When it comes to the Private series, the best way to read it is almost always the publication order. Kicking things off with Private and wrapping up with The End of the Story ensures you experience every jaw-dropping twist, scandalous secret, and shocking betrayal exactly as author Kate Brian wanted. This approach is all about preserving the nail-biting suspense that makes these books so incredibly addictive.
Decoding The Private Series Reading Order
Stepping into the elite world of Easton Academy can feel like trying to navigate a maze of secrets, lies, and high-stakes drama. With fourteen core novels, a handful of companion books, and even a spin-off series, figuring out where to start is a common hurdle for new fans.
The good news? The path forward is way more straightforward than it looks.
For your first read-through, just stick with the publication order. Trust me on this. It lets the overarching mystery unfold naturally, protecting you from major spoilers about character arcs and plot points that would totally ruin the fun. Think of it like watching a thriller—you wouldn’t jump to the last episode first, right?
The Ideal Path For New Readers
If you're new to the glamorous and treacherous halls of Easton Academy, following the publication order is the only way to go for the most immersive experience. You'll follow protagonist Reed Brennan as she tries to infiltrate the exclusive Billings Girls clique, digging up some seriously dark secrets along the way.
Each book builds directly on the last, creating a fast-paced story that hooks you from page one. Getting the sequence right is essential, just like with any long-running saga. If you want to dive deeper into why this stuff matters, you can check out our guide on how to read book series in order.
The heart and soul of the Private series is its escalating suspense and character drama. Reading the books as they were released is the only way to fully appreciate the intricate web of relationships and secrets Kate Brian so masterfully weaves.
This guide is your definitive map. Follow it, and you won't miss a single moment of the scandal, ambition, and mystery that define this iconic young adult series. Below, you’ll find a clear, easy-to-follow table listing the main fourteen books to get you started.
Publication Order of the Main Private Series Books
Read the 14 core books in this sequence to follow the story as it was originally published, preserving all the intended suspense and character reveals.
| Book Number | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Private |
| 2 | Invitation Only |
| 3 | Untouchable |
| 4 | Confessions |
| 5 | Inner Circle |
| 6 | Legacy |
| 7 | Ambition |
| 8 | Revelation |
| 9 | Paradise Lost |
| 10 | Suspicion |
| 11 | Scandal |
| 12 | Vanished |
| 13 | Ominous |
| 14 | Vengeance |
Following this list will guide you through Reed's journey from an outsider to an Easton Academy insider, with every shocking reveal hitting exactly when it's supposed to.
Choosing Your Path Through Easton Academy
When you're about to jump into a new series, the question of reading order always pops up. It feels like a high-stakes decision because, in a way, it is—it shapes your entire experience. For most book sagas, sticking to the publication order is the only way to go. It’s how you see the story unfold exactly as the author first told it.
This approach is the gold standard for a reason. It protects every shocking twist, every character reveal, and every jaw-dropping cliffhanger the author meticulously planned. The order of the private series is a perfect example of this.
If you’re a first-timer ready to navigate the treacherous social circles of Easton Academy, think of the publication order as your essential roadmap. Reading out of order is like catching a major spoiler in a movie trailer; it just ruins the fun. This path is all about preserving the delicious, slow-burn suspense that makes the series so addictive.
The Publication Order Advantage
Following the books as they hit the shelves means you experience Reed Brennan’s journey right alongside her. You’re just as clueless as she is when she arrives, and each book peels back another layer of the mystery surrounding the elite Billings Girls.
Jumping ahead would be a huge mistake. You’d rob yourself of those gasp-out-loud moments of discovery. The narrative tension is built book by book, and the publication order fully respects that brilliant structure. It’s simply the most authentic way to get the true Private experience.
Choosing how to read a series is always a personal call, but the publication order consistently offers the most cohesive and suspenseful journey. You’re getting the author’s original vision, pure and simple.
Where Does Chronological Order Fit In?
