This page lists Ivy Smoak books in publication order, author-recommended order, chronological order, series order, and connected-world reading paths.
Quick Index
- Scope: Ivy Smoak romance, romantic suspense, fantasy, paranormal romance, short fiction, collections, and connected-series entries
- Default Order: Author-recommended reading order
- Best Starting Point: Temptation
- Order Matters: Yes for The Hunted, Empire High, Professor Hunter, The Society, Single Girl Rules, Scarlett, Made of Steel, and Crooked Point
- Core Series: The Hunted and Empire High
- Main Connected World: The Hunted, Men of Manhattan, Empire High, The Society, Single Girl Rules, Scarlett, Professor Hunter
- Current Newer Series: Crooked Point
- Collection Route: Forbidden Billionaires omnibus volumes
- Not to be confused with: Ivy Owens, Ivy Layne, or Ivy Asher
Ivy Smoak’s official reading-order page says readers can start with book 1 of any series, but the author recommends starting with Temptation. The official chronological page notes that Smoak’s novels are intertwined and recommends chronological order for a second read-through.
Reading Paths
1. Author-Recommended Order
Best for first-time readers.
- Temptation
- Addiction
- Eruption
- Devotion
- Seduction
- The Light to My Darkness
- A Whirlwind of Color
- This Is Love
- City of Sin
- Third Chances
- Missing Pieces
- Untouchable
- Elite
- Betrayal
- Matchmaker
- Runaway
- Homecoming
- Exposed
- Forever
- Stalker Problems
- This Is War
- Too Much Sausage
- True Love
- Ready to Mingle
- Auction Me
- HoHoHo
- Scarlett and the Kiss Thief
- Scarlett and the Fake Boyfriend
- Scarlett and Her Prince Charming
The author’s reading-order page places The Hunted first, then Men of Manhattan, Empire High, The Society, Single Girl Rules, and other connected material.
2. Publication Order
Use this route for a release-date pass across Smoak’s catalog.
- A Christmas Wish
- Temptation
- Addiction
- Playing a Player
- City of Sin
- Eruption
- Devotion
- Going for Gold
- Third Chances
- Made of Steel
- Forged in Flames
- Missing Pieces
- The Light to My Darkness
- The Ruin of House Hornbolt
- Carved in Ice
- The Truth in My Lies
- James the Christmas Grouch
- Best Year Ever
- A Whirlwind of Color
- Those Summer Nights
- Sweet Like a Psycho
- Sea of Stars
- This Is Love
- Crazy in Love
- Untouchable
- Elite
- Betrayal
- #BFF
- #BananaParty
- Stalker Problems
- Obsessed
- Hot Summer School Nights
- Blue Parrot Resort
- Matchmaker
- Scarlett and the Kiss Thief
- Ready to Mingle
- Auction Me
- Seduction
- Emergency Plan F
- Layla’s Forecast
- This Is War
- Devoured
- HoHoHo
- Bad Things Feel Best
- Roughing the Princess
- Runaway
- Homecoming
- Exposed
- Forever
- Too Much Sausage
- True Love
- Loved
- Scarlett and the Fake Boyfriend
- Forbidden Billionaires omnibus volumes
- Bitten by Desire
- Marked by the Pack
- Taming the Beasts
- Tempt the Boss
- Scarlett and Her Prince Charming
Publication order differs from author-recommended order because connected-world chronology, later-added books, short fiction, and omnibus editions do not always align with original release year. Fantastic Fiction lists the main series groups and newer 2025 to 2026 entries, including Crooked Point, Forbidden Billionaires, Tempt the Boss, and Scarlett and Her Prince Charming.
3. Chronological Order
Best after a first read-through.
- Empire High
- Sweet Cravings
- The Hunted
- Professor Hunter
- Men of Manhattan
- Short fiction tied to the connected world
- Made of Steel
- The Light to My Darkness
- Empire High adult timeline
- The Society
- Single Girl Rules
- Scarlett
- Crooked Point
- Secrets of Suburbia
- Fantasy novels
The author’s chronological page places the connected-world material by internal date and states that chronological order is recommended for a second read-through.
4. Beginner Path
Cleanest entry through the central romance arc.
