Anna Todd Books in Order
This reading order guide provides the complete list of Anna Todd books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!
When it comes to modern romance fiction, few names shine as brightly as Anna Todd. Best known for her explosive After series, Anna’s journey from small-town book lover to internationally bestselling author is nothing short of inspiring. Her story is one that many readers connect with—because she’s not just a writer, but also a reader, a dreamer, and someone who found comfort in stories long before she ever wrote her own.
Born in 1989 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Anna spent most of her early years in the same school district, surrounded by familiar faces and close friends. Unlike many writers who move around or seek new beginnings in far-off cities, Anna’s beginnings were humble and grounded. Her childhood was filled with long afternoons, quiet neighborhoods, and—most importantly—books. In fact, books were her escape. With not much else to do in her small town, she dove headfirst into reading. Although she can’t quite recall the first book that sparked her love for literature, she clearly remembers the thrill it brought her.
Among her earliest favorites were The Babysitter’s Club and Goosebumps—books that many 90s kids grew up with. These stories planted the seeds of creativity in her mind. As she grew older, her taste shifted toward classic literature, showing just how wide and curious her reading appetite had become. And perhaps it was this passion for stories that prepared her for the whirlwind that was about to take over her life.
Anna’s personal life also reads like a romance novel. She met her husband in high school, and while most teenage relationships don’t last, theirs did. Against the odds, they married right after graduation and moved to Texas, where her husband was stationed with the U.S. Army. Life wasn’t always easy—especially during his three deployments to Iraq—but Anna endured. She learned patience, resilience, and the power of holding on to hope.
During those chaotic years, Anna found something else that changed her life forever: Wattpad. A free online platform for writers, Wattpad became her digital notebook, her playground, and eventually, her stage. What started as a fun hobby—writing One Direction fanfiction, specifically inspired by Harry Styles—quickly turned into a viral sensation. She wrote compulsively, sometimes for hours at a time, pulled in by a world of storytelling and reader feedback. For her, Wattpad wasn’t just an app. It was a community—a place where creativity, passion, and connection thrived.
The After series began as one of these fanfics, but it didn’t stay there for long. Within a year, her work had hundreds of millions of reads. Readers were hooked on the fiery relationship between Tessa and Hardin, characters who felt real and raw. Publishers started to notice, and soon Anna was in meetings with several big names in the industry. But it was Adam Wilson, an editor at Gallery Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster), who truly understood her voice and vision.
From there, Anna Todd’s career skyrocketed. Her After books have now been published in over 30 languages, sold millions of copies worldwide, and inspired a popular film franchise. That’s every author’s dream—but Anna achieved it through talent, persistence, and by staying true to her voice. She didn’t follow a formula. She wrote from the heart, and that heart connected deeply with readers around the world.
Of course, the After series has sparked intense debates. Some readers praise the books for their emotional pull and irresistible drama, while others criticize the toxic dynamic between the characters. But regardless of which side readers fall on, one thing is clear—Anna’s storytelling is addictive. Her books are hard to put down, filled with twists, tension, and emotions that feel all too real. They reflect the messy, complicated nature of love—especially young love—and that’s something many readers relate to.
What makes Anna Todd even more compelling is her humility. Despite her fame, she often shares how surreal it still feels. She never expected to become a writer. She never imagined that something she wrote for fun could one day become a bestselling novel, let alone a movie. But here she is, living a dream she didn’t even know she had—and bringing millions of readers along for the ride.
So whether you’re a longtime fan of Tessa and Hardin or just discovering Anna Todd’s books for the first time, one thing is certain: her stories are here to stay. And as her writing continues to evolve, we can only imagine what beautiful chaos she’ll give us next.