Why I Love Series Over Standalones by Lisa Becker

[Note from Frolic: We are so excited to have writer Lisa Becker guest post on the site today. Take it away, Lisa!]

Ever fallen for the hero’s best friend? Or wish you knew more about the wacky neighbor, wise gal pal or domineering boss? Curious about the love triangle’s odd man out? Concerned that a story’s villain may just be misunderstood and in need of some TLC?

Sidekicks, secondary characters and foils are important elements in bringing a love story to life–rounding out main characters, offering advice, creating tension and drama and spurring reconciliation. Those characters are often a story’s most beloved and warrant time, attention and happily ever afters of their own.

So while standalones are wonderful, I love diving into a series. Here are three reasons why I enjoy them, and you should consider them when planning your TBR.

1. EASY – I’m often overwhelmed with all the book choices available to me: current bookstack, favorite authors’ backlists, Book of the Month picks, book club selections, new releases, ARCs. Call me lazy, but sometimes it’s just easier to read the next in a series if I’ve loved a book. It’s a low angst decision (compared to the others I routinely deal with daily having teenagers!) that rarely leaves me regretful.

2. FAMILIARITY – When a book is done right, I not only love the main story but become invested in the supporting characters. I want to know their back stories, their dreams, their heartaches and root for them to find love. With a book in a series, I’m already on board with the writing, style, pacing and other literary qualities which typically impact my enjoyment of a book.

3. MOMENTUM – Picking up the next in a series is like continuing a conversation with a good friend. You know what I mean. With good friends, it doesn’t matter how much time has passed—a day or a year—but you pick right up where you’ve left off without a hitch. I often wonder why I didn’t pick things up earlier because everything clicks into place and feels right. By continuing on with a series right away, I’m able to capitalize on the story’s momentum.

If you’re a fan of series or looking for a collection of stories to sink your teeth into, here are three romance series that I love.

The Wedding Date series by Jasmine Guillory

After getting stuck in a hotel elevator, Alexa and Drew become fake dates for the wedding Drew is attending that weekend. From there, lust and love blooms and we are introduced to a cast of supporting characters who go on to star in stories that include a cringe-worthy proposal at Dodger Stadium, a secret relationship, and a second chance at love for a middle-aged couple. When I first read The Wedding Date, I declared it one of my favorite reads of the year and confessed I wanted to be BFFs with Alexa and marry Drew. The additions to the series are filled with similar characters you’d want to know, hang out with and date in real life.

Wild Seasons by Christina Lauren

Three girlfriends visit Las Vegas for a weekend of college graduation fun and wind up married to a group of friends who are reuniting after doing a cross country volunteer stint. With a cast of characters from a shy dancer, confident vixen and surfer chick, to alpha male fisherman, charming Aussie and swoon-worthy Frenchman, there’s a love story for everyone’s tastes. Wicked Sexy Liar is my favorite of the quartet. Water polo-playing and reformed womanizer Luke Sutter is definitely on my list of top book boyfriends.

How to Date a Douchebag series by Sara Ney

Jocks behaving badly dominate this fun college-set series where “douchebags” wrestling team members find love in unexpected places. The series provides a range of tropes from opposites attract to a Cyrano plotline and a cast of characters from to the shy virgin and arrogant asshole to the gorgeous nerd girl and coach’s daughter. Overall, it’s a ton of fun that will have you rooting for the douchebags to reform themselves and find love.

What are some of your favorite book series? Come tell me on Instagram or through my website.

About the Author:

Lisa Becker is an award-winning romance writer who spends her time like she spends her money – on books and margaritas. As Lisa’s grandmother used to say, “For every chair, there’s a tush.” Lisa is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach, California with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone!

Dear Future Self, the second in the Starfish series, is an Amazon ebook exclusive available for preorder and releasing 2.4.20. Starfish is currently available in paperback, ebook and audiobook.