How to Read Emery Lord: The Best Starting Point
For readers new to Emery Lord, the best starting point depends on whether you prefer a multi-book journey or a self-contained story. Unlike many YA authors who write massive interconnected fantasy worlds, Lord specializes in contemporary realism. She has written one central duology and a collection of standalones that can be read in any order.
If you want a duology, start with The Start of Me and You. It introduces Paige Hancock as she navigates returning to normal high school life after a devastating personal tragedy. If you prefer a standalone novel, When We Collided is widely considered her most powerful work. Winner of the 2017 Schneider Family Book Award, it alternates viewpoints between Vivi and Jonah, offering an authentic, emotional look at mental illness, family duty, and young love.
The Start of Me and You Duology
This is Emery Lord's only multi-book series, focusing on the emotional growth, relationships, and future plans of protagonist Paige Hancock. You must read these two books in order:
- The Start of Me and You (2015) - Paige Hancock's plan for junior year is simple: get a crush, join a club, and move past the grief of losing her boyfriend. It is a story about reclaiming life after tragedy with the help of a tight-knit friend group.
- The Map from Here to There (2020) - Taking place during senior year, this sequel follows Paige as she faces the looming pressure of life after high school, relationship adjustments, and the fear of leaving the town and people she loves behind.
Emery Lord's Standalone Novels
Each of these novels is entirely self-contained. While they do not share characters or plot lines, they all feature Lord's signature witty banter, focus on strong female friendships, and emotional depth. You can read them in any order you choose:
- Open Road Summer (2014) - Lord's debut novel. It follows Reagan O'Neill as she escapes her own small-town drama by going on a country music tour with her best friend Lilah Montgomery, a rising superstar. It is a fun, summery read about friendship, fame, and romance.
- When We Collided (2016) - Set in a picturesque coastal town, this dual-POV novel tells the story of Vivi, an expressive girl living with bipolar disorder, and Jonah, a local boy struggling to keep his family afloat after his father's death. It is deeply moving and deals with heavy emotional topics.
- The Names They Gave Us (2017) - Lucy's summer plans are upended when her mother's cancer recurs. She ends up working at a summer camp for kids dealing with various struggles, leading to a journey of faith, family secrets, and new relationships.
- All That's Left to Say (2023) - Lord's most recent release is a poignant mystery-infused contemporary novel. It follows Hannah as she transfers to an elite private school to investigate the circumstances surrounding her cousin Sophie's fatal drug overdose, exploring grief, guilt, and resilience.
Complete Publication Order
If you prefer to read books in the order the author wrote them to experience her growth as a writer, follow this chronological list:
- Open Road Summer (2014)
- The Start of Me and You (2015)
- When We Collided (2016)
- The Names They Gave Us (2017)
- Meet Cute: Some People Are Destined to Meet (2018) - Anthology featuring Emery Lord's short story "Oomph"
- The Map from Here to There (2020)
- All That's Left to Say (2023)
What to Know Before You Start
Emery Lord’s books are celebrated for their handling of serious, real-world issues. While they are full of romance and humor, they frequently deal with heavy themes such as grief, cancer, drug overdose, and bipolar disorder. If you are sensitive to these topics, be prepared for emotional reads. However, Lord always balances these difficult subjects with a strong sense of hope, community support, and the healing power of friendship.