Author · updated September 2026
Mary Monroe Books in Order
Every Mary Monroe book in publication order — 14 in total, spanning 1986–2021.
Mary Monroe writes with a bold, unflinching, deeply human voice — a New York Times bestselling author best known for the God series, which follows Annette and her tangled, resilient circle through friendship, betrayal, faith, and survival across the decades. Her books are frank about hard things and warm about people, which is exactly why her readers are so fiercely loyal. Rooted in African American Southern life and told with real grit and humor, they're the kind of stories readers pass around and talk about long after the last page.
Publication Order of Mama Ruby Books
| # | Title | Year | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  The Upper Room | 1986 | Amazon US UK |
| 2 |  Mama Ruby | 2011 | Amazon US UK |
| 3 |  Lost Daughters | 2013 | Amazon US UK |
| 4 |  Mrs. Wiggins | 2021 | Amazon US UK |
Publication Order of God Don't Like Ugly Books
| # | Title | Year | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  God Don't Like Ugly | 2000 | Amazon US UK |
| 2 |  God Still Don't Like Ugly | 2003 | Amazon US UK |
| 3 |  God Don't Play | 2006 | Amazon US UK |
| 4 |  God Ain't Blind | 2008 | Amazon US UK |
| 5 |  God Ain't Through Yet | 2010 | Amazon US UK |
| 6 |  God Don't Make No Mistakes | 2012 | Amazon US UK |
Publication Order of Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart Books
| # | Title | Year | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Every Woman's Dream | 2016 | Amazon US UK |
| 2 | Can You Keep a Secret? | 2016 | Amazon US UK |
| 3 |  Never Trust a Stranger | 2017 | Amazon US UK |
| 4 |  The Devil You Know | 2017 | Amazon US UK |
Every title by year All 14, oldest to newest
| # | Title | Year | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Upper Room | 1986 | Amazon US UK |
| 2 | God Don't Like Ugly | 2000 | Amazon US UK |
| 3 | God Still Don't Like Ugly | 2003 | Amazon US UK |
| 4 | God Don't Play | 2006 | Amazon US UK |
| 5 | God Ain't Blind | 2008 | Amazon US UK |
| 6 | God Ain't Through Yet | 2010 | Amazon US UK |
| 7 | Mama Ruby | 2011 | Amazon US UK |
| 8 | God Don't Make No Mistakes | 2012 | Amazon US UK |
| 9 | Lost Daughters | 2013 | Amazon US UK |
| 10 | Every Woman's Dream | 2016 | Amazon US UK |
| 11 | Can You Keep a Secret? | 2016 | Amazon US UK |
| 12 | Never Trust a Stranger | 2017 | Amazon US UK |
| 13 | The Devil You Know | 2017 | Amazon US UK |
| 14 | Mrs. Wiggins | 2021 | Amazon US UK |
Frequently asked
What order should I read Mary Monroe books in?
Her flagship God series should be read in order, beginning with God Don't Like Ugly (2000), then God Still Don't Like Ugly, God Don't Play, and on through the series. Her Mama Ruby books and standalones can be read separately.
What is Mary Monroe best known for?
The God Don't Like Ugly series — bestselling, character-driven fiction rooted in African American Southern life, following Annette and her circle through friendship, hardship, and faith.
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