AnneMarie Brear Books in Order

Where to Start with AnneMarie Brear

AnneMarie Brear has built a dedicated readership by writing emotional, immersive historical fiction, drawing frequent comparisons to legends of the genre like Catherine Cookson. If you are new to her work, deciding where to start can seem daunting given her catalog of over 40 novels. Fortunately, her books are neatly organized into chronological series or standalone titles that inhabit a shared atmosphere. The most recommended starting points depend on your setting preference:

• For Australian Frontier Sagas: Start with the Distant Books series, beginning with A Distant Horizon (2021). It follows a family's emotional journey from Britain to the rugged colonies of Australia.
• For Gritty Victorian Yorkshire Sagas: Start with the Kitty McKenzie series, starting with the self-titled first book Kitty McKenzie (2017). This series perfectly highlights Brear's ability to weave themes of resilience and social class.
• For Standalone Gritty Dramas: Start with the award-winning The Slum Angel (2019) or the fan-favorite The Tobacconist's Wife (2020). These books don't require any prior series knowledge but offer the complete, signature AnneMarie Brear experience.

The Distant Books

This series focuses on themes of emigration, family secrets, and survival, tracking characters who leave behind their struggles in the UK to build new lives on the Australian frontier during the colonial era.

1. A Distant Horizon (2021)
2. Beyond the Distant Hills (2021)
3. The Distant Legacy (2023)
4. Those Distant Dreams (2026)

Reading Tip: You should read this series in strict chronological order, as the plot follows successive generations and continuous family dynamics.

The Kitty McKenzie Series

One of Brear's most popular series, this trilogy begins in the slums of York, England, and follows Kitty McKenzie as she fights to escape poverty, eventually migrating to Australia. The series blends gritty British realism with the adventurous spirit of Australian historical romance.

1. Kitty McKenzie (2017)
2. Kitty McKenzie's Land (2017)
3. Southern Sons (2018)

The Marsh Sagas

A multi-generational saga set in Yorkshire, this series details the lives of strong women navigating love, societal expectations, and hardship in the Victorian era. It also includes a festive novella that fits right in the middle of the reading order.

1. Millie (2019)
2. Christmas at the Chateau (2019)
3. Prue (2020)
4. Cece (2020)
5. Alice (2022)

The Seasons of Change Series

Published in partnership with Boldwood Books, this trilogy follows emotional stories of women reclaiming their lives and finding love across different seasons and stages of life.

1. The Winter Widow (2023 / 2024)
2. Whispers of Spring (2024)
3. The Summer Bride (2025)

The Waterfront Women Series

Set along the River Calder in Victorian-era Wakefield, Yorkshire, this series explores the harsh realities and triumphs of women working near the busy docks and industrial waterways.

1. The Waterfront Lass (2023)
2. The Dock Girl's Shame (2024)
3. The Riverside Maid (2025)

The Market Stall Girl Series

A shorter, duology series set in West Yorkshire during the early 1900s, focusing on the struggles of working-class women and agricultural farm life.

1. The Market Stall Girl (2020)
2. The Woman from Beaumont Farm (2021)

Standalone Novels

For readers who prefer complete stories without committing to a series, Brear has written a wealth of standalone historical romances. Although they feature independent characters, many share the same gritty atmospheric settings in Yorkshire and explore similar themes of endurance and domestic survival. Notable standalone novels include:

• The House of Women (2006) - Brear's debut novel.
• The Slum Angel (2019) - A highly acclaimed novel about a woman dedicated to helping the poor of York, which won the USA Reader's Favorite International Awards gold medal.
• Beneath a Stormy Sky (2019)
• The Tobacconist's Wife (2020) - A gritty Victorian drama centering on escaping an abusive marriage.
• The Slum Angel Christmas (2021) - A festive companion novella to The Slum Angel.
• The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl (2022) - A mystery-tinged Yorkshire saga.
• The Soldier's Daughter (2022)