Where to Start Reading Chencia C. Higgins
Chencia C. Higgins has built a vibrant, diverse bibliography of romance spanning paranormal shifters, contemporary love stories, and sapphic pairings. Her books frequently feature interconnected characters, recurring family members, and shared settings. Depending on your favorite romance subgenre, there are two primary entry points into her work:
The Contemporary Path: D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding
If you want to dive straight into Higgins's contemporary romance, start with her highly acclaimed standalone novel, D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding (2022). Named one of the best romance novels of the year by the New York Times, this fake-dating, reality-TV-themed sapphic romance showcases Higgins's ability to blend deep emotional stakes, family dynamics, and joyful representation of plus-sized Black women.
The Paranormal Path: Janine: His True Alpha
For readers who prefer paranormal romance and werewolf shifter stories, the best starting point is Janine: His True Alpha (2018). This novel won the Romance Slam Jam Emma Award in 2019 and serves as the first installment in her Wolves of West Texas series. It introduces a fresh, Black-centered take on werewolf shifter lore that breaks away from traditional, rigid pack dynamics.
The Crucial Crossover: The Vow & Black Family Saga
One of the most common points of confusion for readers is how The Vow Series and the Black Family Saga intersect. The novelette Loud & Lew'd (2018) serves as the bridge between both collections. While it is officially Book 1 of the Black Family Saga, the author also lists it as Book 2.5 of The Vow Series.
To get the complete story without spoilers, follow this combined chronological reading order:
- Remember Our Love (2018) – The Vow Book 0.5 (Prequel short story)
- To Buy a Vow (2018) – The Vow Book 1
- To Build a Vow (2018) – The Vow Book 2
- Loud & Lew'd (2018) – The Vow Book 2.5 / Black Family Saga Book 1
- To Break a Vow (2019) – The Vow Book 3
- Glasses (2020) – Black Family Saga Book 2
- Fast Breaker (2020) – Black Family Saga Book 3
- Things Hoped For (2020) – The Vow Book 4 (Spin-off novella)
Chencia C. Higgins Series in Publication Order
If you prefer to tackle each series individually, here is the complete breakdown of Chencia C. Higgins's books by their respective series and publication years.
Wolves of West Texas Series
This paranormal series explores werewolf shifter packs in a fictional West Texas setting, centering on pack leadership, destined mates, and defying pack expectations.
- Janine: His True Alpha (2018)
- Lenora: His Omega Mate (2019)
- Alicia: His Troublesome Fate (2020)
JustOneNight.com Series
Higgins's debut contemporary erotica and romance series. These books revolve around online dating connections, holiday romances, and high-heat encounters.
- No Strings Allowed (2016)
- No Love Allowed (2017)
- The Week Before Forever (2017)
- No Games Allowed (2017)
- Holiday Honey (2019)
- K.S.L. (2020)
A Friend In Need Series
A contemporary duet following characters navigating the tricky boundaries of friends-with-benefits arrangements.
- Benefriends (2019)
- Beyond Benefriends (2021)
The Luminous Cruise Chronicles
An interconnected series of contemporary romances set aboard a luxury cruise liner, featuring different couples finding love at sea.
- Love On Deck (2020)
- Love Overboard (2020)
- Love's False Start (2020)
- Love Lessons (2020)
- Love on Cruise Control (2020)
- Love Under Quarantine (2020)
- Love Unexpected (2020)
- Love On The Luminous (2020)
Boos & Booze Series
A paranormal contemporary romance series featuring witches, magic, and seasonal Halloween themes.
- Costume Cutty (2020)
- Brewing Storm (2020)
- The Wrong Wicker (2020)
- The Stroke of Midnight (2020)
- Eerie Obsession (2020)
- Halloween Spice (2021)
The Color Spectrum Duet
- The Color Spectrum: Ivory (2018)
- The Color Spectrum: Ebony (2018)
Taboo & Voodoo Series
- An Illicit Seduction (2020)
Standalone Novels
These standalones are self-contained contemporary romance stories that require no prior reading.
- Her & Them (2017)
- Consolation Gifts (2020)
- D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding (2022)
- A Little Kissing Between Friends (2024)
What to Know Before You Start
Higgins writes romance that is proudly, unapologetically Black and deeply rooted in southern culture, particularly her hometown of Houston, Texas. Readers should expect high levels of steam, strong focus on fat and plus-sized female protagonists, and rich explorations of queer identity. While she coordinates a detailed suggested reading order on her official site to trace character introductions, she notes that the majority of her novels can easily be enjoyed as standalone stories.