The simplest I’m in Love with the Villainess reading order is to read the five main light novels first. Then read She’s so Cheeky for a Commoner for Claire’s view of the story. Keep Come on and Notice Me Already, the new third arc, for later.
The similar names can make a book list confusing. Several editions start at volume one, but they do different jobs. This guide separates the main novels, the retelling, the manga, and the upcoming continuation. It avoids major plot details, although the continuation’s premise reveals a small part of the family’s future.
Recommended reading order at a glance
| Order | Title | What to read |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I’m in Love with the Villainess | Main light novels, volumes 1–5 |
| 2 | She’s so Cheeky for a Commoner | Claire’s retelling, volumes 1–3 |
| 3 | Come on and Notice Me Already | Third arc; English volume 1 is scheduled for January 12, 2027 |
| Optional | I’m in Love with the Villainess (Manga) | A separate adaptation, starting at manga volume 1 |
This is our recommended order for a first read. It keeps the main story together before you return to earlier events from another character’s view. The volume lists and release date were checked against Seven Seas on September 6, 2026. Future dates can change.
Start with the five main light novels
The original light novel series follows an office worker who wakes inside her favourite dating game. As Rae Taylor, she pursues Claire François, the game’s villainess, instead of its male romantic leads. Inori wrote the series, with illustrations by Hanagata.
Read volumes one through five in number order. Seven Seas marks volume five as the final volume of this main series. You can therefore start these books with a defined endpoint. You do not need to wait for a manga adaptation to reach the same point.
For a first visit to Rae and Claire’s world, keep this sequence uninterrupted. Switching between the main novels and the retelling can make it harder to track which events each narrator already knows. Finish Rae’s account, then return for Claire’s.
Read She’s so Cheeky for a Commoner next
She’s so Cheeky for a Commoner retells the story from Claire’s point of view. Seven Seas lists three English light novel volumes. The numbering starts again at one.
Claire takes her noble position and its duties seriously. Rae’s behaviour disrupts what she expects from a commoner at the academy. That change in viewpoint is the reason to read this version. You get access to Claire’s concerns instead of watching her mainly through Rae’s attention.
Treat these books as a return to the story after the five main novels. Do not look for a main-series volume six under this subtitle. If you only want the main plot on your first read, you can leave the retelling until you want more time with Claire.
Where the new third arc fits
Come on and Notice Me Already is a later continuation. Seven Seas describes it as a third arc about the main couple’s daughters, with Alea at the centre of the new story. That premise assumes a future beyond the original novels, so save it until you have finished them.
The English release of volume one is scheduled for January 12, 2027. As of this guide’s publication, that date is still in the future. A retailer listing may be a preorder. Check the format and release date before you buy.
You can finish the existing five-volume story now and decide about the new arc later. The “final volume” label on the older series and the announcement of a third arc refer to different series entries.
Keep manga and audiobook numbering separate
Seven Seas publishes a manga adaptation, with art by AONOSHIMO. Manga volume one and light novel volume one are different editions. A higher manga volume number does not mean that it follows the last numbered novel.
If you move from the manga or anime to prose, starting the main novel at volume one gives you a clear route. You can read the early narration in its original sequence. Avoid choosing the next novel by matching numbers across formats.
The publisher also lists audiobooks for the five main novels and the three Claire-view novels. Follow the title and volume number within the same series. An audiobook is an alternative way to experience that novel, so you do not need to add it as another step after reading the print edition.
Our Yuri light novel, manga, and anime comparison can help if you are still deciding which format you prefer.
Check the full title before you start
Keep three details in your reading list: the complete subtitle, the format, and the volume number. For example, “She’s so Cheeky for a Commoner, light novel, volume one” is more useful than “Villainess volume one.” It prevents a retelling or manga edition from replacing the main novel by mistake.
Use the publisher links above to find the correct edition and its listed retailers. If you want a different GL series after Rae and Claire, browse the Yuri novels on LightNovelsAI. For a relationship that develops more gradually, use our slow-burn Yuri guide to choose your next read.
