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E Lynn Harris Books in Order

The complete guide to E. Lynn Harris's books, from the Invisible Life trilogy to his standalone novels, with reading orders and summaries.

Last updated: December 15, 2025

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18 books

No One in the World

by E. Lynn Harris

2011

Twin brothers separated as children—one a wealthy, closeted politician, the other a street-smart criminal—are reunited by their parents' death. As they try to bridge their different worlds, they are drawn into a web of family secrets and blackmail. Completed by co-author R.M. Johnson.

In My Father's House

by E. Lynn Harris

2010

Bentley L. Dean owns Miami's hottest modeling agency, but business gets complicated when he agrees to supply models for a high-stakes party. When his favorite protégé falls for a closeted movie star, Bentley must step in to prevent a disaster that could ruin them all.

Basketball Jones

by E. Lynn Harris

2009

AJ Richardson is the secret lover of NBA superstar Dray Jones, living a life of luxury in the shadows. When Dray marries a woman to protect his image, AJ is forced to decide if the perks of their hidden life are worth the pain of being second best.

Mama Dearest

by E. Lynn Harris

2008

Yancey Harrington Braxton is trying to revive her career with a reality show when her estranged mother, Ava, gets out of prison. Ava is determined to reclaim her spot as the ultimate diva, pitting mother against daughter in a ruthless battle for fame and control.

Just Too Good to Be True

by E. Lynn Harris

2008

Heisman Trophy contender Brady Bledsoe has lived a disciplined, celibate life under the watchful eye of his devoted mother. But when a beautiful cheerleader with ulterior motives enters the picture, Brady's bright future—and his mother's carefully guarded secrets—are put at risk.

Freedom in this Village

by E. Lynn Harris

2004

An anthology edited by E. Lynn Harris that collects twenty-five years of Black gay male writing. The collection features essays, stories, and poems from acclaimed authors like James Baldwin and Essex Hemphill, celebrating a vibrant and often overlooked literary tradition.

What Becomes of the Brokenhearted

by E. Lynn Harris

2003

In this candid memoir, E. Lynn Harris opens up about his own life, from his childhood in Arkansas to his struggles with depression and his journey to becoming a bestselling author. It is a story of survival, faith, and the reality behind the fiction.

I Say a Little Prayer

by E. Lynn Harris

2003

Chauncey Greer, a former boy-band star turned greeting card entrepreneur, returns to his musical roots at a church revival. But when he discovers the church is promoting a homophobic agenda, he organizes a protest that brings him face-to-face with his first love and deepest heartbreak.

A Love of My Own

by E. Lynn Harris

2002

Magazine editor Zola Norwood and CEO Raymond Tyler Jr. are navigating success and romance in New York City. While Zola juggles multiple men and a high-pressure job, Raymond tries to rebuild his life after a tragedy, but the return of Basil Henderson complicates everything.

Not a Day Goes By

by E. Lynn Harris

2000

Sports agent John "Basil" Henderson thinks he has met his match in the fierce, ambitious Broadway star Yancey Harrington Braxton. They plan a wedding that promises to be the event of the year, but a secret from the past threatens to destroy their power-couple dreams before they say "I do."

Got to be Real

by E. Lynn Harris

2000

A collection of romantic stories featuring works by Eric Jerome Dickey and other acclaimed authors. The anthology explores the many facets of love, from the sweet and tender to the complicated and real.

Abide With Me

by E. Lynn Harris

1999

In the conclusion to the *Invisible Life* trilogy, Raymond Tyler Jr. faces a career-threatening dilemma while Nicole attempts a Broadway comeback in New York. Their paths cross with the ambitious Yancey Harrington Braxton, leading to a story of ambition, betrayal, and the quest for home.

Any Way the Wind Blows

by E. Lynn Harris

1998

After being left at the altar, Yancey Harrington Braxton reinvents herself as a pop star in Los Angeles, but she isn't done with her ex, Basil Henderson. When Basil starts a fling with a model who knows too much, revenge becomes a dangerous game for everyone involved.

If This World Were Mine

by E. Lynn Harris

1997

Four old friends from Hampton Institute—a rare mix of men and women, gay and straight—meet monthly to share their journals and support one another. But as secrets surface and a stranger enters their circle, the group's bond is tested by jealousy, illness, and hidden desires.

