I’m just sitting here nodding along. Everyone’s made such good points about skipping around. Makes me want to do a re-read in a totally new order myself.
I’m just here for the comments. So many strong opinions about an order that doesn’t technically matter! It’s kind of hilarious and shows how much people love her work.
Consider the season. 'Big Little Lies' has a real back-to-school, autumn vibe. 'Nine Perfect Strangers' feels like a weird, detoxifying summer. 'Truly Madly Guilty' is set around a barbecue, perfect for a lazy weekend. Matching the book’s atmosphere to your real-world season can add an extra layer of immersion. It’s a silly little thing, but it makes the reading experience feel more timed and special. I read 'What Alice Forgot' in January, during that reflective new-year phase, and it hit perfectly. So maybe look at the setting and time of year in the blurbs and pick accordingly.
If you're someone who likes to see an author's craft improve, go chronological. 'Three Wishes' (2003) is good, but you can tell she's finding her feet. By the time you get to 'Big Little Lies' (2014), the plotting is incredibly tight, and the social observations are razor-sharp. The journey is part of the fun. You watch her move from more straightforward chick-lit adjacent stories to these intricate, multi-POV societal dissections. It’s a masterclass in career development. Just be prepared that the first couple are lighter—not worse, just different in scope and ambition.
You could use a random number generator. Assign each book a number, let the algorithm pick, and just roll with it. It takes the pressure off completely. We spend so much time optimizing our reading choices; sometimes it’s fun to introduce pure chance. The books are all of a reliably good quality, so it’s a safe gamble. You might end up with the deep-cut 'Three Wishes' and have a lovely, charming time, or you might land on the heavyweight 'Apples Never Fall' and be gripped for days. The surprise is part of the adventure. Treat it like a blind date with a book.
2026-07-22 19:43:46
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Has anyone else found that the ‘less popular’ ones randomly become their favorite? Everyone raves about 'Big Little Lies', but 'Three Wishes', her first, is so raw and funny about sister dynamics. It doesn’t have the tightest plot, but the heart is huge.
Sometimes reading an author’s debut last lets you appreciate their growth. Sometimes reading it first lets you fall for their potential. There’s no wrong path, only different kinds of appreciation. I’d almost recommend leaving one of the mega-hits for the middle, as a palate cleanser between the deeper cuts.
Don’t stress too much about a strict order, honestly. They’re all standalone, so you can jump in anywhere. But if you’re a completionist, the publication sequence is: 'Three Wishes', 'The Last Anniversary', 'What Alice Forgot', 'The Hypnotist’s Love Story', 'Big Little Lies', 'Truly Madly Guilty', 'Nine Perfect Strangers', 'Apples Never Fall', and 'The Last Resort'. I’d argue starting with 'Big Little Lies' isn’t a bad idea—it’s the gateway drug for most of us. You can always circle back to the earlier ones later.
Don't overthink it. Her books are popular because they're accessible and addictive. 'The Husband's Secret' has the most 'I need to know what happens next' momentum from page one, in my opinion. It's a one-sitting kind of book if you have the time.