- Temptation
- Addiction
- Eruption
- Devotion
- Seduction
- The Light to My Darkness
- A Whirlwind of Color
- This Is Love
5. Empire High Path
Focused path for Brooklyn and Matt.
- Untouchable
- Elite
- Betrayal
- Matchmaker
- Runaway
- Homecoming
- Exposed
- Forever
Empire High is listed as an eight-book series, ending with Forever.
6. James Hunter Path
Best for readers following James and Penny from both main and companion perspectives.
- Temptation
- Obsessed
- Addiction
- Devoured
- Loved
- Eruption
- Devotion
- Seduction
- The Light to My Darkness
- A Whirlwind of Color
- This Is Love
Professor Hunter is listed as a three-book series: Obsessed, Devoured, and Loved. It is described by the author as The Hunted from James’s point of view.
7. Scarlett Path
Later-generation path.
- Scarlett and the Kiss Thief
- Scarlett and the Fake Boyfriend
- Scarlett and Her Prince Charming
The author’s page lists Scarlett and Her Prince Charming as Scarlett book 3 and marks it as coming in 2026.
8. Paranormal Romance Path
Route through Crooked Point.
- Bitten by Desire
- Marked by the Pack
- Taming the Beasts
The author’s chronological page labels Crooked Point as a paranormal romance series and lists these three entries in order.
9. Completionist Path
Full checklist route.
- The Hunted
- The Light to My Darkness
- Professor Hunter
- Men of Manhattan
- Empire High
- The Society
- Single Girl Rules
- Scarlett
- Sweet Cravings
- Made of Steel
- Secrets of Suburbia
- Crooked Point
- Standalone novels
- Fantasy novels
- Short fiction
- Forbidden Billionaires omnibus volumes
- Online-only extras and alternate endings
Publication Order Master List
The Hunted
- Temptation (2015) – Novel – The Hunted #1
- Addiction (2015) – Novel – The Hunted #2
- Eruption (2016) – Novel – The Hunted #3
- Devotion (2016) – Novel – The Hunted #4
- Seduction (2022) – Novel – The Hunted #5
- The Light to My Darkness (2017) – Novel – The Hunted #6, also published as Foundation
- A Whirlwind of Color (2018) – Novel – The Hunted #7
- This Is Love (2019) – Novel – The Hunted #8
Fantastic Fiction lists The Hunted as an eight-book sequence and notes Foundation as an alternate title for The Light to My Darkness.
The Light to My Darkness
- The Light to My Darkness (2017) – Novel – The Light to My Darkness #1, also published as Foundation
- A Whirlwind of Color (2018) – Novel – The Light to My Darkness #2
- This Is Love (2019) – Novel – The Light to My Darkness #3
Men of Manhattan
- City of Sin (2015) – Novel – Men of Manhattan #1
- Third Chances (2016) – Novel – Men of Manhattan #2
- Missing Pieces (2017) – Novel – Men of Manhattan #3
Sweet Cravings
- Playing a Player (2015) – Novel – Sweet Cravings #1
- Those Summer Nights (2019) – Novel – Sweet Cravings #2
- Going for Gold (2016) – Novel – Sweet Cravings #3
Fantastic Fiction lists Sweet Cravings in series order as Playing a Player, Those Summer Nights, then Going for Gold, even though Going for Gold has an earlier publication year than Those Summer Nights.
Made of Steel
- Made of Steel (2017) – Novel – Made of Steel #1
- Forged in Flames (2017) – Novel – Made of Steel #2
- Carved in Ice (2018) – Novel – Made of Steel #3
Secrets of Suburbia
- The Truth in My Lies (2018) – Novel – Secrets of Suburbia #1
- Sweet Like a Psycho (2019) – Novel – Secrets of Suburbia #2
- Crazy in Love (2020) – Novel – Secrets of Suburbia #3
Empire High
- Untouchable (2020) – Novel – Empire High #1, also published as Empire High Untouchables
- Elite (2020) – Novel – Empire High #2
- Betrayal (2020) – Novel – Empire High #3
- Matchmaker (2021) – Novel – Empire High #4
- Runaway (2022) – Novel – Empire High #5
- Homecoming (2022) – Novel – Empire High #6
- Exposed (2023) – Novel – Empire High #7
- Forever (2024) – Novel – Empire High #8
Single Girl Rules
- #BFF (2021) – Short fiction – Single Girl Rules, optional
- #BananaParty (2021) – Short fiction – Single Girl Rules, optional
- Ready to Mingle (2022) – Novel – Single Girl Rules #1, also published as #ThreeHeadedMonster
- Auction Me (2022) – Novel – Single Girl Rules #2, also published as #GoddessContest
- #Auctioned (2023) – Short fiction – Single Girl Rules, optional
- HoHoHo (2023) – Novel – Single Girl Rules #3, also published as #HoHoHo
Fantastic Fiction lists the optional hashtag entries and the three numbered Single Girl Rules titles. The author’s reading-order page lists Ready to Mingle, Auction Me, and HoHoHo as Chastity’s story.
