Where to Start with Christina Elle
If you are new to Christina Elle's romance novels, the absolute best place to start is with On Her Six, the first book in her popular Under Covers series. Starting here allows you to experience her trademark blend of laugh-out-loud humor, neighborhood mischief, and high-stakes romantic suspense. Because characters from the Under Covers series reappear and progress in later books, reading them in publication order provides the most satisfying character arcs and timeline continuity.
For readers who prefer a classic, cozy small-town setting with a dose of forbidden romance rather than city-based suspense, the standalone novel Where There's Fire (the first, and currently only, entry in the Waverly Falls series) serves as an alternative starting point. It offers a self-contained story that doesn't require any prior series knowledge.
The Under Covers Series
The Under Covers series is Christina Elle's signature romantic suspense trilogy. Set in and around Baltimore, Maryland, the series centers on a tight-knit group of DEA agents and the headstrong, witty women who capture their hearts. While each book spotlights a different couple and resolves their primary romantic conflict, the recurring characters and evolving relationships tie the trilogy together.
1. On Her Six (2016)
The series kicks off with Samantha "Sam" Harper, a neighborhood watchdog with the sharp instincts of an aspiring police officer. When brooding, suspicious neighbor Ash Cooper moves in next door, Sam becomes convinced he is up to no good and decides to run her own surveillance. What she doesn't know is that Ash is actually a DEA agent working undercover on a high-stakes investigation. Ash's attempts to keep a low profile are instantly blown by his highly observant neighbor. As they are forced to work together, they must navigate a dangerous criminal threat while trying to resist their mutual attraction.
2. In Walked Trouble (2017)
The second book shifts focus to DEA agent Luke Calder. Facing intense danger with a literal target on his back, Luke meets Cassandra "Cass" Stone at a bar. Cass, recovering from a bad breakup and looking to shake up her life, is drawn to the mysterious Luke. However, Luke quickly realizes that Cass may hold key intelligence related to his active DEA target. Torn between his professional duty and his growing personal feelings, Luke continues to see Cass under the guise of surveillance. When the truth of their meeting eventually comes to light, their bond is tested against a backdrop of life-or-death stakes.
3. The Man I Want to Be (2018)
The trilogy concludes with Bryan Tyke's story. Bryan is a cynical DEA agent and military veteran who has sworn off the idea of happily-ever-after. When he travels to a tropical beach resort for Luke and Cassandra's destination wedding, his cynicism is challenged when he runs into Kenna McCord—the woman who broke his heart years ago. When Kenna's late mother's sapphire ring is stolen alongside other guests' belongings, Bryan steps in to use his investigative skills to catch the thief. Working in close proximity forces both Kenna and Bryan to confront their unresolved past and decide if they can heal old wounds together.
Waverly Falls Series
While the Under Covers series is rooted in city life and government agency suspense, the Waverly Falls series leans into cozy, small-town romance tropes.
Where There's Fire (2018)
Set in the town of Waverly Falls, this novel follows Maggie Spencer, an aspiring author who is struggling to write convincing romantic scenes for her manuscript due to her own lack of real-world romantic experience. She decides to pursue Will Dixon, a local firefighter she has harbored a crush on since they were teenagers. The catch? The Spencers and the Dixons are locked in a historic, bitter family feud. As Will campaigns to become the town's next fire chief, a public romance with a Spencer could ruin his career ambitions, forcing the couple to keep their chemistry hidden from their families.
Standalone Novels and Anthologies
For readers looking for quick, breezy contemporary romances that stand completely outside of her established series, Christina Elle has also written standalone fiction.
Anywhere With You (2018)
This standalone romantic comedy focuses on Teegan, a young woman tired of attending her sorority sisters' weddings without a plus-one. Desperate to avoid pitying looks, she hires a professional date to accompany her to the next ceremony. The arrangement leads to an array of awkward, hilarious situations, offering a lighthearted, low-stakes rom-com experience perfect for a quick weekend read.
Practical Reading Advice
Here are a few tips to optimize your reading experience:
- Standalone Flexibility: All of Christina Elle's novels can technically be read as standalones, as each book features a complete romance with a happily-ever-after. You will not be left with unresolved romantic cliffhangers.
- Under Covers Continuity: If you plan to read the entire Under Covers trilogy, do not skip around. Characters like Luke and Cassandra get married in book three, and reading out of order will spoil the events and character growth of the previous novels.
- Anthology and Box Set Appearances: Some of Elle's standalone stories and novellas, including Anywhere With You, have been packaged in multi-author romance anthologies such as the Rogue Desire collection. Be sure to check the individual titles to avoid purchasing duplicate copies of stories you may already own.
What to Know Before You Start
Christina Elle's books are known for their fast pacing, heavy use of banter, and active inner monologues. Her heroines are often impulsive and prone to getting themselves into comedic trouble, while her male leads are protective, swoon-worthy, and frequently inspired by the author's appreciation for classic action stars. If you enjoy romantic suspense that doesn't take itself too seriously and balances dangerous situations with lighthearted humor, her bibliography is a perfect fit.