The Recommended Reading Order
The Notorious Ladies of London series by Scarlett Scott consists of six interconnected novels. While each book focuses on a different couple and can technically be read as a standalone romance, the character crossovers and overarching social circles mean you will get the absolute best experience by reading them in their order of publication. Here is the recommended reading path for the series:
1. Lady Ruthless (2020)
The series opens with the high-stakes romance of Lady Calliope Manning and Justin 'Sin' Vaughn, the Earl of Sinclair. Blaming Sinclair for her brother's tragic death, Calliope schemes to ruin his social standing by anonymously publishing scandalous memoirs details his rakish exploits. However, when Sinclair discovers the culprit behind the publication, he takes drastic measures: he abducts Calliope and demands they marry. What starts as a forced marriage driven by vengeance quickly transforms into a passionate and deep connection as secrets are unveiled.
2. Lady Wallflower (2020)
Shifting focus to a lighter but equally sizzling premise, the second book follows Lady Jo Danvers. Overlooked by high society, Jo is a shy wallflower who decides she has had enough of playing by the rules. She drafts a secret, scandalous bucket list to inject excitement into her life. When the notorious rake Elijah Decker gets his hands on her list, he offers to help her check off every single wicked item. Their arrangement leads to intense chemistry that threatens to dismantle Elijah’s resolve to remain unattached.
3. Lady Reckless (2020)
Lady Helena Davenport is desperate to escape an unwanted, arranged betrothal to a man she despises. In a bid for freedom, she plans to orchestrate her own social ruination. However, her reckless scheme goes awry when Gabriel, the Earl of Huntingdon—the man she has secretly loved from afar—steps in to protect her from ruin. Bound together by Gabriel's protective instincts and Helena's determination, the two must navigate their intense mutual attraction and the high society gossip surrounding them.
4. Lady Wicked (2021)
This entry delivers an angsty second-chance romance featuring Lady Julianna Somerset and Sidney, Lord Shelbourne. Years prior, Julianna surrendered her innocence to Sidney, her best friend's brother, only to reject him and leave London. When she returns years later in desperate need of assistance, Sidney sees an opportunity to exact revenge for the heartbreak she caused. Yet, underneath their mutual resentment, the embers of their past love burn hotter than ever.
5. Lady Lawless (2021)
The fifth book follows Tilly, the widowed Duchess of Longleigh, whose past comes back to haunt her. Adrian Hastings, the man who fathered her child and stole her heart before disappearing, returns to London. Rather than a joyful reunion, Adrian comes seeking vengeance for past betrayals, armed with secrets that could destroy Tilly’s standing. As they clash, they must confront the unresolved truths of their shared history and the passion that still lingers between them.
6. Lady Brazen (2021)
The series reaches its grand finale with Lady Philippa 'Pippa' Shaw. Following her husband's death, Pippa makes the shocking discovery that her marriage and life were built on a foundation of lies. Left in danger and with few options, she is forced to accept the protection of Roland, the Duke of Northwich—the very man she jilted years earlier. This enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance wraps up the series with high emotional stakes and redemption.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Fortunately for readers, the publication order of the Notorious Ladies of London matches its internal chronological order. Because characters from previous books frequently appear as supporting cast members in later installments, following the publication order ensures you witness the unfolding scandals and shifting relationships in the correct sequence. Reading out of order will expose you to minor spoilers regarding who ends up married and how previous conflicts were resolved.
The Broader Scarlett Scott Universe
Scarlett Scott is well known for linking her historical romance series together to build a sprawling, shared universe. If you are looking to expand your reading beyond the Notorious Ladies of London, here is how the series fits into her broader world:
- The Prequels: The series acts as a direct spin-off of the League of Dukes series. The League of Dukes itself is preceded by the Wicked Husbands series. Readers wanting the complete chronological experience often begin with the Wicked Husbands before moving on to the dukes and then the notorious ladies.
- The Spin-offs: Once you finish Lady Brazen, you can move directly into the Unexpected Lords series (beginning with The Detective Duke), which features characters spun off from this circle. Additionally, the Dukes Most Wanted series (starting with Forever Her Duke) is another connected spin-off set around a country house party.
- Unconnected Series: The popular Sins and Scoundrels series is a standalone collection. While it shares the signature steamy tone, it does not share direct continuity or character rosters with the Notorious Ladies of London.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the series, readers should be prepared for high-heat, emotionally intense stories. Scarlett Scott writes steamy Regency and Victorian historical romances that lean heavily into tropes like forced marriage, revenge, enemies-to-lovers, and second-chance romance. The heroines are written with modern agency, often defying the rigid constraints of the era, which has made the series highly popular on platforms like Kindle Unlimited. While there is minor disagreement in online listings regarding whether the setting is strictly Regency or Victorian, the books capture the elegance and scandals of 19th-century London high society perfectly.