Anne O’Brien Books in Order

Where to Start with Anne O’Brien

Anne O’Brien is celebrated for her rich, meticulously researched historical fiction that gives a voice to the forgotten, silenced, or misunderstood women of medieval history. While she began her career writing Regency romances for Harlequin Mills & Boon, she is best known today for her sweeping medieval court dramas. Because almost all of her medieval novels are written as standalones, you have complete freedom in how you read them.

However, if you are looking for the absolute best places to start, here are our top recommendations depending on your reading style:

• For the Ultimate Medieval Experience: Start with Virgin Widow (2010). This breakout novel follows Anne Neville’s harrowing early years during the Wars of the Roses and perfectly showcases O'Brien's signature blend of political intrigue and emotional depth.
• For a Family Saga: Start with The Royal Game (2021). This is the first book in her Paston Family subseries, bringing to life the famous 15th-century Paston Letters through the eyes of the family's women.
• For Classic Romance: Start with The Disgraced Marchioness (2005), which kicks off her Regency trilogy, The Faringdon Scandals.

The Medieval Chronological Timeline

If you prefer to follow the flow of history rather than publication dates, reading Anne O'Brien's medieval novels chronologically offers an immersive journey through England's royal past. This timeline stretches from the 12th-century reign of Henry II to the late 15th-century Wars of the Roses. Here is the chronological sequence based on the historical settings and figures:

1. The Early Plantagenet Era

• Devil's Consort / Queen Defiant (Published 2011) – Set in the mid-12th century, this novel focuses on the early life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, her turbulent marriage to King Louis VII of France, and her rise to become Queen of England alongside Henry II.
• A Court of Betrayal (Published 2024) – Set at the dawn of the 14th century (starting around 1301), this story centers on Johane de Geneville and her marriage to the ambitious Marcher Lord Roger Mortimer, who would eventually depose King Edward II.
• The Uncrowned Queen (Published 2012) – A companion novella focusing on the marriage of Philippa of Hainault to King Edward III.

2. The Reigns of Edward III and Richard II (Mid-to-Late 14th Century)

The following five books take place during the same overlapping era of intense court politics, succession struggles, and the Black Death. They can be read in any order, but reading them together provides a multi-faceted view of Edward III’s and Richard II’s courts:

• The King's Concubine (Published 2012) – Reimagines the life of Alice Perrers, the notorious and politically astute mistress of an aging Edward III.
• The Scandalous Duchess (Published 2014) – Follows the long-running, controversial love affair and eventual marriage between Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
• The Shadow Queen (Published 2017) – Tells the story of Joan, the "Fair Maid of Kent," who married Edward the Black Prince and navigated the transition of power to her young son, Richard II.
• A Tapestry of Treason (Published 2019) – Focuses on Constance of York, Lady Despenser, as she becomes embroiled in a plot against the newly crowned Henry IV.
• The King's Sister (Published 2014) – Centers on Elizabeth of Lancaster, John of Gaunt's daughter, who is forced to navigate her family's rivalries during the deposition of Richard II.

3. The Lancastrian & Yorkist Eras (15th Century)

• The Queen's Choice (Published 2016) – Focuses on Joanna of Navarre, her marriage to King Henry IV, and her subsequent imprisonment under his successor, Henry V.
• Queen of the North (Published 2019) – Follows Elizabeth Mortimer, wife of the rebel Sir Henry Percy (Hotspur), during the reigns of Richard II and Henry IV.
• The Forbidden Queen (Published 2013) – Tells the story of Katherine de Valois, wife of Henry V, and her secret, scandalous romance with Owen Tudor, which founded the Tudor dynasty.
• The Queen's Rival (Published 2020) – Centers on Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, as she fights to secure the throne for her husband and sons during the Wars of the Roses.
• Virgin Widow (Published 2010) – Focuses on Cecily Neville's daughter-in-law, Anne Neville, who must survive the shifting alliances of the Wars of the Roses to become Richard III's queen.

The Paston Family Series

Unlike her standalone court novels, O’Brien’s Paston Family books form a direct, sequential narrative. They are based on the real-life 15th-century "Paston Letters," which offer an unprecedented look at gentry life during the Wars of the Roses. You should read these in order:

1. The Royal Game (2021) – Explores the family's rise in Norfolk and their early attempts to secure status, seen through the eyes of Margaret Paston, Elizabeth Paston, and Anne Haute.
2. A Marriage of Fortune (2023) – Picks up the saga as Margaret Paston tries to manage her headstrong children, focusing on her daughter Margery's forbidden romance with the family bailiff.

Regency Romance Series

Before turning to medieval history, Anne O’Brien wrote Regency romances. These are lighter, shorter romance novels published by Harlequin Mills & Boon. They are grouped into two small series:

The Faringdon Scandals

This trilogy follows the romantic and social scandals of the aristocratic Faringdon family. They should be read in publication order:

1. The Disgraced Marchioness (2005)
2. The Outrageous Debutante (2005)
3. The Enigmatic Rake (2005)

Compromised Miss Books

A two-part series centered on high-society compromises and redemptions in Regency England:

1. Compromised Miss (2009)
2. Rake Beyond Redemption (2010)

What to Know Before You Start

When diving into Anne O'Brien's catalog, keep the following tips in mind to get the most out of your reading experience:

They are truly standalones: Outside of the Paston Family duology, the Faringdon trilogy, and the Compromised Miss books, her medieval novels do not build on each other. If a particular historical figure (like Eleanor of Aquitaine or Katherine Swynford) fascinates you, you can jump straight to their book without missing any continuity.

Alternative Titles: Be aware that Devil's Consort was published in some territories under the title Queen Defiant. They are the exact same book, so be careful not to buy both!

Richly detailed pace: O'Brien is a former history teacher, and it shows. Her books prioritize deep historical accuracy, detailed descriptions of medieval domestic life, and the complex legalities of marriage and land ownership. If you prefer fast-paced adventure, start with A Court of Betrayal or Virgin Widow, which feature higher-stakes physical danger alongside court politics.