Books On Board

The Royals Books in Order

  • 5 Books
  • 2016 – 2018 Published

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Reading order
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How to Read Louise Bay's The Royals Series

If you love contemporary billionaire romance filled with witty banter, low angst, and high steam, Louise Bay’s The Royals is a must-read. Set against the glamorous backgrounds of New York City and London, these interconnected standalones deliver all the escapism of elite wealth alongside deeply emotional, character-driven love stories.

Because every single book in this universe is written as a complete standalone with its own happily-ever-after, you can technically read them in any order you choose. However, reading them in publication order allows you to enjoy the subtle character crossovers and mentions that tie this shared universe together.

The Core Royals Collection vs. The Expanded 9-Book Order

When searching for The Royals online, readers often encounter conflicting information. Louise Bay's official catalog lists the core Royals Collection as a set of five novels. However, many prominent book databases (like FictionDB and various online retailers) group these books together with other series, listing a total of nine books under the broader Royals banner. Here is the explanation for this discrepancy:

  • The Royals Collection (Official): Consists of King of Wall Street, Park Avenue Prince, Duke of Manhattan, The British Knight, and The Earl of London.
  • The Gentlemen Collection: Includes The Ruthless Gentleman and The Wrong Gentleman. While these are often grouped with the Royals in online listings, they officially belong to their own companion series.
  • The Players Series: International Player is officially the first installment of Louise Bay's Players duology (alongside Private Player), though databases occasionally list it as the final book of the Royals.
  • Hollywood Scandal: A standalone novel that is frequently included in extended Royals reading lists due to its similar publication window and themes.

The Complete 9-Book Publication Order

If you want to follow the extended reading order as listed on online databases, follow this publication timeline:

  1. King of Wall Street (2016) – The series opener introduces Max King, a ruthless New York financier and single father, whose structured life is thrown into chaos by junior researcher Harper Jayne.
  2. Park Avenue Prince (2017) – Follows Sam Shaw, a self-made art collector with a guarded heart, and Grace Astor, a vibrant gallery owner who challenges him to open up.
  3. Duke of Manhattan (2017) – Focuses on Ryder West, a playboy facing a ducal inheritance, and Scarlett King, a determined businesswoman who refuses to be another conquest.
  4. Hollywood Scandal (2017) – This standalone tells the story of A-list Hollywood actor Matt Easton, who retreats to Maine to escape a PR nightmare, only to fall for small-town local Lana Kelly.
  5. The British Knight (2017) – Features Alexander Knight, a brooding London barrister, and Violet King, an American woman whose bold energy clashes beautifully with his buttoned-up demeanor.
  6. The Ruthless Gentleman (2018) – Part of the companion Gentlemen series, this book follows cold British businessman Hayden Wolf and Avery Walker, the chief stewardess on his luxury superyacht charter.
  7. The Earl of London (2018) – Returns to the core Royals group, following billionaire land developer and Earl Logan Steele, who finds himself at odds with Darcy, a passionate campaigner trying to protect her community.
  8. The Wrong Gentleman (2019) – The second Gentlemen novel focuses on Landon Wolf, a former Special Forces operative working as a yacht deckhand, and lead stewardess Skylar Anderson.
  9. International Player (2019) – Technically the start of the Players series, this friends-to-lovers story follows the chemistry between Noah and Truly Harbury.

What to Know Before You Start

Louise Bay is celebrated for writing billionaire romances that subvert the standard "cruel alpha" tropes. While her heroes are powerful, wealthy, and ambitious, they are also protective, emotionally mature, and deeply committed to the women they love. The heroines are independent, capable, and stand on equal footing with their billionaire counterparts.

For the best starting experience, most readers recommend starting with either King of Wall Street (the original release that set the tone for the universe) or The British Knight if you prefer a cross-continental, enemies-to-lovers romance. Whichever book you choose to start with, you can read comfortably knowing that you will not miss critical plot points if you jump around the series.

Frequently Asked

Can Louise Bay's The Royals books be read as standalones?

Yes, all books in The Royals collection are written as standalones. Each book features a different couple and concludes with a complete happily-ever-after, meaning they can be read in any order.

Where should I start reading The Royals series?

The best place to start is with the first book, King of Wall Street. If you prefer a British setting and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, The British Knight is also a highly recommended entry point.

How many books are officially in The Royals Collection?

Louise Bay officially lists five books in the core Royals Collection: King of Wall Street, Park Avenue Prince, Duke of Manhattan, The British Knight, and The Earl of London.

Why do some sources list nine books in The Royals series?

Many book databases and online retailers group the core Royals books together with Louise Bay's companion series—such as The Gentlemen Collection (2 books), The Players Series (1 book), and the standalone novel Hollywood Scandal—bringing the aggregate total to nine books.

What is the order of the companion Gentlemen series?

The companion series consists of The Ruthless Gentleman (2018) followed by The Wrong Gentleman (2019). Both are standalone yacht-set romances.