Cheris Hodges Books in Order

Where to Begin: The Best Starting Points for New Readers

Cheris Hodges is celebrated for crafting emotionally resonant, steamy contemporary romances that focus on Black love, personal redemption, and family legacy. While her bibliography spans over two decades, you do not need to read her entire catalog in order to appreciate her work. However, diving in randomly can cause you to miss the fun cameos and family connections that tie her books together.

For the absolute best introduction to her signature style, you should start with one of the following two routes:

• Route A: The Richardson Sisters Series. If you love tight-knit family dynamics, coastal Southern settings, and sibling banter, start with Owner of a Broken Heart (2020). This series is self-contained, easy to follow, and showcases her modern style perfectly.
• Route B: The Goings Family and Friends Series. If you prefer a sprawling, interconnected universe with deep histories, start with Let's Get It On (2008) or her breakout standalone hit Recipe for Desire (2012), which also acts as the sixth installment of the Goings family saga.

1. The Richardson Sisters Series (Recommended Order)

Set in the historic, picturesque city of Charleston, South Carolina, this series follows the four Richardson sisters as they fight to preserve their family's historic bed-and-breakfast. Each book focuses on a different sister navigating the trials of love, career ambition, and family duty. Because of the overarching storyline regarding the bed-and-breakfast's future, it is highly recommended to read this series in chronological order.

1. Owner of a Broken Heart (2020) – Focuses on Nina Richardson, who returns to Charleston to help run the bed-and-breakfast and finds herself sparring with a handsome developer.
2. Won't Go Home Without You (2021) – Centers on the second sister, who faces unresolved feelings when an old flame returns to town.
3. Open Your Heart (2021) – Follows another sister discovering love where she least expects it, amid the family's ongoing business struggles.
4. Can't Hide Love (2022) – Concludes the sisters' main story arcs with a high-stakes romance that ties up the remaining threads of the bed-and-breakfast's legacy.

2. The Goings Family and Friends Series

This is Cheris Hodges' longest-running and most expansive series. It is set primarily in the North Carolina and Georgia areas, detailing the interconnected lives of the Goings family and their close social circles. While each book works as a standalone romance with its own happily-ever-after, the recurring characters, family reunions, and shared history make reading them in order a much richer experience.

1. Let's Get It On (2008) – The series opener that introduces the foundational family dynamics.
2. Betting on Love (2009) – Focuses on James Goings and a high-stakes bet that leads to unexpected romance.
3. No Other Lover Will Do (2010) – Builds on the family's social circle, introducing new romantic obstacles and deep-seated secrets.
4. His Sexy Bad Habit (2011) – A high-heat installment that tests the boundaries of friendship and desire.
5. Maurice and Kenya... The Beginning (2011) / The End of Us (2012) – These companion novellas trace the complicated, emotional journey of fan-favorite characters Maurice and Kenya.
6. Recipe for Desire (2012) – Often considered a standalone masterpiece, this book follows party girl Marie Charles as she performs community service at a women's shelter and falls for celebrity chef Devon Harris.
7. Love After War (2013) – Explores healing, trust, and second chances after trauma.
8. Strategic Seduction (2018) – The seventh main novel, wrapping up many of the long-running family storylines with a modern, high-stakes romance.

3. The Rumor Series

If you enjoy romantic suspense, high-society drama, and secrets that threaten to tear lives apart, the Rumor trilogy is your perfect match. Set in a world of wealth and whispers, these books should be read in order due to the escalating drama and recurring cast.

1. Rumor Has It (2015) – Introduces the central mystery and the initial couples who must navigate the fallout of local gossip.
2. I Heard a Rumor (2015) – Heightens the stakes as more secrets are exposed, forcing the characters to choose between public perception and true love.
3. Deadly Rumors (2017) – Adds a darker, suspenseful edge to the trilogy as the consequences of the rumors turn dangerous.

4. The Southern Loving Duology

This high-heat duology is set against the vibrant backdrop of Atlanta's entertainment and event planning scene. It features fast-paced, contemporary love stories with highly motivated, professional protagonists.

1. Feel the Heat (2017) – Sets the stage with intense professional rivalry turning into personal passion.
2. The Heat Between Us (2017) – Follows MJ Jane as she organizes an Atlanta jazz festival and finds herself falling for her security lead, Jamal Carver.

5. Throwback Love Story Series

These novels were written early in Hodges' career but were later organized and repackaged as the 'Throwback Love Stories' because of their nostalgic setting in Atlanta during the late 1990s and early 2000s. They are perfect for readers who want to experience the evolution of Hodges' writing voice while soaking in the cultural atmosphere of that era.

1. Revelations (2003) – Hodges' debut novel, inspired by a vivid dream that woke her up at 2 a.m.
2. The Business of Love (2006) – A classic workplace-themed contemporary romance.
3. More Than He Can Handle (2009) – A story dealing with trust, career ambition, and finding love in the big city.

Standalone Novels and Anthologies

Outside of her main series, Cheris Hodges has written several standalones that make for great quick reads. Many of these showcase her ability to write engaging novellas and collaborative projects. Key standalones and anthologies to look out for include:

• Searching for Paradise (2001) – An early standalone that explores escapism and self-discovery.
• Tempted at Midnight (2019) – A steamy contemporary romance centering on a life-changing New Year's Eve kiss.
• Blissful Summer (2015) – An anthology featuring Hodges' novella Make You Mine Again, which follows supermodel Jansen Douglas reuniting with her high school sweetheart in the romantic streets of Paris.
• The One That I Want (2014) – A holiday-themed collaborative anthology containing seasonal romances.