Where Should You Start Reading Amanda Panhorst?
If you are new to Amanda Panhorst's clean, witty Regency romances, the best place to start is with the Reluctant Titles series, beginning with The Earl from Eastbend. This series showcases her signature strengths: lively character dynamics, historical detail, and a touch of humor. Alternatively, you can dive into her debut series, The Langham Line, starting with The Wife of Walraven, to see how her writing style has evolved.
Her books are generally structured in self-contained arcs focusing on a single couple, meaning you can read individual novels as standalones. However, reading them in order allows you to appreciate the family connections, recurring characters, and evolving relationships that enrich her fictional communities.
The Langham Line: Publication & Chronological Order
The Langham Line was Panhorst's first venture into Regency romance, introducing readers to the Walraven family and their circle. The books are best read in publication order:
- Chasing Desford (2020): A companion novella focusing on the verbal sparring and "best of enemies" dynamic between Lady Anthea and Lord Desford. Panhorst offers this as a free download for newsletter subscribers, making it a great, low-risk introduction to her tone.
- The Wife of Walraven (2020): The official first novel of the series. It follows Lord Walraven, who is desperate to escape an arranged marriage, and Anna Welbourne, a clever heroine working to escape her brother's cruel guardianship.
- Letty's Last Love (2021): The second novel, centering on Letty Langham and her efforts to avoid scandal. She vows to avoid love until she encounters James Hammond and his charming, scene-stealing son, Charles.
Reluctant Titles Series
The Reluctant Titles series features strong connections between the characters, particularly in the first two books, which follow two sisters from the Stilwell family. Reading them in order is highly recommended to appreciate the family continuity:
- The Earl from Eastbend (2021): Features Diana Stilwell and Hugh Longville, the Earl of Eastbend, as they navigate a journey of forgiveness and love.
- The Baronet from Bombay (2022): Follows Diana's sister, Gussie Stilwell, and her childhood friend, Harry Fletcher. Harry returns from military service in Bombay having unexpectedly inherited a baronetcy, forcing Gussie to confront a marriage pact they made as children.
- The Lord from London (2022): Focuses on the horse-loving Rosy Barrett and her childhood crush, Giles Harrington (Lord Montbury), who returns to her life after his family's financial ruin.
A Cautionary Tale Series
Although some online databases list these books as standalones, they form a cohesive series linked by theme and characters. They should be read in this sequence:
- Evangeline and the Strait-Laced Rake (2023): Focuses on the wealthy, proposal-refusing widowed countess Evangeline Payne and her complicated relationship with Basil Morley.
- Millicent and the Blue-Blooded Merchant (2024): Follows Millicent as she runs away to escape an arranged marriage, encountering unexpected obstacles along the way.
The Densley Arrangements Series
This is Panhorst's newer series, continuing her talent for arranged marriage tropes and forced proximity dynamics:
- Miss Cordelia Finds Herself Arranged (2026): Cordelia Densley, the ward of the Duke of Alvaston, finds her life planned out when her guardian arranges a marriage with the steady Oliver North. The couple must navigate family eccentricities and resurfacing scandals.
Collaborative Series and Anthology Contributions
In addition to her primary series, Panhorst has contributed standalone novels to several multi-author collaborative Regency series. These can be read in any order, though they are often numbered within their respective publisher collections:
- A Lady Most Untamed (2023): Part of the A Grimm Regency Tale series, this novel is a Regency-era reimagining of the classic Grimm fairy tale, "The Brother and Sister."
- The Merry Mishap of Alfred and Clara (2024): Book 3 in the holiday-themed Men, Mistletoe, and Marriage series.
- An Unwavering Heart (2025): Book 6 in the Hearts of Somerset series, following an heiress named Ruth who runs into a deceptive figure from her past in Bath.