So, what about the other option? Chronological order arranges the story based on the events in the timeline, not when the books were released. For the Private series, this really only shakes up one book: the prequel. The Book of Spells, which was published between Suspicion and Scandal, actually takes place before the very first novel, Private.
Reading chronologically means you’d start with that prequel, getting a boatload of backstory on the original Billings Girls before Reed even steps foot on campus. It's like watching a movie's prequel before the main trilogy. Sure, it adds some context, but it also demystifies characters and plot points that are meant to be slowly unveiled.
Part of the fun is figuring out the history of the Billings Girls, and reading the prequel first changes that dynamic completely. For a deeper look at how different reading orders can affect your experience, check out our complete guide on publication vs. chronological order.
Publication Order: Absolutely the best choice for new readers. It keeps the suspense intact and lets you experience the story as it was meant to be told.
Chronological Order: A fun option for a re-read. It offers a fresh perspective on events and characters you already know and love (or love to hate).
Ultimately, the choice is yours. But if you want the most thrilling, unspoiled journey through the scandalous halls of Easton Academy, the publication order is the only way to go. It’s the key to unlocking the drama one shocking secret at a time.
Exploring the World Beyond the Main Series
Think the drama of Easton Academy is contained within the 14 core novels? Think again. The universe Kate Brian created is far richer, spilling over into companion books and a full-fledged spin-off series that adds incredible depth to the world you thought you knew.
Diving into these extra stories is like finding a stash of deleted scenes from your favorite movie. They aren’t strictly essential to the main plot, but they enrich the experience, revealing layers you would have otherwise missed. These books offer fresh viewpoints, fill in crucial backstories, and follow familiar characters down entirely new, dangerous paths.
If you just can't get enough of the secrets and scandals, exploring these additional titles is a must. They’re the key to understanding the full scope of the social warfare at Easton and beyond.
Your Guide to the Companion Books
The main companion book you need on your radar is Invitation Only. Even though it's technically the second book in the publication order, it really functions more like a companion novella that puts the Billings Girls under a microscope. It gives you a rare peek into their world before Reed Brennan’s arrival, exposing the group's history and internal power struggles.
To get the most out of it, you should read it right where it was published: after the first book, Private. This placement is perfect. It deepens your understanding of the clique Reed is so desperate to join, which makes her journey feel even more intense and compelling.
Think of the companion books as essential lore. They're not just side stories; they provide the context and history that make the main series' betrayals and alliances hit that much harder.
Another key title is The Book of Spells, the official prequel. As we’ve mentioned, this one throws a fun wrench into the order of the private series. It details the original Billings Girls' dark past and is absolutely best saved for a re-read to avoid spoiling the core mystery for newcomers.
The Privilege Spin-Off Series
Just because you’ve finished the main Private series doesn't mean the story is over. Not by a long shot. The Privilege series is a direct spin-off that follows one of the most complex and controversial characters, Ariana Osgood, after she leaves Easton Academy.
This six-book series takes that signature blend of mystery, wealth, and betrayal to a whole new, even darker, level. It’s absolutely critical that you do not start Privilege until you have finished all 14 books of the main series. The spin-off is packed with massive spoilers and assumes you know exactly how the original saga ends.
Private Series Spinoffs and Companion Books
To help you place these essential extra stories within your reading journey, we've put together a quick reference guide. Discover how the companion books enrich the main series and learn the best time to read them for a complete experience.
| Series/Book Title | Number of Books | Brief Description | When to Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invitation Only | 1 (Novella) | A focused look at the Billings Girls and their complex dynamics before Reed arrived. | After Private (Book 1) |
| The Book of Spells | 1 (Prequel) | Uncovers the dark secrets of the original Billings Girls, serving as a prequel to the entire series. | After completing the main series (for first-time readers) |
| Privilege Series | 6 | Follows Ariana Osgood's story after she leaves Easton, diving into a new world of secrets. | After completing all 14 main Private series books |
With these companion titles and the spin-off, you can transform your read-through from a great experience into an unforgettable one, catching every bit of drama and backstory Kate Brian has to offer.
