Chrissie Manby Books In Order

Publication Order of Lizzie Jordan Books

Publication Order of Proper Family Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Anthologies

Largely writing romantic comedies, the British author hailing from London Chris Manby is a writer of bestselling novels worldwide. With a large amount of wit and good humor, she manages to convey her many themes and ideas in a clearly accessible and straightforward format. This has allowed her to rise to the forefront of her field, making a name for herself as one of the leading figures within her genre. Creating a style that is quite unlike any other, she really makes the most of her fun and engaging premises, along with her well drawn characters as well. Writing in a manner that is easy to relate to, it’s easy to see why so many have taken to her work over the many years of her literary career.

Producing iconic characters over the course of her career too, she has established personalities that feel wholly grounded in her approach. Setting herself apart from the rest within her field as well, she is singular in how she approaches various topics, always making sure that she says what it is that she wants to say. Creating a number of series too, she has produced long-running narrative arcs that always ensure that her readers continue to come back for more.

Early and Personal Life

Born in the United Kingdom, Christine Manby would always excel at literature, with a clear gift for writing from an early age. Encouraged by her teachers, she would continue to write, something which she would carry on throughout her education at St Edmund Hall in Oxford. Studying Experimental Psychology, she would begin to find herself as a writer, learning all the tools of the craft. Currently living in London she continues to writ regularly, maintaining a strong presence both online, as well as off.

Writing Career

It would be at just fourteen that Chris Manby would have her first short story published, which would be titled ‘Whatever Happened to the Wonderful Boy I Fell in Love With’. Going on to contribute a number of other stories to the magazine Just Seventeen, she would continue to see her name in print. This would see her through university too, as she would later go on to work at a company specializing in audio-books. It was here that she found her love of the form, going on to publish her first title under the pseudonym of Stephanie Ash, releasing the book ‘Inspiration’. This would see her quickly become a household name, writing under the respective names of both Chrissie Manby, and her own Chris Manby.

Lizzie Jordan’s Secret Life

First published through the Coronet publishing label, this would originally be released in 2000, with it being a stand-alone novel. Working as a romantic comedy, it’s not a part of any series as such, with it being an early entry into the writing career of Christine Manby. It’s definitely a must for both fans of the author and of the genre too, with it keeping to the formula, whilst taking some interesting diversions of its own along the way, whilst it would also pave the way for ‘Running Away From Richard’ in 2001.

A fun and engaging novel, this would draw elements from Manby’s own life, using comic exaggeration to create a hilarious and entertaining novel. Keeping the reader constantly hooked, it allows for them to really care about Lizzie Jordan as an individual and wholly rounded personality. Getting to the heart of the character, Manby fully fleshes her out, making it easy for the reader to relate to her as a person. The setting of the book is also painted vividly too, with Manby creating an interesting and realistic world for her characters.

Following the character of Lizzie Jordan, it sees her getting by, having been out of university for just five years now. Living with her accountant boyfriend in their small flat, she aims to simply get by as a low-level typist, all whilst her friends seem to succeeding elsewhere. Her previous American boyfriend at university, Brian, is someone she has never truly gotten over it seems either, as he’s now gone on to work at Wall Street. Having remained in correspondence with him through email though, she has taken to building a fantasy life for her, one filled with multimillion pound business deals and high-society parties. That’s when he says he’s going to come and stay, leading to her needing to undertake a series of actions that will ultimately conceal the truth from him. Will she be able to cover up the reality of her life from him? Can she keep the truth from coming out? What will become of Lizzie Jordan’s secret life?

A Proper Family Adventure

Originally released through the Hodder publishing outlet, this was initially published on the 16th of July in 2015. Setting up the fourth title in the ‘Benson Family’ series of books, it sees them all within the next chapter of their respective lives. Continuing on from before, it manages to develop them and their world even further, having already established them as characters in the previous titles.

Providing a fun and cozy story, this takes the reader once again into the world of the now much beloved Benson family. Taking the reader on a journey alongside each of them, it provides a clear window into them and their lives aboard a cruise ship. With the characters themselves having already been well established, it really manages to develop them even further. In the process, it also provides a hilarious set of antics and adventures along the way, keeping the reader constantly amused at all times throughout.

After finally winning the lottery following years of wishing it were true, Granddad Bill gives everyone of his family a generous nest-egg. Along with this he also proceeds to take them on a holiday in the Mediterranean, as the Benson family proceed to go on a cruise. This leads to Chelsea Benson taking her boyfriend Adam along for the ride, but it appears that they have hit a rough patch in their relationship. Then there’s Jane Thynne who was initially going as a honeymooner, but has instead had to go as widower, with her best friend helping her grieve the passing of her fiancée Greg. Finally there’s Adam’s daughter Lily who is going head-to-head with Jack Benson in the cruise ship talent contest, whilst Bill heads towards the on-board casino. Will they all find what it is that they’re looking for? Can they each emerge triumphant? What will become of a proper family adventure?