Have you ever dreamed of stumbling into royalty, chatting with ghosts, or solving mysteries in a quirky small town? If so, you’re probably already a fan of Meg Cabot—or you’re about to become one! Meg Cabot is the queen of feel-good fiction, blending humor, heart, and a touch of the supernatural in her books for readers of all ages. Best known for The Princess Diaries series (which inspired the iconic movies starring Anne Hathaway), Cabot has penned over 50 books, spanning young adult adventures, adult romances, and everything in between.
Whether you’re a longtime devotee looking to revisit her worlds or a newcomer wondering where to start, reading Meg Cabot’s books in order is the best way to experience the character growth, recurring themes, and inside jokes that make her stories so addictive. In this guide, we’ll break down her major series in publication order, highlight key standalones, and share tips on diving into her bibliography. Let’s crown your reading list—royally!
Who Is Meg Cabot? A Quick Bio
Born in 1967 in Bloomington, Indiana, Meg Cabot (real name Meggin Patricia Cabot) burst onto the literary scene in the late ’90s with historical romances under the pseudonym Patricia Cabot. She hit mega-stardom with The Princess Diaries in 2000, which became a cultural phenomenon. Cabot’s writing is witty, relatable, and often draws from her own life—like her love for cats, travel, and pop culture. She’s sold millions of copies worldwide, and her books have been translated into dozens of languages. Fun fact: She even wrote under the name Jenny Carroll for some early series! Now, let’s get to the books.
Meg Cabot Books in Order of Release Date
| Release Year | Title | Series/Standalone | Pseudonym |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Where Roses Grow Wild | Standalone (Historical Romance) | Patricia Cabot |
| 1999 | Portrait of My Heart | Standalone (Historical Romance) | Patricia Cabot |
| 1999 | An Improper Proposal | Standalone (Historical Romance) | Patricia Cabot |
| 2000 | A Little Scandal | Standalone (Historical Romance) | Patricia Cabot |
| 2000 | Lady of Skye | Standalone (Historical Romance) | Patricia Cabot |
| 2000 | The Princess Diaries | The Princess Diaries #1 | Meg Cabot |
| 2000 | Shadowland (aka Love You to Death) | The Mediator #1 | Jenny Carroll |
| 2001 | Educating Caroline | Standalone (Historical Romance) | Patricia Cabot |
| 2001 | Princess in the Spotlight (aka Take Two or A Royal Disaster) | The Princess Diaries #2 | Meg Cabot |
| 2001 | Ninth Key (aka High Stakes) | The Mediator #2 | Jenny Carroll |
| 2001 | Reunion (aka Mean Spirits) | The Mediator #3 | Jenny Carroll |
| 2001 | Darkest Hour (aka Young Blood) | The Mediator #4 | Jenny Carroll |
| 2001 | When Lightning Strikes | 1-800-Where-R-You #1 | Jenny Carroll |
| 2001 | Code Name Cassandra | 1-800-Where-R-You #2 | Jenny Carroll |
| 2001 | She Went All the Way | Standalone | Meg Cabot |
| 2002 | Kiss the Bride | Standalone (Historical Romance) | Patricia Cabot |
| 2002 | Nicola and the Viscount | Standalone | Meg Cabot |
| 2002 | The Boy Next Door (aka The Guy Next Door) | The Boy Series #1 | Meg Cabot |
| 2002 | Safe House | 1-800-Where-R-You #3 | Jenny Carroll |
| 2002 | Sanctuary | 1-800-Where-R-You #4 | Jenny Carroll |
| 2003 | Princess in Love (aka Princess in the Middle) | The Princess Diaries #3 | Meg Cabot |
| 2003 | Princess in Waiting (aka Royally Obsessed) | The Princess Diaries #4 | Meg Cabot |
| 2003 | Project Princess | The Princess Diaries #4.5 | Meg Cabot |
| 2003 | Haunted (aka Grave Doubts) | The Mediator #5 | Meg Cabot |
| 2003 | Princess Lessons | The Princess Diaries Companion | Meg Cabot |
| 2003 | Victoria and the Rogue | Standalone | Meg Cabot |
| 2004 | Princess in Pink (aka Prom Princess or Give Me |
Meg Cabot Books In Order to Read
The Princess Diaries Series (2000–2023)
This is where it all began—the hilarious diary entries of Mia Thermopolis, an ordinary teen who discovers she’s the princess of a small European country. Full of awkward moments, first loves, and royal etiquette disasters, it’s perfect for fans of coming-of-age tales with a fairy-tale twist. Reading in order lets you follow Mia’s journey from high school drama to adult responsibilities.
- The Princess Diaries (2000)
- Princess in the Spotlight (aka Take Two or A Royal Disaster) (2001)
- Princess in Love (aka Princess in the Middle) (2001)
- Princess in Waiting (aka Royally Obsessed) (2002)
- Project Princess (2003)
- Princess in Pink (aka Prom Princess or Give Me Five) (2003)
- Princess in Training (aka Sixsational) (2004)
- The Princess Present (2004)
- Party Princess (aka Royal Rebel) (2006)
- Sweet Sixteen Princess (2006)
- Princess on the Brink (aka After Eight or Royal Scandal) (2006)
- Princess Mia (aka To the Nines or Bad Heir Day) (2007)
- Forever Princess (aka Ten Out of Ten or Crowning Glory) (2008)
- Ransom My Heart (2009)
- Royal Wedding (2015)
- The Quarantine Princess Diaries (2023)
Pro tip: Don’t skip the novellas like Project Princess—they add fun side stories! If you love this series, check out the companion books for extra Mia wisdom, such as Princess Lessons (2003) and Holiday Princess (2005).
