A Girl Books in Order

The A Girl books, sometimes called the Tess Brookes series, follow a woman who has always had a plan until life refuses to cooperate. Tess is an overworked advertising creative in London whose career, relationship and sense of direction all collapse at once, leaving her jobless, single and slightly stunned.

In About a Girl, a misplaced phone call and a moment of sheer panic lead her to steal her glamorous flatmate Vanessa’s photography job on a tropical island. Tess used to take photos for fun, but passing herself off as a professional is another matter. On the shoot she clashes with sharp‑tongued journalist Nick, bonds with new friends and is forced to reinvent herself, all while hoping no one notices she has no idea what she’s doing.

The second book, What a Girl Wants, picks up as Tess returns to London and tries to work out what comes next. A dream photography assignment in Milan pulls her in one direction, while the chance to launch an agency with long‑time best friend Charlie pulls her in another. The messy feelings between Tess, Nick and Charlie turn that career choice into a very personal one.

A Girl’s Best Friend brings the story to New York at Christmas. Tess heads across the Atlantic to stay with her friend Amy, chase a high‑stakes photo competition and escape the emotional tangle she left behind. Of course, both Nick and Charlie are impossible to avoid forever, and the trip forces her to decide what kind of work, love and life she actually wants.

Across the trilogy, readers get a mix of travel, workplace drama and complicated relationships, all told with Kelk’s usual humour. Tess makes big mistakes, owns up to them (eventually) and learns that building a dream career can be just as scary as falling in love. Characters from the I Heart universe pop up in small cameos, so the series feels connected without requiring homework.