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Moonlight Trilogy Books in Order

10 Books
2009 – 2014 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order for the Moonlight Trilogy

The Moonlight Trilogy is a self-contained contemporary romance series written by bestselling author Jude Deveraux. It follows the lives, friendships, and romantic journeys of three college friends—Jecca, Kim, and Sophie—in the fictional, artistic town of Edilean, Virginia. If you want to focus exclusively on this group of friends, the trilogy should be read in order of publication:

  1. Moonlight in the Morning (2011) – Centers on Jecca Layton and Dr. Tristan Aldredge.
  2. Stranger in the Moonlight (2012) – Centers on Kim Aldredge and Travis Merritt.
  3. Moonlight Masquerade (2013) – Centers on Sophie Kincaid and Dr. Reede Aldredge.

While the trilogy can be enjoyed perfectly well on its own, it is also a subseries embedded within Deveraux's larger Edilean Series. Reading the broader series first offers a richer experience, as it introduces the town's history, founding families, and recurring side characters who play minor roles in the trilogy.

The Broader Edilean Series: Publication Order

For readers who want to experience the complete history of the town of Edilean, starting from the original historical founders to the contemporary generation, here is the full Edilean series in order of publication:

  1. Lavender Morning (2009)
  2. Promises (2009) [Novella]
  3. Days of Gold (2009)
  4. Scarlet Nights (2010)
  5. The Scent of Jasmine (2010)
  6. Heartwishes (2011)
  7. Moonlight in the Morning (2011) [Moonlight Trilogy Book 1]
  8. Stranger in the Moonlight (2012) [Moonlight Trilogy Book 2]
  9. Moonlight Masquerade (2013) [Moonlight Trilogy Book 3]
  10. Change of Heart (2014)

Chronological Order: Navigating the Historical Timelines

Jude Deveraux designed the Edilean series as a multi-generational saga. Several books are historical romances detailing the origins of the town, while others are set in the modern day. If you prefer to read the events in historical sequence, follow this chronological timeline:

  • Days of Gold (Set in 1766) – Follows the town's original founder, Edilean Talbot, as she flees Scotland and establishes a new life in Virginia.
  • The Scent of Jasmine (Set in 1799) – Follows Catherine Edilean Harcourt and Alex Montgomery.
  • Promises (Set in 1800) – A novella set in the post-Revolutionary War era.
  • Lavender Morning (Contemporary) – The modern-day story that kicks off the contemporary era of Edilean.
  • Scarlet Nights (Contemporary)
  • Heartwishes (Contemporary)
  • Moonlight in the Morning (Contemporary)
  • Stranger in the Moonlight (Contemporary)
  • Moonlight Masquerade (Contemporary)
  • Change of Heart (Contemporary)

Publication vs. Chronological: Which is Better?

We highly recommend reading in publication order. Deveraux builds mysteries, family secrets, and local legends across the contemporary books that are retrospectively explained or deepened by the historical novels. Starting with the publication order allows you to uncover the town’s secrets in the sequence the author intended. However, if you are a major fan of historical romance, starting with the 18th-century prequel Days of Gold is a perfectly viable entry point.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving in, there are a few key details that will help you navigate this cozy romance universe:

  • The Setting: Edilean, Virginia is a fictional, picturesque town filled with artists, historical archives, and close-knit families. It was founded by Edilean Talbot in the late 1700s, and the legacy of its founders influences almost every story.
  • The Aldredge Cousins: The romantic leads of the Moonlight Trilogy are closely related. Tristan, Kim, and Reede Aldredge are all cousins. This means characters from previous books frequently pop up in later novels to offer unsolicited relationship advice or medical support.
  • The College Connection: The female protagonists of the trilogy—Jecca Layton, Kim Aldredge, and Sophie Kincaid—are best friends who met in college. The trilogy tracks how they support one another through life transitions, breakups, and small-town adjustments.
  • The Montgomery/Taggert Crossover: Long-time fans of Jude Deveraux will appreciate that the Edilean series crosses over with her legendary Montgomery/Taggert universe. This is highlighted in the final Edilean book, Change of Heart, which features Frank Taggert.

Deep Dive into the Moonlight Trilogy Books

1. Moonlight in the Morning (2011)

The trilogy opens with Jecca Layton, a successful New York artist who travels to Edilean for the summer. Urged by her college friend Kim to take a break from the stressful city art scene, Jecca plans to spend her time painting. However, her summer plans shift when she meets Dr. Tristan Aldredge. Tristan has been dedicated to his medical practice and his town, but meeting Jecca changes his outlook. Their romance develops quickly under the summer sky, but they must face the reality of their differing lives: Jecca’s career is rooted in New York, while Tristan cannot abandon his patients in Virginia.

2. Stranger in the Moonlight (2012)

The second book focuses on Kim Aldredge, who has dedicated herself to her jewelry design business in Edilean. As a teenager, Kim was deeply in love with Travis Merritt, a boy with a troubled background who eventually left town and cut off contact. Years later, Travis returns to Edilean as a successful corporate lawyer, but he is carrying secrets about his past and the reasons he had to leave. Kim must decide if she can trust the boy who broke her heart, while Travis must confront the town's history and find peace with his childhood memories.

3. Moonlight Masquerade (2013)

The final installment in the trilogy features Sophie Kincaid, the third college friend. After being publicly jilted by her fiancé, Sophie flees to Edilean to rebuild her life and pursue her passion for painting. Her arrival is far from smooth; she immediately clashes with Dr. Reede Aldredge, Tristan’s cousin. Reede is a brilliant but cynical doctor who carries his own emotional wounds. When Reede takes Sophie in after an accident, the forced proximity causes their initial hostility to melt into mutual attraction. A local masquerade charity event serves as the backdrop where secrets are revealed, helping both characters heal from their pasts.

Frequently Asked

QCan I read the Moonlight Trilogy without reading the rest of the Edilean books?

Yes. The Moonlight Trilogy functions as a self-contained story arc following three college friends. While reading the other Edilean books provides deeper context about the town and recurring characters, you can easily start with Moonlight in the Morning and enjoy the trilogy on its own.

QHow are the protagonists of the Moonlight Trilogy related?

The three female leads—Jecca, Kim, and Sophie—are best friends who met in college. The three male leads—Tristan, Travis, and Reede—are connected through the town, with Tristan, Kim, and Reede being cousins in the local Aldredge family.

QWhere does the Edilean series cross over with the Montgomery/Taggert family?

The crossover occurs in the final book of the Edilean series, Change of Heart (2014), which features Frank Taggert, bridging Deveraux’s two most famous literary universes.

QIs Edilean, Virginia a real place?

No, Edilean is a fictional town created by Jude Deveraux. It is depicted as a cozy, artistic, and historical community located in Virginia, serving as the setting for all books in the series.

QWhich book should I read first in the Moonlight Trilogy?

You should start with Moonlight in the Morning, followed by Stranger in the Moonlight, and finish with Moonlight Masquerade.