Read Tessa Bailey Books In Order : Every Fan MUST Know!
By Kathy | Last Updated on May 15, 2026
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Tessa Bailey is a name that has become synonymous with steamy romance, compelling characters, and unforgettable emotional journeys. With an undeniable talent for crafting irresistibly flawed yet endearing characters, she has carved a niche in the romance genre, particularly in the world of contemporary romance. If you’ve yet to dive into her books, you’re in for an engaging, passionate, and often humorous ride. From enemies-to-lovers to slow burns, her works explore the nuances of love, desire, and personal growth in ways that are both exciting and emotionally resonant.
But with so many novels spanning different series and standalone titles, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. This guide will explore Tessa Bailey’s books in depth, providing insight into her works, how to read them in order, and why they are so addictive. Whether you’re new to her writing or you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to her novels, this will help you navigate the world of Tessa Bailey’s compelling characters and sizzling romances.
Contents
List Of Tessa Bailey Books In Order
| Baiting the Maid of Honor (2015) | Details |
| Protecting What’s His (2015) | Details |
| Accidentally His (2015) | Details |
| Too Hot to Handle (2016) | Details |
| The Fixer (2016) | Details |
| Hooking Up (2017) | Details |
| Window Shopping (2021) | Details |
| It Happened One Summer (2021) | Details |
| Hook, Line, and Sinker (2022) | Details |
| Secretly Yours (2023) | Details |
More On Tessa Bailey Books In Chronological Order
1. Baiting the Maid of Honor (2015)
So, imagine this: you’re at a wedding, and the maid of honor is trying to stay professional, but she’s *so* attracted to the grumpy best man. That’s exactly what happens in this fun and steamy romance. You’ve got a no-nonsense woman trying to keep things together, and a guy who doesn’t want to get involved, but ends up falling for her, hard. Tessa Bailey totally nails the mix of humor and heart in this one!
2. Protecting What’s His (2015)
In this one, we meet a tough, protective cop, who is all about keeping his life in control, until a fiery woman enters the picture. It’s steamy, it’s emotional, and the chemistry between the characters is off the charts! What I really love here is the way Tessa weaves together romance and suspense-there’s real danger mixed with the romance, and it keeps you hooked until the very end.
3. Accidentally His (2015)
This book is the ultimate blend of awkward situations and sizzling tension. So, the main character is just trying to do his job, but things get a *little* complicated when he ends up in a situation with a woman he can’t stop thinking about. The whole ’accidentally’ theme in this story makes for a hilarious, charming, and *extremely* steamy read.
4. Too Hot to Handle (2016)
This one’s about a tough-as-nails firefighter and the sassy woman he’s trying to protect. The chemistry is undeniable, and the way Tessa Bailey creates this kind of push-and-pull between the characters is brilliant. It’s got that perfect blend of steamy romance, emotional depth, and just enough of a wild ride to keep you turning the pages.
5. The Fixer (2016)
Here we have the epitome of the ’I’m a fixer, and I can’t help myself’ trope. In this story, a woman is trying to fix her broken life, and she gets tangled up with a man who is dealing with his own baggage. The dynamic between them is compelling, with a slow burn that builds into full-blown passion. Tessa’s knack for creating these slow-build romances that are both emotionally charged and physically intense is on full display here.
6. Hooking Up (2017)
Two words: smoking hot! This book is all about two people who are just so *wrong* for each other, but that makes the chemistry even more intense. The book follows the classic ’let’s have a no-strings-attached hookup,’ but, of course, that’s never how these things work. There’s a lot of humor, some seriously steamy moments, and Tessa Bailey’s trademark brand of heartfelt romance that’ll leave you swooning.
7. Window Shopping (2021)
This is such a charming holiday romance! It’s a Christmas book, and if you love a good enemies-to-lovers story, this one is perfection. A woman down on her luck meets a hot guy working in a window display store, and sparks fly. There’s a lot of steam, a lot of heart, and an adorable, swoon-worthy romance that feels like a Christmas movie but with way more heat.
8. It Happened One Summer (2021)
If you like small-town romance, this is one you need to pick up. It’s a perfect blend of slow burn, sassy heroine, and the brooding, mysterious guy who doesn’t want to get involved but can’t help himself. Set in a coastal town, it’s got all the charm of a beachy escape, but with tons of tension between the characters. You’ll fall in love with the heroine’s fiery spirit and the hero’s tortured heart!
9. Hook, Line, and Sinker (2022)
The sequel to *It Happened One Summer*, this book gives us more of that small-town charm and wonderful banter, but with a new romance to fall in love with. This time, it’s all about the best friend of the previous book’s heroine and a man who’s completely under her skin. It’s an irresistible combination of friends-to-lovers and emotional rollercoaster, and you get that perfect Bailey magic that leaves you begging for more.
10. Secretly Yours (2023)
This one is such a cute, steamy romp that’ll have you smiling the entire time. It’s got that ’secret love’ kind of vibe, where the characters are secretly obsessed with each other but are keeping it on the down low. There’s so much sweet tension, and the humor is spot on. I’m just going to say it-this book will give you all the heart and heat you need!