The Society
- Stalker Problems (2021) – Novel – The Society #1, also published as The Society #StalkerProblems
- This Is War (2023) – Novel – The Society #2, also published as The Society #ThisIsWar
- Too Much Sausage (2024) – Novel – The Society #3
- True Love (2024) – Novel – The Society #4, also published as The Society #TrueLove
The author’s reading-order page identifies True Love as the final book of The Society.
Professor Hunter
- Obsessed (2021) – Novel – Professor Hunter #1
- Devoured (2023) – Novel – Professor Hunter #2
- Loved (2024) – Novel – Professor Hunter #3
Scarlett
- Scarlett and the Kiss Thief (2022) – Novel – Scarlett #1
- Scarlett and the Fake Boyfriend (2025) – Novel – Scarlett #2
- Scarlett and Her Prince Charming (2026) – Novel – Scarlett #3, forthcoming on this check date
Fantastic Fiction lists Scarlett as a three-book series. The author’s official page marks Scarlett and Her Prince Charming as coming in 2026.
Forbidden Billionaires
- Forbidden Billionaires: Volume 1 (2025) – Omnibus – Forbidden Billionaires #1
- Forbidden Billionaires: Volume 2 (2025) – Omnibus – Forbidden Billionaires #2
- Forbidden Billionaires: Volume 3 (2025) – Omnibus – Forbidden Billionaires #3
- Forbidden Billionaires: Volume 4 (2025) – Omnibus – Forbidden Billionaires #4
- Forbidden Billionaires: Volume 5 (2025) – Omnibus – Forbidden Billionaires #5
- Forbidden Billionaires: Volume 6 (2025) – Omnibus – Forbidden Billionaires #6
- Forbidden Billionaires: Volume 7 (2025) – Omnibus – Forbidden Billionaires #7
- Forbidden Billionaires: Volume 8 (2025) – Omnibus – Forbidden Billionaires #8
- Forbidden Billionaires: Volume 9 (2025) – Omnibus – Forbidden Billionaires #9
- Forbidden Billionaires: Volume 10 (2025) – Omnibus – Forbidden Billionaires #10
- Forbidden Billionaires: Volume 11 (2025) – Omnibus – Forbidden Billionaires #11
The author’s home page says the Forbidden Billionaires collection is the easiest reading experience, while Fantastic Fiction lists the 11 volumes as omnibus editions.
Crooked Point
- Bitten by Desire (2025) – Novel – Crooked Point #1
- Marked by the Pack (2025) – Novel – Crooked Point #2
- Taming the Beasts (2025) – Novel – Crooked Point #3
Fantasy Novels
- The Ruin of House Hornbolt (2018) – Novel – Fantasy, with Ryan Hauge, also published as Be Careful What You Joust For
- Sea of Stars (2019) – Novel – Fantasy
Standalone Novels
- Emergency Plan F (2022) – Novel – Standalone
- Bad Things Feel Best (2023) – Novel – Standalone romance
- Roughing the Princess (2023) – Novel – Standalone
Short Fiction and Novellas
- A Christmas Wish (2015) – Short story – Standalone
- James the Christmas Grouch (2018) – Short story – The Hunted related
- Best Year Ever (2018) – Short story – The Hunted related
- Blue Parrot Resort (2021) – Short fiction – Connected-world optional
- Layla’s Forecast (2022) – Short fiction – Connected-world optional
- Tempt the Boss (2026) – Short story – Listed short-fiction entry
Collections and Anthologies
- Hot Summer School Nights (2021) – Collection – Multi-author anthology
Fantastic Fiction lists Hot Summer School Nights under collections and lists A Christmas Wish through Tempt the Boss under novellas and short stories.