Meet the Key Players of the Private Series
Let's be honest, the heart of the Private series isn’t just the shocking plot twists or the impossibly elite setting—it’s the characters. These are the ambitious, secretive, and often ruthless girls whose motivations drive every bit of the drama. To really get into the social chess match that is Easton Academy, you have to know who's moving the pieces.
The entire saga unfolds through the eyes of Reed Brennan, a scholarship student from a small town who is desperate to leave her old life behind. Her goal is simple, but it consumes her: she wants to belong. More than that, she wants to be a Billings Girl, the most powerful and untouchable clique on campus. Reed’s transformation from wide-eyed newcomer to a hardened insider is the thread that pulls you through the entire series.
The Billings Girls Inner Circle
At Easton Academy, the Billings Girls are royalty, and a few key members call all the shots. Their tangled relationships are the real engine of the plot, creating a world where loyalty is a currency and betrayal is always just one secret away. If you love getting into the heads of complex characters, you'll probably enjoy our deeper look into memorable book series characters.
The undisputed queen bee is Noelle Lange. She's beautiful, manipulative, and often downright cruel. Noelle is the gatekeeper to the Billings Girls, and her approval is the ultimate prize for anyone trying to climb Easton's social ladder. She’s a master of psychological warfare, using her power to keep her friends—and enemies—exactly where she wants them.
Right by her side is Ariana Osgood, the sharp and ambitious second-in-command. While she often plays the part of Noelle's loyal follower, Ariana is always playing her own game. Her storyline becomes so pivotal that she eventually gets her own spin-off series, Privilege, cementing her as one of the most dynamic figures in the whole universe.
The true magic of the Private series lies in how it makes you root for characters even when they're at their worst. You'll find yourself understanding their motivations, even if you don't condone their actions.
Rounding out the core group is Taylor Bell, the witty and observant one. You could almost call her the conscience of the Billings Girls, as she’s far more perceptive than the others and isn’t afraid to question Noelle’s ruthless tactics. Her snarky comments and moments of clarity offer a perfect counterpoint to the clique’s darker side. Together, these girls create a volatile and captivating dynamic that makes it nearly impossible to put the books down.
Why Readers Still Love the Private Series
What gives a young adult series from the 2000s this kind of staying power? Even decades after it first hit shelves, the Private series keeps finding new fans, proving that its juicy, high-stakes drama is absolutely timeless. The magic lies in a perfect storm of mystery, romance, and scandal.
The setting itself is a brilliant pressure cooker. An exclusive boarding school like Easton Academy is the perfect backdrop for ambition and jealousy to run wild. Author Kate Brian uses this isolated world to dig into universal human desires—the need to be accepted, the hunger for power, and the shocking lengths people will go to get both. It’s a world where your social rank is everything, and you just can’t look away.
The Allure of Secrets and Status
At its core, the series plugs directly into our fascination with secret societies. The Billings Girls aren't just your average popular clique; they’re an institution with a dark past, strange rituals, and a strict code of silence. This elevates the story from a simple high school drama into a genuinely gripping psychological thriller.
The desperate need to belong is a powerful engine, and Reed Brennan’s story is a raw look at that drive. It's easy for readers to see themselves in her desire to fit in, even as she gets sucked deeper into a world of shady compromises and dangerous secrets. That internal conflict is what makes her so relatable.
The real secret to the Private series' longevity is its understanding that the most dangerous secrets aren’t about what people have done, but what they’re willing to do to keep their spot at the top.
Unforgettable Drama and Twisty Plots
Beyond the themes, the series is just an expertly crafted page-turner. Kate Brian is a master of intricate plotting, weaving together multiple storylines that keep you guessing until the very end. Almost every book wraps up with a jaw-dropping twist or a massive cliffhanger that practically forces you to grab the next one.
