How to Read the Lingerie Series in Order
Penelope Sky's dark romance saga, initially released as the Lingerie series and later retitled as the Beyond Buttons series, is a sprawling 15-book sequence. Because the overall narrative is highly linear and spans generations of the Barsetti crime family, it is crucial to read the books in their exact order of publication to avoid massive spoilers and follow the continuous storyline.
Recommended Reading Order
Every book in this series was released in 2018. Below is the complete sequential path, featuring both their original "Lingerie" titles and their retitled "Buttons" counterparts:
- Muse in Lingerie / Buttons and Revenge (2018) – Focuses on Conway and Sapphire.
- Beauty in Lingerie / Buttons and Betrayal (2018) – Focuses on Conway and Sapphire.
- Lady in Lingerie / Buttons and Devotion (2018) – Focuses on Conway and Sapphire.
- Queen in Lingerie / Buttons & Power (2018) – Focuses on Conway and Sapphire.
- Empress in Lingerie / Buttons and Despise (2018) – Focuses on Vanessa and Bones (Griffin).
- Fantasy in Lingerie / Buttons and Beauty (2018) – Focuses on Vanessa and Bones (Griffin).
- Desire in Lingerie / Buttons and Loyalty (2018) – Focuses on Vanessa and Bones (Griffin).
- Sassy in Lingerie / Buttons and Blood (2018) – Focuses on Vanessa and Bones (Griffin).
- Divine in Lingerie / Buttons and Death (2018) – Focuses on Vanessa and Bones (Griffin).
- Foxy In Lingerie / Buttons and Lies (2018) – Focuses on Vanessa and Bones (Griffin).
- Fine in Lingerie / Buttons and Deceit (2018) – Focuses on Vanessa and Bones (Griffin).
- Princess in Lingerie / Buttons and Hope (2018) – Focuses on Vanessa and Bones (Griffin).
- Dancer in Lingerie / Buttons and Belief (2018) – Focuses on Carmen and Bosco Roth.
- Fighter in Lingerie / Buttons and Desire (2018) – Focuses on Carmen and Bosco Roth.
- Lover in Lingerie / Buttons and Shadows (2018) – Focuses on Carmen and Bosco Roth.
Understanding the Dual Titles Dilemma
One of the most common points of confusion for new readers is the existence of two different names for almost every single book in this collection. Penelope Sky originally published these novels as the Lingerie Series, with titles structured as [Word] in Lingerie. She later rebranded the series to Beyond Buttons, aligning the titles with her original mega-hit Buttons series by renaming them to Buttons and [Word].
It is important to remember that these are the exact same books. For example, if you purchase Muse in Lingerie, you own the identical story text as someone reading Buttons and Revenge. When buying or borrowing, be careful not to accidentally buy the same volume twice under different names.
The Core Story Arcs & Couples Breakdown
Rather than following a single couple for all fifteen books, the Lingerie saga is divided into three distinct character-focused subseries, each highlighting a different couple within the Barsetti family orbit:
1. Conway Barsetti & Sapphire (Books 1–4)
The series opens in Milan with Conway Barsetti, a brooding billionaire lingerie designer, and Sapphire, a resilient woman fleeing a dangerous family debt. When Sapphire becomes Conway's creative muse, it ignites a highly possessive, high-tension romance that tests the boundaries of power, devotion, and secrets. This arc spans from Muse in Lingerie to Queen in Lingerie.
2. Vanessa Barsetti & Bones / Griffin (Books 5–12)
The middle and largest portion of the series focuses on Vanessa Barsetti—the fierce daughter of the original Buttons series protagonist Crow Barsetti—and Bones, a mysterious man whose real name is Griffin. Because Bones is connected to the historical enemies of the Barsetti clan, their love story is a forbidden, dangerous game of survival, trust, and ultimate redemption. This arc spans from Empress in Lingerie to Princess in Lingerie.
3. Carmen Barsetti & Bosco Roth (Books 13–15)
The final three books transition to Carmen Barsetti (daughter of Cane Barsetti) and the ruthless underground crime lord Bosco Roth. After Bosco rescues Carmen from a dangerous confrontation, he demands a debt that pulls her deep into his dark world of casino operations and intense passion, bringing the generation's saga to a dramatic conclusion in Lover in Lingerie.
Chronological Context: Where Should You Start?
While the Lingerie series can technically be read on its own, it functions as a direct next-generation spin-off of Penelope Sky's original Buttons Series (which follows Crow Barsetti and Pearl). To fully appreciate the complex history of the Barsetti family legacy, the rivalries, and the references to older characters, it is highly recommended to read the original series first. The author's preferred global reading sequence is as follows:
- The Buttons Series: Starts with Buttons and Lace (explores the older generation).
- The Queen Series: A companion trilogy.
- The Beyond Buttons / Lingerie Series: Following the children of the original characters.
If you choose to skip the original series and start directly with Lingerie, you must start with Muse in Lingerie (or Buttons and Revenge). Starting anywhere else will leave you deeply confused about the overarching conflicts and relationships.
What to Know Before You Start
The Lingerie series belongs firmly to the dark romance and erotic suspense genres. Readers should expect heavy themes involving kidnapping, organized crime debts, intense power dynamics, and explicit content. However, what sets Sky’s work apart is her commitment to crafting highly resilient, independent heroines who challenge their alpha counterparts rather than merely submit to them. Set against the glamorous fashion industry of Milan, Italy, and the gritty criminal underground, the series offers a unique blend of style and suspense.