Reading Order
Welcome, Roe-mantic. Whether you're here for vampire-on-hunter enemies-to-lovers, magicians scheming their way into each other's underwear, or seven mafia families ranked like chess pieces, this page exists to answer the question Ruby gets most: where the hell do I start?
The short version: there are four series, all set in the same universe. Three are published and one (Empire of Ruin) is on preorder. You can start with whichever published series calls to you — they each open cleanly on their own.
Where should I start?
Two clean entry points:
- Start with A Game of Hearts and Heists if you want enemies-to-lovers, magical heists, and tattoo magic.
- Start with House of Crimson Hearts if you want vampires, blood bonds, and a hunter who absolutely should not be doing this.
You do not need to read one series before the other. Promise. But Ruby always recommends you start with Girl Games and A Game of Hearts and Heists.
Girl Games series
Sapphic fantasy heist romance. Magical tattoos, deadly Trials, and women who weaponise both flirting and felony.
- 0.5 — A Game of Love and Hate (prequel novella + bonus smutilogue)
- 1 — A Game of Hearts and Heists
- 2 — A Game of Romance and Ruin
- 3 — A Game of Deceit and Desire
- 4 — A Game of Vows and Vendettas
- 4.5 — A Game of Brats and Brides (bonus smutilogue)
- Content warnings for Girl Games · Shop the Girl Games collection
Kingdom of Immortal Lovers series
Sapphic vampire fantasy romance. Sangui City, blood addiction, trials to the death, and the kind of enemies-to-lovers that ruins you in the best way.
- 0.5 — House of Crimson Nights (prequel novella)
- 1 — House of Crimson Hearts
- 2 — House of Crimson Kisses
- 3 — House of Crimson Curses
- 3.5 — House of Crimson Spice (bonus smutilogues)
Content warnings for Kingdom of Immortal Lovers · Shop the Kingdom of Immortal Lovers collection
Deals of Dark Desire series
Dark sapphic romantasy. A duet completing 30 June 2026. Demons, devils, dark academia.
- 1 — Architecti
- 2 — Interitus (preorder)
Content warnings for Deals of Dark Desire · Shop the Deals of Dark Desire collection
Empire of Ruin series (newest — preorder)
Ruby's newest and darkest series. Welcome to Nefari City — a metropolis divided by seven mafia families, each descended from one of the original deadly sins and ranked like pieces on a chessboard. Vampire versus fae. Dark sapphic mafia romantasy at its most dangerous.
- Prequel — Daughter of Sin (preorder, 2026)
- Book 1 — TBD
Preorder bonus: physical copies of Daughter of Sin include exclusive character artwork, a bookmark, and a sticker.
Ruby's recommended order (if you want to read everything)
For the biggest emotional payoff and the most "wait, that character is connected to that character" moments, read in this order:
- A Game of Hearts and Heists
- A Game of Love and Hate
- A Game of Romance and Ruin
- A Game of Deceit and Desire
- House of Crimson Hearts
- House of Crimson Nights
- House of Crimson Kisses
- House of Crimson Curses
- House of Crimson Spice
- A Game of Vows and Vendettas
- A Game of Brats and Brides
- Architecti
- Interitus (preorder)
- Daughter of Sin (Empire of Ruin prequel — preorder, 2026)
Available formats
Every Ruby Roe book ships signed by Ruby herself direct from the author. Available in:
- Paperback
- Hardback (most main-series titles)
- Ebook
- Audiobook (for prequels and smutilogues)
- Dyslexia-friendly paperback — printed in OpenDyslexic font on cream paper, available for the main Kingdom of Immortal Lovers and Girl Games titles
FAQ
Do I need to read the series in order?
Within a series, yes — the main numbered books build on each other and there are running plot threads, blood bonds, and revelations you don't want spoiled. Across series, no. Girl Games, Kingdom of Immortal Lovers, Deals of Dark Desire, and Empire of Ruin are each their own complete story.
Can I read Kingdom of Immortal Lovers before Girl Games?
Absolutely. The series share a universe but you can start with either. If you want vampires and dark romance, go KIL first. If you want heists, magic tattoos, and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, go Girl Games first.
Are the prequel novellas required?
No — A Game of Love and Hate, House of Crimson Nights, and Daughter of Sin are extra goodies that deepen each world, but you can read the main books first and circle back. Many readers prefer them that way.
What's a "smutilogue"?
Ruby's word for a smutty epilogue. Bonus novellas set after the main books, featuring fan-favourite couples and zero plot obligations. They're spice. That's the brief.
What's Empire of Ruin about?
Ruby's newest series — dark sapphic mafia romantasy set in Nefari City, where seven mafia families descended from the seven deadly sins are ranked like chess pieces. Vampire versus fae. Darker than anything Ruby's written before. The prequel Daughter of Sin is on preorder; the first full book is TBD.
Do the books come in audio?
Yes. Here's the breakdown:
- Girl Games and Kingdom of Immortal Lovers main-series audiobooks are available everywhere — Audible, Apple Books, Spotify, Kobo, and other major audiobook retailers.
- All of the novellas and smutilogues are available right here on this website — with one exception: A Game of Love and Hate, which is bundled at the end of the A Game of Hearts and Heists audiobook.
- Architecti and Interitus (Deals of Dark Desire) are Audible exclusives in audio.
Where can I find content warnings?
Every published series has its own dedicated content warnings page: Girl Games, Kingdom of Immortal Lovers, and Deals of Dark Desire. Empire of Ruin content warnings will publish with the books. Read them. Ruby writes dark and steamy — knowing what you're walking into is part of the deal.
Are these books standalones or one big series?
Each series is its own complete arc with its own central couple. They share a world and the occasional cameo, but you don't need the others to follow any one of them.