Never After Books In Order
The Never After series is a collection of complete standalones and can be enjoyed in any order. Each book is in its own universe with entirely new characters and storylines. If you love Peter Pan, start with Hooked. If you’re into royal drama, Scarred is your best bet. And if you’re all about dark, femme fatale energy? Wretched is calling your name.
We’ve written them here in the order they were published, but honestly? Just pick one and let the obsession begin. You will be back for the rest.
Hooked (Never After #1)
Why we love it:
- If you like your stories with a side of moral ambiguity and a dash of “should I be rooting for these people?”, Hooked will be right up your street.
- It’s enemies-to-lovers done right with a dual pov, villains who know how to villain, and sizzling romance.
Hooked is Emily McIntire’s modern retelling of Peter Pan. But this isn’t the whimsical Neverland you remember from childhood. It’s a gritty, twisted tale of obsession, revenge, and forbidden desire.
James Hook is a ruthless crime lord and dangerously irresistible anti-hero, and Wendy is the daughter of his greatest enemy. Their story is equal parts dangerous, delicious, and utterly unputdownable.
Scarred (Never After #2)
Why we love it:
- It’s a royal enemies-to-lovers romance that delivers political intrigue, betrayal, and a slow-burn love story.
- If you like power plays, revenge plots, and a brooding hero with a hidden heart, you'll love this.
What if Scar from The Lion King got a second chance?
Scarred is a reimagining of The Lion King that’s as intense as it is unexpected. Forget Hakuna Matata vibes; this is a story of betrayal, power, and raw, unfiltered passion.
The Scar-inspired antihero is a man consumed by his desire for revenge and for his brother’s wife. It’s messy, it’s dark and you’ll probably question your moral compass while reading it. But that’s the beauty of McIntire’s writing: she makes you feel things you didn’t even know you were capable of feeling.
Wretched (Never After #3)
Why we love it:
- There’s crime, betrayal, and a forbidden romance that will keep you turning pages.
- It’s got morally complex characters, a heroine with bite, and just the right amount of darkness.
Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, Wretched is a masterclass in how to take a beloved story and turn it into something entirely new.
Our Dorothy stand-in is running from her past when she lands in the gritty town of Emerald. There, she crosses paths with Nicholas, a man who’s hell-bent on destroying the drug trade that devastated his family. Together, they navigate a world of crime, secrets, and undeniable chemistry.
Twisted (Never After #4)
Why we love it:
- It’s bold, unpredictable, and packed with forbidden desire, weaving together a brand new and contemporary plot with the original aspects of the Aladdin tale.
- It’s a spicy, slow-burn romance that will leave you gasping for more.
This Aladdin-inspired story is all about obsession, manipulation, and a love that defies fate. Yasmin Karam, heiress to a fortune, has always lived in luxury until her father’s illness shatters her world. His dying wish? For her to marry a man of his choosing. But Yasmin's heart already belongs to a servant her father would never approve of. Desperate, she strikes a deal with her father’s ruthless right-hand man, Julian, unaware of his own sinister plans.
Crossed (Never After #5)
Why we love it:
- This book is a darker take on The Hunchback of Notre Dame, full of gothic vibes, unrequited love, and unexpected twists.
- It’s a deeply emotional story with stunning prose and tortured characters that linger long after the last page. Fans of tragic love stories and atmospheric storytelling will love it.
Father Cade Frédéric has spent his life devoted to the church, suppressing the darkness within him. But when he arrives in Festivalé and meets Amaya Paquette, a dancer who captivates his every thought, his restraint begins to unravel. Convinced she’s a temptation he must destroy, Cade is torn between devotion and desire… even if loving her means sealing both their fates.
Hexed (Never After #6)
Why we love it:
- It’s a dark and seductive repurposing of The Little Mermaid with forbidden romance and lots of high-stakes tension.
- With a morally grey heroine and a ruthless anti-hero, the characters wrap you up in their story and will have you gripped from start to finish.
Venesa Andersen has never been a good girl. She’s cunning, beautiful, and loyal to the crime family that owns her. When her runaway cousin returns with a fiancé in tow, Venesa finds herself drawn to the one man she can never have. Enzo Marino, an underboss in the mafia, is used to duty over desire - until he meets Venesa. But in their world, love is a dangerous game, and betrayal has deadly consequences.
