The Recommended Reading Path
Megan Hart's Order of Solace series takes readers into a distinctive medieval-inspired fantasy world where the Handmaidens of the Order use physical and emotional intimacy to bring healing and peace to troubled souls. The series can technically be read in any order, as each book centers on a different Handmaiden and a self-contained romance. However, for the best experience of the world-building, character progression, and the overarching lore of the Motherhouse, we highly recommend reading the books in their order of publication.
Order of Solace Books in Publication Order
Following the publication order allows you to first explore the core concepts of the Order through a collection of introductory novellas before diving into the deeper, emotionally intense full-length novels. Below is the complete list in chronological publication order, including the late-addition fifth installment:
- Pleasure and Purpose (2009) – A collection of three connected novellas introducing the Handmaidens Stillness, Honesty, and Determination.
- No Greater Pleasure (2009) – A full-length novel focusing on Tranquilla and her deep connection with the troubled Lord Gabriel.
- Selfish is the Heart (2010) – A novel detailing Annalise's attempt to escape an arranged marriage and her complicated relationship with her instructor, Cassian.
- Virtue and Vice (2011) – The story of Notsah (Redemption) and her confrontation with her past in the form of King Jarron.
- Beautiful Thorns (2019) – A second-chance romance following Tenacity as she returns to her former patron, Eamon, after a decade apart.
A Deep Dive into the Order of Solace Books
1. Pleasure and Purpose (2009)
This volume serves as the perfect introduction to the rules and philosophy of the Order of Solace. Instead of one continuous narrative, it features three distinct novellas, each showing how Handmaidens serve their patrons' unique spiritual and physical needs:
- Stillness: Follows a Handmaiden tasked with soothing the heavy conscience of a man crippled by sexual guilt from his past.
- Honesty: Focuses on a Handmaiden assigned to a submissive prince who seeks a safe harbor but discovers an unexpected path to healing.
- Determination: Tells the story of a Handmaiden who uses firm, unconventional methods to guide a self-destructive patron away from addiction and random encounters.
2. No Greater Pleasure (2009)
The first full-length novel in the series shifts to a darker, Gothic tone. It follows Tranquilla, a Handmaiden assigned to Lord Gabriel. Gabriel is trapped in a toxic, politically motivated marriage and carries deep emotional scars. As Tranquilla works to bring him peace, the two cross the boundaries of their sacred roles, leading to a high-stakes forbidden romance characterized by intense emotional intimacy and mild BDSM dynamics.
3. Selfish is the Heart (2010)
This installment explores the inner workings of the Motherhouse itself. Annalise Marony is desperate to escape an arranged betrothal to her childhood companion, Jacquin. To secure her freedom, she decides to join the Order of Solace. However, she must first pass the rigorous training overseen by Cassian Toquin, a former priest with a painful, secretive past. The story develops a compelling student-teacher dynamic as both struggle to balance their personal desires with their vows to the Order.
4. Virtue and Vice (2011)
In Virtue and Vice, we follow Notsah, a Handmaiden who has taken the name Redemption. She is forced to confront her past when she is assigned to King Jarron. Jarron is a ruler carrying heavy burdens, and their shared history threatens to disrupt the peace she has fought so hard to find. The novel explores themes of forgiveness, duty, and whether true redemption is possible after years of regret.
5. Beautiful Thorns (2019)
Published several years after the original four-book run, Beautiful Thorns brings the series to a poignant close. It focuses on Tenacity, a Handmaiden who left her patron, Eamon, ten years ago. When Eamon petitions the Mothers-in-Service for a second chance, Tenacity returns to Dugal House to see if they can rebuild what was broken. It is a slow-burn, emotionally charged story about healing old wounds and learning that love is made more beautiful by its flaws.
What to Know Before You Start
The Order of Solace series is not your typical historical fantasy or standard erotic romance. Before diving in, readers should be prepared for its unique elements:
Intimacy as a Sacred Calling: In Megan Hart's world, Handmaidens are not viewed merely as concubines. They are part of a respected religious order. Their duty is to guide patrons to a state of absolute solace through physical touch, emotional vulnerability, and structured dominance or submission. Intimacy is treated as a form of therapy and spiritual alignment.
Varying Sensual Dynamics: The series features a wide array of adult themes, including BDSM, power-exchange dynamics, and polyamorous elements (M/F/M). Hart handles these themes with a focus on psychological depth, consent, and mutual emotional healing, making the romance feel earned and profound rather than gratuitous.
The Setting: The world has a quasi-medieval, European feel, but with slight anomalies (such as the presence of steam trains alongside archaic religious laws and an absence of electricity). This blend gives the series a unique, dreamlike Gothic atmosphere.
Practical Reader Guidance: Standalone vs. Series Continuity
If you are wondering whether you can jump around the series, the answer is yes. Because each book features a different pairing and resolves its core romantic conflict, you will not be left with frustrating cliffhangers. However, reading them out of order may spoil minor world-building details, such as the exact hierarchy of the Mothers-in-Service or characters who transition from novitiates to full Handmaidens. For the most rewarding reading experience, start with the novellas in Pleasure and Purpose and read sequentially to the final pages of Beautiful Thorns.