Where to Start Reading Chantal Bellehumeur
Chantal Bellehumeur is a prolific Canadian author whose work spans from spooky horror to cozy romance and lighthearted diary-style fiction. Because her writing covers so many different genres, the best place to start depends heavily on your reading preferences:
- For fans of cozy, diary-style fiction and emotional realism: Begin with Veronica's Soap Opera Life, the start of the Fictional Diaries series, or Not Alone, the first book in the Harmony Goodhumor series.
- For fans of fantasy and pre-teen adventure: Pick up the standalone novel Sdrawkcab, which offers a magical journey built with the creative input of her son.
- For fans of historical mystery and psychological thrillers: Start with Just.Another.Common.Killer, a dark story heavily inspired by the history of Jack the Ripper.
The Fictional Diaries (Veronica Series)
The Fictional Diaries series is Chantal Bellehumeur's debut work, originally inspired by a friend's encouragement to compile her writing into a full novel. Written in an intimate journal format, the trilogy follows the titular protagonist, Veronica, as she navigates the dramatic ups and downs of her personal life, relationships, and pursuit of happiness. Readers should follow these books in their strict publication order, as the emotional character development builds directly from one volume to the next:
- Veronica's Soap Opera Life (2009) – Introduces Veronica and her chaotic, everyday drama.
- Veronica's attempt at Romance (2009) – Follows Veronica's efforts to find love amidst comedic setbacks.
- Veronica's Happily Ever After (2010) – Resolves the trilogy with Veronica finding her footing and long-term peace.
The Harmony Goodhumor Series
Much like the Veronica series, the Harmony Goodhumor books are written in a first-person diary style. This trilogy holds a deeply therapeutic significance for Bellehumeur, drawing structural inspiration from her real-life diagnosis and struggles with ulcerative colitis. The plot follows Harmony Goodhumor as she learns to reconcile with her family, moves in with her partner, travels across Canada, and prepares for a wedding. The overarching message is a reassuring reminder that support is always within reach. The trilogy should be read in sequence:
- Not Alone (2014)
- Really Not Alone (2015)
- Harmony (2015)
Standalone Novels
Bellehumeur's standalones display her versatility as a storyteller, shifting effortlessly from historical fantasy to dark psychological horror. These can be read in any order:
- Just.Another.Common.Killer (2010) – A chilling horror-thriller inspired by Bellehumeur's travels to London's Whitechapel district. The story follows young Jack Huntington, who, under hypnosis, reveals details of the Jack the Ripper murders, prompting his psychiatrist to fear he is the killer's reincarnation. Later editions include the bonus story Mary Kelly's Diary.
- Sdrawkcab (2012) – A lighthearted, pre-teen fantasy adventure. The title is the word 'backwards' spelled in reverse. It follows a young girl named Lina Lombardo and a professor who fall into a parallel magical realm divided into a bright side and a dark side, where they must retrieve stolen crown stones from an evil queen.
- Past Lives (2016) – A paranormal historical drama centering on Sandra, a woman plagued by vivid, realistic nightmares of past lifetimes that transport her from medieval and Victorian England to Canada during the World Wars.
- The Prophecy (2017) – A classic fantasy novel following Lorena, an orphan who discovers her mother was not who she seemed, leading her to navigate royal betrayals and the magical influence of Queen Fiona.
Short Stories, Novellas, and Collections
In addition to her longer novels, Bellehumeur is an active short fiction writer, contributing to local Canadian newspapers and digital publications like Mom's Favorite Reads e-Magazine. Her stand-alone novellas and story collections offer quick, engaging reads across various themes:
Stand-Alone Novellas and Short Stories
- I'll Take You to See the Ocean (2021) – A poignant, bittersweet contemporary drama about Caroline, a grieving single mother raising her child after losing her husband.
- Hidden Secrets (2021) – A historical romance novella where a young woman named Alice uncovers old diaries and letters in her grandmother's Victorian attic.
- The Highland Dancer (2022) – A work of women's fiction following Ainsley, a young woman in Nova Scotia who connects with her heritage and builds a career through Scottish highland dancing.
- Paranormal Investigation (2024) – A humorous, fictional ghost story following the Roy family's investigation of the historic old Cornwall Jail in Ontario (built in 1833).
- The Cat Burglary (2024) – A fast-paced mystery novella about Dawn, whose move to a new condo turns chaotic when she becomes a suspect in a burglary and her Sphynx cat is stolen.
Short Story Collections
- Thirteen (2011) – A compilation of 13 eerie, mysterious tales, including spooky highlights like 'Baby Doll' and 'Dead Woman Walking.'
- Emily (2014) – A collection of journal-style stories following a woman named Emily over the span of a single year, focusing on family, marriage, and early motherhood.
Memoirs and Non-Fiction
Chantal Bellehumeur's non-fiction works provide direct insight into her life as a parent and advocate. Readers interested in the real-life inspirations behind the Harmony Goodhumor series will enjoy My Memoir of Motherhood (2014), which highlights her personal experiences raising her son, Aidan, as a single mother while managing her creative passions and chronic health challenges.