Series Order Checklists
The Hunted and The Light to My Darkness
- Temptation (2015) – Novel – The Hunted #1
- Addiction (2015) – Novel – The Hunted #2
- Eruption (2016) – Novel – The Hunted #3
- Devotion (2016) – Novel – The Hunted #4
- Seduction (2022) – Novel – The Hunted #5
- The Light to My Darkness (2017) – Novel – The Hunted #6
- A Whirlwind of Color (2018) – Novel – The Hunted #7
- This Is Love (2019) – Novel – The Hunted #8
Empire High
- Untouchable (2020) – Novel – Empire High #1
- Elite (2020) – Novel – Empire High #2
- Betrayal (2020) – Novel – Empire High #3
- Matchmaker (2021) – Novel – Empire High #4
- Runaway (2022) – Novel – Empire High #5
- Homecoming (2022) – Novel – Empire High #6
- Exposed (2023) – Novel – Empire High #7
- Forever (2024) – Novel – Empire High #8
Professor Hunter
- Obsessed (2021) – Novel – Professor Hunter #1
- Devoured (2023) – Novel – Professor Hunter #2
- Loved (2024) – Novel – Professor Hunter #3
Men of Manhattan
- City of Sin (2015) – Novel – Men of Manhattan #1
- Third Chances (2016) – Novel – Men of Manhattan #2
- Missing Pieces (2017) – Novel – Men of Manhattan #3
Sweet Cravings
- Playing a Player (2015) – Novel – Sweet Cravings #1
- Those Summer Nights (2019) – Novel – Sweet Cravings #2
- Going for Gold (2016) – Novel – Sweet Cravings #3
Made of Steel
- Made of Steel (2017) – Novel – Made of Steel #1
- Forged in Flames (2017) – Novel – Made of Steel #2
- Carved in Ice (2018) – Novel – Made of Steel #3
Secrets of Suburbia
- The Truth in My Lies (2018) – Novel – Secrets of Suburbia #1
- Sweet Like a Psycho (2019) – Novel – Secrets of Suburbia #2
- Crazy in Love (2020) – Novel – Secrets of Suburbia #3
The Society
- Stalker Problems (2021) – Novel – The Society #1
- This Is War (2023) – Novel – The Society #2
- Too Much Sausage (2024) – Novel – The Society #3
- True Love (2024) – Novel – The Society #4
Single Girl Rules
- Ready to Mingle (2022) – Novel – Single Girl Rules #1
- Auction Me (2022) – Novel – Single Girl Rules #2
- HoHoHo (2023) – Novel – Single Girl Rules #3
Scarlett
- Scarlett and the Kiss Thief (2022) – Novel – Scarlett #1
- Scarlett and the Fake Boyfriend (2025) – Novel – Scarlett #2
- Scarlett and Her Prince Charming (2026) – Novel – Scarlett #3, forthcoming on this check date
Crooked Point
- Bitten by Desire (2025) – Novel – Crooked Point #1
- Marked by the Pack (2025) – Novel – Crooked Point #2
- Taming the Beasts (2025) – Novel – Crooked Point #3
Book-by-Book Placement Notes
Temptation
- Year: 2015
- Format: Novel
- Series Placement: The Hunted #1
- Reading Status: Best starting point
- Notes: Author-recommended entry into Smoak’s connected romance world.
Addiction
- Year: 2015
- Format: Novel
- Series Placement: The Hunted #2
- Reading Status: Read after Temptation
- Notes: Second Penny and James book.
Eruption
- Year: 2016
- Format: Novel
- Series Placement: The Hunted #3
- Reading Status: Read after Addiction
- Notes: Third Penny and James book.
Devotion
- Year: 2016
- Format: Novel
- Series Placement: The Hunted #4
- Reading Status: Read after Eruption
- Notes: Fourth Penny and James book.
Seduction
- Year: 2022
- Format: Novel
- Series Placement: The Hunted #5
- Reading Status: Read before The Light to My Darkness
- Notes: Later publication date, but author and bibliography order place it before the Light to My Darkness continuation.
