Fifty Shades Books in Order

E. L. James's erotic romance saga following the intense relationship between college graduate Anastasia Steele and brooding billionaire Christian Grey. The original trilogy is told from Ana's perspective, then retold in a companion trilogy (Grey, Darker, Freed) narrated by Christian.

Publication order

In the order the books were originally released.

  1. Cover of Fifty Shades of Grey

    Fifty Shades of Grey

    2011 · E. L. James

    When literature student Anastasia Steele steps in for her sick roommate to interview wealthy young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she's unprepared for…

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  2. Cover of Fifty Shades Darker

    Fifty Shades Darker

    2011 · E. L. James

    Bruised by their split, Ana has thrown herself into a new publishing job when Christian reappears, determined to win her back on different terms. As…

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  3. Cover of Fifty Shades Freed

    Fifty Shades Freed

    2012 · E. L. James

    Now married, Ana and Christian try to settle into life as a couple, balancing his fierce protectiveness with her wish for independence. But lingering…

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  4. Cover of Grey

    Grey

    2015 · E. L. James

    This retelling of the first novel hands the narration to Christian Grey, exposing the thoughts and demons behind his controlled exterior. As he…

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  5. Cover of Darker

    Darker

    2017 · E. L. James

    Retelling the second book from Christian's viewpoint, this novel follows his desperate campaign to reclaim Ana after their breakup. Through his eyes,…

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  6. Cover of Freed

    Freed

    2021 · E. L. James

    Closing the trilogy from Christian's perspective, this retelling revisits the newlyweds' attempt to build a life together. His narration lays bare…

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Frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Fifty Shades books in?

Publication order — Widely recommended by readers and the publisher (Vintage/Arrow), and consistent with how E. L. James released the books Start with “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

How many books are in the Fifty Shades series?

We list 6 books by E. L. James , published between 2011–2021.

Where can I buy the Fifty Shades books?

Each title above links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted an error? We continuously correct the catalog.