Books On Board

Darrien Lee Books in Order

  • 17 Books
  • 2001 – 2017 Published

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Reading order
3 of 3 reading orders shown

Where to Start with Darrien Lee

Darrien Lee has established herself as a prominent voice in contemporary urban fiction and romance. For readers who are new to her work, there are three primary entry points depending on your preferred genre:

  • For Classic Steamy Urban Drama: Start with her debut novel, All That and a Bag of Chips, which kicks off the signature Venice-Craig Saga. This series features the emotional rollercoasters, romantic triangles, and complex relationship dynamics that first made her a bestseller.
  • For Young Adult & Coming-of-Age Drama: Begin with 16 Going on 21, the first entry in her popular Denim Diaries series, which follows the trials, forbidden romances, and life lessons of teenager Denim.
  • For Romantic Suspense: Pick up Brotherly Love, which introduces a high-stakes, emotion-driven family thriller dynamic.

The Venice-Craig Saga Reading Order

This is the series that launched Darrien Lee's career. It follows Venice Taylor, Craig Bennett, and a web of interconnected characters as they navigate passion, betrayal, and second chances. Because of the ongoing character development and continuing storylines, it is highly recommended to read this series in its strict publication order:

  1. All That and a Bag of Chips (2001) – The debut novel that introduces Venice Taylor’s tangled love life and college memories.
  2. Been There, Done That (2003) – Venice’s story continues as she faces new deceptions and heartbreaks, hitting the Essence bestseller list.
  3. What Goes Around Comes Around (2004) – The drama intensifies as past choices return to haunt the characters.
  4. When Hell Freezes Over (2005) – The core characters deal with trust issues and shifting loyalties.
  5. Double Crossed (2008) – A dramatic continuation of the saga's relationships and conflicts.

The Denim Diaries Series Reading Order

Transitioning into the Young Adult market, Lee wrote the Denim Diaries series. These books capture the authentic struggles of teen years, covering topics like peer pressure, family expectations, and first loves. Readers should follow this series in order to watch the characters grow:

  1. 16 Going on 21 (2008) – Introduces Denim and her struggles with growing up and forbidden romance.
  2. Grown in Sixty Seconds (2008) – Denim faces fast-paced challenges as high school drama escalates.
  3. Queen of the Yard (2009) – Explores social status, rivalry, and self-discovery.
  4. Broken Promises (2009) – Focuses on betrayal and learning who to trust.
  5. Raising Kane (2010) – Introduces new characters and complicated relationships that test Denim's maturity.
  6. Lying to Live (2012) – The final chapter in Denim's high school and young adult journey, where secrets come to light.

Interconnected Standalones: McKenzie Family Duology

While marketed as standalone novels, two of Darrien Lee’s books follow the specific saga of the McKenzie family. These romantic suspense novels feature Mason McKenzie, an Atlanta undercover detective, and his wife Cherise. To get their complete story, read them in this order:

  1. Brotherly Love (2006) – Explores the strained marriage of detective Mason McKenzie and the affair that develops between Cherise and Mason's brother, Vincent.
  2. Unspoken Lies (2010) – Picks up years later as Cherise and Mason attempt to rebuild their marriage amidst lingering secrets and external crises.

The Stone-Chance Action Duology

Another set of interconnected standalones centers around the Chance family and their protection work. These should be read sequentially to understand the character development of martial arts expert Keilah Chance:

  1. The Last Chance (2007) – Introduces the Chance brothers running a casino in Los Angeles and their lethal sister, Keilah Chance, who arrives to defend the family legacy.
  2. Precious Stones (2012) – Follows Keilah and her husband Ramsey Stone as they run the Stone-Chance Protection Agency and defend their new lives against threats from the past.

True Standalone Novels

If you are looking for self-contained stories that require no background knowledge, Darrien Lee has written two independent novels:

  • Talk To The Hand (2006) – A suspenseful romance about a young business executive, Nedra Harris, who reunites with a charming college acquaintance, only to uncover his dark, threatening side.
  • Love Past The Moment (2017) – A romance about yacht builder Ky Parker and executive Reece Miller moving past heartbreak. Notably, this 18th novel was written by Lee while she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer, reflecting her personal resilience as a survivor.

Frequently Asked

What is the best order to read Darrien Lee's Venice-Craig Saga?

The Venice-Craig Saga should be read in chronological publication order: All That and a Bag of Chips (2001), Been There, Done That (2003), What Goes Around Comes Around (2004), When Hell Freezes Over (2005), and Double Crossed (2008).

Are Darrien Lee's standalone novels completely unrelated?

No, some of them are interconnected. The McKenzie family drama starts in Brotherly Love and continues in Unspoken Lies. Similarly, the character Keilah Chance from The Last Chance returns alongside Ramsey Stone in Precious Stones.

Is Denim Diaries suitable for adult readers?

Yes, while the Denim Diaries series is cataloged as Young Adult fiction and focuses on teenage struggles, it retains the emotional depth, drama, and engaging pacing that adult fans of Darrien Lee's urban romance enjoy.

Which Darrien Lee book did she write during her breast cancer battle?

Darrien Lee wrote her 18th novel, Love Past The Moment (2017), while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The novel serves as a testament to her strength and survival.

What was Darrien Lee's debut novel?

Darrien Lee's debut novel is All That and a Bag of Chips, published in 2001. The story was inspired by nostalgic memories of her college days at Tennessee State University.