Recommended Reading Order for Castles Ever After
Tessa Dare's Castles Ever After series features independent, unconventional women who inherit crumbling castles and find love in unexpected places. Because each book features a different couple and a unique fortress, the stories are largely self-contained and can be read in any order. However, we recommend reading them in publication order to fully appreciate the recurring characters and subtle links between the books.
- Romancing the Duke (2014) - Follows Izzy Goodnight, a penniless dreamer, and the brooding, blind Duke of Rothbury in the crumbling Goblin Castle.
- Say Yes to the Marquess (2014) - Follows Clio Whitmore, who wants to call off her engagement, and the rakish younger brother of her fiancé, Rafe Brandon, at Twill Castle.
- When a Scot Ties the Knot (2015) - Follows Maddie Gracechurch, who invents a fictional Scottish fiancé to avoid society, only for him to show up in the flesh at Castle Kilcregg.
- Do You Want to Start a Scandal (2016) - Follows Charlotte Highwood and Piers Brandon, the Marquess of Granville, as they investigate a scandal at a house party.
The Spindle Cove Crossover Connection
The fourth book in the series, Do You Want to Start a Scandal, acts as a crossover between Castles Ever After and Tessa Dare's popular Spindle Cove series. While the romance stands alone, the main characters tie both worlds together:
- Piers Brandon (The Hero): He is the Marquess of Granville and the older brother of Rafe Brandon from Say Yes to the Marquess, where he was originally introduced as Clio's absent fiancé.
- Charlotte Highwood (The Heroine): She is a prominent character throughout the Spindle Cove series, and her family plays a large role in those books.
Because of these connections, reading Say Yes to the Marquess before this book is highly recommended to understand Piers' background. Additionally, fans of the broader universe suggest reading the Spindle Cove books to get the full context of Charlotte's character, though it is not mandatory to enjoy the romance.
Chronological and Reading Order Caveats
There are no major chronological discrepancies within the main Castles Ever After trilogy. The books take place during the Regency era and do not require strict tracking of dates. The crossover book, Do You Want to Start a Scandal, fits best after the events of both Say Yes to the Marquess and the main books of the Spindle Cove series. If you read it early, you will encounter minor spoilers regarding the relationship statuses of characters from Spindle Cove.