Monica Murphy Books in Order: The Ultimate Romance Guide

If you are a fan of high-stakes angst, scorching chemistry, and emotionally gripping new adult storylines like those from Colleen Hoover, Elsie Silver, or Ali Hazelwood, Monica Murphy belongs at the top of your bookshelf. As a New York Times and USA Today bestselling phenomenon, Murphy has captured millions of readers—and a massive TikTok following—with her ability to balance deep vulnerability with top-tier romance tropes.

From ultra-popular dark academia high school hierarchies to sports romances and billionaire power plays, her catalog spans multiple interconnected universes. Organizing her books by series is the best way to dive into her world without hitting massive spoilers.

The Ultimate Reading Vibe: What to Expect

Before you crack open one of her books, here are the hallmarks that define a Monica Murphy romance:

Elite Angsty Tropes: Whether it’s enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, secret crushes, or forbidden billionaires, Murphy leans hard into the tension, ensuring the “slow burn” delivers an explosive payoff.
Interconnected Family Legacies: Many of her standalone novels are actually part of larger family structures. Characters from past series frequently show up as protective older brothers, best friends, or—in the case of her latest work—parents to a whole new generation.

1. The Lancaster Prep Universe

This is Monica Murphy’s crowning jewel. Set against the backdrop of an elite, ultra-wealthy private academy, this dark, addictive series deals with the intense social structures, secrets, and high-stakes romances of the Lancaster family and their peers.

Lancaster Prep (Original Series Order)

1. Things I Wanted to Say (But Never Did) (2021)
2. A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime (2022) – The viral TikTok breakout sensation.
3. Promises We Meant to Keep (2022)
4. I’ll Always Be With You (2023)
5. You Said I Was Your Favorite (2024)
6. Lonely For You Only (2024)

Lancaster Prep: The Next Generation

Fast-forwarding the timeline, this companion spin-off series follows the children of the original characters as they navigate their own scandalous, emotional elite school experiences.

1. All My Kisses for You (2024)
2. Keep Me in Your Heart (2024)
3. You Were Never Not Mine (2025)

2. The Players Series (Sports Romance)

If you prefer your angst on the college campus with a side of athletic rivalries, The Players follows elite college athletes trying to balance their professional futures with highly complicated love lives.

1. Playing Hard to Get (2022)
2. Playing by the Rules (2023)
3. Playing to Win (2023)

3. The Dating Series (Contemporary Rom-Coms)

A lighter, highly entertaining contemporary series built purely on fun, romantic tropes like fake engagements, holiday mishaps, and workplace proximity.

1. Save the Date (2019)
2. Fake Date (2019)
3. Holidate (2019)
4. Hate to Date You (2020)

4. Classic & Breakout Series (Chronological Order)

Drew + Fable (One Week Girlfriend Series)

Monica Murphy’s earliest massive contemporary hit that put her on the map, focusing on the heavy, moving emotional journey between two deeply broken college students.

1. One Week Girlfriend (2013)
2. Second Chance Boyfriend (2013)
2.5. Drew + Fable Forever (2014)
3. Three Broken Promises (2014)
4. Four Years Later (2014)

Billionaire Bachelors Club

1. Crave (2013)
2. Torn (2013)
3. Savor (2014)

The Fowler Sisters (Romantic Suspense)

1. Owning Violet (2014)
2. Stealing Rose (2015)
3. Taming Lily (2015)

The Rules Series

1. Fair Game (2015)
2. In the Dark (2015)
3. Slow Play (2016)
4. Safe Bet (2017)

The Callahans Series

1. Close to Me (2020)
2. Falling for Her (2020)
3. Addicted to Him (2020)
4. Meant to Be (2020)

College Years Series

1. The Freshman (2021)
2. The Sophomore (2021)
3. The Junior (2021)
4. The Senior (2021)

Wedded Bliss Trilogy

1. The Reluctant Bride (2022)
2. The Ruthless Groom (2022)
3. The Reckless Union (2022)

5. Recent Standalones & New 2026 Series Launches

Play It Off (2025) – A secret-crush college sports romance between a star quarterback and his teammate’s sister.
A Thousand Perfect Lies (March 2026) – The explosive first installment of her new dark academia series, “The Liar’s Club”, set at Winfield Academy.
When Sparks Fly (May 2026) – A sweltering summer romance following an heiress hiding out at a lake house.
Make Me Weak (Scheduled Release: September 2026) – The highly anticipated debut of her brand new “Vicious Divines” series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read the Lancaster Prep books as standalones?

Technically, yes. Each book centers on a different couple and concludes with a definitive romantic resolution. However, because the Lancaster cousins and siblings are highly involved in each other’s lives—and characters age across the series—reading them in order protects you from massive spoilers regarding who ends up together.

What is Monica Murphy’s most popular book?

While One Week Girlfriend is an absolute classic, A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime is widely considered her massive breakout book of the digital era. The book’s signature “wealthy bully-to-lover” dynamic took BookTok by storm and remains a definitive title in modern new adult romance.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Romance Binge

Monica Murphy knows exactly how to hook a reader from the very first chapter. Whether you want to plunge into the corrupt wealth of Lancaster Prep or enjoy the high-stakes passion of The Players, her books promise endless emotion, addictive pacing, and unputdownable drama. Grab a copy of Things I Wanted to Say to begin your romance marathon today!

Know Your Author

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon
I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you.
When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.