Background On Tessa Bailey Books
Tessa Bailey is a contemporary romance author known for her ability to blend humor, heart, and heat into her stories. Her writing often explores themes of emotional growth, vulnerability, and the power of true connection. Her characters are often strong, independent women and passionate, complex men who struggle with their own flaws and emotional baggage. The appeal of her books lies not only in their steamy moments but in the authenticity of the characters and the relationships they build.
Bailey’s writing career began with the publication of her debut novel, Obsession, and since then, she has published numerous books that have quickly made her a bestselling author in the romance genre. She is perhaps best known for her Buns and Hot & Hammered series, as well as her The Bellinger Sisters books, among others. Each series has its own distinct flavor, but all share the hallmark of Bailey’s sharp writing, her knack for creating irresistible chemistry between her characters, and her ability to write deeply satisfying romantic arcs.
Her books often explore tropes like enemies-to-lovers, fake relationships, and second chances, but it’s the way she deepens these plots with humor, vulnerability, and genuine emotional stakes that has earned her a devoted following. Bailey also isn’t afraid to explore more explicit content in her stories, giving them a strong erotic undercurrent that remains heartfelt and meaningful.
Reading Order Explained
Tessa Bailey’s works are divided into different series, and while each series is self-contained, there’s a loose overlap of characters that tie the books together. For readers new to her work, the question of where to start is crucial. Below is an overview of her most popular series and the recommended reading order to help you fully immerse yourself in her world.
The Bellinger Sisters Series
- It Happened One Summer (2021)
- Hook, Line, and Sinker (2022)
This is one of Bailey’s most beloved series, a heartwarming and sexy pair of books that follow the Bellinger sisters. The first book, It Happened One Summer, introduces Piper, an influencer who is forced to stay in a small seaside town, where she meets the gruff fisherman Brendan. The chemistry is electric, and the relationship is full of emotional depth. The second book, Hook, Line, and Sinker, shifts to Piper’s sister, Hannah, and her journey with the charming but emotionally closed-off Fox.
Reading Order: Read them in order of release to fully appreciate the relationship dynamics between the characters and their development across books.
The Hot & Hammered Series
- Fix Her Up (2019)
- Love Her or Lose Her (2020)
- Tools of Engagement (2020)
The Hot & Hammered series is a fan favorite for its witty humor, small-town charm, and irresistibly steamy relationships. The first book, Fix Her Up, follows Georgette, a woman who wants to shake off her ’good girl’ image and get her life on track by entering into a fake relationship with Travis, a local handyman. The series continues with Love Her or Lose Her and Tools of Engagement, exploring other romantic entanglements within the same world.
Reading Order: The Hot & Hammered books are best read in order as the characters and their romantic arcs are closely connected, with each book building upon the other’s plotline.
The Buns Series
- The Vanilla Bean Bakery (2020)
- The Sweetest Thing (2021)
In the Buns series, Bailey takes on a fun and lighter tone. Set around a bakery and its employees, the series focuses on sweet, decadent romance with a dash of delicious tension. The Vanilla Bean Bakery is a sweet yet steamy tale of second chances, and The Sweetest Thing carries the torch forward, with a slightly more serious undertone.
Reading Order: This series can be enjoyed in release order, but there’s a loose connection between the books. However, as with most series, reading them in order of publication enhances the experience.
The Romantic Comedy Books
- My Killer Vacation (2022)
- Secretly Yours (2023)
Tessa Bailey has also ventured into more romantic comedy territory with My Killer Vacation and Secretly Yours. Both books are full of humor, quirky characters, and undeniable sexual chemistry. My Killer Vacation follows a schoolteacher and a brooding bounty hunter, while Secretly Yours explores the enemies-to-lovers trope between a florist and a reclusive author.
Reading Order: These books can be read as standalone novels, but reading them in order of release will provide more context, especially for overlapping minor characters and humor that builds from one book to the next.
What I Like About The Series?
Tessa Bailey’s books are a delicious cocktail of hot chemistry, emotional growth, and character-driven drama. What makes these series stand out is the sheer depth of the characters and their internal struggles. While the romance is undeniably central, Bailey spends a lot of time exploring the personal development of her characters, particularly how they grow and evolve within their relationships.
One of the things that Bailey does incredibly well is creating couples that feel like real people with flaws and vulnerabilities. In It Happened One Summer, for example, Brendan and Piper each have personal baggage that makes their relationship difficult. Bailey doesn’t shy away from showing these complexities, but rather dives into them, allowing her characters to grow as individuals before they come together as a couple. The love scenes themselves are also exceptional, full of chemistry and tension, but always grounded in emotional truth.
Additionally, Bailey’s humor and wit are present in nearly every page. Even in the most dramatic of moments, she finds ways to make readers laugh. The dialogue is sharp and often hilarious, which makes for a delightful reading experience. For fans of witty, spicy romances that never lose sight of the emotional underpinnings, Tessa Bailey delivers in spades.
Should You Read Tessa Bailey Books In Order?
While Tessa Bailey’s books in each series are largely standalone stories, reading them in order adds richness and depth to the overall experience. In terms of character development and world-building, following the reading order allows you to see how characters from earlier books reappear, offering a greater sense of continuity and connection.
However, if you’re only interested in one particular book or series, it’s perfectly fine to read them as standalones. For example, you could start with It Happened One Summer or Fix Her Up without losing the essence of the story. That being said, for those who want the complete emotional journey, the reading order is worth following.