Untouchable
- Year: 2020
- Format: Novel
- Series Placement: Empire High #1
- Reading Status: Start of Empire High
- Notes: Also published as Empire High Untouchables.
Matchmaker
- Year: 2021
- Format: Novel
- Series Placement: Empire High #4
- Reading Status: Read after Betrayal
- Notes: The author’s reading-order page identifies it as Matt’s adult story after the earlier Empire High timeline.
Forever
- Year: 2024
- Format: Novel
- Series Placement: Empire High #8
- Reading Status: Final Empire High title
- Notes: The author’s page calls this the final book of the Empire High series.
Scarlett and Her Prince Charming
- Year: 2026
- Format: Novel
- Series Placement: Scarlett #3
- Reading Status: Forthcoming on this check date
- Notes: Author page marks it as coming in 2026, and external book-order listings report a June 30, 2026 release date.
Related Works and Where They Fit
The Hunted
- Placement: Start here.
- Status in reading order: Core path.
- Notes: Read Temptation through This Is Love for Penny and James.
The Light to My Darkness
- Placement: After Seduction.
- Status in reading order: Continuation branch.
- Notes: This sequence continues Penny and James and overlaps with The Hunted numbering in bibliography listings.
Professor Hunter
- Placement: After or alongside The Hunted.
- Status in reading order: Companion point-of-view path.
- Notes: Best after the corresponding Hunted books.
Men of Manhattan
- Placement: After early Hunted books in the author-recommended route.
- Status in reading order: Connected standalones.
- Notes: Read City of Sin, Third Chances, then Missing Pieces.
Empire High
- Placement: Early in chronological order, later in first-read order.
- Status in reading order: Major connected branch.
- Notes: Best read in numbered order.
The Society
- Placement: After Empire High in the author-recommended path.
- Status in reading order: Connected rom-com branch.
- Notes: True Love is the final listed Society book.
Single Girl Rules
- Placement: After The Society.
- Status in reading order: Chastity-focused branch.
- Notes: The hashtag short entries are optional.
Scarlett
- Placement: Later-generation branch.
- Status in reading order: Best after The Hunted and Empire High.
- Notes: Scarlett focuses on the next generation of the connected world.
Sweet Cravings
- Placement: Early in chronological order.
- Status in reading order: Connected but easier to separate.
- Notes: Series numbering and publication year do not fully match, so keep both notes visible.
Made of Steel
- Placement: Romantic suspense branch.
- Status in reading order: Separate but connected by world references.
- Notes: Read Made of Steel, Forged in Flames, then Carved in Ice.
Secrets of Suburbia
- Placement: Psychological thriller branch.
- Status in reading order: Separate branch.
- Notes: Read The Truth in My Lies before Sweet Like a Psycho and Crazy in Love.
Crooked Point
- Placement: Paranormal romance branch.
- Status in reading order: Newer series.
- Notes: Read Bitten by Desire, Marked by the Pack, then Taming the Beasts.
Forbidden Billionaires
- Placement: Collection route.
- Status in reading order: Omnibus path.
- Notes: Treat the volumes as collection editions, not separate original novels.
Fantasy Novels
- Placement: Outside the main romance connected-world path.
- Status in reading order: Optional.
- Notes: The Ruin of House Hornbolt and Sea of Stars can be listed separately from the romance chronology.
Online-Only Extras
- Placement: Completionist section only.
- Status in reading order: Optional.
- Notes: The author’s chronological page includes items such as Matthew Caldwell: The Untouchable, Tanner, Letters From Miles, and Going for Gold: Tim’s Version as only available through specific author links.
Dependencies & Notes
- Start with Temptation for the author-recommended first-read path.
- Use chronological order for a second read-through.
- The Hunted and The Light to My Darkness form the central Penny and James sequence.
- Seduction has a later publication year but belongs before The Light to My Darkness in the recommended Hunted path.
- Professor Hunter retells or extends Hunted material from James Hunter’s point of view.
- Empire High occurs early in the internal timeline but is not the simplest first-read starting point.
- The Society is best after Empire High and Men of Manhattan.
- Single Girl Rules works best after The Society.
- Scarlett is a later-generation sequence and should be placed after the major connected-world books for full context.
