Welcome to Wessco: The Ultimate Royally Series Reading Guide
If you love your romance contemporary, steamy, and packed with witty dialogue, Emma Chase's Royally series is a must-add to your bookshelf. Set in the fictional European monarchy of Wessco, the series follows the Pembrook royal family as they navigate the heavy crown of public duty, the glare of the paparazzi, and the unexpected, heart-melting power of love. From sassy New York waitresses to quiet librarians and brooding bodyguards, Chase blends modern reality-show drama and high-society dynamics into a series of irresistible modern fairy tales.
While the main entries are companion novels focusing on different couples, characters cross over frequently. Reading the books out of order can lead to major spoilers regarding who ends up together and how the royal line of succession shifts. To help you get the best experience, we have outlined the recommended reading orders below.
The Recommended Reading Order: Publication vs. Chronological
When approaching the Wessco universe, readers generally choose between two paths: the order in which Emma Chase wrote the books, or the order in which the events actually occur. For the absolute best reading experience, we highly recommend following the Publication Order.
Option 1: The Publication Order (Recommended)
Reading in publication order allows you to experience the growth of the characters naturally, introducing the core universe before diving into the background history or far-future epilogues.
- Royally Screwed (2016) — The romance that started it all, featuring Crown Prince Nicholas and Olivia Hammond.
- Royally Matched (2017) — Prince Henry's journey to finding love on a televised dating competition.
- Royally Raised (2017) — A special epilogue novella set 20 years in the future, checking in on Henry, Sarah, and their children.
- Royally Endowed (2017) — The slow-burn romance between royal bodyguard Logan St. James and Ellie Hammond.
- Royally Yours (2018) — A standalone prequel novel focusing on Nicholas and Henry's grandmother, Queen Lenora.
- Royally Remembered (2022) — A poignant collection of short stories and deleted scenes spanning multiple decades.
Note: Emma Chase also published the free companion short story Royally Marooned (2019) on her official website, which takes place on Nicholas and Olivia's honeymoon and is best read immediately after Royally Screwed.
Option 2: The Chronological Order
If you prefer a linear timeline that starts in the past and traces the Wessco royal bloodline from the beginning, you can read the books chronologically. Keep in mind that reading the prequel first changes the mystery and intimidation surrounding the elder Queen Lenora in the main series.
- Royally Yours (Prequel novel set in the late 1960s, showing how Queen Lenora met Prince Edward)
- Royally Remembered (Parts of this novella collection cover the early days of Lenora and Edward's marriage, as well as the lives of Nicholas and Henry's parents)
- Royally Screwed (The primary timeline begins)
- Royally Marooned (Nicholas and Olivia's honeymoon)
- Royally Matched (Henry and Sarah's romance)
- Royally Endowed (Logan and Ellie's romance, which runs parallel to parts of Matched and extends beyond it)
- Royally Raised (The final chapter, set 20 years after the conclusion of Matched)
Deep Dive: Breaking Down the Wessco Saga
Royally Screwed
Nicholas Pembrook, the Crown Prince of Wessco, is charming, handsome, and under immense pressure to marry. Seeking a brief escape from his royal duties, he flees to New York City, where he meets Olivia Hammond, a spirited waitress struggling to keep her family's bakery afloat. Their instant chemistry sparks a whirlwind romance that forces Nicholas to choose between his obligation to the crown and the woman he loves.
Royally Marooned
A fun, lighthearted bonus novella originally released for free on Emma Chase's official website. This story bridges the gap between the first two books, following Nicholas and Olivia on a honeymoon that is constantly interrupted by security details and persistent paparazzi, showing the realities of adjusting to royal life.
Royally Matched
Nicholas's younger brother, Prince Henry, is Wessco's resident wild child. Forced to find a suitable bride to secure the succession, Henry is pushed into starring in a royal version of The Bachelor. Amidst a sea of spotlight-hungry aristocrats, he finds himself drawn to Sarah Von Titebottum, a quiet, book-loving lady who is participating in the show only to support her sister. It is a classic 'opposites attract' romance filled with humor and emotional depth.
Royally Raised
This novella jumps twenty years into the future. Readers catch up with Prince Henry and Lady Sarah as they navigate the exhausting reality of raising five children, including their eldest daughter Jane, who is preparing for her future role as Wessco's next ruler.
Royally Endowed
Logan St. James is a dedicated bodyguard sworn to protect the Wessco royal family. For years, he has harbored a quiet, forbidden attraction to Ellie Hammond, Olivia's younger sister. As Ellie grows from a teenager into a young woman, Logan does everything he can to maintain professional boundaries, but their undeniable connection eventually boils over in this emotional, slow-burn romance.
Royally Yours
This prequel novel takes readers back to the late 1960s to tell the story of a young Princess Lenora. Forced to take the throne at a young age after her father's passing, Lenora must navigate a patriarchal parliament that demands she marry quickly. She enters an arranged union with the charming Prince Edward, leading to an epic, duty-defying love story that defines the modern history of Wessco.
Royally Remembered
Published in 2022, this collection compiles various short stories, scenes, and character moments that expand on the lives of Wessco's royals. It contains bittersweet tales, including 'Selfish Man' and 'Christmas at the Castle', exploring the early marriage of Lenora and Edward, as well as stories reflecting on the tragic loss of Prince Nicholas and Henry's parents.
The Spin-Off: Venturing into 'The Bodyguards'
Once you have finished the main Royally books, you do not have to leave Emma Chase's world behind. She has written a direct spin-off series called The Bodyguards. The first book, Dirty Charmer (2020), centers on Tommy Sullivan—the cocky, charming bodyguard who protected Prince Nicholas in Royally Screwed—and his romance with Abbie, a former secret service agent. While Dirty Charmer stands perfectly well on its own, reading the Royally series first is highly recommended to fully appreciate the shared history, the security team dynamics, and the cameos from the Wessco royal family.
What to Know Before You Start
Emma Chase's Royally books are written in her signature dual-POV narrative style, giving readers access to both the male and female perspectives. The series is celebrated in the contemporary romance community for its balance of high-steam romance, lighthearted banter, and deep emotional growth. While the novels are marketed as standalones, the recurring characters and evolving Wessco family tree mean that the books are best enjoyed when read in order. The novellas and website short stories are not strictly necessary to understand the main plotlines, but they offer satisfying epilogues and behind-the-scenes glimpses that long-time fans will thoroughly enjoy.