This forward momentum is key. The constant feeling of discovery, paired with the ever-present threat of exposure, creates a reading experience that's completely addictive. It's this combination of elements that ensures the order of the Private series remains a must-read for anyone who loves a peek into the dark side of glamour.
What makes the series so memorable are the core ingredients that never get old:
High-Stakes Social Climbing: The ruthless fight for status feels both over-the-top and uncomfortably familiar.
Compelling Mysteries: Each book layers new secrets over old ones, creating a tangled web of intrigue.
Complex Characters: The characters are flawed, manipulative, and often pretty unlikable—but they are never, ever boring.
This potent formula of ambition, mystery, and scandal is exactly why readers are still so eager to enroll at Easton Academy and uncover every last secret the Billings Girls are hiding.
Common Questions About the Private Series
Diving into the scandalous world of Easton Academy for the first time? It can feel a little intimidating, especially with a long series full of twists and turns. Getting the order of the Private series right is the absolute key to making sure you experience every jaw-dropping moment as it was intended.
Let's clear up some of the most common questions readers have, so you can jump into this addictive series without a single spoiler.
Do I Have to Read the Private Series Books in Order?
Yes. 100% yes. This isn't one of those series where you can hop around. Each book picks up almost exactly where the last one ended, creating one long, continuous story about Reed Brennan's fight to survive at Easton.
Reading them out of order would be like watching a mystery movie by skipping to random scenes—you’d ruin all the big reveals, character arcs, and shocking cliffhangers that make the series so much fun. Trust me, stick to the publication order to preserve the incredible suspense Kate Brian built.
What Is the Difference Between the Private and Privilege Series?
This is a great question, and it's one that trips up a lot of people. Think of it this way: the Private series is the main show. It’s all about Reed Brennan and her desperate attempts to fit in with the elite Billings Girls at Easton Academy.
The Privilege series is a direct spin-off. It follows a completely different character, the cunning Ariana Osgood, after she leaves Easton. While it shares that same juicy, drama-filled vibe, it's a separate story. You absolutely need to finish all 14 books of the main Private series before you even think about starting Privilege, or you'll run into massive spoilers.
"The relationship between 'Private' and 'Privilege' is similar to a hit TV show and its successful spin-off. You need to finish the original series to fully appreciate the new characters and storylines, as the events of 'Private' directly shape the world of 'Privilege'."
Is the Private Series Finished?
Yep, the Private series is complete! The main story wrapped up with the fourteenth book, Vengeance, which hit shelves back in 2011. That book officially concluded Reed Brennan's story and tied up the central mysteries of the series.
The six-book Privilege spin-off also has a definitive ending. While author Kate Brian is still writing other fantastic novels, there have been no plans announced to return to the Private universe. So, you can start reading with the confidence that the entire saga is finished and waiting for you.
For more answers to common questions about reading sequences, check out our detailed guide covering frequently asked questions about reading orders.
What Age Group Is the Private Series For?
Officially, the Private series lands in the Young Adult (YA) category. It’s generally aimed at readers aged 14 and up.
It’s worth noting, however, that these books don't pull any punches. They explore some pretty mature themes that might not be right for younger teens. You can expect to find:
Intense psychological bullying and social scheming.
Underage drinking and a heavy party culture.
Complicated romances and plenty of betrayals.
Mystery plots that involve violence and even death.
Because of this, it's a good idea for parents to be aware of the content before a younger teen dives in. For older teens and adults who love a gritty, suspenseful thriller, it's perfect.
Ready to dive into your next series but not sure where to start? At Books In Order, we take the guesswork out of reading. Find the perfect sequence for thousands of series, from epic fantasies to thrilling mysteries. Visit us at https://booksinorder.org and discover your next great read today
Tags: order of private series, private series order, kate brian books, billings girls, ya reading guides