Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | How Not to Die Alone / Something to Live For | 2019 | Richard Roper | Buy |
| 2 | When We Were Young | 2021 | Richard Roper | Buy |
| 3 | This Disaster Loves You | 2024 | Richard Roper | Buy |
Richard Roper has published three standalone novels since 2019. How Not to Die Alone (also published as Something to Live For) introduced his voice to readers with a story about a lonely man whose elaborate lie about having a family begins to fall apart when a new colleague enters his life. The book was widely praised for balancing comedy with genuine emotional weight.
When We Were Young (2021) and This Disaster Loves You (2024) continued in a similar vein, exploring relationships, loss, and the ways people try to connect with each other. Roper’s books are character-driven stories where the humor comes from the situations rather than from jokes, and where the emotional stakes feel real even when the setup is a bit absurd.