The Recommended Reading Order
For readers diving into the world of Giovanni Pietro d'Angelo’s daughters, the recommended reading path is simple: follow the order in which the books were written. Because each novel focuses on a different sister and moves forward through a shared family timeline, reading them in order offers the best experience for tracking the family's fortunes and scandals.
Here is the recommended reading order for the series:
- Bianca (Published in 2012)
- Francesca (Published in 2013)
- Lucianna (Published in 2013)
Chronological vs. Publication Order
In this series, the publication order matches the internal chronological order of the story. The events of the books flow sequentially, starting with the eldest sister, Bianca, moving to the headstrong second sister, Francesca, and continuing with the third sister, Lucianna. A fourth book focusing on the youngest sister, Serena, was planned to round out the series, but it remains unreleased.
Diving into the Florentine Sisters: Plot Breakdowns
Bianca (2012)
The series begins with Bianca, the eldest d'Angelo daughter. When her brother’s reckless behavior leads to a scandal that could ruin the family, Bianca is blackmailed into marrying Sebastiano Rovere, a debauched and cruel man, to buy his silence. Seeking to escape her husband's abuse, Bianca eventually flees with the help of her mother. Following a series of dramatic events, she builds a new life and finds true, passionate love with Prince Amir, the grandson of Mehmet the Conqueror, blending Renaissance Florence with the exotic allure of the Ottoman court.
Francesca (2013)
The second novel shifts focus to the headstrong Francesca. After witnessing the disastrous initial marriage of her older sister, Francesca receives a promise from her father that she will have freedom in choosing her own husband. However, when the Duke of Terreno Boscoso seeks a bride for his heir, Rafaello, Francesca’s parents agree to the match without her consent. Feeling betrayed and unwilling to be bartered away, Francesca flees into the countryside, taking a job as a humble servant at an inn. While in hiding, she meets an unexpected suitor who captures her heart, complicating her duty to her family and her promised betrothal.
Lucianna (2013)
The third installment follows Lucianna, who faces intense pressure to secure a respectable, wealthy marriage after the public scandals surrounding her elder sisters. She marries an aging Florentine bookseller, but is soon widowed and left with his fortune and bookshop. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Robert Minton, the Earl of Lisle and a courtier of King Henry VII. This encounter draws Lucianna away from Florence and plunges her into the intrigue-laden world of the Tudor court in London.
The Mystery of the Fourth Book: Serena
Many online databases, bookseller listings, and library catalogs list a fourth book in the series titled Serena, often showing a publication date of 2014 or 2018. However, readers searching for this final volume will be disappointed to learn that Serena remains unpublished and unreleased.
Bertrice Small passed away on February 24, 2015. According to an official statement released by her son and estate manager, Thomas Small, the manuscript for Serena was written during a very difficult period in the author’s life while she was dealing with the loss of her husband and her own declining health. The estate determined that the draft felt rushed and did not meet the lush, descriptive standards that Small's readers expected. To preserve her literary legacy, the family chose not to publish the book in its unfinished state. While there were initial efforts to find a collaborator to edit the manuscript, those plans did not materialize, and the book remains in the estate's archives.
What to Know Before You Start
Before stepping into Small's Renaissance Italy, there are a few key details to keep in mind:
- Rich Historical Setting: Small paints a vivid picture of the Italian Renaissance, moving from the bustling mercantile streets of Florence to the courts of Europe and the Ottoman Empire.
- Mature Themes: In keeping with Bertrice Small's signature style, the series features explicit romantic encounters, high drama, and intense emotional conflicts.
- Standalone Nature: While the books share characters and follow a linear timeline, each daughter's romance is self-contained. You can read the trilogy without feeling left on a cliffhanger, despite the absence of the final book.
Reader Advice: Standalone Potential & Next Steps
Although reading the books in order is highly recommended to fully appreciate the family dynamics, each novel functions successfully as a standalone romance. If you are unable to find one of the volumes, you can easily jump into another sister's story without losing the thread of the plot.
If you finish the trilogy and want more of Bertrice Small's sweeping historical romance, you should explore her classic works. Her Saga of the Border Chronicles or the iconic Skye O'Malley series are perfect next steps for readers who enjoy strong-willed heroines navigating historical intrigue and passionate love affairs.