The Best Lauren Blakely Books, Ranked—From 'Big Rock' to 'The Real Deal'

Some authors write one book every eight years. Lauren Blakely, on the other hand, averages roughly eight books per year.

A former journalist, Blakely doesn’t believe in writer’s block, and it shows: She’s penned more than 120 titles since self-publishing her first romance novel, Caught Up in Us, in 2013. And she’s not showing any signs of slowing down; she’s got three more books set for release before the end of 2026 alone.

Blakely isn't just extremely prolific, but her books are diverse, tackling every kind of romance trope you can think of, from sports romances (she’s got several hockey series to dive into) to tropes galore (friends-to-lovers fans, you're in for some treats). And those love stories are extremely inclusive, featuring steamy scenes for both heterosexual and queer characters across her multiple series.

“We all want to fall in love, we all want to give love and feel love, and I think that's what [I] delivers on,” she has said.

If you’re ready to dive into the author’s swoon-worthy universe, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for the best Lauren Blakely books, ranked—and everything else you need to know about the beloved romance novelist.

The Best Lauren Blakely Books, Ranked

10 'A Guy Walks Into My Bar' (2020)

Blakely rounded out her The Guys Who Got Away series with an MM twist—and it’s so hot, it comes with a warning. (“Contains hot hotel sex, loads of dirty talk, PDA all over London, and two sexy, witty, charming alpha heroes.”) This one’s more than just sex, though; it’s an unexpected faceplant into love for British bartender Dean when Fitz walks into his bar. Unfortunately for him, Fitz lives in America—and he’s leaving town in five days. But the story takes place within that time frame has readers longingly retracing their banter time and time again.

9. 'All In With Him' (2021)

All In With Him delivers an epic finale for Grant and Declan, whose story Blakely has been developing over the two previous novels in her Men of Summer series. More than that, however, she’s developed them as characters, which is ultimately what won the hearts of her readers. You simply can’t help but fall in love with these two as people.

8. 'The Boyfriend Goal' (2024)

Blakely kicked off her Love and Hockey series with a bang with The Boyfriend Goal. It’s the type of book that makes you fall in love right alongside the characters, who just so happen to be roommates. And that’s not all: Hockey player Wes is also teammates with Josie’s brother. Needless to say, it’s all a wee bit complicated, but the giddy butterflies Blakely provokes through their interactions? They couldn't be better.

7. 'The Best Men' (2022)

File under incredible beach read. This joint effort between Blakely and author Sarina Bowen is about a no-strings fling that occurs between a bride’s big brother and his new brother-in-law’s “wingman”—and it definitely landed with Blakely’s audience. Although it's a more surface-level story, many have found beauty in its simplicity. The chemistry that erupts between these two opposites makes for a fun, steamy romp.

6. 'Forbidden Nights' (2015)

Forbidden Nights is one of Blakely’s best standalone novels, with readers likening it to a “sexual haze.” What starts as a physical arrangement between Nate and his best friend’s little sister Casey (purely for educational purposes, of course) inevitably develops into something deeper—only Nate's unsure whether he’s ready for those kinds of feelings. We won’t spoil the outcome, but let’s just say the journey they share is, well, hot. As one reader put it: “I thought I might burst into flames!!!.”

5. 'Big Rock' (2016)

Big Rock was an instant best-seller and the book that put Blakely on the map. It has a uniquely male POV for a rom-com, with Spencer—a fuck boy with no plan to settle down—as its main narrator. When he needs to soften his image for investors, however, his BFF Charlotte comes to the rescue. She’s agreed to play the part of his doting fiancée, so long as they maintain a strict no-touching boundary. Any guesses how that turns out?

4. 'Wanderlust' (2018)

Who doesn’t fantasize about a romp in Paris from time to time? Wanderlust delivers exactly that, following British translator Griffin as he crosses paths with American tourist Joy for a steamy no-strings-attached fling. Things get a whole lot more complicated when he realizes she’s his newest client, however, and that his numbered days in the city of love have just been extended. Between their chemistry, the magical setting, and Joy’s joie de vivre, this one had fans falling head over heels.

3. 'Mister O.' (2016)

The second book in the Big Rock series did not disappoint—in fact, readers savored it even more than its predecessor. While it has a similar premise to Forbidden Nights—Nick has been enlisted to teach his BFF’s little sister the ropes when it comes to all things O-related—this one offers more of Nick’s internal struggle as he weighs betraying his oldest friend against his desire for Harper. It’s the perfect mix of sweet, funny, sexy, and deeply endearing—A.K.A. a home run in the romance novel department.

