Catherine Bilson Books in Order

How to Start Reading Catherine Bilson

Catherine Bilson is a versatile British-Australian author whose stories sweep readers away to two distinct historical settings: the elegant, witty drawing rooms of Regency England and the dusty, high-stakes silver mining towns of the 1870s American West. Because her bibliography covers Jane Austen variations, traditional Regency romances, and multi-author Western projects, deciding where to start depends on your favorite romance subgenre.

If you are a fan of Jane Austen and Pride & Prejudice, the best place to begin is with her debut novel, The Best of Relations (2015). This book established her signature style of warm, Austen-inspired 'what-if' scenarios and remains one of her most beloved standalone works.

If you prefer traditional, sweet Regency romance with original characters, start with the Blushing Brides series, beginning with An Earl for Ellen (2019). This trilogy offers a clear, chronological narrative following a circle of society ladies finding love.

For readers who enjoy frontier romance and town-building sagas, the collaborative Pioneer Brides of Rattlesnake Ridge series offers a shared-world experience. You can start directly with Bilson's first contribution, Coming from California (2021), or read the shared-world series in its overall publication order.

1. Pride & Prejudice & Austen Variations

Catherine Bilson’s Austen-inspired variations are largely written as standalones, meaning you can read them in any order. However, some books share thematic elements or minor character connections. Reading them in order of publication allows you to see how Bilson's approach to Austen's characters evolved.

Her debut, The Best of Relations, reimagines the classic story by giving Elizabeth Bennet's Aunt Gardiner prior knowledge of Wickham's untrustworthy nature, altering the path of Elizabeth and Darcy's romance. Its follow-up, Infamous Relations, acts as a companion piece exploring alternative directions for the characters. Her later variations, such as Grief and Grievances and The Second Mrs. Bennet, continue to explore creative 'what-if' scenarios for the Bennet family.

• The Best of Relations (2015)
• Infamous Relations (2016)
• A Christmas Miracle at Longbourn (2018)
• Grief and Grievances (2023)
• The Second Mrs. Bennet (2024)

2. Blushing Brides Series

The Blushing Brides series is Catherine Bilson's primary original Regency romance sequence. Unlike her standalone Austen variations, these books should be read in order of publication to best appreciate the character relationships and recurring social circles in London high society.

1. An Earl For Ellen (2019)
2. A Marquis For Marianne (2019)
3. A Duke for Diana (2022)

3. The Pioneer Brides of Rattlesnake Ridge

This series is a collaborative, shared-world project set in an 1870s Nevada silver mining town. Multiple authors contribute standalone romances to the series, sharing characters, setting elements, and town events. Catherine Bilson has contributed two key entries to this collection: Coming from California and Returning from Rhode Island.

While readers can read only Catherine Bilson's contributions, following the full publication order of the collaborative series helps you experience the growth of the town of Rattlesnake Ridge and its recurring cast. The complete series order based on local records is:

1. Arriving from Arkansas (2021) – written by Elisa Keyston
2. Coming from California (2021) – written by Catherine Bilson
3. Moving from Maryland (2021) – written by Christine Sterling
4. Riding from Richmond (2021) – written by Nan O'Berry
5. Traveling from Texas (2021) – written by Patricia PacJac Carroll
6. Drifting from Deadwood (2021) – written by Ramona Flightner
7. Returning from Rhode Island (2021) – written by Catherine Bilson
8. Approaching from Arizona (2021) – written by Stefanie Bridges-Mikota
9. Immigrating from Illinois (2021) – written by Nan O'Berry
10. Onward From Oklahoma (2023) – written by Lynn Donovan
11. Shifting from South Dakota (2024) – written by Marie Higgins
12. Gallivanting from Goliad (2024) – written by Lynn Donovan
13. Leaving from Louisiana (2024) – written by Elaine Manders
14. Hotfooting from Hawthorne (2024) – written by Marisa Masterson

4. Standalone Novellas, Short Stories, and Collections

In addition to her longer novels, Bilson has penned several shorter romances, holiday-themed novellas, and contributions to Regency anthologies. Many of these have been compiled into handy collections or multi-author anthologies. They can be enjoyed at any point, though they are particularly delightful holiday reads.

Short Stories and Novellas

• Mr Bingley's Bride (2018)
• Phoebe and the Pea (2020)
• Kidnapping Lord Blaymire (2021)
• The Captain's Runaway Bride (2021)
• The Wassail Wager (2023)

Author Collections

• A Longbourn Quartet (2019)
• Sweet Christmas Secrets (2021)
• Christmas Courting (2023)

Collaborative Anthologies

• Romancing the Past (2021)
• Sweet Secrets of Swain Cove: A Regency Romance Anthology (2022)
• Austen Tea Party (2023)
• The Regency Kidnappers' Club (2023)
• The Regent's Menagerie: Volume 1 (2024)

What to Know Before You Start

Catherine Bilson's style emphasizes sweet, clean romance, historical detail, and emotional resolution. Readers who enjoy audiobooks should note that Bilson is also an accomplished narrator with over 70 credits to her name. She frequently narrates her own work, including An Earl for Ellen and her Austen variations, bringing her authentic British accent and performance background directly to the listening experience.

For readers looking for contemporary settings or romantic suspense, Catherine Bilson also writes under the pen name Caitlyn Lynch. If you run out of historical romances, searching for her contemporary pen name is the best way to continue exploring her storytelling.