Sugarlake Series In Order
The Sugarlake books are more than just another small-town romance. They’ll take you on a gut-wrenching, heart-pounding, rip-you-apart-and-stitch-you-back-together ride.
Each book throws you headfirst into the lives of different characters from Sugarlake - a town where love is messy, heartbreak is inevitable, and second chances must be earned.
McIntire doesn’t just tell love stories. She makes you feel every stolen glance, every whispered confession, and every devastating goodbye. So, if you’re ready for a series that will wreck you in the best way possible, Sugarlake is waiting.
Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake Series Book 1)
Why we love it:
- It’s a deeply emotional second-chance romance filled with heartbreak, healing, and the kind of connection that never fades.
- It perfectly captures the highs and lows of young love, loss, and redemption.
Alina Carson fell for Chase Adams the moment she met him and long before she even knew what love was. But being best friends with his sister meant he was strictly off-limits. Chase, however, never cared much for rules, and their connection was undeniable. That’s until tragedy struck, and Chase did what he did best - ran.
Years later, he’s back, determined to fix what he broke. Old feelings resurface, and Alina must decide if she’s willing to let him in again or risk losing herself in the process.
Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake Series Book 2)
Why we love it:
- It brings the heat with enemies-to-lovers tension and fiery banter.
- Becca and Eli are two forces of nature colliding in a storm of passion, heartbreak, and redemption.
Elliot Carson vowed never to return to Sugarlake, but a career-ending injury leaves him lost. He has to take a coaching job at Florida Coast University, where Becca Sanger, his sister’s best friend (and sworn enemy), becomes his team’s new manager, and their fiery tension turns into something else entirely.
But betrayal rips them apart, and years later, Becca’s stuck in a life she never wanted, and Elliot has a fiancée. But some loves never fade, and theirs might just be the most dangerous kind.
Beneath the Hood (Sugarlake Series Book 3)
Why we love it:
- Forbidden attraction meets deep emotional healing in an emotional age-gap romance that pulls at the heartstrings.
- It’s an interesting look at the loneliness beneath the spotlight and how love offers a way out.
Jackson Rhoades leaves Sugarlake behind for a dream job in Hollywood, only to find himself babysitting his boss’s rebellious daughter instead of restoring classic cars. He never expected a social media star, perfectionist, and utterly lost girl to be the one person who sees through his broken pieces.
Even though they’re nine years apart and completely off-limits, their connection is undeniable. But some lines can never be uncrossed, even if it leads to their downfall.
Beneath the Surface (Sugarlake Series Book 4)
Why we love it:
- It’s a heart-pounding mix of romance and suspense with a fiercely protective hero and a resilient heroine.
- Mason and Lily’s journey is filled with tension, healing, and a love worth fighting for that will leave you with all the feels.
Lily Adams built a new life far from Sugarlake, raising her son in safety and sobriety, until a private investigator shows up looking for her. Mason Wells was hired to find Lily, but the moment he meets her, he’s drawn in deeper than he ever intended.
Hiding his true identity, Mason becomes part of her world, but secrets have a way of unravelling. And when danger threatens Lily and her son, he’ll have to choose between protecting them or keeping their hearts intact.
Be Still My Heart: A Romantic Suspense Standalone
Why we love it:
- It’s a gripping mix of mystery, suspense, and slow-burn romance.
- The fiery clashes and undeniable chemistry between the main characters make for an addictive read.
Skelm Island, Maine, is known for two things: lobsters and its broken lighthouse. But when bodies start washing up, ex-SEAL-turned-lobsterman Lincoln Porter finds himself at the centre of a chilling investigation.
Detective Sloane is sharp, relentless, and determined to uncover the town’s darkest secrets. Forced to work together, their clashing personalities drive some serious tension, but as the mystery deepens and dangers rise, they have to learn to trust each other.
Happy Reading…
Now you’ve got the complete guide to Emily McIntire’s books in order. Whether you’re here for the morally grey antiheroes, the dark reimaginings of classic tales, or just the unrelenting intensity of her storytelling, once you fall down the rabbit hole of her stories, they will sink their claws into you and refuse to let go.
If you’re after more book recommendations, we’ve got you covered. Check out our posts on the best books for your book club and what to read after Fourth Wing for more must-reads to add to your TBR pile. Happy reading!
