The Allure of The Wicked Winters
For fans of Regency romance who crave high heat, sharp-witted banter, and self-made outcasts clashing with the rigid upper echelons of the ton, Scarlett Scott's The Wicked Winters series is a standout choice. Centered on the Winter family—a clan that has amassed staggering wealth through trade but remains socially reviled—the series weaves a rich tapestry of redemption, passion, and defiance. Led by the eldest brother Devereaux, the Winters must navigate the snobbery of 19th-century London high society while finding love in the most scandalous of circumstances.
Recommended Reading Path: Publication vs. Chronological Order
Unlike many long-running historical romance sagas where chronological order diverges wildly from publication order, The Wicked Winters is relatively straightforward. Scarlett Scott has noted that each of the books functions as a standalone romance and can technically be enjoyed on its own. However, reading them in order of publication is highly recommended to appreciate the evolving family dynamics, recurring character appearances, and subtle overarching plot threads.
An interesting narrative quirk occurs in the middle of the series. Books 3 through 6 (specifically Wanton in Winter, Wishes in Winter, Willful in Winter, and Wagered in Winter) take place concurrently during the same extended Christmas country house party. Reading these books in sequence allows you to experience the exact same festive gatherings, whispered scandals, and dramatic moments from the overlapping perspectives of different couples. If you read them out of order, you might encounter spoilers or feel disoriented by the shifting points of view during this shared holiday timeline.
The Wicked Winters Reading Order
Here is the complete sequence of books in the series, incorporating the popular interstitial novellas that round out the family's story:
- Wicked in Winter (2019) – Devereaux Winter, the family patriarch, seeks a noble wife to secure respectability for his wild siblings, targetting the duke's next-door spinster daughter, Lady Emilia King.
- Wedded in Winter (2020) – Beatrix Winter refuses her brother's arranged suitors, harboring a forbidden attraction to Merrick Hart, her brother's stern secretary and steward.
- Wanton in Winter (2019) – Eugenia Winter is caught in a scandalous winter garden kiss with Cameron Blythe, the penniless Earl of Hertford.
- Wishes in Winter (2020) – Lady Lydia Brownlow faces an ultimatum to marry or become a companion, crossing paths with her brother's rakish best friend, Alistair, the Duke of Warwick. (Often classified as Book 3.5).
- Willful in Winter (2019) – Grace Winter is coerced into a mutually beneficial fake engagement by Rand, Viscount Aylesford, after he catches her reading a scandalous book.
- Wagered in Winter (2020) – Follows the fiery romance between Lord Ashley Rawdon and Lady Prudence during the concurrent Christmas party events.
- Wild in Winter (2020) – Christabella Winter discovers that the shy and cash-strapped Gill, Duke of Coventry, has never been kissed, sparking a passionate scheme.
- Wooed in Winter (2020) – A festive, second-chance romance where the widowed Hannah reconnects with the Marquess of Haven at a holiday house party.
- Winter's Wallflower (2020) – Dominic Winter, owner of a gaming hell, falls for the duke's daughter Lady Adele Saltisford.
- Winter's Woman (2020) – Lady Evangeline Saltisford is forced to accept bodyguard protection from the rough-mannered "Devil" Winter.
- Winter's Whispers (2020) – Explores the coldhearted assassin Blade Winter and his relationship with the resilient Lady Felicity.
- Winter's Waltz (2021) – Genevieve "Gen" Winter, a feisty gaming hell owner, clashes with the charming ne'er-do-well Lord Maxwell.
- Winter's Widow (2021) – The widowed duchess Mirabel finds unexpected passion with Demon Winter, a rogue from the London rookeries.
- Winter's Warrior (2021) – Gavin Winter, an amnesiac prizefighter, is nursed back to health by healer Caro Sutton, despite their families being at war.
- A Merry Wicked Winter (2022) – Sybella Clarke, a long-lost Winter sister, finds herself stranded at the estate of Callum Upton, the Earl of Darkross.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the series, readers should prepare for a very high heat level. Scarlett Scott's novellas are famous for blending emotional depth with "scorching hot" scenes that do not shy away from physical intimacy. Additionally, the fast-paced nature of the novellas means that romance develops quickly, often using tropes like fake engagements, forced proximity, and bodyguard protection to build immediate tension. While the core family remains the same, the focus shifts to various branches of the family, including cousins and illegitimate siblings, expanding the scope of the world as the series progresses.
Spin-Offs and Connected Series
For readers who finish the series and want to remain in Scarlett Scott's interconnected historical universe, the primary spin-off is The Sinful Suttons. This series follows the Sutton family—who are closely tied to the Winters (exemplified by the clash in Winter's Warrior)—and includes titles such as Sutton's Spinster, Sutton's Sins, and Sutton's Surrender. Scott's books frequently feature cameo appearances from characters in her other series, such as Wicked Husbands and League of Dukes, rewarding readers who explore her broader bibliography.