Books On Board
series Reading Order

Kaitlyn and the Highlander Books in Order

19 Books
2018 – 2024 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

How to Read the Kaitlyn and the Highlander Series

Diana Knightley’s Kaitlyn and the Highlander series is a massive, immersive time-travel romance saga that blends modern millennial humor with rich historical Scottish lore. Because the plot relies on continuous character growth, evolving relationships, and complex time-travel mechanics, reading the books in publication order is highly recommended. Jumping ahead will spoil major relationship milestones, family secrets, and the overarching conflict between Kaitlyn Sheffield and the forces that threaten her Highlander lover, Magnus Campbell.

Recommended Starting Point

The best place to start is the debut novel, Kaitlyn and the Highlander. The story begins in the modern era, where Kaitlyn is recovering from a viral public breakup when she encounters Magnus during a bizarre storm. If you want a little extra flavor, the author offers a "verra wee prequel" titled How I Found Her, which is told from Magnus's perspective. While it was originally published as bonus content at the end of book 13 (Lady Mairead), it is now available as a standalone prequel to newsletter subscribers and can be read first or saved for later as a flashback.

Kaitlyn and the Highlander Publication Order

Here is the primary reading sequence for the core series, showing the progression of Kaitlyn and Magnus’s journey through time:

  1. Kaitlyn and the Highlander (2018) – The story begins as Kaitlyn meets Magnus, a Highlander from 1702 who is mysteriously transported to the modern day.
  2. Time and Space Between Us (2018) – Kaitlyn and Magnus search for a way to bridge their eras and understand the vessel that moves them.
  3. Warrior of My Own (2018) – Kaitlyn steps through time to join Magnus in 18th-century Scotland.
  4. Begin Where We Are (2018) – The couple faces new challenges adjusting to life together across two eras.
  5. Entangled With You (2019) – Relationships deepen as new threats to their timeline emerge.
  6. Magnus and a Love Beyond Words (2019) – Focusing on the deep, unspoken bond between the two main characters.
  7. Under the Same Sky (2019) – Secrets of the portals and the Campbell clan history begin to unravel.
  8. Nothing but Dust (2019) – High-stakes survival tests the couple's resolve in the rugged Highlands.
  9. Again My Love (2019) – Destinies collide as they fight to keep their family safe.
  10. Our Shared Horizon (2020) – A look at the growing community and allies supporting Kaitlyn and Magnus.
  11. Son and Throne (2020) – The next generation begins to take center stage, introducing complex future timelines.
  12. The Wellspring (2020) – Kaitlyn and Magnus discover the deep magic and rules governing their time jumps.
  13. Lady Mairead (2021) – Explores the backstory and legacy of the Campbell clan (features the Magnus-POV prequel material at the end).
  14. The Guardian (2021) – The struggle to protect the time portals intensifies.
  15. Magnus the First (2021) – Delves into historical origins and legacy.
  16. Only a Breath Away (2022) – Romantic tension and temporal danger reach a peak.
  17. Promises to Keep (2022) – Kaitlyn and Magnus must make difficult choices to honor their oaths.
  18. Time is a Wheel (2023) – The climax of the core series, raising the question of whether time is linear or cyclical.
  19. Long Live the King (2024) – Transition book that initiates a new era and the Wolf King story arc.

Understanding the Subseries and Spin-Offs

As the universe of Kaitlyn and the Highlander grew, Diana Knightley created distinct branches and subseries. These allow readers to explore different aspects of the universe, either as a continuation of the main story or as standalone adventures.

Time is a Wheel: The Wolf King Trilogy

Starting with Long Live the King (Book 19 in the publication order), the story transitions into the Wolf King Trilogy. This subseries focuses on Magnus, Kaitlyn, and their family in a shifting, legendary landscape. The trilogy includes:

  • Long Live the King
  • The Dawn
  • The Empire and the Wolf King

While these are written as the natural continuation of the main 18-book series, the author has noted that they are structured so they can also be read as a self-contained trilogy for readers who want to jump straight into the epic fantasy-romance elements.

Branches of Time: A Magnus and Kaitlyn Saga

This spin-off project expands the family tree and explores alternative timelines. The first entry is Where the Forest Remembers Us. Like the Wolf King Trilogy, this series is designed to be read either after completing the main series to continue the adventure, or as a standalone story in the same universe.

The Scottish Duke Series

Starting with The Scottish Duke, the Rules of Time Travel, and Me, this spin-off follows a Duke from 1670 and a modern-day storm chaser. They are brought together by the same mysterious portal mechanics featured in the main series, offering a fresh romance with familiar time-travel rules.

Campbell Sons

A contemporary romantic comedy spin-off starting with Blakely and Liam. This series crosses over with other books in Knightley's wider bibliography, including the rock-and-roll romance Karrie and the Rockstar and the main Kaitlyn and the Highlander cast, grounding the historical characters in a lighthearted modern setting.

Torin and the Princess

A parallel time-travel series consisting of four books (including Torin and the Princess, Torin and the Battle, and Torin and the Two Crowns) that shares the signature style, romance, and historical adventure of the main series.

What to Know Before You Start

The series is famous for its fast-paced, episodic storytelling. Because Diana Knightley originally wrote these books in rapid succession, they often feel like television episodes, ending on cliffhangers that resolve in the next installment. Be prepared for a mix of steamy historical romance, sci-fi rules regarding portals, and a highly relatable modern heroine who navigates historical Scotland with contemporary humor. While time travel inevitably introduces complex timelines and overlapping histories (particularly from book 11 onward), sticking to the publication order will ensure you never get lost in the slipstream.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting point for the series?

You should start with the first novel, Kaitlyn and the Highlander (2018). While there is a short prequel from Magnus's perspective titled How I Found Her, it is best appreciated after you are already familiar with the characters.

QCan the Wolf King Trilogy be read without reading the main series?

Yes. Although the Wolf King Trilogy (starting with Long Live the King) serves as the continuation of the main saga, the author designed it so it can be enjoyed as a standalone fantasy romance trilogy.

QWhere does the prequel 'How I Found Her' fit in?

How I Found Her is a short prequel written from Magnus's perspective. It was originally published as bonus material at the end of Book 13, Lady Mairead, but can be read at the very beginning of your journey or as a flashback later on.

QAre the spin-offs like The Scottish Duke connected?

Yes, The Scottish Duke series shares the same time-travel rules and portals as the main series. The Campbell Sons series also features fun crossovers with the main characters in a modern setting.

QHow many books are in the core Kaitlyn and the Highlander series?

The core series consists of 18 books ending with Time is a Wheel, after which the story transitions into the Wolf King Trilogy and other spin-off sagas.