- Crooked Point is a separate paranormal romance branch.
- Forbidden Billionaires is an omnibus collection route and should not be counted as 11 new original novels.
- The Light to My Darkness is also published as Foundation.
- Ready to Mingle is also published as #ThreeHeadedMonster.
- Auction Me is also published as #GoddessContest.
- HoHoHo is also published as #HoHoHo.
- Stalker Problems is also published as The Society #StalkerProblems.
- This Is War is also published as The Society #ThisIsWar.
- True Love is also published as The Society #TrueLove.
- Scarlett and Her Prince Charming is future-dated after June 17, 2026 in date-specific external listings, so it remains marked as forthcoming on this check date.
- Retail and reader databases may differ on short-fiction placement and omnibus handling. Use the author’s reading-order page for first-read placement and Fantastic Fiction for compact series membership.
FAQs
What is the first Ivy Smoak book to read?
Start with Temptation. Ivy Smoak’s official reading-order page recommends Temptation for first-time readers.
What is the first Ivy Smoak book by publication order?
Temptation and A Christmas Wish are both 2015 entries in major bibliography listings. For the main novel sequence, Temptation is the practical first book.
Do Ivy Smoak books need to be read in order?
Yes for the connected romance world. The Hunted, Empire High, Professor Hunter, The Society, Single Girl Rules, and Scarlett are clearest in order.
What is the order of The Hunted?
Read Temptation, Addiction, Eruption, Devotion, Seduction, The Light to My Darkness, A Whirlwind of Color, then This Is Love.
Where does The Light to My Darkness fit?
Read The Light to My Darkness after Seduction. It also appears as part of its own three-book continuation sequence.
Is The Light to My Darkness also called Foundation?
Yes. Fantastic Fiction lists The Light to My Darkness with the alternate title Foundation.
What is the order of Empire High?
Read Untouchable, Elite, Betrayal, Matchmaker, Runaway, Homecoming, Exposed, then Forever.
Is Empire High finished?
Yes. Ivy Smoak’s reading-order page identifies Forever as the final book of the Empire High series.
What is the order of Professor Hunter?
Read Obsessed, Devoured, then Loved.
Should Professor Hunter be read before The Hunted?
No. Read The Hunted first for the simplest path, then use Professor Hunter as the James Hunter companion route.
What is the order of The Society?
Read Stalker Problems, This Is War, Too Much Sausage, then True Love.
Is The Society finished?
Yes. The author’s reading-order page identifies True Love as the final book of The Society.
What is the order of Single Girl Rules?
Read Ready to Mingle, Auction Me, then HoHoHo. The optional short entries #BFF, #BananaParty, and #Auctioned are completionist additions.
What is the order of Scarlett?
Read Scarlett and the Kiss Thief, Scarlett and the Fake Boyfriend, then Scarlett and Her Prince Charming.
Is Scarlett and Her Prince Charming published?
Not on this check date. The author’s page lists it as coming in 2026, and date-specific external listings place it after June 17, 2026.
What is the order of Crooked Point?
Read Bitten by Desire, Marked by the Pack, then Taming the Beasts.
Are the Forbidden Billionaires books new novels?
No. Forbidden Billionaires is an omnibus collection route. The volumes should be treated as collection editions unless a specific volume includes new original material.
What is Ivy Smoak’s newest published book?
Taming the Beasts and the Forbidden Billionaires omnibus volumes are the newest confirmed 2025 entries in the checked bibliography. Tempt the Boss is listed as 2026 short fiction, and Scarlett and Her Prince Charming is marked as forthcoming on this check date.
Change Log
- Last checked: June 17, 2026
- What changed: Rebuilt as a fuller single-author article with author-recommended order, chronological order, complete major series checklists, Crooked Point, Forbidden Billionaires, short-fiction placement, alternate-title notes, and current Scarlett status.
- Most recent known full-length series release included: Taming the Beasts (2025)
- Most recent known short-fiction listing included: Tempt the Boss (2026)
- Most recent known omnibus route included: Forbidden Billionaires volumes 1 to 11 (2025)
- Forthcoming title noted: Scarlett and Her Prince Charming (2026), Scarlett #3
- Verification note: Online-only extras and alternate endings should be stored as optional completionist entries, not core master-list books.