Read Anna Todd Books In Order : Every Fan MUST Know!

By Kathy | Last Updated on April 6, 2026

Note: This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases when you click on the link, but you are not charged extra.

Anna Todd’s literary journey began with the simple, yet powerful, desire to tell a story that resonates with the complexities of love, emotion, and personal growth. Over the years, her novels have amassed millions of fans, becoming a global phenomenon that captivated readers in various ways. The question often arises: Should you read Anna Todd’s books in order? As her stories are intricately woven together, with recurring themes and characters, understanding how to navigate her vast literary world can significantly enhance the experience.

In this deep dive, we will explore the world of Anna Todd’s books, delve into their backstory, provide a clear reading order, examine what makes these novels so engaging, and help you decide whether or not to read her books in order.

List Of Anna Todd Books In Order

After (2014)	Details
After We Collided (2014)	Details
After We Fell (2015)	Details
After Ever Happy (2015)	Details
Before (2015)	Details
Nothing More (2016)	Details
Nothing Less (2017)	Details
The Spring Girls (2018)	Details
The Brightest Stars (2019)	Details
The Long Way Home (2020)	Details

More On Anna Todd Books In Chronological Order

1. After (2014)

Okay, so this is the book that started it all. ’After’ introduces us to Tessa Young, a sweet, somewhat sheltered college freshman who’s thrown into the chaotic world of Hardin Scott, a brooding, tattooed bad boy with a troubled past. The two of them share a ridiculously intense, passionate, and often toxic relationship. But what makes this book so addicting? It’s the tension, the chemistry, and the way Hardin’s complexity and Tessa’s growth pull you in. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions that makes you want to keep turning pages, even if it stresses you out!

2. After We Collided (2014)

So, you thought ’After’ was dramatic? Buckle up, because ’After We Collided’ is like turning the drama dial to 11. In this sequel, Tessa and Hardin’s relationship is still intense, but it’s even more complicated. Tessa’s trying to find herself and Hardin, well, he’s struggling with his own demons. As if the rollercoaster ride wasn’t already emotional enough, new characters, trust issues, and even more heartbreak start coming at Tessa like a freight train. It’s intense, it’s messy, and it’s everything you need if you’re craving more angst!

3. After We Fell (2015)

Okay, so things are getting even more crazy now. ’After We Fell’ really cranks up the tension. Tessa and Hardin are trying to figure out if their relationship can survive, but the stakes are higher than ever. Secrets, family drama, trust issues, and all kinds of emotional baggage keep piling up. It’s one of those books that has you torn between rooting for the couple and thinking they might be too toxic to work. It’s a chaotic emotional ride that you’re not sure if you should be enjoying, but you absolutely are!

4. After Ever Happy (2015)

We’ve reached the final book in the main series, and let me tell you-this one is a wild emotional journey. ’After Ever Happy’ sees Tessa and Hardin trying to navigate their complicated relationship while also facing the personal issues that have been haunting them throughout the series. There’s heartbreak, forgiveness, growth, and that question-can they finally be happy? It’s the ultimate emotional conclusion that pulls at your heartstrings, makes you reflect on everything they’ve been through, and leaves you with a bittersweet, yet satisfying feeling.

5. Before (2015)

So, you want to know what happened before all of this mess? ’Before’ takes us on a journey back in time, giving us Hardin’s perspective of everything that went down before Tessa came into his life. If you’ve ever wondered why Hardin is the way he is, this book dives deep into his backstory, his struggles, and his inner turmoil. It’s a bit like seeing the other side of the story, where you can understand Hardin a little more, even if it doesn’t necessarily justify his actions. But trust me, it gives you a whole new appreciation for his character!

6. Nothing More (2016)

’Nothing More’ is a spin-off from the ’After’ series, focusing on Landon, Hardin’s stepbrother, who has always been the nice guy. It’s kind of refreshing because, let’s face it, the ’After’ series can get pretty heavy, and Landon brings a different kind of energy to the table. In this book, we get to see Landon navigating his own romantic relationship and the ups and downs that come with it. It’s all about love, finding yourself, and dealing with the unexpected. It’s a good mix of sweetness and drama, and Landon is honestly a character you can’t help but root for.

7. Nothing Less (2017)

This is the second book in the Landon spin-off series, and if you loved ’Nothing More,’ you’re in for another round of emotional highs and lows. ’Nothing Less’ continues Landon’s journey as he tries to figure out what he wants in life and in love. There’s still that underlying sweetness to his character, but the drama of relationships and life keeps creeping in. It’s a lot about growth, change, and how we cope with all the messiness that comes with love. It’s the perfect follow-up for anyone who’s already gotten attached to Landon’s journey.

8. The Spring Girls (2018)

Okay, so this is a little different. ’The Spring Girls’ is a modern-day retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s classic ’Little Women,’ but with Anna Todd’s signature emotional depth and drama. The story follows the Spring sisters-each with their own dreams, struggles, and complicated relationships. It’s a mix of the old and the new, bringing a fresh perspective to a timeless story while exploring themes like sisterhood, family, love, and the challenges of growing up. It’s definitely got that heartwarming, tear-jerking vibe to it!

9. The Brightest Stars (2019)

In ’The Brightest Stars,’ Anna Todd shifts gears again with a completely new world, and we meet Kara, a young woman struggling with the loss of her brother who was in the military. She meets a guy named Kellan, and their connection starts to spark as they both deal with their emotional baggage. The book dives into grief, healing, and finding love amidst the pain. It’s heartfelt, it’s real, and it’s just one of those books that leaves a lasting emotional impact on you. If you’re in the mood for a contemporary romance with some depth, this one hits all the right notes.

