Although the Sugarlake books do not need to be read in order, readers would get the fullest experience by reading them in publication order:⁠[1]

Order Cover Title First published Notes
1 Book cover of Beneath the Stars. Beneath the Stars 2020⁠[6] Introduces Sugarlake and the Adams-Carson history.
2 Book cover of Beneath the Stands. Beneath the Stands 2020⁠[7] Adds Eli and Becca’s story alongside family events.
3 Book cover of Beneath the Hood. Beneath the Hood 2020⁠[8] Expands the circle through Jackson.
4 Book cover of Beneath the Surface. Beneath the Surface 2021⁠[9] Pays off Lily’s absence and family reconnection.
Reading order of the Sugarlake books.
Reading order of the Sugarlake books.

1. Beneath the Stars

Main bookRecommended reading
Book cover of Beneath the Stars.
Book cover of Beneath the Stars.

Beneath the Stars (2020)⁠[6] establishes Sugarlake through the reunion of Alina Carson and Chase Adams, shaped by childhood friendship, teenage heartbreak, and family trauma. Chase also returns to take over the Adams construction business, adding pressure to their relationship.⁠[2]

This novel introduces the Carson and Adams families, the local friendship circle, and the disappearance of Chase’s sister, Lily, which becomes important later in the series.⁠[2]

2. Beneath the Stands

Main bookRecommended reading
Book cover of Beneath the Stands.
Book cover of Beneath the Stands.

Beneath the Stands (2020)⁠[7] shifts the focus to Becca Sanger and Eli Carson, Alina’s estranged older brother. Much of the novel centers on their past relationship, years apart, and Eli’s return to Sugarlake as his family is in crisis.⁠[3]

It may be read as a second-chance romance in its own right, but it gains context from the family tensions and events introduced in Beneath the Stars.⁠[3]

3. Beneath the Hood

Main bookRecommended reading
Book cover of Beneath the Hood.
Book cover of Beneath the Hood.

Beneath the Hood (2020)⁠[8] follows Jackson Rhoades, a mechanic with ties to Sugarlake, and Blakely Donahue, a social media influencer in California. This book broadens the series beyond the hometown setting before bringing Jackson back into the Sugarlake circle.⁠[4]

Its romance is largely self-contained, while its connections to Chase, Alina, and Lily’s search help place it within the series.⁠[4]

4. Beneath the Surface

Main bookRecommended reading
Book cover of Beneath the Surface.
Book cover of Beneath the Surface.

Beneath the Surface (2021)⁠[9] centers on Lily Adams, Chase’s missing sister, and Mason Wells, the private investigator hired to find her. This installment draws on the family history and search thread developed across the earlier books.⁠[5]

It also reunites several established characters in Sugarlake, making the publication order useful for readers who want the fullest context for Lily’s return and recovery.⁠[5]

References

  1. Emily McIntire Books By Series. Emily McIntire.
  2. Beneath the Stars. Emily McIntire. ISBN: 9781734999402.
  3. Beneath the Stands. Emily McIntire. ISBN: 9781734999433.
  4. Beneath the Hood. Emily McIntire. ISBN: 9781734999471.
  5. Beneath the Surface. Emily McIntire. ISBN: 9781734999495.
  6. Beneath the Stars. Emily McIntire. Copyright page. ISBN: 9781734999402.
  7. Beneath the Stands. Emily McIntire. Coypright page. ISBN: 9781734999433.
  8. Beneath the Hood. Emily McIntire. Copyright page. ISBN: 9781734999471.
  9. Beneath the Surface. Emily McIntire. Copyright page. ISBN: 9781734999495.