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Not Too Late Books in Order

9 Books
2020 – 2024 Published
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How to Read the Not Too Late Series

Victoria Danann’s Not Too Late series is a cornerstone of the Paranormal Women’s Fiction (PWF) genre, celebrating the idea that life, adventure, and magic don’t end at forty. The series follows Rita Hayworth—a witty, resilient human who, following a difficult divorce, inherits an antique store in the charming village of Hallow Hill, Cumbria, England. Rita quickly learns her new home is a magical crossroads, and she is recruited as the local magistrate to settle disputes among fae, vampires, and other mystical entities.

Because the series features a continuous narrative arc, character growth, and a developing romance between Rita and her supernatural protector Keir, it is highly recommended to read these books in order. Below, we break down the reading path, explain a common ordering discrepancy, and provide details for each installment.

The Recommended Reading Order

For the best reading experience, follow the chronological order of Rita's adventures in Hallow Hill. Note that bibliographies sometimes disagree on whether to count The Trade Winds Inn as a numbered series entry. We have included it in the sequence below as it continues the overarching narrative and character arcs.

  1. Midlife Magic (2020) – Rita Hayworth moves to Hallow Hill, accepts the role of magistrate, and meets her protector, Keir.
  2. Midlife Blues (2020) – Rita presides over her first official trials and navigates a murder mystery dinner at a vampire's manor.
  3. Midlife Mojo (2021) – The stakes rise as Rita's daughter, Evie, arrives in Hallow Hill and becomes entangled with fae royalty.
  4. Midlife at Midnight (2021) – Rita launches a high-stakes rescue mission when her daughter Evie goes missing.
  5. Midlife at Midsummer (2021) – Rita handles seasonal court cases while balancing her changing relationship with Keir.
  6. The Trade Winds Inn (2021) – Rita’s supernatural duties and personal growth continue as she encounters new magical visitors.
  7. Trials of Tregeagle (2022) – Rita faces some of her most challenging magistrate cases yet, testing her patience and magical knowledge.
  8. Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One (2023) – The start of a major two-part holiday crisis that brings chaotic seasonal magic and gods like Loki to the village.
  9. Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part Two (2024) – Rita struggles to restore order to Hallow Hill as the supernatural chaos reaches its climax.
  10. Made (2025) – The latest adventure where Rita must confront new dangers that threaten the stability of the magical village.

Understanding the Book 6 Discrepancy

When searching for the Not Too Late series online, you will likely notice a minor discrepancy between the author's official website and popular bibliography platforms like Goodreads and Fantastic Fiction:

  • The Author's List: Victoria Danann's official website lists the series as a 9-book sequence, omitting The Trade Winds Inn from the primary numbered list. In this layout, Trials of Tregeagle is listed as Book 6, the two Hallow Hill at Halloween books are Books 7 and 8, and Made is Book 9.
  • Retailer and Fan Bibliographies: Many online bookstores and fan cataloging sites include The Trade Winds Inn as Book 6. This shifts Trials of Tregeagle to Book 7, the Hallow Hill at Halloween duology to Books 8 and 9, and Made to Book 10.

Regardless of how you number them, The Trade Winds Inn is a direct continuation of Rita's life and duties. Skipping it may cause you to miss minor character transitions, so we suggest reading it between Midlife at Midsummer and Trials of Tregeagle.

What to Know Before You Start

The Not Too Late series is perfect for readers who enjoy cozy paranormal mysteries, slow-burn romance, and mature protagonists. Rita Hayworth is not a typical young urban fantasy heroine; she is a mother in her mid-forties navigating a second chance at life. Her relationship with Keir, a protective Sephalian, develops gradually across the books, mirroring her journey of self-discovery.

While each book features individual courtroom cases—ranging from kelpie disputes to trickster gods—the personal lives of Rita, Evie, and the local Hallow Hill residents carry over from book to book. Reading them out of order will spoil major plot points, particularly the kidnapping arc in Book 4 and the seasonal chaos of the Halloween duology.

Frequently Asked

QDo I need to read the Not Too Late series in order?

Yes. The series has a strong continuous plot, recurring characters, and a developing romance. You should start with Midlife Magic and read in publication order.

QIs The Trade Winds Inn a spin-off?

No, it is a direct continuation of Rita's story. Although some bibliographies and the author's official site number the series differently, The Trade Winds Inn fits sequentially between Midlife at Midsummer and Trials of Tregeagle.

QWho is the main character of the series?

The main character is Rita Hayworth, a 40-something divorcee who moves to a small English village and becomes the magistrate for local magical creatures.

QWhat is the latest book in the Not Too Late series?

The latest book in the series is Made, which was released in July 2025.

QWhere does the Not Too Late series take place?

The series is set in Hallow Hill, a fictional, picturesque village located in Cumbria, England, which serves as a crossroads for the human and magical worlds.