Where to Start: The Ultimate Cheryl Brooks Reading Path
For readers new to Cheryl Brooks, the absolute best place to start is the Cat Star Chronicles. This is her flagship ten-book series that put her on the sci-fi romance map. Because this series features a highly structured universe and continuous world-building regarding the cat-like alien race known as Zetithians, reading the books in publication order is strongly recommended. Starting with the award-winning debut, Slave, ensures you understand the culture, biology, and galactic politics of the Zetithians before moving on to subsequent novels.
After completing the main chronicles, your next stop should be the spin-off series, Cat Star Legacy, which continues the sci-fi romance adventures in the same shared universe. If you prefer contemporary settings or suspense, you can read the Soul Survivors trilogy or the Cowboy Heaven series as standalones, but the Zetithian universe remains Brooks's most cohesive and widely praised creation.
The Cat Star Chronicles (Recommended Reading Order)
The Cat Star Chronicles follows the lives and loves of Zetithian warriors—stunning, cat-like male humanoid aliens who possess unique physical attributes, such as retractile claws, prehensile tails, and a biology built for intense sensuality. In this universe, Zetithian males are extremely rare, making them prime targets for intergalactic slave traders and wealthy buyers. The series follows different couples as they navigate dangerous space missions, galactic politics, and passionate relationships.
You should read the main series in the following order:
- Slave (2008): The book that started it all. Introduces the Zetithian warrior Cat, who is enslaved, and Jacinth, the woman who helps him escape while searching for her missing sister.
- Warrior (2008): Focuses on the warrior Leo and his journey alongside a human doctor named Rebecca, expanding the lore of Zetithian biology.
- Rogue (2009): Follows the escape of the Zetithian warrior Tasha and his unexpected bond with the fiery, independent human pilot, Mariah.
- Outcast (2009): The story of the rogue Zetithian warrior Deke, who is hiding on a remote outpost when he crosses paths with an adventurous woman named Rina.
- Fugitive (2010): Centered on the warrior Sully, who is running for his life when he finds refuge in the arms of a sympathetic human woman, Lily.
- Hero (2010): Explores the story of the noble warrior Jax, who must choose between his duty and his love for a human woman who captured his heart.
- Virgin (2011): Focuses on the innocent Zetithian youth, Mace, who must navigate the overwhelming sensory world of his biology alongside a protective human heroine.
- Stud (2012): Follows the warrior Jean, whose life is turned upside down when he is purchased by a wealthy woman, leading to a complex dynamic of power and passion.
- Wildcat (2013): Explores the untamed warrior Kael and his wild ride with an adventurous human partner who matches his raw energy.
- Rebel (2014): The epic conclusion to the main chronicles, which won the 2015 Prism Award for Best Futuristic Romance. It ties up the overarching galactic conflicts and gives the warriors their final, hard-won peace.
Cat Star Legacy: The Spin-Off Series
Once you finish the main ten books of the Chronicles, you can step directly into the Cat Star Legacy spin-off. Set in the same universe, this series continues to explore the trials and romantic exploits of Zetithian descendants and allies. There are three main novels in this sequence:
- Maverick (2018): Follows a rogue pilot who finds himself caught between his instincts and a woman who challenges everything he knows.
- Mystic (2019): Blends space adventure with psychic elements as a mysterious woman and a Zetithian hybrid work together to uncover deep-seated secrets.
- Captive (2020): Focuses on a high-stakes capture-and-rescue dynamic that tests the limits of trust and physical attraction.
Exploring Other Genres: Cowboy Heaven & Soul Survivors
If you want a break from outer space, Cheryl Brooks has also written in the contemporary western and romantic suspense subgenres. These do not connect to the Zetithian universe and can be read independently.
Cowboy Heaven Series
This series brings the author's personal love for animals and rural Indiana vibes to a cozy Circle Bar K ranch setting in Wyoming. It blends small-town dynamics with steamy romance:
- Cowboy Delight (2015): A prequel novella that introduces the ranch and sets up the romantic atmosphere.
- Cowboy Heaven (2015): The first full-length novel, establishing the core ranch characters.
- Must Love Cowboys (2016): Follows Tina Hayes, a computer specialist who moves to the ranch to fulfill her grandfather's wishes, only to find love with a former firefighter.
Soul Survivors Trilogy
This trilogy is a unique blend of contemporary romance, thriller, and supernatural suspense, centered around the aftermath of a major disaster:
- Echoes From the Deep (2017): Introduces Jillian Dulaine, a plane crash survivor who wakes up with the memories and souls of three other female passengers, drawing her into a global conspiracy.
- Dreams From the Deep (2017): Continues the mystery as Jillian and her partner dig deeper into the supernatural and corporate secrets.
- Justice From the Deep (2017): The final book in the trilogy, bringing closure to the conspiracy and the souls bound to Jillian.
Unlikely Lovers and Erotic Anthologies
For readers looking for quick, spicy contemporary reads, Brooks has published several standalone novels and contributed to multi-author anthologies:
- Unlikely Lovers Series (2013): A four-book contemporary series consisting of Unbridled, Uninhibited, Undeniable, and Unrivaled. These books focus on intense, realistic romantic setups.
- The Sextet Anthologies: Brooks was a core contributor to Siren-BookStrand's multi-author menage anthologies, including Sharing (2011), Dirty Dancing (2011), and Entanglements (2011).
- The Sextet Presents: A spin-off series of shorter thematic stories, including her medieval romance novella, A Tale of Two Knights (2012).