How to Start Reading Donna Alam’s Steamy Romances
If you are looking for contemporary romance filled with sharp banter, laugh-out-loud humor, and high heat, USA Today bestselling author Donna Alam has a library ready to sweep you away. Drawing inspiration from her nomadic life, her books feature a mix of brooding heroes (from rugged Scots to sun-bronzed Aussies) and quick-witted, independent heroines. Because almost all of her books can be read as standalones, you can pick up whichever trope catches your eye. However, to get the absolute best experience and catch all the subtle character cameos and universe crossovers, we recommend starting with one of her foundational series.
Option 1: The Pretty Trilogy (For Dubai-Set Drama and a Continuous Couple)
If you prefer a continuous storyline following the same couple, the Pretty Trilogy is the ideal place to start. This is Donna Alam's debut work and her only series that follows a single couple across multiple books. It starts with Pretty Hot, following Kate Saunders, a schoolteacher who escapes to Dubai for a fresh start, only to collide with the wealthy playboy Kai. Their story continues through Pretty Liar and concludes in Pretty Things. It is best to read these in strict order.
Option 2: The Hot Scots Series (For Rugged, Bantering Heroes)
If you prefer the standalone-but-connected format, start with the Hot Scots series. Set against the backdrop of Scotland, these books follow different rugged, charming Scotsmen. The series begins with One Hot Scot, which introduces the family dynamics and sets the humorous, high-heat tone that became Alam's signature style. From there, you can read the books in any order, though reading in publication order is highly satisfying as characters reappear in the background.
Option 3: The Aussies / Phillips Brothers Series (For Sun-Drenched Beach Fun)
For readers who love sibling dynamics and beachy settings, the Aussies Series (also known as the Phillips Brothers series) is a fantastic starting point. Set in Australia, this trilogy follows the romantic exploits of three brothers—Flynn, Byron, and Rafferty Phillips. Starting with In Like Flynn gives you the best introduction to the family before moving to Down Under and Rafferty's Rules.
Donna Alam Books in Publication Order
If you want to read Donna Alam's books in the order they were written and released, follow this list. This is the safest way to ensure you notice every cameo and chronological progression in her shared romantic universe:
- Pretty Hot (2014)
- Pretty Liar (2014)
- Pretty Things (2015)
- One Hot Scot (2016)
- Two Wrongs (also published as One Wicked Scot) (2017)
- One Dirty Scot (2017)
- Single Daddy Scot (2017)
- Playing His Games (2017)
- Easy (2018)
- Hard (2018)
- In Like Flynn (2018)
- Soldier Boy (2018)
- Gentleman Player (2018)
- Surprise Package (2018)
- Down Under (2019)
- Rafferty's Rules (2019)
- To Have and Hate (2019)
- (Not) the One (2019)
- Liar Liar (2020)
- The Stand Out (2020)
- No Ordinary Gentleman (2021)
- Never Say Forever (2021)
- Before Him (2022)
- Love + Other Lies (2022)
- The Interview (2023)
- No Romeo (2024)
- The Gamble (2024)
- No Saint (2025)
- No Knight (2025)
Detailed Guide to Donna Alam’s Romance Series
While Donna Alam’s books are highly accessible, they are grouped into distinct series that share locations, themes, or families. Here is a breakdown of each major series to help you navigate her catalog:
The Pretty Trilogy
As Donna Alam's debut, this trilogy is unique because it follows a single, continuous couple: Kate and Kai. Set in Dubai, it features high-stakes emotion, secrets, and intense chemistry. Unlike her other series, you must read these in order to follow the plot progression.
- 1. Pretty Hot (2014) - Introduces Kate Saunders as she flees her past and meets the wealthy playboy Kai in Dubai.
- 2. Pretty Liar (2014) - The romance deepens as lies and secrets threaten to pull the couple apart.
- 3. Pretty Things (2015) - The dramatic conclusion to Kate and Kai's story.
The Hot Scots Series
This series centers around rugged Scottish men and features some of Alam’s most popular characters. The books are standalone romances, but they share a common setting and recurring characters.
- 1. One Hot Scot (2016) - Follows Rory and Fin's steamy romance.
