How to Start Reading Denise Williams
If you are looking to dive into the warm, witty, and emotionally resonant world of Denise Williams, you might wonder where to begin. The good news is that her contemporary romance novels are written as standalones, meaning you can jump in almost anywhere without losing the thread of a major overarching plot. However, because her stories are set in a shared universe featuring delightful character cameos, the absolute best way to experience her books is in publication order. This allows you to catch the subtle nods to past characters and watch her fictional world expand naturally.
For the ultimate starting point, pick up her debut novel, How to Fail at Flirting. It perfectly establishes her signature writing style: sharp banter, lovable characters, and a beautiful balance between lighthearted rom-com moments and deeper, realistic struggles like healing from past trauma. If you prefer a lighter, fitness-focused story with an incredibly supportive hero, The Fastest Way to Fall is another phenomenal entry point that fans adore.
Denise Williams Standalone Novels in Publication Order
Although they function as standalones, these novels are loosely connected and share the same universe. Reading them in order of release is highly recommended to fully appreciate the character crossovers:
- How to Fail at Flirting (2020): Williams's hit debut follows Naya Turner, a university professor who decides to shake up her life with a lighthearted to-do list, only to find herself falling for a charming stranger while navigating professional challenges and healing from an abusive past relationship.
- The Fastest Way to Fall (2021): This body-positive romance stars Britta, a lifestyle journalist, and Wes, a fitness app CEO. When they start working together online, they form a deep bond that transitions into real life, with Wes making a brief cameo appearance that readers of the debut will appreciate.
- Do You Take This Man (2022): An enemies-to-lovers story centering on RJ, a cynical divorce attorney, and Lear, a hopeless romantic wedding planner. When they are forced to work together, sparks fly, blending sharp banter with emotional healing.
- Technically Yours (2023): This story follows Pearl and Ivy, former colleagues whose relationship turns romantic when they reconnect. It features Williams’s signature workplace dynamics and relatable, modern relationship challenges.
- Just Our Luck (2025): A delightful fake-dating romance that begins when Sybil Sweet accidentally leaves a winning lottery ticket at a donut shop run by the grumpy Kieran Anderson. When Kieran's viral search to return the ticket blows up, they agree to fake a relationship to handle the media circus and their personal struggles.
- The Re-Do List (2026): Centered on Willow Lewis, who embarks on a list of romantic "firsts" after a public breakup, aided by her brother's best friend, Deacon. Deacon is a former Air Force PJ who promised Willow's deployed brother he would protect her—and keep his distance. This book features cameos from the community established in Just Our Luck.
The Airport Novellas (The Connection Series)
In addition to her full-length novels, Denise Williams wrote a beloved trilogy of interconnected novellas set in an airport. These quick, charming reads follow different couples whose paths cross in transit. They can be read individually or back-to-back:
- The Love Connection (2022): Follows an airport pet groomer and a frequent flyer who strike up a sweet romance.
- The Missed Connection (2022): Focuses on two strangers who share a magical connection during a flight delay, only to wonder if they will ever meet again.
- The Sweetest Connection (2022): Follows two airport employees who work adjacent jobs and finally confront their mutual feelings.
If you prefer a physical book or a single collection, these three stories are compiled in the volume Love and Other Flight Delays (2023). Reading them in order is recommended as they share the airport setting and minor crossover elements.
Anthologies and Co-Authored Work
For readers who want to explore every corner of Williams's bibliography, she also contributed to the collaborative romance anthology Even If the Sky Is Falling (2023). This unique project features six interconnected stories written by different authors (including Taj McCoy, Farah Heron, Lane Clarke, Charish Reid, and Sarah Smith). The stories take place during a single night when a false alarm makes everyone believe the world is ending, forcing Williams's characters—who are former college rivals—to shelter together and confront their unresolved feelings.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Denise Williams's books, there are a few stylistic choices and thematic elements that readers should keep in mind:
- Wait for the Heavy Topics: While her books feature gorgeous, colorful romance covers and plenty of humor, they are not fluffy rom-coms. Williams frequently handles heavier topics, including recovery from abusive relationships, body image issues, professional sexism, grief, and family expectations.
- Green-Flag Heroes: Williams is celebrated by the romance community for crafting supportive, respectful, and communicative love interests (often referred to as "green-flag heroes") who respect the heroines' boundaries and support their independence.
- Diverse Casts: As a Black author and former academic, Williams prominently features diverse characters, particularly BIPOC professionals, academics, and career-driven individuals, bringing authentic representation to contemporary romance.