Welcome to the Donovan Family Saga
Spanning nearly two decades, A.C. Arthur's contemporary romance saga introduces readers to the wealthy, prominent African-American Donovan family. Chiefly set against the glittering backdrop of Las Vegas, but occasionally whisking readers away to Miami, Las Vegas, and Paris, the series balances high-society glamor with deeply emotional, character-driven story arcs. Rather than simple fairy tales, these romances tackle real-world challenges like domestic violence, body shaming, mental health, and complex family dynamics.
If you are looking to dive into a dynasty defined by loyalty, sizzling chemistry, and shocking secrets, navigating their sprawling family tree and interconnected stories is essential for the best reading experience.
Where to Start: Recommended Reading Paths
While most books in the series focus on a single couple and can technically be enjoyed as standalone novels, the recurring subplots, cameos, and long-running family mysteries (most notably the "Secret Son" arc) make chronological reading highly recommended. There are two primary ways to approach the series:
The Classic Entry: Publication Order (Recommended)
Starting with the book that launched the series in 2006, Love Me Like No Other, is the best path for most readers. This allows you to meet the family members in the order they were introduced, watch the dynasty grow, and experience the overarching subplots unfold naturally without spoilers. You can then read the 2023 prequel, A Legacy Is Born, either at the very beginning to understand the family roots, or at the end as a nostalgic look back at the matriarch Gertrude "Gran" Donovan's history.
The Chronological Path
For readers who prefer a strict timeline, starting with the prequel A Legacy Is Born (which centers on Gran Donovan's 80th birthday and explores the legacy's roots) sets the stage before moving directly into Love Me Like No Other. However, keep in mind that the prequel was written with long-term fans in mind, so starting here may lack the immediate punch of the main series' introductory romances.
The Donovans: Main Series Reading Order
To follow the family's journey from their beginnings to the emotional finale, here is the complete publication order of the main series:
- Love Me Like No Other (2006): Focuses on casino owner Lincoln "Linc" Donovan and Jade Vincent, who crosses paths with Lincoln while trying to resolve family debts.
- A Cinderella Affair (2007): Follows real estate mogul Adam Donovan and fashion designer Camille Davis as they navigate self-doubt and high-stakes romance.
- Defying Desire (2009): Features former Navy SEAL Trent Donovan and fashion model Tia St. Claire in a fan-favorite, string-free arrangement that quickly gets complicated.
- Full House Seduction (2009): Focuses on construction company owner Brock Remington (adopted into the Donovan clan) and casino project manager Noelle Vincent.
- Touch of Fate (2011): Features Las Vegas real estate tycoon Maxwell "Max" Donovan and romance author Deena Lake.
- Holiday Hearts (2011): Tells the story of marketing executive Keysa Donovan and Ian Sanchez as they navigate holiday romance and past heartbreak.
- Desire a Donovan (2012): Follows playboy heir Dion Donovan and photographer Lyra Anderson, who shares a childhood bond with the family.
- Surrender to a Donovan (2012): Features magazine executive Sean Donovan and secret relationship columnist Tate Dennison.
- Pleasured by a Donovan (2012): Features Trey "Coop" Cooper and Danielle, launching the "Secret Son" mystery arc.
- Heart of a Donovan (2013): Focuses on Brynne Donovan and Wade as they deal with personal growth and rising family tension.
- Embraced By A Donovan (2015): Follows the reformed playboy Parker Donovan as he seeks a mature relationship after a messy divorce.
- Wrapped In A Donovan (2015): Features Savian Donovan and trial attorney Jenise Langley as they face legal hurdles and instant chemistry.
- The Donovans: Uncovered (2016): A collection of novellas focusing on the senior Donovans and providing updates on beloved couples like Trent and Tia.
- In The Arms of a Donovan (2016): Follows Brandon Donovan and plus-size advocacy spokesperson Amber McNair as they confront body-shaming and family secrets.
- Falling for a Donovan (2017): Focuses on Bailey Donovan and Navy SEAL Devlin Bonner. This book contains a cliffhanger and is highly dependent on reading the previous five books in the "Secret Son" arc.
- Destiny Of A Donovan (2017): The emotional series finale that wraps up the major family storylines and concludes the saga of Brynne Donovan.
- A Legacy Is Born (2023): A prequel novel exploring the origins of the Donovan dynasty, centered around Gertrude "Gran" Donovan's milestone 80th birthday.
Understanding the Spinoffs and Connected Series
If you cannot get enough of A.C. Arthur's world, the author has written several connected series featuring the Donovans' friends, associates, and the next generation of the family:
The Donovan Friends
This spinoff series follows the close friends and colleagues of the Donovan family. While they can be read independently of the main series, they are best read alongside or after the middle books of the main line. Key titles include:
- Guarding His Body (2008)
- Summer Heat (2010)
- Winter Kisses (2011)
- Under the Mistletoe (2013)
- Always My Valentine (2015)
- Always In My Heart (2016)
- For Always (2018)
- The Winter Wedding (2018)
The Donovan Dynasty
Focusing on the next generation of the family (including the branch known as the "UK Donovans"), this series shifts the spotlight to new heirs. It is recommended to read these after completing the main series to avoid major family spoilers. Notable entries include:
- Dane (2018)
- Roark (2020)
What to Know Before You Start
The Donovan series is highly serial in its subplots. The "Secret Son" arc, starting in Pleasured by a Donovan and continuing through to Falling for a Donovan, introduces accusations against the senior Donovan men regarding hidden children. Reading these books out of order will spoil the mystery and make the character interactions in later books confusing. In fact, A.C. Arthur explicitly recommended that readers finish Heart of a Donovan, Embraced by a Donovan, Wrapped in a Donovan, and In the Arms of a Donovan before starting Falling for a Donovan to ensure the cliffhangers and character states make sense.