Start Here: The Recommended Caroline Hanson Reading Order
If you are new to Caroline Hanson's steamy, morally gray paranormal worlds, your absolute best starting point is her flagship Valerie Dearborn series. This series put Hanson on the urban fantasy map and remains her most popular work, following an Empath caught in a complex web of vampire royalty. Once you've experienced Valerie's story, you can branch out into her other supernatural romance series, time-travel duologies, and gothic tales.
The Valerie Dearborn Series Reading Order
The Valerie Dearborn series is best read in a specific sequence. Although the prequel novella, Love Is The Beginning, is numerically labeled as Book 0.5, Hanson herself recommends saving it for the end. It was originally written as the opening to the first novel but centers on Jack's perspective; reading it beforehand can disrupt the narrative flow and spoil elements of the main trilogy. Read the series in this order:
- Love is Darkness (2011) – Start here to meet Valerie Dearborn, an Empath who is forced into a dangerous bargain with Lucas, the cold and powerful Vampire King.
- Love is Fear (2011) – The second installment, where Valerie struggles to navigate her escalating powers, her loyalties, and the dangerous triangle of supernatural politics.
- Love is Mortal (2012) – The conclusion of the main story arc, wrapping up Valerie’s fate, her relationships, and her ultimate survival.
- Love Is The Beginning (2012) – The prequel novella. Best read after the main books to appreciate Jack’s backstory and how the characters first intersected.
Explore Hanson's Other Series
Once you finish Valerie's story, Caroline Hanson offers several other completed series and standalone entry points. Each focuses on distinct paranormal elements or historical romance themes.
Megan Stephens Series (Witch & Werewolf Romance)
If you prefer a lighter, wittier spin on the paranormal with plenty of banter, this series is the perfect next step. It follows Megan Stephens, a witch-for-hire who finds herself repeatedly tangled up with werewolves. Read them in this order:
- Bewitching the Werewolf (2011)
- Betwixt a Wolf and a Hard Place (2014)
Helen Foster Series (Victorian Time-Travel Romance)
Blending Victorian intrigue with modern sensibilities, this duology is perfect for fans of historical time-travel romance. It follows Helen Foster as she is sent back in time to navigate the dangers of the 19th century. Read them in order:
- A Lady Out of Time (2013)
- A Lady Most Dangerous (2014)
Rebecca Finner / The Infinite Series
This series moves into a darker urban fantasy setting involving amnesia and a secretive, ancient group of immortals. Rebecca Finner wakes up with no memory of her identity, only to discover she is key to a battle among powerful, ancient beings. Read this series in order:
- Forgotten (2015)
- Remembered (2016)
- Blood and Infinity (2017)
- Coveted by the Infinite (2018)
Mistresses of Mayfair Series
Hanson's foray into historical-leaning romance features deep character conflicts and high emotional stakes. The series currently consists of a single entry:
- Unchained (2018)
What to Know Before You Start
Caroline Hanson’s books are known for their fast-paced plots, sharp wit, and characters who operate in shades of gray rather than clear-cut good and evil. Unlike traditional paranormal romances that rely on classic tropes, Hanson's stories emphasize emotional depth, choice, and consequences. None of the separate series cross over directly, meaning you can read the Valerie Dearborn trilogy, the Rebecca Finner books, or the Helen Foster duology independently of one another without missing any critical plot points.