And This Too Shall Pass

by E. Lynn Harris

1996

Four lives intersect in Chicago when a rookie NFL quarterback is accused of sexual assault by an ambitious sportscaster. As the scandal unfolds, a high-powered attorney and a gay sportswriter get caught in the crossfire, forcing everyone to confront the truth about their own lives.

Just As I Am

by E. Lynn Harris

1994

Raymond Tyler Jr. and Nicole Springer are doing their best to move forward, but life keeps pulling them back to the past. As Raymond navigates a new relationship with a man, Nicole struggles with a stagnant career and loneliness, forcing both to lean on their friendship to survive.

The Mystic Spirituality of A.W. Tozer

by E. Lynn Harris

1992

A study of the twentieth-century theologian A.W. Tozer, focusing on his "mystic" approach to Protestant spirituality. The book examines Tozer's prayer life, his influences, and how he sought a deeper, direct experience of God in the midst of modern life.

Invisible Life

by E. Lynn Harris

1991

Raymond Tyler Jr. is a handsome, successful lawyer with a beautiful girlfriend and a bright future, but he harbors a secret attraction to other men. Torn between the expectations of his Southern upbringing and his true desires, Raymond lives a double life that threatens to unravel everything he has built.

Where should I start?

If you're new to E. Lynn Harris, start where it all began:
Invisible LifeJust As I AmAbide With Me

If you want high-drama and divas:
Not a Day Goes ByAny Way the Wind BlowsMama Dearest

If you prefer a standalone sports romance:
Basketball Jones

Author bio

E. Lynn Harris (1955–2009) remains a towering figure in the world of contemporary African American fiction. He didn’t just write novels; he sparked conversations that rippled through book clubs, beauty salons, and living rooms across the country. Best known for bringing the "down low" phenomenon into the literary spotlight, Harris gave a voice to Black men living secret lives and the women who loved them.

Before he became a household name, Harris lived a life that was both accomplished and complicated. Born in Flint, Michigan, and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, he was accustomed to breaking barriers. At the University of Arkansas, he stood out as the school’s first Black male yearbook editor and the first Black male cheerleader, signaling early on that he wasn't afraid to chart his own course.

After college, Harris followed a traditional path to success. For thirteen years, he worked as a computer sales executive for major corporations like IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and AT&T. On the surface, he had it all: a great career, a nice wardrobe, and a solid reputation. But beneath the polished exterior, he was struggling with his identity and a deep sense of loneliness.

This internal conflict eventually came to a head. Following a dark period of depression and a suicide attempt, Harris made the brave decision to quit his corporate job. He poured his pain and his truth into writing his debut novel, Invisible Life. It was a story that needed to be told, but the publishing industry wasn't ready to listen. Rejection letters piled up, with editors claiming there was no market for his specific brand of storytelling.

Harris proved them wrong.

Taking matters into his own hands, he self-published the book. He filled the trunk of his car with copies and hit the road, visiting beauty salons, bookstores, and anywhere else potential readers gathered. He spoke directly to the women who would become his most loyal fanbase, building his career one handshake and one sale at a time. This grassroots hustle generated undeniable buzz, eventually catching the attention of Anchor Books.

What followed was a literary career that most writers only dream of.

Harris went on to land on the New York Times bestseller list more than a dozen times. Readers flocked to his books because they were messy, glamorous, and deeply human. He didn't just write romance; he explored complex, often taboo subjects like bisexuality, the impact of AIDS, and class distinctions within the Black community. His stories were often set in a world of high-powered professionals—sports agents, lawyers, and Broadway divas—whose public successes masked private pain.

Fans particularly loved his recurring characters, who felt like old friends (or enemies). There was the soul-searching Raymond Tyler Jr., who anchored the Invisible Life series, and the deliciously villainous Yancey Harrington Braxton. Yancey, an aspiring singer and actress who would stop at nothing to get ahead, became one of the most memorable antagonists in modern fiction.

Harris passed away unexpectedly in 2009 while in Los Angeles.

He left behind a legacy that went far beyond book sales. By writing his truth, E. Lynn Harris opened doors for countless other authors who had been told their stories didn't matter. He validated the experiences of readers who rarely saw themselves represented in print, leaving an indelible mark on American literature.

Edited by

Richard Reis

Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.

Anurag Ramdasan

Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.

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All 18 E Lynn Harris Books in Order (Complete List 2026)