Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide

Mary Monroe Reading Order

8 series · 37 books

Mary Monroe is an acclaimed African-American author whose prolific career spans four decades and includes 36 books across multiple series. She is best known for her domestic fiction exploring complex relationships and family dynamics, with notable works including the God Don't Like Ugly series and her Mama Ruby novels. Monroe's ability to blend drama with deeply human characters has established her as a major voice in contemporary African-American literature.

Anthologies Series

Complete

2 books (2018–2025)

Start this series with Our Prince of Scribes

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Our Prince of Scribes
2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Healing from the Heart: A Powerful Collection of Inspirational Life Stories
2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

God Don't Like Ugly Series

Complete

6 books (2000–2012)

Start with God Don't Like Ugly, the first of 6 books in the God Don't Like Ugly series.

Start this series with God Don't Like Ugly

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of God Don't Like Ugly
God Don't Like Ugly
2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of God Still Don't Like Ugly
God Still Don't Like Ugly
2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of God Don't Play
God Don't Play
2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of God Ain't Blind
God Ain't Blind
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of God Ain't Through Yet
God Ain't Through Yet
2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of God Don't Make No Mistakes
God Don't Make No Mistakes
2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins Series

Ongoing

6 books (2022–2026)

Start with Empty Vows, the first of 6 books in the Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins series.

Start this series with Empty Vows

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Empty Vows
2
Cover of Mrs. Wiggins
Mrs. Wiggins
2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of Love, Honor, Betray
Love, Honor, Betray
2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of Double Lives
Double Lives
2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Bent But Not Broken
2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6

Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart Series

Complete

4 books (2016–2017)

Start with Can You Keep a Secret?, the first of 4 books in the Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart series.

Start this series with Can You Keep a Secret?

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Can You Keep a Secret?
2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Every Woman's Dream
Every Woman's Dream
2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of Never Trust a Stranger
Never Trust a Stranger
2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of The Devil You Know
The Devil You Know
2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Mama Ruby Series

Complete

3 books (1986–2013)

Start with The Upper Room and read in order.

Start this series with The Upper Room

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of The Upper Room
The Upper Room
1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Mama Ruby
3
Cover of Lost Daughters
Lost Daughters
2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Neighbors Series

Complete

3 books (2018–2020)

Start with One House Over and read in order.

Start this series with One House Over

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of One House Over
One House Over
2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Over the Fence
Over the Fence
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of Across the Way
Across the Way
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Short Story Collections Series

Complete

1 book (2006–2006)

#Title
1
Cover of Borrow Trouble
Borrow Trouble
2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Novels Series

Likely Complete

12 books (2002–2021)

Start with Gonna Lay Down My Burdens, the first of 12 books in the Standalone Novels series.

Start this series with Gonna Lay Down My Burdens

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Gonna Lay Down My Burdens
Gonna Lay Down My Burdens
2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Red Light Wives
Red Light Wives
2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of In Sheep's Clothing
In Sheep's Clothing
2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Deliver Me From Evil
2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of She Had It Coming
She Had It Coming
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of The Company We Keep
The Company We Keep
2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of Family of Lies
Family of Lies
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
Cover of Bad Blood
9
Cover of Remembrance
10
Cover of Right Beside You
Right Beside You
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11
Cover of The Gift of Family
The Gift of Family
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12
Once in a Lifetime
2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Mary Monroe written?
Mary Monroe has written 37 books across 8 series. Their published works span from 1986 to 2026.
What is the first book in each Mary Monroe series?
Here are the first books in Mary Monroe's series: Anthologies: Our Prince of Scribes; God Don't Like Ugly: God Don't Like Ugly; Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins: Empty Vows; Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart: Can You Keep a Secret?; Mama Ruby: The Upper Room.
What order should I read Mary Monroe's books?
We recommend reading Mary Monroe's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is Mary Monroe still writing new books?
Yes, Mary Monroe has 1 ongoing series: Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins.

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