Books On Board
series Reading Order

Crown’s Spies Books in Order

4 Books
1988 – 1993 Published
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Reading order
01
The Lion's Lady
The Lion's Lady
1988
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02
Guardian Angel
Guardian Angel
1990
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03
The Gift
The Gift
1991
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04
Castles
Castles
1993
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The Recommended Reading Order

For the best reading experience, we recommend following the publication order of the Crown’s Spies series. While each book centers on a different couple and tells a complete, standalone story, the characters belong to the same close-knit circle of noblemen and espionage agents. Reading them in order allows you to see their friendships develop and enjoy recurring appearances from previous heroes and heroines without encountering minor spoilers.

  1. The Lion's Lady (1988) – Follows Christina Bennett and Lyon, the Marquess of Lyonwood.
  2. Guardian Angel (1990) – Follows Jade and Caine, the Marquess of Cainewood.
  3. The Gift (1991) – Follows Sara Winchester and Nathan, the Marquess of St. James.
  4. Castles (1993) – Follows Princess Alesandra and Colin Hallbrook.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Good news for readers who hate jumping back and forth in timeline order: the publication order of the Crown’s Spies series aligns perfectly with its chronological timeline. The stories unfold sequentially between 1815 and 1819 in Regency England:

  • The Lion's Lady is set in 1815.
  • Guardian Angel is set in 1815/1816.
  • The Gift is set in 1816.
  • Castles is set in 1819.

Since the timeline moves straight forward, starting with The Lion's Lady and finishing with Castles is the most natural and rewarding path.

Character Connections and Series World

The core charm of this quartet lies in how the characters are linked. Caine and Colin are brothers, meaning Colin's romance in Castles directly builds on his introduction as a secondary character in Guardian Angel. Additionally, Lyon, Caine, and Nathan are close friends and allies who frequently pop up in each other's books to offer advice, banter, or backup, making the series feel like a cozy, interconnected universe.

Spin-offs and Related Julie Garwood Series

While Julie Garwood is famous for her medieval Scottish romance series, such as the Highlands' Lairds trilogy (beginning with The Secret), there is no official crossover or narrative connection between her Scottish historicals and the Regency-based Crown's Spies. They are completely separate universes, though they share Garwood's signature blend of humorous banter, protective alpha heroes, and spirited heroines.

Frequently Asked

QCan the Crown's Spies books be read as standalones?

Yes, each book in the series features a self-contained romance with a clear resolution, so they can technically be read out of order. However, reading them in order is highly recommended to appreciate the character friendships and avoid minor spoilers.

QWho are the main couples in the Crown's Spies series?

The series features four couples: Lyon and Christina in The Lion's Lady, Caine and Jade in Guardian Angel, Nathan and Sara in The Gift, and Colin and Alesandra in Castles.

QDoes the series have any chronological timeline differences?

No. The timeline moves forward chronologically from 1815 in The Lion's Lady to 1819 in Castles, matching the exact order in which they were published.

QIs the Crown's Spies series connected to the Highlands' Lairds series?

No, the two series are not connected. Crown's Spies takes place in Regency England, while the Highlands' Lairds series is set in medieval Scotland. They share the same author but do not feature overlapping characters.

QWhich book should I start with?

You should start with the first book, The Lion's Lady. It introduces the main social circle of the series and establishes the tone of the books.

QAre there any other spin-offs or sequels to Crown's Spies?

Julie Garwood did not write any direct sequels or spin-offs to the Crown's Spies series. It remains a complete four-book historical romance series.