2012)
- No Romance Required (2013)
- No Promises Required (2014)
Tapped Out Series
An MMA sports romance series featuring fierce fighters and the strong women who bring them to their knees:
- Shadowboxer (2014)
- Takedown (2021)
- Sneak Attack (2021)
- On the Ropes (2021)
- Knockout (2021)
Deuces Wild Series (Retitling Note)
The contemporary sports/bodyguard series Deuces Wild has been published under two sets of titles. If you are tracking these down, note that the books are identical:
- Book 1: Protecting His Assets (2014) – also published as Protecting His Rockstar (2018).
- Book 2: Guarding His Heart (2014) – also published as Guarding His Best Friend's Sister (2018).
- Book 3: Proving His Worth (2014) – also published as Shielding His Baby (2018).
The Taryn Quinn Pen Name Universe
Under the collaborative pseudonym Taryn Quinn, Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott publish lighthearted, small-town romantic comedies that focus heavily on family connections, baby drama, and steamy romance. The primary series include:
- Crescent Cove Series: An extensive, 19-book small-town series beginning with Have My Baby (2017) and running through Daddy By Design (2024). It is best read in publication order to track the town's expanding web of families.
- Brothers Three Orchard Books: A cozy small-town series starting with Fiancée by Christmas (2021) and leading into titles like Bodyguard by Night, Brewing Sunshine, and On the Rocks (2025).
- Kensington Square Books: A workplace and city-based contemporary series starting with His Temporary Assistant (2021) and running through Challenge Accepted (2024).
The Boss Serial vs. Novels
Originally co-authored as Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott, The Boss was released as a six-part ultra-steamy billionaire serial between 2015 and 2016. In 2025, the authors revised, re-edited, and condensed the original six volumes into two full-length novels titled Obsession and Possession, publishing them under the Taryn Quinn brand. Modern readers will find the two-novel version much easier to read than tracking down the six original individual parts.
What to Know Before You Start
Cari Quinn's romance style is highly emotional and explicit. The rockstar books (like Lost in Oblivion) contain high drama, angsty storylines, and complex relationship structures (including polyamorous elements and ménage dynamics in books like Triple Trouble). In contrast, the Taryn Quinn small-town rom-coms are much lighter, focusing on humor and accidental pregnancies, though they maintain a high level of heat. Be prepared for retitled books across her catalog, and always check the original publication year if a book cover or title looks unfamiliar!