2. 'Here Comes My Man' (2022)

Here Comes My Man is Blakely’s highest-rated novel on Goodreads, and for good reason. Its central characters, TJ and Jude, leave readers in “a constant state of swoon” with their faux-but-kinda-real relationship for the sake of the cameras. Sure, their chemistry is off the charts, but it’s the romantic longing between these two exes that really sets this one apart from the pack. And don’t even get us started on the utterly perfect ending!

1. 'The Real Deal' (2018)

Time and time again, Blakely readers have cited The Real Deal as their all-time fave. The kooky boyfriend-for-hire plot suddenly takes a very real turn for Theo and April when they unexpectedly have the time of their lives at her family's summer reunion. It’s a classic case of falling in love when you least expect it, and the swoon factor is through the roof.

How many books has Lauren Blakely written?

Blakely has 128 romance novels listed on her official website, but has penned even more. Before finding success in her current niche, Blakely wrote YA several titles under an undisclosed pen name, as she revealed in a 2018 interview. She has also published several novellas.

How spicy are Lauren Blakely's books?

Readers tend to think Blakely’s books are "medium spicy."

While she describes intimate acts in her book, it’s not gratuitously physical. Her scenes tend to focus on the feelings each kiss, caress, or anything else might provoke. “Are you going up in flames? Does it feel like fireworks are igniting in your chest?" she once told Cosmopolitan are things she considers. "Those are the things that I certainly try to do when I'm writing sexy-times scenes so that it doesn't just feel like a manual.”

What is Lauren Blakely’s most popular book?

Blakely first tasted critical success with her first romance novel, Caught Up in Us, in 2013. However, her popularity was cemented with the 2016 release of Big Rock, which secured a recurring spot on the New York Times Best Sellers list. 2017’s Full Package also earned a top spot for E-Book fiction.

How to read Lauren Blakely’s books in order

Many of Blakely’s books can be read as standalone novels, even if they’re part of a larger series.

If you’re looking to check out our selections, one of Blakely’s oldest gems is Forbidden Nights (2015), which is one of two Joy Delivered books. Both are standalone novels featuring rich heroes.

The Joy Delivered Duet

Nights With Him (2014)
Forbidden Nights (2015)

Next up is Blakely’s romantic comedy series Big Rock, which includes Big Rock and Mister O. The books in this series can be read in any order, though many share a light-hearted tone and a fake relationship or friends-to-lovers plot.

The Big Rock Series

Blakely’s most lauded novel, 2018’s The Real Deal , is about a boyfriend-for-hire and stands completely on its own.

Those with the travel bug might prefer to start with the Paris With Love series, however. The series features two standalone novels about forbidden romance overseas, starting with Wanderlust.

The From Paris With Love Series

Wanderlust (2018)
Part Time Lover (2018)

The popular 2020 novel A Guy Walks Into My Bar is part of Blakely’s The Guys Who Got Away series. As you might expect, they feature second-chance romances.

These books aren’t linked, so you can read them in any order. They also include both MF and MM leads, depending on the title.

The Guys Who Got Away Series

All In With Him, published in 2021, is the final book in the forbidden MM sports romance Men of Summer series. Though the finale is our top 10 pick, you’ll want to read its predecessors, Scoring With Him and Winning With Him, to get the most out of this read.

The Men of Summer Series

The Best Men, co-published with Bowen in 2022, is one of Blakely’s eight standalone romances, with no adjacent series to explore more of its queer enemies-to-lovers trope.

2022’s Here Comes My Man, on the other hand, is the MM sequel to Hopelessly Bromantic about an American and British roommate who bunk together in more ways than one.

Hopelessly Bromantic Duet

Hopelessly Bromantic (2022)
Here Comes My Man (2022)

Last but not least on our list? The Boyfriend Goal. Published in 2024, it’s the first of seven standalone sports romances revolving around the ice.

Love and Hockey series

Check out Blakely’s full list of romance novels here.

Are any of Lauren Blakely's books being adapted into movies or TV shows?

As of now, none of Blakely’s books are being developed into film or television projects. But with the number of adaptations in the works, it feels like it's only a matter of time. In the meantime, there's certainly no harm in assembling your dream fan casts!

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