Read Rachel Hawkins Books In Order : Every Fan MUST Know!

By Kathy | Last Updated on May 11, 2026

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Rachel Hawkins has firmly established herself as one of the prominent voices in contemporary thriller and psychological suspense fiction. Known for her ability to craft tantalizing plots with twists and turns, her books have captivated readers with their deft characterization, compelling settings, and shocking conclusions. If you’re someone who enjoys a mix of dark secrets, unreliable narrators, and nail-biting suspense, then Rachel Hawkins’ books are worth exploring. But as with any successful series or author, questions often arise about where to begin. Should you read her works in order? Are there specific entry points that offer the best experience? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a deep dive into Rachel Hawkins’ bibliography, explore her books’ reading order, discuss what makes her work stand out, and help you decide if you should read her books in sequence.

List Of Rachel Hawkins Books In Order

More On Rachel Hawkins Books In Chronological Order

1. The Wife Between Us (2018)

Okay, so this one is a wild ride! It’s about Nellie, this woman who’s just trying to get on with her life, but there’s a twist-her ex-husband, Richard, is now marrying a much younger woman, and Nellie’s got all these feelings. There’s a lot of psychological thriller stuff happening here, with all kinds of secrets and double-crosses, and the twists? Totally shocking. Rachel Hawkins keeps you guessing the entire time, and you’re always wondering who you can trust.

2. The Wife Between Us (Paperback Edition) (2019)

Now, this one is just a re-release, so no huge changes, but if you missed it when it first came out or you’re looking for a sleek new paperback copy to add to your shelf, this is your chance! It’s still the same tension-filled psychological thriller with the same mind-blowing twists. So, nothing new, but definitely worth having if you’re a fan of the genre!

3. The Housemaid (2021)

Let’s talk about *The Housemaid*-it’s got all the drama! So, you’ve got a woman named Millie who’s trying to rebuild her life after making some really poor decisions. She lands a job as a live-in maid at this ultra-luxurious home, and things start to get crazy from there. The family’s secrets start unraveling, and Millie gets wrapped up in all the lies. It’s a story of revenge, guilt, and so many jaw-dropping moments. You can’t put it down once you start!

4. The Housemaid’s Secret (2022)

If you thought *The Housemaid* was intense, buckle up because *The Housemaid’s Secret* takes it to the next level. It’s the continuation of Millie’s story, and trust me, the secrets just keep coming. She’s still dealing with the fallout of her time in that creepy mansion, and everything she thought she knew is up for grabs. More twists, more intrigue, and more characters with hidden motivations-it’s like getting hit with one surprise after another.

5. Reckless Girls (2022)

Okay, this one is like a tropical vacation gone totally wrong. A group of friends goes to a remote island, and of course, things don’t go as planned. You’ve got love triangles, hidden motives, and some serious dark vibes, all set against this gorgeous, eerie island backdrop. The tension is high throughout, and Hawkins knows exactly how to make you feel like you’re trapped with these people, with nowhere to run. It’s kind of like watching a slow-motion trainwreck, and you just can’t look away.

Background On Rachel Hawkins Books

Rachel Hawkins’ literary career began in the realm of young adult fiction, but she quickly expanded into the adult thriller genre, where her true acclaim began. Her writing journey gained significant momentum with the release of her debut thriller The Wife Upstairs (2020), a book that marked her transition from YA author to a recognized name in psychological thrillers. This novel, which is a modern retelling of the classic Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, was both a critical and commercial success, establishing Hawkins as a master of suspense.

Before her foray into psychological thrillers, Hawkins had already made a name for herself with the Hex Hall series, a young adult fantasy that garnered a loyal following. But it was her adult thrillers, particularly those involving flawed characters and high-stakes psychological tension, that brought her wider recognition. These works are characterized by a razor-sharp focus on complex relationships, deep psychological undercurrents, and a particular emphasis on unreliable narrators. Hawkins excels at weaving dark, twist-filled plots that keep the reader questioning what’s real until the very end.

Her most notable works in this genre include The Wife Upstairs, The Girl on the Train-esque The Favorite Sister, and The Last Housewife, which all offer sharp commentary on the lives of women navigating social and psychological mazes. Each book offers a unique lens through which the reader can explore themes of power, deception, and the consequences of living in a world where the truth is often hidden in plain sight.

