To read a series or not to read a series?

To read a series or not to read a series? That is an excellent question. Whether ‘tis relevant in the reader’s mind to accept the commitment and allegiance of an extended storyline, Or to choose variety against the dedication of a binge, and by selecting, obligate them.

Ok, that was corny, but who doesn’t love a good series you can really sink your teeth into? Or a standalone you can hook-up with without feeling obligated to read whatever’s next.

The long-term promise of a series definitely has its merits. I love immersing myself into a book, getting to know the characters, and then revisiting with them in future books. I get attached. I love watching minor characters interact and evolve on the sidelines through multiple books until they’re given their own HEA together. I adore seeing a supporting role character within an evolving storyline find their HEA with someone completely new who crashes onto the pages and turns their world upside down. And I really love when an author builds the tension in a series of books leading up to a relationship the characters are fighting, but you know is on the horizon and can’t wait to see the inevitable fiery collision. (I’m looking at you Cara & Logan from Claire Kingsley's Chasing Her Fire… glad y’all finally figured it out. Even if it took you 5 books to get there.)

As a dedicated bingereader, I will typically go for a series first when I’m choosing my next read. A solid series is a bingereader’s wet dream, especially when the series is already complete, or nearly complete. I see bingrereading those series as akin to bingewatching a great TV series. Some TV shows are just made for binging; Supernatural, Lucifer, and The Good Place occupied some serious evening downtime in 2020. And some book series have that same vibe. One book lends seamlessly into the next when the author creates such a consistent story. And I can’t stop reading!

And don’t get me started on authors with incredible series who then write a spin-off series. Samantha Cole snared me with her Trident Security series. But then she went and added her Doms of the Covenant series, and her Trident Security Omega Team series, and her Blackhawk Security series. And the tie-ins were seamless, strong, and addictive. Avery Maxwell owned my heart with her Broken Hearts series, and now she’s got me eagerly awaiting book 3 in her spin-off Family Ties series. Gaah! So many amazing books in so many amazing series! No wonder my TBR is completely out of control.

There is one downside to reading a series. Eventually, it comes to an end. And saying goodbye to characters you've built such an amazing relationship with is hard. Really, really hard. Sometimes authors will bring favorite characters from one of their series back for cameos in another series. Those little moments are serious reading gold. I will readily admit to getting a little weepy when that happens. And doing a little happy dance in my seat. And going back to reread that series because I've been reminded of just how much I loved those characters and their stories the first (second, third,...) time around.

While single author series are pretty much the standard, there are some amazing co-authored series, as well as interconnected standalones by multiple authors. I discovered the Bluewater Billionaires series as I was nearing the end of Claire Kingsley’s backlist. I had already read the Bootleg Springs series, which is a must-read series from Claire Kingsley and Lucy Score. And yeah, you need to read Bootleg Springs. And yes, you need to read it in order. Bluewater is different in that the books really can be read as standalones, but why would you? They’re all awesome and interrelated. And they’re each written by a different author. What a spectacular way to find out about new authors: read a co-authored series, trusting that the author you’ve already read and loved will write books with other amazing authors you’ll read and love.

Now don’t get me wrong. I love a good standalone, too. Especially if that standalone is actually part of a series. Trust me, it can happen. Enter Pippa Grant: After I read all 4 Bluewater books I binged Pippa’s books like a pasta addict during Olive Garden’s never ending pasta bowl. Pippa is the Supreme Queen of the ultimate standalone. But what’s even cooler is that her books are not even really standalones. They’re all interconnected. Even the books in each separate “series” have a standalone vibe, with closed, concise plot lines. But they’re all interwoven in some way, which makes reading them even more fun. It’s really hard to explain, but trust me. You can read each book individually, or binge them all, and you’ll feel completely satisfied at the end of each book, but still love the connections within and between the books. And her books are seriously awesome fun. But they’re not fluff. There’s a message in each book that brings them to a deeper emotional level and leaves you feeling emotionally and mentally satisfied. Some of my best book hangovers have been courtesy of Pippa Grant; America’s Geekheart and Real Fake Love will leave you laughing, sighing, and hugging your Kindle. Trust me.

Once I recovered from my Pippabinge hangover, I binged my way through most of Lucy Score’s books. She has a beautiful assortment of standalones and series that touch on every single emotional chord possible. I laughed. I cried. Seriously, sometimes I did both at the same time. And she holds the lock on one of my favorite ugly cries. One word: “Stay” (if you know, you know; if you don’t read her Benevolence series). I have one series left to read from her backlist. And it’s one I already know I need to sink my full attention into, so I’m holding off on reading it until I can really sit and savor it. I have a feeling it’s going to be my first surgery recovery binge.

That left Kathryn’s backlist. She had just released Out of the Blue and I loved the underlying theme and vibe of that book from the get-go. Think total girl power anthem, in a romance novel! As I looked closer into her backlist, I realized her standalones would be fantastic for reading between series by different authors, or between series by the same author that don’t intersect (think Brittney Sahin’s Stealth Ops & Dublin Nights series), because they are true standalones. They’re also really great for when you’re anxiously awaiting the next book in a series and you know you have time for 1 or 2 books but not an entire new series before the new one is released. And Kathryn’s books are hot! Serious steam here, friends. And so beautifully written.

So how do you decide if you’re going to start a series or stick to a standalone? Well… How much time do you have? Are you ready to make a solid commitment to a series that’s complete? Or incomplete? And what about the commitment to the author? To the characters? To the storyline? What about spin-offs? Not ready to commit to a long-term relationship with a series? That standalone hook-up is probably the better choice. Whatever you choose, enjoy it. Savor it. Each book, each series, each author. Then share what you read and why you love it. Because we can all use more recommendations for our TBR, right?