Where to Start Reading Carian Cole
If you are new to Carian Cole’s emotionally charged, angsty contemporary romance novels, you might wonder where to begin. Her books are famous for their deeply flawed characters, steamy connections, and sensitive themes like age gaps, mental health struggles, and marriage of convenience. While almost all of her books are written as interconnected standalones, they exist in shared universes with recurring character cameos. The best starting point depends on what tropes you enjoy most.
For readers who love classic rockstar romance and forced proximity, starting with Storm, the first book in the Ashes & Embers series, is highly recommended. It perfectly introduces Cole's signature writing style—balancing raw emotional depth with heavy heat. If you prefer forbidden, high-angst age-gap romances, Torn (the first book in the All Torn Up spin-off series) is the ideal gateway into her work. Regardless of where you begin, you can expect satisfying, hard-won happily-ever-afters (HEAs).
The Ashes & Embers Series
The Ashes & Embers series is Carian Cole's flagship rockstar romance saga. It follows the members of a rock band and their close circle as they find love under unexpected and often tumultuous circumstances. Although each book functions as a standalone romance with no cliffhangers, reading them in publication order is highly recommended to follow the natural timeline and witness how the band members' families grow and intersect.
Ashes & Embers Recommended Reading Order
- Storm (2014): The debut novel that started it all. Evelyn gets stranded in her car during a historic blizzard, only to be rescued by Storm (Gabriel), a tattooed rock star. It is a passionate, forced-proximity romance that sets the tone for the entire universe.
- Vandal (2015): Focuses on Vandal, a man with a dark past, and the intense, emotional journey he undergoes to find redemption and love.
- Lukas (2015): A story of healing and second chances, centering on Lukas as he navigates his own personal demons alongside a heroine who helps put him back together.
- Talon (2015): A deeply emotional read dealing with grief, loss, and finding love again when it seems entirely impossible.
- Loving Storm (2017): A companion novella that checks back in on Evelyn and Storm, offering fans a sweet, extended look at their married life and family.
- Asher (2020): The final installment of the main series, focusing on Asher Valentine. This book has a strong connection to the spin-off series All Torn Up.
The Spin-Off: All Torn Up Series
The All Torn Up series is a direct spin-off of the Ashes & Embers universe. It features darker themes, higher stakes, and taboo romantic elements. While you can read it independently, the connections to the rockstar series run deep—particularly through the character of Asher Valentine.
All Torn Up Reading Order
- Torn (2016): This highly popular age-gap romance focuses on Kenzi and Toren Grace, her father's best friend. Crucially, Kenzi is the daughter of Asher Valentine. Because Asher's story is told in the sixth Ashes & Embers book, reading Torn before Asher is highly recommended by fans, as it makes the family dynamics and Asher's protective father role much more impactful when you finally read his own book.
- Tied (2017): A dark, emotional survival romance focusing on Tyler and a heroine who has survived a traumatic kidnapping. It is a story of slow-burn healing and trust.
- "Love You the Most" (2022): A bonus short story featuring Kenzi and Toren, originally published in the limited-run charity anthology Nightingale. It provides a sweet follow-up to the events of Torn.
Standalone Novels & Planned Series
Outside of her main interconnected rockstar universe, Carian Cole has written several standalone novels. These books are completely independent and require no background reading, though they share the same emotional intensity and high-heat style.
Standalone Novels Order
- No Tomorrow (2018): A raw, intense romance exploring love, addiction, and mental health struggles. While it stands alone, it is technically the first book in a planned series titled All the Tomorrows. The second planned book, Wish of My Heart, does not yet have a release date.
- Don't Kiss the Bride (2021): A popular slow-burn, marriage-of-convenience romance featuring an age gap. It features a grumpy hero who marries a younger woman to help her secure health insurance, leading to genuine, deep-seated feelings.
- The Lovely Return (2023): A standalone contemporary romance detailing a second-chance love story that is both emotional and heart-wrenching.
What to Know Before You Start
Carian Cole's books often tackle intense, heavy themes including mental illness, addiction, grief, physical trauma, and age-gap relationships. Readers who are sensitive to these topics should consult the trigger warnings available on the author's official website before diving in. Despite the heavy subject matter, Cole maintains a hopeful tone throughout her work, ensuring that every couple gets their deserved happy ending. The books are high in heat, heavy on emotional angst, and grounded in strong, supportive friendships and family networks.