Anna Harrington Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Anna Harrington

If you are new to Anna Harrington's historical romance universe, the absolute best place to start is with her debut novel, Dukes Are Forever, which kicks off The Secret Life of Scoundrels series. This series lays the emotional and stylistic foundation for all of her subsequent work, introducing readers to her signature blend of high-stakes intrigue, passionate romances, and independent, modern-thinking heroines who challenge the rigid rules of the Regency era.

Alternatively, if you prefer stories with a heavier focus on overarching suspense and spy networks, you can start with An Inconvenient Duke, the first book in the Lords of the Armory series. However, reading her books in order of publication allows you to witness the natural progression of her storytelling and enjoy the subtle callbacks to characters from previous series.

Anna Harrington Books in Publication Order

Anna Harrington’s Regency romance novels are divided into four primary series alongside several standalone novellas and holiday romances. While the stories function perfectly as standalones, following the publication order is highly recommended to fully appreciate the shared world and minor character crossovers.

The Secret Life of Scoundrels Series

This series introduced readers to Anna Harrington’s writing. It follows a tight-knit brotherhood of men who forged deep bonds while serving together on the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars and must now find their footing—and love—back in London society.

1. Dukes Are Forever (2015)
2. Along Came a Rogue (2016)
3. How I Married a Marquess (2016)
4. Once a Scoundrel (2016)

Capturing the Carlisles Series

Shifting focus to family dynamics, this series centers on the wealthy Carlisle family—consisting of the sons of the late Duke of Trent and their cousins, the sons of the late Earl of Spalding. It blends romance with deep familial loyalty and playful bickering.

1. If the Duke Demands (2017)
2. When the Scoundrel Sins (2017)
3. As the Devil Dares (2018)
4. How The Earl Entices (2018)
5. What a Lord Wants (2019)
6. After the Spy Seduces (2019)
7. If a Lady Lingers (2020)

Lords of the Armory Series

In this series, the romance is paired with a continuous, thrilling thread of political espionage. The heroes are former soldiers who use a renovated armory building in London as their headquarters. Together, they work to stop "Scepter," a dangerous secret society bent on overthrowing the British crown and sparking a civil war.

1. An Inconvenient Duke (2020)
2. An Unexpected Earl (2021)
3. An Extraordinary Lord (2021)
4. A Relentless Rake (2022)
5. A Remarkable Rogue (2022)
6. A Problem Princess (2023)

The Dukes of Darkness Series

Harrington's latest series follows four lifelong friends who once worked together as mercenaries. When they suddenly inherit aristocratic titles, these former soldiers-for-hire must adapt to the strict expectations of the ton while defending their loved ones from dangerous secrets of their pasts.

1. The Duke and the Darkness (2024)
2. The Duke of Deceit (2024)
3. The Duke's Only Desire (2025)
4. The Devil's Own Duke (2025)

Standalone Novels and Novellas

Throughout her career, Harrington has written several standalone novellas and holiday romances, many of which were originally published in anthologies alongside other romance authors.

• A Match Made in Heather (2017) – A second-chance romance between Arabel Rowland and Garrick McGuiness. Originally featured in the digital anthology Say Yes to the Scot.
• Winner Takes All (2020) – A Regency romance novella featuring horse trainer Jackson Shaw.
• How the Duke Saved Christmas (2021) – A heartwarming holiday romance featuring Lady Clara Marshall and Michael Stanton, the Duke of Wakefield.
• Twice Upon a Midnight (2023) – A charming Regency-era reimagining of the Cinderella fairytale featuring Ella Darby and Spenser Rhodes.

Short Stories and Anthologies

These shorter works are perfect for quick, festive reads or to experience Harrington’s storytelling in a condensed format.

• No Dukes Allowed (2018) – An anthology containing the novella The Double Duchess, which follows Belinda Collins, the dowager Duchess of Winchester.
• Dear Duke (2020) – A novella originally featured in the 2019 anthology Dukes by the Dozen.
• One Enchanted Evening (2021) – A short Regency novella following businessman Mason Granger.

Chronological Caveats and Universe Connections

Fortunately for readers, Anna Harrington's series do not require complex timeline tracking. Each major series occupies its own distinct pocket of Regency England and focuses on a different group of characters. The events generally move forward in real-time order corresponding to their publication years.

However, there are subtle universe connections to keep in mind. Characters from The Secret Life of Scoundrels occasionally appear or are mentioned in Capturing the Carlisles. Additionally, you will notice shared surnames (such as the Sterlings and the Vances) across her series, showing how families and friends intermingle in her fictional version of Regency high society. To avoid minor spoilers regarding who ends up married or how certain political threats are resolved, sticking to the publication order remains the safest and most satisfying reading path.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving in, new readers should know that Anna Harrington’s books lean toward the passionate and steamy side, balancing emotional depth with sensual romance. She is highly regarded for creating feminist heroines who are fiercely independent—working as business owners, writers, or managing their own estates—rather than passive participants in the marriage mart.

Her works have received significant acclaim within the romance community. Her debut novel, Dukes Are Forever, won the Maggie Award for Best Historical Romance in 2016, and her third novel, How I Married a Marquess, was a RITA Award finalist in 2017, proving her status as a standout voice in historical romance.