The Mediator Series (2000–2016)
Ghosts, romance, and a sassy heroine? Yes, please! Suze Simon can see and talk to the dead, leading to supernatural shenanigans in sunny California. This series mixes paranormal thrills with teen drama, and reading in order builds the romantic tension perfectly.
- Shadowland (aka Love You to Death) (2000)
- Ninth Key (aka High Stakes) (2001)
- Reunion (aka Mean Spirits) (2001)
- Darkest Hour (aka Young Blood) (2001)
- Haunted (aka Grave Doubts) (2003)
- Twilight (aka Heaven Sent) (2005)
- The Proposal (2016)
- Remembrance (2016)
Cabot revisited this series years later with adult installments—great for fans who grew up with Suze!
1-800-Where-R-You Series (2001–2006)
Originally published under Jenny Carroll, this psychic thriller series follows Jess Mastriani, who gains the ability to find missing people after being struck by lightning. It’s edgier than Cabot’s rom-coms, with action and mystery.
- When Lightning Strikes (2001)
- Code Name Cassandra (2001)
- Safe House (2002)
- Sanctuary (2002)
- Missing You (2006)
Ideal for readers who enjoy a blend of supernatural powers and real-world stakes.
The Boy Series (2002–2016)
Switching to adult romance, this email-based series is light, funny, and full of misunderstandings. Each book stands somewhat alone but shares a vibe of modern love in New York.
- The Boy Next Door (aka The Guy Next Door) (2002)
- Boy Meets Girl (2004)
- Every Boy’s Got One (2004)
- The Boy is Back (2016)
Perfect for a quick, laugh-out-loud read on a weekend.
Heather Wells Mystery Series (2005–2013)
Former pop star turned dorm director Heather Wells solves crimes in this cozy mystery series. It’s got humor, body positivity, and a dash of romance—Cabot’s adult fiction at its best.
- Size 12 Is Not Fat (2005)
- Size 14 Is Not Fat Either (2006)
- Big Boned (aka Size Doesn’t Matter) (2007)
- Size 12 and Ready to Rock (2013)
- The Bride Wore Size 12 (aka Size 12 is the New Black) (2013)
Fans say it’s like Veronica Mars meets chick-lit!
Queen of Babble Series (2006–2008)
Lizzie Nichols can’t keep a secret, leading to hilarious predicaments in this adult rom-com series set in the fashion world.
- Queen of Babble (2006)
- Queen of Babble in the Big City (2007)
- Queen of Babble Gets Hitched (2008)
Short and sweet—binge them in a day!
Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls Series (2008–2010)
Aimed at younger readers, this follows spunky Allie as she navigates school, friends, and family with her “rules.”
- Moving Day (2008)
- The New Girl (2008)
- Best Friends and Drama Queens (2009)
- Stage Fright (2009)
- Glitter Girls and the Great Fake-Out (aka Glitter Girls) (2010)
- Blast from the Past (2010)
Adorable for tweens discovering Cabot’s style.
Airhead Series (2008–2010)
A brain-transplant sci-fi twist on teen life: Em Watts wakes up in a supermodel’s body. Witty and thought-provoking.
- Airhead (2008)
- Being Nikki (2009)
- Runaway (2010)
Insatiable Series (2010–2011)
Vampire romance with a satirical edge—Meena Harper sees death but falls for a bloodsucker anyway.
- Insatiable (2010)
- Overbite (2011)
Abandon Trilogy (2011–2013)
A modern retelling of the Persephone myth, with Pierce Oliviera escaping the Underworld.
- Abandon (2011)
- Underworld (2012)
- Awaken (2013)
From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess Series (2015–2018)
A spin-off from Princess Diaries, following Mia’s half-sister Olivia.
- From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess (2015)
- Royal Day Out (2016)
- Bridesmaid-in-Training (aka Royal Wedding Disaster) (2016)
- Royal Crush (2017)
- Royal Crown (2018)
Little Bridge Island Series (2019–2021)
Adult contemporary romance set in a Florida Keys town—think beachy escapes and second chances.
- Bridal Boot Camp (2019)
- No Judgments (2019)
- No Offense (2020)
- No Words (2021)
Other Series and Standalones
Cabot’s versatility shines in these:
- Avalon High Series: Avalon High (2005), Avalon High: Coronation (2008)
- Witches of West Harbor: Enchanted to Meet You (2023)
- Historical Romances (as Patricia Cabot): Where Roses Grow Wild (1998), Portrait of My Heart (1999), An Improper Proposal (1999), A Little Scandal (2000), Lady of Skye (2000), Educating Caroline (2001), Kiss the Bride (2002)
- Standalones: Nicola and the Viscount (2002), Victoria and the Rogue (2003), Teen Idol (2004), How to Be Popular (2006), Pants on Fire (aka Tommy Sullivan is a Freak) (2007), Jinx (2007), She Went All the Way (2001), Black Canary: Ignite (2019), and more.
Why Read Meg Cabot’s Books in Order?
Starting from the beginning lets you appreciate how Cabot’s characters evolve—plus, you’ll catch all the Easter eggs in later books. Her stories are empowering, funny, and often tackle themes like self-acceptance and friendship. If you’re new, begin with The Princess Diaries for YA vibes or The Boy Next Door for adult fun.
What’s your favorite Meg Cabot series? Drop a comment below, and happy reading—may your TBR pile be as grand as Genovia!
