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Romantic Escapes Books in Order

12 Books
2018 – 2024 Published
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How to Read the Romantic Escapes Series

Julie Caplin’s bestselling Romantic Escapes series is a collection of contemporary romance novels that whisk readers away to picturesque destinations around the globe. While each book is written as a self-contained story with a unique couple, reading them in order reveals delightful character connections, shared social circles, and background cameos that tie this warm, travels-infused universe together.

We highly recommend reading the books in their official publication order to fully appreciate how the characters' lives interweave. Below is the complete list of Romantic Escapes books in the recommended reading path.

Romantic Escapes Books in Publication Order

  1. The Little Café in Copenhagen (2018): Set in Denmark. The story follows publicist Kate Sinclair as she travels to Copenhagen on a press trip, discovering the cozy Danish art of "hygge" and falling for a cynical journalist. This is the ideal starting point for the series.
  2. The Little Brooklyn Bakery (2018): Set in New York, USA. After a heartbreaking betrayal, Sophie Bennings flees London for Brooklyn, where she finds comfort in a local bakery and the charms of a handsome food writer.
  3. The Little Paris Patisserie (2018): Set in France. Nina Hadley travels to Paris to help run a patisserie course, only to find herself working alongside Sebastian Finlay, her protective brother's best friend and the one man she has always wanted.
  4. The Northern Lights Lodge (2019): Set in Iceland. Lucy takes a temporary job running a cozy lodge in the snowy landscapes of Iceland, seeking a fresh start and finding unexpected warmth with a Scottish barman.
  5. The Secret Cove in Croatia (2019): Set in Croatia. Maddie Wilcox escapes to a gorgeous villa on the Adriatic coast to work as a nanny, navigating local culture and sparks with the villa owner’s handsome brother.
  6. The Little Teashop in Tokyo (2020): Set in Japan. Photographers Fiona (first introduced in Copenhagen) and Gabe travel to Tokyo on a trip of a lifetime, exploring temples, tea houses, and their growing feelings for one another.
  7. The Little Swiss Ski Chalet (2021): Set in Switzerland. Food technician Minna takes refuge at her godmother’s gorgeous chalet in the snowy Swiss Alps, where she meets a charming man named Luke.
  8. The Cosy Cottage in Ireland (2021): Set in Ireland. Dublin-born lawyer Hannah returns to her roots in a quiet Irish village, finding herself drawn to a rugged local builder.
  9. The Christmas Castle in Scotland (2021/2022): Set in Scotland. Izzy McBride inherits a historic Scottish castle and attempts to turn it into a boutique hotel in time for the holidays, finding romance amidst the snow.
  10. The French Chateau Dream (2022/2023): Set in France. Also published under the title The French Champagne Chateau. The story follows Hattie as she travels to the Champagne region to plan a wedding, crossing paths with the vineyard owner's son, Luc.
  11. A Villa with a View (2024): Set in Italy. Lia travels to the sun-drenched Amalfi Coast to manage a stunning villa, finding herself dealing with family secrets and a handsome local named Raph.
  12. A Little Place in Prague (2024): Set in the Czech Republic. Follows art restorer Hope as she takes a dream commission in Prague, discovering the beauty of the city and a new connection.
  13. The Hotel by the Sea (2026): Set in Portugal. Follows Rebecca as she flees a humiliating romantic rejection to work at a family-run hotel on the Algarve coast, where she meets the charming Felipe Rebelo.

Chronological Caveats and Character Connections

While Julie Caplin designs each novel so it can be enjoyed perfectly as a standalone, the crossovers are a true treat for returning readers. The connections are usually light, centering on friend groups, siblings, or professional colleagues. For instance, Fiona is introduced in the first book, The Little Café in Copenhagen, as a supporting character before she steps into the spotlight as the main protagonist in The Little Teashop in Tokyo. Similarly, Nina's brother and Sebastian's friendship forms the emotional foundation for the events in Paris.

Because these books exist in a single, rolling timeline, reading out of order won't ruin the central romance of any individual book, but it might spoil the relationship status of characters from previous novels who make brief cameo appearances or are mentioned by their friends. To avoid these minor spoilers, sticking to the publication timeline is the safest approach.

What to Know Before You Start

Julie Caplin is the pen name of bestselling author Jules Wake. Under the Caplin name, she writes these international, travel-focused cozy romances, whereas she uses Jules Wake for contemporary British romance. If you love the warm, sensory-rich writing style of Romantic Escapes, you will likely find her Jules Wake catalog equally delightful. The hallmark of the Romantic Escapes series is its intense focus on local atmosphere, culture, and mouthwatering descriptions of regional foods—from pastries in Paris to ramen in Tokyo and pastéis de nata in Portugal. Make sure you don't read these books on an empty stomach!

Frequently Asked

QDo you need to read the Romantic Escapes books in order?

No, each book in the series is a standalone romance with its own complete story and couple. However, reading them in publication order is recommended to catch character cameos and minor crossover references.

QWhat is the first book in the Romantic Escapes series?

The first book is The Little Café in Copenhagen, published in 2018. It introduces Kate Sinclair's journey to Denmark and serves as the perfect introduction to the series.

QIs Julie Caplin a real person?

Julie Caplin is a pen name used by the British romance author Jules Wake. She writes her travel-based romances under the Caplin name and other contemporary fiction as Jules Wake.

QWhere is the latest book, The Hotel by the Sea, set?

The 13th book in the series, The Hotel by the Sea (2026), is set on the scenic Algarve coast of Portugal at a fictional hotel based on a real-world location.

QAre there any direct character crossovers in the series?

Yes. For example, Fiona appears as a secondary character in The Little Café in Copenhagen before becoming the lead protagonist in The Little Teashop in Tokyo.