The Recommended Reading Order
The English Brothers series by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Regnery is a collection of contemporary romances set in the high-society world of Philadelphia. While each book is designed as a standalone story with its own happily-ever-after, they share recurring characters, family timelines, and cross-story events. To get the best experience and avoid spoilers, reading them in publication order is highly recommended.
1. Breaking Up with Barrett (Book 1)
The series launches with the story of Barrett English, the eldest brother and a ruthless CEO known in the business world as "The Shark." When he needs a fake fiancée to satisfy family expectations, he recruits Emily Edwards, the daughter of his family's gardener. What begins as a convenient business arrangement quickly develops into real feelings, forcing Barrett to decide between his corporate ambition and true love.
2. Falling for Fitz (Book 2)
The second book focuses on Fitz English, who unexpectedly crosses paths with his high school sweetheart, Daisy. Years after a heartbreaking and abrupt separation, their reunion reignites old feelings. This second-chance romance explores whether two people can move past the secrets and pain of the past to rebuild a future together.
3. Anyone but Alex (Book 3)
Alex English is the charming playboy of the family, accustomed to fleeting relationships and zero commitment. However, his carefree lifestyle is challenged when he falls for his childhood friend, Jessica Winslow. As they navigate the transition from friends to lovers, Alex must prove he is ready to change his ways for a lifetime commitment. Notably, this novel acts as a key bridge to the Winslow family spin-off series.
4. Seduced by Stratton (Book 4)
Stratton English is the soft-spoken, intellectual, and slightly awkward brother who often finds himself relegated to the "friend zone." Everything changes when he meets Valeria, a blunt, curvy, and outspoken Italian woman. Through a series of heartfelt letters and witty banter, Stratton steps out of his comfort zone to win Valeria's heart in a romance filled with humor and emotional depth.
5. Wild About Weston (Book 5)
Weston English is the youngest and last remaining single brother, who expects his day to be miserable when his girlfriend dumps him on the morning of his brother Fitz's wedding. However, at the reception, he meets Molly McKenna, a sensible schoolteacher who was also dumped by her fiancé the night before. Deciding to cast aside their heartbreak for one wild night, their casual connection quickly evolves into something much deeper.
6. Kiss Me Kate (Book 6)
This installment shifts focus to the brothers' cousin, Kate English, who moves to Philadelphia to join the family business, English & Company. There, she encounters Etienne Rousseau, her first love and a member of the English family's bitter rival clan. In a classic star-crossed lovers scenario, Kate and Etienne must navigate family hostility and long-held secrets to give their love a second chance.
7. Marrying Mr. English (Book 7 / Prequel)
Though published last in the series, this book is a standalone prequel that details the origin story of the family's patriarch and matriarch, Tom and Eleanora English. Faced with a strict inheritance deadline, trust fund playboy Tom enters into a marriage of convenience in Las Vegas with Eleanora, a struggling waitress. Their mock arrangement quickly becomes a genuine love story that lays the foundation for the entire English family.
Chronological vs. Publication Order
When planning your reading journey, you have two primary options for ordering the books:
- Publication Order (Recommended): Reading from Book 1 (Breaking Up with Barrett) through Book 6 (Kiss Me Kate), and ending with the prequel Marrying Mr. English. This order allows you to experience the brothers' stories as the author wrote them, watching the family dynamics evolve naturally before looking back at how it all began.
- Chronological Order: Starting with the prequel Marrying Mr. English to learn the history of Tom and Eleanora, and then reading Books 1 through 6. This is a popular choice for re-readers who want to follow the family timeline from its very beginning.
The Blueberry Lane Universe and Spin-offs
The English Brothers series is the cornerstone of Katy Regnery's larger Blueberry Lane universe. The characters and families in these books are highly interconnected, meaning you will see characters from the English family cross over into other series. If you want to expand your reading beyond the English family, the recommended progression is:
- The Winslow Brothers: Following neighbors to the English family, starting with Bidding on Brooks. Jessica Winslow's relationship with Alex English in Book 3 serves as the direct link to this sub-series.
- The Rousseaus: Focusing on the rival family introduced in Kate's story, starting with Jonquils for Jax.
- The Story Sisters and The Amblers: Further interconnected series set within the same elite social circles of Philadelphia.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving in, readers should know that the series leans heavily on classic contemporary romance tropes, including fake relationships, second chances, playboy redemption, and forbidden love. The books contain a mix of emotional drama, family loyalty, lighthearted humor, and steamy romance scenes. Because the stories are closely tied to the geography of Philadelphia and the family firm English & Company, the setting plays a major role in establishing the atmosphere across all seven books.