How to Read the Tremayne Family Romance Series in Order
If you are looking to dive into Anna J. Stewart's contemporary romantic suspense trilogy, the best way to experience it is in publication order. Because the overarching mystery of the cat burglar "Nemesis" progresses across the trilogy, reading the books in sequence ensures you follow the suspense and character arcs exactly as the author intended.
Here is the recommended reading order for the trilogy, including both their original titles and their rebranded Nemesis Files titles:
- Asking for Trouble / Nemesis in the Night (2015) – Focuses on Morgan Tremayne and Gage Juliano.
- Here Comes Trouble / Nemesis on the Prowl (2015) – Focuses on Sheila Tremayne and Malcolm Oliver.
- The Trouble with Nathan / Nemesis in Disguise (2016) – Focuses on Nathan Tremayne and Laurel Scott.
The Rebranding: Tremayne Family Romance vs. The Nemesis Files
When the trilogy first debuted in 2015 under Berkley InterMix, it was published as the Tremayne Family Romance series. The individual books used a play on the word "trouble" for their titles. Later, the series was rebranded and re-released as The Nemesis Files, with new titles highlighting the mysterious thief at the center of the town's intrigue. Despite the different titles, the content of the books remains the same, so readers do not need to buy both versions. If you see copy mentioning Nemesis in the Night, it is the exact same story as Asking for Trouble.
The Core Trilogy: A Closer Look at the Books
1. Asking for Trouble (Nemesis in the Night)
The series kicks off with Morgan Tremayne, a dedicated philanthropist who runs a children's charity in Lantano Valley. To keep the charity afloat, she makes the controversial decision to accept funding from a notorious, Robin Hood-style cat burglar known to the public as Nemesis. This brings her directly into the crosshairs of Gage Juliano, a determined investigator who is hot on the thief's trail. As Gage and Morgan clash, the sparks fly, setting up a high-tension romance built on secrets, family loyalty, and intense chemistry.
2. Here Comes Trouble (Nemesis on the Prowl)
The second book shifts the focus to Sheila Tremayne, a former beauty queen and savvy businesswoman. Sheila is determined to expose the corruption of a local tycoon, but her plans are disrupted when Malcolm Oliver, her first and deepest love, returns to Lantano Valley. As they work in close proximity, old feelings reignite amidst a web of secrets. Sheila must decide if she can trust Malcolm with the truth about her family and the Nemesis mystery, or if the past will tear them apart for good.
3. The Trouble with Nathan (Nemesis in Disguise)
The trilogy reaches its climax with Nathan Tremayne's story. When his father is framed for the high-profile theft of the Crown of Serpia, Nathan is determined to clear his family's name. He teams up with insurance investigator Laurel Scott, who has her own reasons for wanting to solve the case. As they navigate the dangerous conspiracy and unravel the final secrets of the Nemesis thief, they must learn to trust each other before the danger catches up to them.
The Lantano Valley Novellas: Companion Stories
In addition to the main Tremayne Family trilogy, Anna J. Stewart has written a series of self-published companion novellas set in the same affluent California community. Known as the Lantano Valley series, these sweet-to-steamy romances are loosely connected to the Tremayne books. Instead of focusing on the high-stakes suspense of the Nemesis burglar, they follow a close-knit group of book club friends finding love in town. While they are not required reading to understand the main trilogy, they offer a wonderful return to the setting:
- Reading Between the Lines (2015)
- Through His Eyes (2015)
- Marked for Love (2015)
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Lantano Valley, here are a few practical tips to help you get the most out of your reading experience:
- Can they be read as standalones? Yes, the individual romance plots in each book resolve completely with a happy ending. However, because the Nemesis cat burglar subplot runs continuously through all three books, reading them out of order will spoil the mystery and the family secrets.
- Tone and Style: Expect a fast-paced blend of contemporary romance and light suspense. Anna J. Stewart balances the emotional depth of family relationships and past trauma with witty banter and exciting investigative elements.
- The Setting: Lantano Valley is a fictional, wealthy California enclave that acts as a character in its own right, contrasting small-town community vibes with high-society drama and hidden secrets.