Do I need to read the Wildes of Lindow Castle series in order?

No, each book features a standalone romance with a resolved ending. However, because the siblings appear throughout the series, reading them in publication order provides the best experience for family continuity.

Where should I start reading the Wildes of Lindow Castle?

The best starting point is Wilde in Love , the first published book in the series. It perfectly establishes the family dynamics, the castle setting, and the unique celebrity-culture tone of the series.

When should I read the prequel novella, My Last Duchess?

While you can read it first chronologically, it is best read as Book 4.5 (between Say No to the Duke and Say Yes to the Duke ). This placement gives excellent context to Viola's backstory right before her own novel begins.

Is Parth Sterling a member of the Wilde family?

Parth is not a biological Wilde. He is the son of an English father and an Indian mother who became a ward of the Duke of Lindow at age five. He grew up alongside the Wilde children and is considered an adopted brother.

Are there any spin-offs or connected series by Eloisa James?

While there is no direct spin-off series, characters from Eloisa James's famous Desperate Duchesses series make cameo appearances, as the books share the same historical universe.

Wildes Of Lindow Castle Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for the Wildes of Lindow Castle

Eloisa James’s Wildes of Lindow Castle series transport readers to a vibrant, glamorous late-Georgian England filled with eccentric personalities, family warmth, and modern-feeling celebrity culture. The series follows the sprawling, tight-knit family of Hugo Wilde, the Duke of Lindow, including his biological children, his ward, and his stepdaughter. To fully appreciate the family dynamics and watch characters grow from background siblings into romantic leads, we recommend reading the series in its publication order, with one minor adjustment for the prequel novella.

Recommended Order at a Glance

Wilde in Love (2017) – Introduces Lord Alaric Wilde and Willa Ffynche.
Too Wilde to Wed (2018) – Follows the heir, Lord Roland 'North' Northbridge Wilde, and Diana Belgrave.
Born to Be Wilde (2018) – Follows the Duke's ward, Parth Sterling, and Lavinia Gray.
Say No to the Duke (2019) – Follows Lady Betsy Wilde and Lord Jeremy Roden.
My Last Duchess (2020) – The prequel novella detailing how the parents, Hugo and Ophelia, met.
Say Yes to the Duke (2020) – Follows stepdaughter Miss Viola Astley and Devin Elstan, Duke of Wynter.
Wilde Child (2021) – Follows Lady Joan Wilde and Thaddeus Erskine, Viscount Grey.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

While the chronological order places the prequel novella My Last Duchess at the very beginning of the timeline, starting there is not necessarily the best entry point for new readers. Here is how the two approaches compare:

The Publication Order (Recommended Entry Point)

Starting with Wilde in Love is the ideal path. It introduces the Wilde family at the height of their social influence and celebrity status, establishing the series' unique blend of humor and public scandal. Reading the prequel, My Last Duchess, later in the sequence (ideally between Books 4 and 5) provides a delightful flashback that deepens your understanding of the parents’ marriage just before their daughter Viola's story begins in Say Yes to the Duke.

The Chronological Order

If you prefer a strict timeline approach, you can read the series starting with the prequel:

My Last Duchess (Prequel Novella – set when the children are young)
Wilde in Love (Book 1)
Too Wilde to Wed (Book 2)
Born to Be Wilde (Book 3)
Say No to the Duke (Book 4)
Say Yes to the Duke (Book 5)
Wilde Child (Book 6)

Starting chronologically allows you to see Hugo Wilde and Ophelia Astley's courtship first, explaining how the blended family came to be and introducing Viola Astley as a young toddler before she becomes the shy heroine of Book 5. However, because it is a shorter novella, it lacks the grand, sweeping introduction to the castle and the adult siblings' chaotic banter that makes Book 1 such an engaging start.

Detailed Guide to the Books

1. Wilde in Love (2017)

The series opens with Lord Alaric Wilde, a celebrated adventurer and travel writer who returns to England to discover that the printing press has turned him into a national heartthrob. Desperate to escape his rabid fans, he retreats to Lindow Castle, where he meets Willa Ffynche. Unlike the rest of England, Willa value her privacy above all else and wants absolutely nothing to do with a celebrity. Their romance is filled with sharp banter, a castle on a bog, and a satirical look at early celebrity culture.

2. Too Wilde to Wed (2018)

Lord Roland 'North' Northbridge Wilde, the heir to the dukedom, returns from fighting in the American Revolutionary War after being jilted by his fiancée, Diana Belgrave. Expecting to find his home unchanged, he is shocked to discover Diana living at Lindow Castle under an assumed name, working as a governess to his youngest sister. This second-chance romance is emotionally charged, exploring betrayal, societal expectations, and redemption.

3. Born to Be Wilde (2018)

Parth Sterling is not a Wilde by blood, but he was raised at Lindow Castle as the Duke's ward after being orphaned in India. Now a self-made, wealthy banker, Parth is known for his blunt, organized nature. When Lavinia Gray, a fashion-obsessed socialite, is ruined financially by her mother's scandalous behavior, she seeks a marriage of convenience. This enemies-to-lovers story features sparkling chemistry as the structured businessman meets his match in a highly resilient heroine.

4. Say No to the Duke (2019)

Lady Betsy Wilde is a free-spirited young woman who has just received a marriage proposal from a Duke. Before committing to a life of strict aristocratic duty, she seeks one final adventure. She enters a witty battle of words and a scandalous wager with Lord Jeremy Roden, a man who has no intention of marrying. Their playful relationship quickly turns into a passionate romance that challenges Betsy's future plans.

5. My Last Duchess (2020)

This prequel novella focuses on Hugo Wilde, the Duke of Lindow, a twice-widowed father of eight children who desperately needs a wife to help manage his chaotic household. He sets his sights on Ophelia, Lady Astley, a spirited widow who wants to preserve her independence and has no desire to stepmother a massive family. Hugo must use all his charm to convince her that they belong together. It is a warm, parenting-focused romance that sets the foundation for the entire family dynamic.

6. Say Yes to the Duke (2020)

Miss Viola Astley, the Duke's stepdaughter (introduced as a toddler in the prequel), is a quiet wallflower who prefers books and nature to ballrooms. While she thinks she is in love with a local vicar, she catches the attention of Devin Elstan, the brooding and powerful Duke of Wynter. This opposites-attract romance focuses on a protective, intense hero and a shy heroine finding her inner strength.

7. Wilde Child (2021)

The main series concludes with Lady Joan Wilde, the most theatrical, rebellious, and scandal-prone sister. After a scandalous mishap, she finds herself compromised with Thaddeus Erskine, Viscount Grey, a very proper, straitlaced gentleman who values order. Their romance is a classic opposites-attract story filled with theatrical antics, mutual misunderstandings, and high passion.

What to Know Before You Start

Eloisa James sets this series in the late Georgian era (specifically the late 1700s), which distinguishes it from the crowded Regency romance market (typically set in the 1810s). The Georgian setting allows for more lavish, colorful fashions—including powdered wigs and elaborate gowns—and a society that was just beginning to experience the power of the mass media, newspapers, and printed gossip sheets. Additionally, while the books feature recurring family members, each novel stands alone as a complete love story, meaning you can jump in anywhere, though reading them in sequence rewards you with the full evolution of the Wilde family clan.