- 2. Two Wrongs (2017) - Also published under the title One Wicked Scot, featuring Ivy and Dylan.
- 3. One Dirty Scot (2017) - The story of Kit and his romantic trials.
- 4. Single Daddy Scot (2017) - A heartwarming, high-heat single-dad romance.
- 5. Hot Scots (2018) - A boxed set collection of the early novels in the series. Note that there is also a holiday short story titled Hot Scot Christmas.
The Great Scots Series
A companion theme to the Hot Scots, this shorter collection focuses on more handsome Scottish leads. The books are standalone romances that can be read in any order.
- 1. Easy (2018) - A fun, banter-rich Scottish romance.
- 2. Hard (2018) - A high-tension contemporary romance.
- 3. Hardly Easy (2019) - A collected boxed set featuring the main stories.
The Aussies / Phillips Brothers Series
Moving from the cold landscapes of Scotland to the sun-soaked beaches of Australia, this series focuses on three brothers: Flynn, Byron, and Rafferty Phillips. These are fun, beachy rom-coms with high steam.
- 1. In Like Flynn (2018) - Follows Flynn Phillips as he navigates a humorous enemies-to-lovers setup.
- 2. Down Under (2019) - Byron Phillips’ turn to find love in the Southern Hemisphere.
- 3. Rafferty's Rules (2019) - The final brother, Rafferty, faces his own romantic rules.
Love in London Series
Set in England's capital, this series of standalone novels centers on wealthy London elites, offering office romances, fake relationships, and hate-to-love tropes.
- 1. To Have and Hate (2019) - Beckett and Olivia's marriage of convenience romance.
- 2. (Not) the One (2019) - A witty, high-heat contemporary romance.
- 3. The Stand Out (2020) - A fun, banter-heavy romance featuring office dynamics.
No Ordinary Men Series
This series features wealthy, powerful men from diverse backgrounds, including nobility, international syndicates, and wine empires. Each book is a standalone story with high emotional stakes.
- 1. No Ordinary Gentleman (2021) - Features Arthur, a brooding duke who falls for a woman he shouldn't.
- 2. Love + Other Lies (2022) - A high-stakes romance set in the wine industry.
- 3. Before Him (2022) - A passionate, forbidden-style romance.
One Night Forever Series
This series explores second chances, secrets, and instant connection tropes in international settings.
- 1. Liar Liar (2020) - A story of secrets, betrayal, and passionate second chances.
- 2. Never Say Forever (2021) - A popular strangers-to-lovers story featuring a precocious child and witty banter.
The Whittingtons Series
This series centers around the wealthy Whittington family and their high-society romances, featuring popular tropes like marriage of convenience and billionaire secrets.
- 1. The Interview (2023) - A witty office romance.
- 2. The Gamble (2024) - A standalone billionaire marriage of convenience romance.
My Kind of Hero Series
One of Donna Alam’s newer series, these books feature protective, alpha-style heroes who find themselves falling hard for strong heroines.
- 1. No Romeo (2024)
- 2. No Saint (2025)
- 3. No Knight (2025)
Practical Reader Advice and Caveats
When diving into Donna Alam's universe, keep these practical tips in mind to maximize your enjoyment:
- Standalones with Cameos: Aside from the Pretty Trilogy, which must be read in order, all of Donna Alam’s books are designed to be enjoyed as standalones. However, characters from one series often pop up in others. For example, you might see a Scottish hero from the Hot Scots series make a brief appearance or be referenced in the London or Australian books. If you dislike minor spoilers about who ends up with whom, stick strictly to the publication order.
- The Liar Liar Connection: Note that Liar Liar (2020) is a standalone novel that also functions as the first entry in the One Night Forever series. Similarly, The Interview and The Gamble are listed as standalones but form the core of The Whittingtons series.
- Atmospheric and Travel Elements: Alam’s nomadic lifestyle shows in her writing. Her settings—whether they are the deserts of Dubai, the rugged highlands of Scotland, the busy streets of London, or the coastal towns of Australia—are highly detailed and act almost like characters themselves. Reading her books by setting is another fun way to navigate her library.