After reading Ashley Winstead’s debut thriller In My Dreams I Hold a Knife, I became an instant fan! She’s an especially unique author in that she writes novels in very different genres: mainly, thriller and contemporary romance. Here are all of Ashley Winstead’s books in order, including her new 2023 thriller book!
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Who is Ashley Winstead?
Ashley Winstead is an American author who writes in multiple genres, including mystery/thriller and romantic comedy. She’s written five novels, with another book planned for 2025 called Future Saints.
Her books have received starred reviews from publications like Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Library Journal.
Ashley Winstead’s Books In Order (Thriller & Romance)
After I read my first Ashley Winstead novel, I knew I wanted to read more of her books. Her writing just grips you and does not let go!
If you want to figure out which of her books to read next, I’ve put together a list of all her books in order of publication date below.
For the most part, they are all standalone books, so you can read them in any order you like. But, be aware that there is some character crossover between Fool Me Once and The Boyfriend Candidate, so you may want to read Fool Me Once first.
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
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A woman returns to her elite Southern college for a 10-year reunion, reconnecting with her tight-knit group of friends from all those years ago. But they each have dark secrets to hide, and being at the college brings back memories of their friend’s unsolved murder.
Was one of them involved? Someone certainly thinks so, and they’ll do anything to find out the truth.
This dark academia thriller is compulsively readable, and one of the best I’ve read in years! It had me completely gripped from the beginning, especially since college/school settings are a favorite of mine.
The timeline jumps back and forth between past and present, and there’s even a bit of romance in the story. If you love murder mysteries set on college campuses, this is a must-read!
Release date: August 3rd, 2021
Fool Me Once
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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A dedicated career woman with trust issues reconnects with an old boyfriend from grad school. Things get complicated – and heat up – when they’re forced to work together to get a clean energy bill passed in the state of Texas.
Release date: April 5th, 2022
The Last Housewife
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
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While in college, a young woman and her friends meet a seductive man who draws them into a controlling cult. Eight years after she escapes, she finds out one of her friends – the one who escaped with her – was killed.
Now, she’s determined to take down the cult, but it takes her down a dangerous path. Can she fight against her own conditioning? And how far will she have to go for justice?
(This book has some dark themes. You might want to look up trigger warnings before reading.)
Release date: August 16th, 2022
The Boyfriend Candidate
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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After getting dumped for being too meek, shy librarian Alexis Stone decides to become more adventurous – starting with her first one-night stand.
She meets a handsome, loudmouthed man at a hotel bar, but their hook-up is thwarted by a lightning storm. Strangely, someone takes photos of them together.
Only then does Alexis realize this man is a hotshot politician, and his campaign is in jeopardy. Their only option is to pretend to date until the election in two months.
Release date: May 9th, 2023
Midnight is the Darkest Hour
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
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This southern Gothic thriller follows two outcasts on a quest to hunt down a killer in a small, deeply religious Louisiana town.
Preacher’s daughter and librarian Ruth grew up hearing the dark myth of her small town – that a vampire-like creature hunts down sinners in their beds at night.
But when something happens that sends the town into a frenzy of fear, Ruth – along with a rebellious young man that the town has turned its back on – realize they’re the only ones who can find out the truth.
Release date: October 3rd, 2023
Have any of Ashley Winstead’s books been made into movies or TV adaptations?
Ashley Winstead’s newest book, Midnight Is the Darkest Hour, has been optioned for television by Imagine Entertainment (owned by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer). There are no casting details yet.
Personally, I would also love to see In My Dreams I Hold a Knife adapted into a movie or TV show! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for any announcements.
Have you read any of Ashley Winstead’s books? Which one is your favorite so far?
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