M

Mary Monroe

Bestselling Author • 8 Series • 36 Books

8
Series
36
Books
8
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books
Start with: God Don't Like Ugly (2000)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins Books
Start with: Mrs. Wiggins (2022)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart Books
Start with: Every Woman's Dream (2016)

About Mary Monroe

Mary Monroe is a historical fiction author from Alabama who has made a name for herself with the “God Don’t Like Ugly” series of novels. She is famously the daughter of Alabama sharecroppers and has the distinction of being the only and first member of her family ever to finish high school. Unlike many authors, Monroe never did go to college or attend any writing classes as everything she knows about writing is self-taught. However, she got an early start in writing as she had started writing short stories aged four and has written ever since. Her debut novel was the 1985 published “The Upper Room”, which received much critical acclaim in the United States and Great Britain. Terry McMillan incorporated an excerpt of the novel into the “Breaking Ice anthology”. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books series, Mary Monroe has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Mary Monroe

Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books
6 books 2000–2012
1

God Don't Like Ugly

God Don't Like Ugly is an essential installment in the Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Mary Monroe have come to expect.

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2000
2

God Still Don't Like Ugly

God Still Don't Like Ugly is an essential installment in the Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Mary Monroe have come to expect.

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2003
3

God Don't Play

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books with God Don't Play, another outstanding contribution from Mary Monroe.

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2006
4

God Ain't Blind

God Ain't Blind is an essential installment in the Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Mary Monroe have come to expect.

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2008
5

God Ain't Through Yet

God Ain't Through Yet is an essential installment in the Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Mary Monroe have come to expect.

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2010
6

God Don't Make No Mistakes

God Don't Make No Mistakes is an essential installment in the Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Mary Monroe have come to expect.

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2012
Publication Order of Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins Books
6 books 2022–2026
1

Mrs. Wiggins

Mrs. Wiggins continues the Publication Order of Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins Books story arc with Mary Monroe's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2022
2

Empty Vows

Empty Vows continues the Publication Order of Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins Books story arc with Mary Monroe's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2022
3

Love, Honor, Betray

Love, Honor, Betray explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins Books series by Mary Monroe.

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2023
4

Double Lives

Double Lives is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Mary Monroe have come to expect.

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2024
5

Bent But Not Broken

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins Books with Bent But Not Broken, another outstanding contribution from Mary Monroe.

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2025
6

Bad Seeds

Bad Seeds continues the Publication Order of Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins Books story arc with Mary Monroe's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2026
Publication Order of Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart Books
4 books 2016–2017
1

Every Woman's Dream

Every Woman's Dream continues the Publication Order of Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart Books story arc with Mary Monroe's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2016
2

Can You Keep a Secret?

Can You Keep a Secret? is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Mary Monroe have come to expect.

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2016
3

Never Trust a Stranger

Never Trust a Stranger continues the Publication Order of Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart Books story arc with Mary Monroe's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2017
4

The Devil You Know

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart Books with The Devil You Know, another outstanding contribution from Mary Monroe.

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2017
Publication Order of Mama Ruby Books
3 books 1986–2013
1

The Upper Room

The Upper Room continues the Publication Order of Mama Ruby Books story arc with Mary Monroe's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1986
2

Mama Ruby

Mama Ruby is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mama Ruby Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Mary Monroe have come to expect.

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2011
3

Lost Daughters

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Mama Ruby Books with Lost Daughters, another outstanding contribution from Mary Monroe.

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2013
Publication Order of Neighbors Books
3 books 2018–2020
1

One House Over

One House Over continues the Publication Order of Neighbors Books story arc with Mary Monroe's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2018
2

Over the Fence

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Neighbors Books with Over the Fence, another outstanding contribution from Mary Monroe.

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2019
3

Across the Way

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Neighbors Books with Across the Way, another outstanding contribution from Mary Monroe.

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2020
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
12 books 2002–2021
1

Gonna Lay Down My Burdens

Gonna Lay Down My Burdens is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Mary Monroe have come to expect.

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2002
2

Red Light Wives

Red Light Wives is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Mary Monroe have come to expect.

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2004
3

In Sheep's Clothing

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with In Sheep's Clothing, another outstanding contribution from Mary Monroe.

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2005
4

Deliver Me From Evil

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Deliver Me From Evil, another outstanding contribution from Mary Monroe.

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2007
5

She Had It Coming

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with She Had It Coming, another outstanding contribution from Mary Monroe.

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2008
6

The Company We Keep

The Company We Keep continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Mary Monroe's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2009
7

Family of Lies

Family of Lies is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Mary Monroe have come to expect.

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2014
8

Bad Blood

A gripping mystery unfolds in Bad Blood as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series showcases Mary Monroe's mastery of suspense.

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2015
9

Remembrance

Remembrance continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Mary Monroe's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2018
10

Right Beside You

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Right Beside You, another outstanding contribution from Mary Monroe.

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2019
11

The Gift of Family

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Gift of Family, another outstanding contribution from Mary Monroe.

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2020
12

Once in a Lifetime

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Once in a Lifetime, another outstanding contribution from Mary Monroe.

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2021
Publication Order of Short Story Collections
1 books 2006–2006
1

Borrow Trouble

Borrow Trouble is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Story Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Mary Monroe have come to expect.

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2006
Publication Order of Anthologies
1 books 2018–2018
1

Our Prince of Scribes

Our Prince of Scribes continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Mary Monroe's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2018

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Mary Monroe?

Mary Monroe is a bestselling author known for 8 book series containing over 36 books. Popular series include Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books, Publication Order of Lexington, Alabama / Wiggins Books, Publication Order of Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Mary Monroe series to start with?

For readers new to Mary Monroe's work, the Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 6 books. Begin with God Don't Like Ugly to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Mary Monroe written?

Mary Monroe has written over 36 books across 8 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Mary Monroe books in order?

Yes, reading Mary Monroe's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Mary Monroe write in?

Mary Monroe writes primarily in fiction. With 8 series across 36 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Mary Monroe's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Mary Monroe's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Mary Monroe's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Mary Monroe's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books series. The first book, God Don't Like Ugly, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.