Where to Start with Dawn O’Porter
Dawn O’Porter has carved out a unique space in modern fiction by writing stories that are funny, unflinchingly honest, and deeply empathetic. Her books celebrate the messy realities of female friendship, societal expectations, and personal identity. If you are new to her work, your starting point depends on whether you prefer a multi-book character journey or a punchy standalone story.
For readers who love coming-of-age stories and deep character studies, start with Paper Aeroplanes (2013). This novel kicks off her beloved series tracking the lives of two teenage girls in 1990s Guernsey. If you prefer adult contemporary fiction that tackles modern womanhood, societal expectations, and internet culture with razor-sharp wit, start with her bestselling adult novel, The Cows (2017).
The Renée and Flo (Paper Aeroplanes) Series
O’Porter’s only recurring fictional series follows the complex, intense bond between two girls, Renée and Flo. Set on the island of Guernsey, the books are heavily inspired by O’Porter’s own youth and experiences growing up there. While originally published as a duology, the author returned to the characters a decade later to catch up with them in adulthood.
The recommended reading order for this series is strictly chronological, as the books follow a continuous timeline:
- Paper Aeroplanes (2013) – Set in the mid-1990s, this debut YA novel introduces 15-year-old schoolgirls Renée and Flo. Despite coming from vastly different backgrounds—one navigating severe grief and family dysfunction, the other dealing with academic pressure and insecurity—they form an intense, lifelines-style bond.
- Goose (2014) – This sequel continues their story during their final school years. As university plans, romance, and adult choices loom on the horizon, Renée and Flo find their friendship tested by distance, secrets, and the growing pains of independence.
- Honeybee (2024) – A surprise continuation published a decade after the second book, this novel reunites readers with Renée and Flo in their early twenties. Living in London, the two friends face the harsh, humorous, and unexpected realities of adult life, career struggles, and complex relationships.
An Important Note on Honeybee
Because of the ten-year publishing gap between Goose and Honeybee, some retail and library catalogs list Honeybee as a standalone novel. However, it is a direct sequel that features the same main characters. Reading it without the context of the first two books will spoil the character arcs, so we highly recommend reading the Paper Aeroplanes series in order.
Dawn O’Porter's Standalone Novels
When she is not writing about Guernsey, O’Porter writes standalone adult novels that take aim at the ridiculous expectations placed on modern women. Each book features a cast of distinct female characters dealing with shame, public judgment, and the path to self-acceptance. They can be read in any order, but reading them in order of release shows her evolution as a novelist:
- The Cows (2017) – O'Porter's breakout adult novel follows three very different women: Tara, a single mother facing viral internet infamy; Stella, a woman grieving a loss and obsessed with starting a family; and Cam, a successful blogger who proudly rejects the traditional path of marriage and motherhood. The book is a bold, funny defense of women living on their own terms.
- So Lucky (2019) – A story about the deceptive nature of social media and outward appearances. It explores the lives of three women who seem to have it all from the outside, but are secretly struggling with infidelity, career crises, and chronic health battles.
- Cat Lady (2022) – This bestseller focuses on Mia, a woman who finds more comfort in her pet cat than in her crumbling marriage and rigid social circle. When her life falls apart, she is forced to confront the "cat lady" stigma and build a life that feels authentic to her.
Non-Fiction and Memoirs
O’Porter’s career began in journalism and television documentaries, and her non-fiction books reflect her candid, diary-style approach to writing about her own life. These books are best read in order of publication to follow her personal journey from single life to motherhood and lockdown:
- Diaries of an Internet Lover (2006) – O’Porter’s first published book, documenting her real-life online dating exploits and misadventures in the early days of internet dating culture.
- This Old Thing: Fall in Love with Vintage Clothes (2014) – A companion handbook to her popular Channel 4 television series, celebrating the history, customization, and style of vintage fashion.
- Life in Pieces (2020) – A raw, funny, and comforting diary of O’Porter’s experience navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting on grief, parenting two young boys, marriage, and finding joy in small things.
- Hungry Eyes: A Memoir of Appetite, Ambition and the Odd Bag of Wotsits for Dinner (2026) – A memoir that explores identity, self-image, and ambition through the lens of her relationship with food, family gatherings, and memories of the kitchen table.
Anthologies and Curated Works
O’Porter has also lent her voice and editorial skills to charitable and collaborative collections:
- The Booby Trap and Other Bits and Boobs (2013) – Edited by Dawn O’Porter, this is a charity compilation of stories, essays, and embarrassing confessions about breasts from contributors like Caitlin Moran and Chris O’Dowd, raising money for breast cancer charities.
- It's Not OK to Feel Blue (and other lies) (2019) – Curated by Scarlett Curtis, this mental health collection features a personal essay written by O’Porter alongside contributions from over 70 other public figures.