10. The Long Way Home (2020)

’The Long Way Home’ takes us back into the world of Kara and Kellan from ’The Brightest Stars,’ continuing their journey as they face new challenges and try to keep their love alive. It’s one of those sequels where the stakes feel even higher because we see the characters grow and struggle with new obstacles. The emotions are raw, and the relationship feels even more real as they work through their pasts, their fears, and their future together. It’s a beautiful continuation that will tug at your heartstrings and keep you invested in their love story.

Background On Anna Todd Books

Anna Todd’s books, primarily known for the After series, take a raw and unflinching look at the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies young love. Todd’s rise to fame was unconventional: she first began publishing her stories on the platform Wattpad, where she built a loyal fanbase, mostly due to the accessible nature of the site and the vivid, relatable characters she created. Her stories are heavily driven by character development, explosive chemistry, and the turbulence of romantic relationships.

Her first novel, After, was initially a fan fiction based on the popular boy band One Direction, featuring a character named Harry Styles, though the characters were later reworked into original names and personalities. The success of After on Wattpad led to its eventual publication, followed by several sequels and spin-offs that further explored the lives of Todd’s characters.

Anna Todd’s writing can be characterized by a focus on emotional depth, complicated relationships, and the challenges faced by young adults. She taps into themes such as self-identity, insecurity, overcoming adversity, and finding true love, making her work both dramatic and relatable. Her books resonate particularly with readers who enjoy stories of personal transformation and intense, passionate relationships.

Reading Order Explained

Anna Todd’s books are often organized around a set of main series, but many of them also have spin-offs and prequels that further expand the world she’s built. While some of her works can be enjoyed independently, there is an underlying chronological order that enhances the reading experience. Let’s break down the key series and the optimal reading order:

After Series

• After (Book 1)
• After We Collided (Book 2)
• After We Fell (Book 3)
• After Ever Happy (Book 4)
• Before (Prequel)

The After series follows the tumultuous relationship between Tessa Young and Hardin Scott. Starting with After, readers are introduced to Tessa’s journey as she falls for the brooding, complicated Hardin. The subsequent books-After We Collided, After We Fell, and After Ever Happy-chronicle the ups and downs of their relationship, including personal growth, heartache, and emotional healing. The series spans across several years of their lives and provides an in-depth exploration of their complicated bond.

Before, a prequel, provides a glimpse into Hardin’s past before Tessa came into his life, giving readers deeper insights into his emotional turmoil and motivations. While Before can be read after the main series, reading it after finishing After Ever Happy might offer a more satisfying experience, as you’ll already have a full understanding of the characters’ arcs.

Landry Park Series

• Landry Park (Book 1)
• The Struggle (Book 2)
• The Resistance (Book 3)

This is a dystopian series that Anna Todd wrote alongside her After fame. Set in a world where social class divides are severe and technology is highly regulated, Landry Park explores themes of love, rebellion, and societal structure. While not directly related to the After series, it still shares Todd’s characteristic focus on relationships and individual journeys.

What I Like About The Series?

Anna Todd’s books are not just about romance. They delve deep into the intricacies of human emotion, relationships, and growth. Here’s why I believe her series stands out:

Complex Characters

One of the primary reasons Todd’s books are so engaging is because of the complexity of her characters. Tessa, Hardin, and the other characters are multidimensional and flawed, making them feel real. Their development over the course of the series is authentic-at times painful, at times uplifting, but always compelling.

Hardin, in particular, is an enigmatic figure, full of contradictions that make him both frustrating and deeply sympathetic. His relationship with Tessa is full of tension, yet it offers moments of genuine love and understanding. These characters’ journeys-filled with personal battles, moments of self-doubt, and eventually self-realization-reflect real-life challenges in a way that many readers can relate to.

Emotional Depth

Todd’s novels are known for their emotional rawness. She doesn’t shy away from the pain that comes with relationships-be it love, heartbreak, or self-discovery. This emotional depth is what hooks readers from the very first page and keeps them invested in the characters’ journeys. The intense chemistry between Tessa and Hardin, combined with their emotional struggles, creates a gripping reading experience.

Turbulent Yet Beautiful Love Stories

At their core, Todd’s books are about relationships-relationships that are messy, complicated, and often painful. However, there is always an underlying sense of hope and redemption. Her stories demonstrate that love is not just about perfection but about growth, understanding, and learning from each other. It’s a love that evolves through personal flaws and past traumas.

Real-Life Themes

Todd’s work often tackles significant real-world issues like toxic relationships, family dynamics, identity struggles, and the journey to self-acceptance. These are themes that many readers, especially young adults, can relate to. The way Todd handles these subjects with sensitivity and realism adds depth to the narratives, making them more than just romantic escapism.

Should You Read Anna Todd Books In Order?

While it’s not absolutely essential to read Anna Todd’s books in a strict order, doing so can provide a much richer understanding of the characters and their development. The After series, for instance, is best enjoyed when read sequentially, as it allows the emotional and narrative arcs to unfold as the author intended.

The prequel Before offers a deeper look at Hardin’s character, but it’s much more rewarding to read it after experiencing the After series. This is because you already have a deeper connection with the characters, making the prequel’s revelations more impactful.

For the Landry Park series, reading them in order is crucial, as the story builds upon itself in terms of both plot and character development. This is a standalone series, but it benefits from being experienced in the proper sequence to fully understand the stakes and character motivations.

Ultimately, while each series can be enjoyed individually, reading them in order can help you appreciate Anna Todd’s growth as a writer and see how her themes evolve across different stories.