The Secrets of Stone Reading Order
The Secrets of Stone series, written by the co-authoring duo of Angel Payne and Victoria Blue, is set against the backdrop of the powerful Stone Global Corporation in Chicago. While the series follows a continuous timeline and characters frequently cross over, the books are broken down into smaller character-focused stories. To get the best experience, we recommend following the publication order below, which aligns with how the story arcs unfold.
- No Prince Charming (2014) – Focuses on Claire Montgomery and Killian Stone.
- No More Masquerade (2014) – Continues and concludes the Claire and Killian story.
- No Perfect Princess (2015) – Focuses on Margaux Asher and Michael Pearson.
- No Magic Moment (2015) – Continues the Margaux and Michael romance.
- No Lucky Number (2018) – Begins the high-heat office triad romance of Talia Perizkova, Fletcher Ford, and Drake Newland.
- No Simple Sacrifice (2018) – Continues Talia, Fletcher, and Drake's story.
- No Broken Bond (2017 Kindle / 2018 Print) – Concludes the Talia, Fletcher, and Drake trilogy.
- No White Knight (2018) – Focuses on Maclain Stone and Taylor Mathews.
- No Longer Lost (2019) – Concludes the story of Maclain and Taylor.
Understanding the Story Arcs
Rather than a single continuous story, the nine-book saga is divided into distinct character duologies and trilogies that take place in the same corporate empire. Breaking down the books by their respective arcs helps readers navigate the series:
Claire & Killian: The Modern Cinderella Duology
The series kicks off with No Prince Charming and No More Masquerade. These first two books tell the story of Claire Montgomery, a driven PR crisis manager, and Killian Stone, the powerful CEO of Stone Global. Tasked with fixing a major family scandal, Claire finds herself drawn to the enigmatic and guarded Killian. This initial story sets the stage for the series' high-heat romance, family secrets, and corporate intrigue.
Margaux & Michael: The Redemption Duology
Books three and four, No Perfect Princess and No Magic Moment, shift focus to Margaux Asher, who starts the series as a spoiled antagonist and the boss's daughter. Her path crosses with Michael Pearson, an apple farmer's son carrying dark secrets of his own. This duology is highly praised by fans for exploring redemption, vulnerability, and the dismantling of the "perfect princess" persona.
Talia, Fletcher & Drake: The Office Triad
Books five, six, and seven (No Lucky Number, No Simple Sacrifice, and No Broken Bond) follow Talia Perizkova, a dedicated professional at Stone Global. Talia finds herself in a passionate, unconventional relationship with both of her bosses, Fletcher Ford and Drake Newland. This high-heat office romance explores the complexities of polyamory, family pressure, and the struggles of balancing personal desires with professional demands.
Maclain & Taylor: The Protector Duology
The final two books, No White Knight and No Longer Lost, center on Maclain Stone and Taylor Mathews. When Taylor is targeted by a dangerous stalker, she must turn to Maclain for protection. This arc blends romantic suspense with protector themes as they confront external threats and their deep feelings for one another.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Caveats
When tracking down the physical or digital copies of the books, readers may notice minor discrepancies in the numbering of the Talia, Fletcher, and Drake trilogy. In some databases and older publication lists, No Simple Sacrifice is listed as Book 5 and No Lucky Number is listed as Book 6. However, standard series listings, including Goodreads and the authors' listings, place No Lucky Number as Book 5, followed by No Simple Sacrifice as Book 6, and No Broken Bond as Book 7. To follow their relationship dynamics correctly, it is highly recommended to read No Lucky Number before No Simple Sacrifice.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the world of Stone Global, new readers should keep a few details in mind:
- High Heat and Erotic Elements: The series contains explicit, high-heat romance scenes, particularly in the office triad books (Books 5–7).
- Co-Authored Collaboration: Angel Payne and Victoria Blue write the series together. Their shared background in writing strong alpha characters and independent heroines creates a seamless style throughout all nine novels.
- Chicago Setting: The books take place primarily in Chicago, with a focus on corporate environments, elite events, and the inner workings of Stone Global Corporation.