How to Read Emily Belden's Books
Emily Belden (who also publishes under her married name, Emily Bond) writes engaging, modern stories filled with romance, humor, and a strong sense of place. Because her books are currently written as standalones rather than connected serial narratives, you have a lot of flexibility in how you approach her catalog. However, readers generally prefer starting with her most acclaimed contemporary fiction before moving on to her earlier memoir or her newer magical realism rom-com.
Recommended Starting Points
Depending on what genre you prefer, there are three primary paths to dive into her bibliography:
- For Contemporary Romance & Foodies: Start with Hot Mess (2018). This is her most famous novel and serves as the perfect introduction to her signature style of blending high-stakes drama, humor, and vivid culinary backdrops.
- For Real-Life Humor & Memoir Lovers: Start with her debut, Eightysixed: A Memoir about Unforgettable Men, Mistakes, and Meals (2014). It reads like an episodic, comedic look at dating in your twenties and establishes her conversational voice.
- For Paranormal Romance & Magical Realism: Start with Sort of Seeing Someone (2025), published under her pen name Emily Bond. This is a great choice if you prefer light fantasy mixed with romantic comedy.
Emily Belden Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to read an author's works in the exact order they were released to watch their writing style mature, here is the complete publication order of Emily Belden's books:
- Eightysixed: A Memoir about Unforgettable Men, Mistakes, and Meals (2014) — Released as non-fiction, chronicling her real-life dating and culinary adventures in Chicago.
- Hot Mess (2018) — Her debut contemporary fiction novel, published by HarperCollins' Graydon House.
- Husband Material (2019) — Her second contemporary novel, focusing on a young widow navigating grief and dating.
- Sort of Seeing Someone (2025) — Her third novel (published under the name Emily Bond), which marks her transition into paranormal romantic comedy.
Understanding the Pen Name: Emily Belden vs. Emily Bond
Readers looking for Emily Belden's newest works might be confused to find her recent releases under the name Emily Bond. Following her marriage to Matt Bond, the author transitioned to publishing under her married name for her newer work, beginning with Sort of Seeing Someone in early 2025. Despite the name change on the cover, she maintains the same sharp, dialogue-driven, and highly relatable writing style that her readers fell in love with under her maiden name.
A Detailed Look at the Books
Eightysixed (2014)
Before writing fiction, Belden ran a popular WordPress blog called Total E-bag. Her debut memoir, Eightysixed, grew out of these viral blog posts. It takes an unfiltered, humorous, and sometimes raw look at the mistakes, dating disasters, and memorable meals of her twenties in Chicago. The title is a play on the restaurant industry slang '86ed,' meaning to eject or run out of an item, mirroring how she had to throw out bad habits and toxic relationships to find herself.
Hot Mess (2018)
Her fiction debut, Hot Mess, plunged readers into the intense, high-pressure environment of Chicago's fine dining scene. The story centers on Allie Simon, who risks her career and savings to help her talented but volatile recovering-addict boyfriend open a hot new restaurant. It is widely praised for its realistic portrayal of restaurant operations and the complicated nature of loving someone in recovery.
Husband Material (2019)
Her next novel, Husband Material, takes a shift toward emotional healing and starting over. The story follows Charlotte Rosen, a twenty-nine-year-old millennial widow who is still processing the sudden death of her husband. When she discovers a hidden ashes-to-ashes list of things her husband wanted to do, she embarks on a journey of closure that leads to unexpected new romances. It tackles heavy themes of grief with a delicate balance of humor and heart.
Sort of Seeing Someone (2025)
Writing as Emily Bond, the author introduced elements of magical realism in Sort of Seeing Someone. The plot follows Moonie Miller, a popular Chicago-based 'Insta-witch' who gains the ability to see a person's future whenever she touches their palms. Her predictable path is disrupted when she meets Olrik Zetterlund, a highly analytical Swedish engineer. Despite their apparent incompatibility, her palm-reading visions insist their futures are intertwined, creating a fun, quirky battle between destiny and logic.
What to Know Before You Start
To get the most out of Emily Belden's novels, keep the following reader notes in mind:
- Chicago is a Character: Having lived and worked in Chicago, Belden sets her stories firmly within the city. From real restaurant vibes to local neighborhood descriptions, Chicago serves as a vibrant backdrop across her memoir and novels.
- Standalone Status: None of the books are sequels or require pre-reading of other works. You can safely pick up any of her novels in any order without worrying about spoiling major plotlines from the others.
- TV Development: Her memoir Eightysixed was optioned by 44 Blue Productions for a comedy series adaptation titled All of the Nope, with Belden attached as the lead writer, though the project has not had recent updates.