Where Should You Start Reading Emily McIntire?
If you are new to Emily McIntire, your best starting point depends on your preferred romance subgenre. For dark, morally gray antiheroes and high-stakes steam, start with Hooked, the first book in her sensationally popular Never After series. If you prefer contemporary, emotional small-town romance with deep angst, start with Beneath the Stars, which kicks off the Sugarlake series. For fans of classic tragic love stories reimagined with modern twists, begin with Burning Daylight, the debut of her Defying the Stars series.
The Never After Series: Dark Fractured Fairy Tales
The Never After series is Emily McIntire's breakout dark romance collection. Rather than direct retellings, she describes these books as "fractured fairy tales" set in original contemporary worlds where the villains get their happy endings. Each book is a complete standalone set in its own separate universe, meaning they can be read in any order. However, reading them in publication order is the most common path for fans.
- Hooked (2021) – Inspired by Peter Pan, featuring James Hook and Wendy.
- Scarred (2022) – Inspired by The Lion King and Hamlet, following a royal family feud and a forbidden love.
- Wretched (2022) – Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, featuring a dark romance centered around a drug-running heroine (a nod to the Wicked Witch).
- Twisted (2023) – Inspired by Aladdin, focusing on a dark, villainous Jafar-inspired protagonist.
- Crossed (2023) – Inspired by The Hunchback of Notre Dame, focusing on a devout priest (Frollo analogue) and a free-spirited woman.
- Hexed (2024) – Inspired by The Little Mermaid, wrapping up the core series with a dark twist on Ursula.
The Sugarlake Series: Interconnected Small-Town Romance
Unlike the dark fantasy vibes of the Never After books, the Sugarlake series consists of contemporary, small-town romance novels. While each book focuses on a different couple and can technically be read as a standalone, they are closely interconnected. Characters from previous books pop up, and the overarching timeline progresses chronologically. We highly recommend reading these in publication order to avoid spoilers.
- Beneath the Stars (2020) – Chase and Alina's childhood-friends-to-lovers romance.
- Beneath the Stands (2020) – Knox and Bailey's sports-themed romance.
- Beneath the Hood (2021) – Mason and Zara's bodyguard romance.
- Beneath the Surface (2021) – Lucas and Talia's emotional conclusion to the series.
The Defying the Stars Series
Launched in 2025, this series explores tragic and epic historical/literary tropes reimagined as modern, gritty romances. These are interconnected standalones that should ideally be read in order of release.
- Burning Daylight (2025) – A modern-day reimagining of Romeo & Juliet.
- Forsaking Midnight (2026) – A modern-day reimagining of the classic Lancelot & Guinevere legend.
Standalone Novels & Collaborations
For a change of pace, McIntire co-authored a standalone romantic suspense novel with fellow dark romance writer Sav R. Miller. It does not connect to any of her larger series and can be read at any point.
- Be Still My Heart (2021) – Co-authored with Sav R. Miller.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into McIntire's books, particularly the Never After and Defying the Stars series, readers should note that these are dark romances. They contain mature, explicit, and sometimes graphic themes, including violence and morally gray character decisions. If you prefer lighthearted romance, start with the Sugarlake series, which leans closer to classic contemporary romance tropes while still delivering emotional angst.