Malloren Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path: Order of Publication

For readers diving into the opulent, high-stakes world of the Malloren family, the recommended reading order is identical to the publication order. Jo Beverley meticulously crafted the series chronologically, meaning you can follow the publication timeline from 1993 to 2013 to watch the family's alliances, scandals, and romances unfold seamlessly. Each book builds on the political intrigues, family dynamics, and social developments established in the previous novels, making a step-by-step journey the most rewarding path.

Here is the complete chronological and publication order for the main Malloren novels:

1. My Lady Notorious (1993) – Introduces the youngest sibling, Lord Cynric "Cyn" Malloren, and Lady Chastity Ware.
2. Tempting Fortune (1995) – Follows Lord Arcenbryght "Bryght" Malloren and Portia St. Claire.
3. Something Wicked (1997) – Focuses on Lady Elfled "Elf" Malloren and Fort, the 5th Earl of Walgrave.
4. Secrets of the Night (1999) – Features Lord Brand Malloren and Rosamunde Overton.
5. Devilish (2000) – The long-awaited romance of the family patriarch, Stephen Malloren, Marquess of Rothgar, and Diana, Countess of Arradale.
6. Winter Fire (2003) – Follows the Mallorens' cousin, Charles Trayce, Marquess of Ashart, and Genova Smith.
7. A Most Unsuitable Man (2005) – Follows the enigmatic Octavius "Fitz" Fitzroger and Damaris Myddleton.
8. A Lady's Secret (2008) – Kickstarts the Rakes Trilogy subseries, focusing on Robin, Earl of Huntersdown, and Petra d'Averio.
9. The Secret Wedding (2009) – Features Christian Hill and Dorcas Froggatt, with direct ties to the Countess of Arradale.
10. The Secret Duke (2010) – Follows the Duke of Thornlink (Thorn) and Bella, concluding the Rakes Trilogy.
11. An Unlikely Countess (2011) – The first of the Three Countesses subseries, featuring Cerdic, Earl of Roxbury, and Prudence Ryland.
12. A Scandalous Countess (2012) – Follows Georgia, Lady Maybury, and Luke, Lord Falcon.
13. Seduction in Silk (2013) – Concludes the Three Countesses subseries, centering on Perry Perriam and Clary Halstead.

Where to Start Your Malloren Journey

The absolute best place to start the series is with the first book, My Lady Notorious. Starting here introduces the reader to the core sibling dynamics and sets up the overarching influence of the family patriarch, Stephen Malloren, the Marquess of Rothgar. Cyn Malloren's high-stakes, cross-dressing road adventure with Chastity Ware perfectly establishes the blend of humor, sensual romance, and dangerous Georgian-era politics that defines the entire saga.

Some readers are tempted to skip directly to Devilish, which is widely considered the crown jewel of the series and features the romance of the enigmatic Marquess of Rothgar. While Devilish is a masterpiece of the historical romance genre, it is far more satisfying if you have read the first four books. Seeing Rothgar pull the strings of his younger siblings' lives in the early novels makes his ultimate vulnerability and surrender to love in Devilish feel earned and deeply moving.

The Unique Structure: Youngest to Oldest

Jo Beverley chose an unconventional structure when designing the Malloren series. Rather than starting with the eldest sibling or the head of the family as is typical in Regency and Georgian romance series, she deliberately began with the youngest brother (Cyn) and worked her way up to the oldest brother (Rothgar). This progression allows Rothgar to remain an imposing, mysterious puppet master in the background of the first four books, building intense anticipation for his own story in the fifth installment.

After Rothgar's story, the series expands its scope. Instead of focusing solely on the immediate Malloren siblings, the timeline moves forward to encompass cousins (such as the Marquess of Ashart in Winter Fire), close family friends (like Fitzroger in A Most Unsuitable Man), and ultimately shifts into two distinct sub-trilogies that are set in the wider Malloren social circle.

The Subseries: Rakes and Countesses

As the Malloren universe expanded, Jo Beverley structured the later books into two thematic trilogies that function as subseries. While these books are still counted as part of the core 13 Malloren World novels, they focus on new sets of characters whose lives intersect with the Malloren family:

The Rakes Trilogy

This subseries consists of books 8, 9, and 10. It follows a trio of close friends who are branded as rakes by high society but find themselves entangled with the Mallorens and their allies. A Lady's Secret features Robin Fitzvitry, the Earl of Huntersdown, who is a cousin to the Mallorens. The Secret Wedding features Christian Hill, whose story is deeply intertwined with Diana, the Marchioness of Rothgar. The Secret Duke wraps up the trilogy, focusing on the mysterious Duke of Thornlink.

The Three Countesses Trilogy

Books 11, 12, and 13 comprise the "Three Countesses" story arc. These books follow three women who unexpectedly inherit or marry into the title of Countess, navigating the extreme social pressures and romantic hazards of the Georgian court. An Unlikely Countess, A Scandalous Countess, and Seduction in Silk showcase Beverley's mastery of class dynamics, introducing fan-favorite characters like Perry Perriam, who appears as a supporting character before taking center stage in the final novel.

Tie-ins, Novellas, and the Rogue's World

In addition to the thirteen full-length novels, Jo Beverley published one official e-book novella in the Malloren World: Dare to Kiss (2013). This short story is set chronologically around the events of the final books and features Perry Perriam's cousin. It serves as a light, standalone companion piece that is best read right before or after Seduction in Silk.

Readers often ask if the Malloren series connects to Beverley's other famous series, the Company of Rogues. While both series belong to the author's broader "Rogue's World" settings and share similar themes of found family, witty dialogue, and political intrigue, they are set in different historical eras. The Malloren books are firmly set in the Georgian era of the 1760s, whereas the Company of Rogues series is set in the Regency period of the early 19th century. Because of this time gap, there are no active character crossovers between the two, meaning they can be read completely independently of one another.

What to Know Before You Start

Beverley's Malloren series stands out for its meticulous historical details. Rather than presenting a sanitized version of history, the author embraces the grit, danger, and social realities of the 1760s, including debtor's prisons, highway robberies, and the rigid double standards faced by women of the era. The romance is passionate and emotional, but the plots are equally driven by adventure, mystery, and political maneuvering, ensuring a rich reading experience from start to finish.