The Recommended Reading Order
For the best reading experience, Emery Lee's novels should be split into two categories: the interconnected contemporary universe and the standalone novels. The contemporary books follow characters through different stages of their lives, transitioning from high school drama to young adult and new adult life in the city.
The Interconnected Contemporary Universe
If you want to follow the continuity and character developments of the contemporary rom-coms, you should read them in order of publication. This is also the chronological order of the universe, as the characters grow up and relocate. Here is the recommended path:
- Meet Cute Diary (2021) – Introduces the Ramirez family, focusing on Noah Ramirez, while establishing his older brother Brian Ramirez as a major supporting character.
- Café con Lychee (2022) – A separate high-school contemporary rom-com that introduces Gabi and Theo, along with their classmate and drag performer Thomas Mori.
- Don't Drag This Out (2025) – The ultimate crossover sequel. Set in New York City, it transitions to the New Adult genre and features Brian Ramirez (from Meet Cute Diary) and Thomas Mori (from Café con Lychee) as co-protagonists who meet, connect, and fall in love.
Reading the books in this sequence is highly recommended. While the first two are enjoyable as standalone stories, jumping straight into Don't Drag This Out will spoil major character arcs from the previous books and rob you of the joy of seeing Brian and Thomas's individual backstories, struggles, and growth.
The Standalone Romantasy & Contributions
Outside of the contemporary universe, Emery Lee has written cozy fantasy romance and contributed to anthologies. These can be read in any order at any time:
- All Signs Point to Yes (2022) – A young adult anthology centering on astrology. Lee contributed a Pisces-themed short story.
- Forget Me Knot (2025) – An adult cozy romantasy novel reimagining the Japanese "Red String of Fate" legend. It has no connection to the contemporary YA/NA universe.
Exploring the Books
Meet Cute Diary (2021)
This debut young adult novel follows Noah Ramirez, a transgender teen who runs a popular blog sharing fabricated happy endings and "meet cute" stories for trans teens. When an online troll threatens to expose the blog as a work of fiction, Noah orchestrates a fake-dating scheme with a fan named Drew to save his platform. Amid the chaos, Noah is forced to confront what a real relationship looks like versus the idealized versions he writes online. The book features a vibrant cast, including Noah's older brother, Brian, who later steps into the spotlight in Lee's New Adult work.
Café con Lychee (2022)
Set in a small town, this enemies-to-lovers contemporary rom-com centers on the rivalry between two family-owned businesses: a traditional Chinese bakery and a new Puerto Rican café. Theo Mori and Gabi Ramirez clash constantly as they try to keep their respective families' shops afloat amidst rising cultural tensions and financial struggles. As they are forced to work together, their rivalry turns into an unexpected romance. Gabi's close friend, Thomas Mori, a teenager struggling with his own identity and passion for drag, is introduced here before heading to college in New York.
Don't Drag This Out (2025)
This New Adult contemporary romance bridges the worlds of Lee's previous two books. Brian Ramirez (Noah's older brother from Meet Cute Diary) moves to New York City seeking stability after a string of painful breakups. Thomas Mori (from Café con Lychee) is also in New York, performing as a drag artist under the persona "Mia Sake" while trying to heal from his past. When their paths cross at a drag show, they develop an unexpected connection. Written in alternating perspectives, the novel explores self-acceptance, queer community, and navigating adult relationships.
Forget Me Knot (2025)
Stepping into the adult cozy romantasy genre, this novel centers on Toa, an immortal cursed to spend eternity untangling the red strings of strangers to help them find their soulmates, even though he lacks a soulmate bond of his own. His worldview is challenged when he meets a man who is also missing a red string, leading to a magical M/M romance exploring fate, choice, and connection.
What to Know Before You Start
Emery Lee's contemporary works are heavily focused on diverse representation, trans joy, and the messy reality of growing up. Their young adult books capture the hyper-dramatic environment of high school, while Don't Drag This Out deals with slightly older, more mature themes of early adulthood. The shift from contemporary YA to adult cozy fantasy in Forget Me Knot showcases the author's versatility, but readers should expect a completely different tone and world when starting it.