Reading Order Explained

Rachel Hawkins’ books stand alone as individual stories, so technically, you don’t have to read them in any particular order. However, reading them in sequence can offer a more profound appreciation of her growth as a writer and the evolution of her style. For a deeper understanding, let’s go over the primary titles in her bibliography and their release order.

1. The Wife Upstairs (2020)

   The Wife Upstairs is a modern reimagining of Rebecca, where Hawkins brings her own twist to the theme of obsession, secrets, and betrayal. This book introduces readers to Bea, a woman trapped in a luxurious but suffocating life. It’s a tale about the lives of women and the boundaries they’re willing to push to maintain control of their destinies.

2. The Favorite Sister (2018)

   This book is a bit different from The Wife Upstairs in its approach. The Favorite Sister is set within the cutthroat world of reality TV, where competition, backstabbing, and drama are taken to the extreme. It focuses on the lives of five women whose lives have become a public spectacle, but it’s their behind-the-scenes secrets that fuel the heart of the novel.

3. The Last Housewife (2022)

   Hawkins’ The Last Housewife explores the dark undercurrents of a group of college friends who reconnect years after their university days, only to discover that their past is far more sinister than they could have imagined. The novel takes a hard look at trauma, the search for redemption, and the consequences of societal expectations. It’s a gripping and thought-provoking read.

4. The Villa (2023)

   Hawkins’ most recent release, The Villa, delves into a historical mystery intertwined with a modern thriller. Set in a villa in Italy, the novel examines the lives of two women-one of whom is a bestselling author-who stumble upon a dark secret from the past, forcing them to confront their own personal demons in the process. This book balances suspense with deep introspection on the themes of friendship, jealousy, and revenge.

Each of these novels can be read as a standalone story, as they do not share characters or settings in any significant way. However, those who have read Hawkins’ earlier works will notice recurring motifs, such as the exploration of female friendships, the pursuit of justice, and the way trauma shapes lives.

What I Like About The Series?

What makes Rachel Hawkins’ books particularly engaging is her ability to build suspense and atmosphere without relying too heavily on shock value. Instead, she focuses on psychological depth, character development, and slow-building tension. Her protagonists are rarely traditional heroes; more often than not, they are deeply flawed, morally ambiguous, and, at times, unreliable narrators. This creates a dynamic reading experience where the lines between good and bad become blurred, leaving readers uncertain of what will happen next.

In addition to her compelling characters, Hawkins has a talent for settings that feel immersive. Whether it’s the lush, mysterious backdrop of The Wife Upstairs or the tension-filled world of reality TV in The Favorite Sister, she uses place as more than just a backdrop; the setting often becomes a character in itself, contributing significantly to the mood and tone of the story.

Hawkins also has a knack for exploring contemporary issues through her fiction, such as the pressures of social media, the dynamics of friendship and rivalry, and the complexity of personal identity. These themes are explored through the lens of suspense, creating a unique intersection of literary fiction and thrilling narrative.

Another thing that stands out about Hawkins’ writing is her handling of twists. While some thrillers can rely on twists that feel forced or overly dramatic, Hawkins’ twists often feel organic to the story. They arise from the complex layers of her characters and the situations they find themselves in, rather than from arbitrary plot contrivances.

Should You Read Rachel Hawkins Books In Order?

While Hawkins’ books are not connected by any overarching plot or recurring characters, reading them in order can deepen your understanding of her work as a whole. There’s a noticeable evolution in her style from her early books to her most recent, particularly in terms of the depth of characterization and thematic complexity. The Wife Upstairs, for instance, feels more focused on creating an atmospheric sense of dread, while The Last Housewife has a deeper exploration of social and psychological themes. Reading her books in order allows you to witness how her writing grows over time, from relatively straightforward thrillers to more nuanced and complex psychological dramas.

That said, if you’re simply looking for an entertaining, stand-alone thriller, reading her books in any order will not detract from your enjoyment. Each novel is designed to be self-contained, so whether you start with The Favorite Sister or The Last Housewife, you can expect to dive into a gripping, twist-filled narrative that will keep you turning pages.