Welcome to the Sadenverse: Where to Start Reading Eden Finley
If you love MM romance packed with witty bantering, fake relationship tropes, protective athletes, and a heavy dose of steam, you have likely stumbled across Eden Finley. This bestselling Australian author has built a sprawling romance empire. The crown jewel of her work is the Sadenverse—a massive, shared universe co-created with author Saxon James (the name is a blend of "Saxon" and "Eden").
Because the Sadenverse features multiple series written individually and co-authored by both writers, first-time readers often wonder where they should begin. The authors themselves emphasize that every single novel features a new couple and is written to stand on its own. However, reading in order rewards you with satisfying character cameos, running inside jokes, and the pleasure of watching a tight-knit community of friends, hockey players, and protective heroes grow. For the absolute best reading experience, starting with the series that launched the universe—the Fake Boyfriend series—is highly recommended.
The Core Sadenverse Reading Order
To get the most out of the crossover cameos and chronological flow of the Sadenverse, we recommend reading the core series in this order:
1. Fake Boyfriend Series (Eden Finley Solo)
This is where it all begins. This series introduced readers to the witty banter, fake dating arrangements, and sports-adjacent romances that Eden Finley is famous for. While it is a solo series, the characters established here lay the groundwork for future crossovers. Reading them in publication order ensures you catch the natural progression of the character circles:
- Fake Out (2018) – The book that started it all, featuring a fake relationship between a straight-presenting hockey player and his best friend's gay brother.
- Trick Play (2018) – A fake dating arrangement between a publicist and a closeted NFL star.
- Deke (2019) – A college hockey romance centering on a secret hookup that becomes much more.
- Blindsided (2019) – A friends-to-lovers story featuring two professional football players.
- Fake Boyfriend Breakaways (2019) – A collection of short stories and novellas providing updates on the series' couples.
- Hat Trick (2019) – A rock star romance featuring a band member trying to win back his first love.
- Final Play (2019) – The grand finale focusing on a sports agent and his sweet, protective client.
2. CU Hockey Series (Eden Finley & Saxon James)
Co-authored with Saxon James, this college-sports romance series officially bridged their writing styles and expanded the shared universe. It centers on the hockey program at the fictional university and is packed with humor, academic stress, and athletic rivalry:
- Power Plays & Straight A's (2020) – A high-achieving student tutoring a struggling hockey player leads to unexpected sparks.
- Face Offs & Cheap Shots (2020) – A classic rivals-to-lovers romance between two competitive teammates.
- Goal Lines & First Times (2021) – An age-gap romance featuring a straight-identifying player exploring his sexuality.
- Line Mates & Study Dates (2021) – A sweet and steamy roommates-to-lovers story.
- Puck Drills & Quick Thrills (2021) – A coach's stepbrother romance that brings the college cycle to a satisfying end.
3. Puckboys Series (Eden Finley & Saxon James)
Following the massive success of their college series, Finley and James transitioned to professional sports. The Puckboys series features professional NHL players across different teams, with plenty of cameos from the CU Hockey alumni and the Fake Boyfriend crew:
- Egotistical Puckboy (2022)
- Irresponsible Puckboy (2022)
- Shameless Puckboy (2022)
- Foolish Puckboy (2023)
- Clueless Puckboy (2023)
- Bromantic Puckboy (2024)
- Forbidden Puckboy (2024)
- Possessive Puckboy (2025)
Other Standout Series by Eden Finley
Beyond the hockey rinks and sports arenas of the Sadenverse, Eden Finley has authored several other highly popular contemporary romance series that showcase her versatility in different subgenres.
Mike Bravo Ops Series
If you prefer military romance, protective bodyguards, and high-stakes romantic suspense, the Mike Bravo Ops series is a must-read. These books follow a team of elite ex-military operatives who find love while executing dangerous missions. While there are action elements, the focus remains firmly on the character chemistry and steam:
- Iris (2022)
- Rogue (2022)
- Atlas (2023)
- Zeus (2024)
Famous Series
Step into the glittering, dramatic world of pop stars, musicians, and celebrity management. The Famous series focuses on the highs and lows of the entertainment industry, packed with celebrity-civilian tropes and secret relationship dynamics:
- Pop Star (2020)
- Spotlight (2020)
- Fandom (2021)
- Encore (2021)
One Night Series
This is Eden Finley's debut series. Published starting in 2016, these books explore how a passionate, single-night encounter can completely transform the lives of two people. Unlike much of her later work which heavily features MM romance, this is primarily a contemporary MF romance series:
- One Night with Hemsworth (2016)
- One Night With Calvin (2016)
- One Night with Fate (2017)
- One Night with Rhodes (2017)
- One Night with Him (2018)
Steele Brothers Series
A duology focusing on emotional depth, family duty, and unexpected love. This short series is perfect for readers looking for quick, high-emotion contemporary romance:
- Unwritten Law (2018)
- Unspoken Vow (2019)
King Sports Series
A sports-themed spin-off focusing on the professional and personal dramas of athletes under the management of King Sports:
- The Back-up Plan (2024)
Royal Obligation Series
A royal romance featuring an MMF polyamorous dynamic. It is a standalone royal romance title:
- Unprincely (2018)
Collaborations and Shared Worlds
Eden Finley frequently contributes to multi-author shared worlds, joining forces with other prominent romance authors to write standalone entries in popular settings.
Vino & Veritas (Sarina Bowen's True North World)
Vino & Veritas is a multi-author series set in Vermont, centering around a local wine bar and bookstore. Eden Finley contributed one book to this series:
- Headstrong (2021) – Book 3 in the Vino & Veritas collection, featuring an opposites-attract romance.
Franklin U & Franklin U 2
This collaborative project features various authors writing stories set at the fictional Franklin University, with characters mingling at the campus bar, Shenanigans. Eden Finley contributed to both seasons of the project:
- Football Royalty (2022) – Book 8 of the original Franklin U series.
- Twincerely Yours (2024) – Eden's contribution to the follow-up Franklin U 2 series.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order Caveats
For readers who want to follow the timeline perfectly, it is worth noting that the authors of the Sadenverse have admitted the internal timeline can be a bit loose. Calculating exact years, seasons, and ages between the collegiate timelines of CU Hockey and the professional timelines of Puckboys can sometimes lead to minor inconsistencies. The safest way to avoid any chronological confusion and enjoy the natural flow of character references is to read in publication order. When in doubt, read the individual series from Book 1 to the end, as they are specifically structured to build upon the events of the previous books within that subseries.