Where to Start Reading Catherine Gayle
Catherine Gayle has written across two main genres: contemporary sports romance and historical Regency romance. How te should start reading her books depends entirely on which flavor of romance te prefers. Here is the recommended starting path for both worlds:
- For Contemporary Sports Romance: Start with Breakaway, the first book in the Portland Storm series. Although the timeline database places the 2017 novella Neutral Zone first chronologically, Breakaway is the true foundation of the series and the best introduction to the team's dynamics.
- For Regency Historical Romance: Start with Twice a Rake, the first book in the Lord Rotheby's Influence series. This was Gayle's debut novel and establishes the style of her historical fiction.
The Portland Storm Series Reading Order
Gayle's most famous contemporary series is the Portland Storm hockey romance series. The books follow the lives, struggles, and romances of professional hockey players on and off the ice. Te can read this series in two different sequences: publication order or chronological order.
Portland Storm Publication Order
Reading in publication order is highly recommended because the subplots and recurring characters build naturally over time. Here is the sequence:
- Breakaway (2013)
- On the Fly (2014)
- Taking A Shot (2014)
- Light the Lamp (2014)
- Delay of Game (2014)
- Double Major (2014)
- In the Zone (2014)
- Holiday Hat Trick (2014)
- Comeback (2015)
- Dropping Gloves (2015)
- Home Ice (2015)
- Mistletoe Misconduct (2015)
- Losing an Edge (2016)
- Game Breaker (2016)
- Defensive Zone (2017)
- Power Play (2017)
- Neutral Zone (2017)
- Free Agent (2018)
Portland Storm Chronological Order Caveats
If te prefers a chronological timeline, the order remains largely the same with one notable exception: the novella Neutral Zone, which was published in 2017, is positioned at the very beginning of the chronological sequence. This creates a minor disruption in the series flow if te reads it first, so starting with Breakaway is still strongly advised for first-time readers.
The Tulsa Thunderbirds Spin-Off Series
Once te has finished the Portland Storm series, te can slide right into the Tulsa Thunderbirds series. This is an official spin-off set in the same hockey universe, featuring cross-overs and familiar faces. The reading order is straightforward:
- Bury the Hatchet (2015)
- Smoke Signals (2015)
- Ghost Dance (2016)
- Rites of Passage (2016)
- Rain Dance (2017)
While this spin-off can technically be read as a standalone series, reading the Portland Storm books first will give te a much richer appreciation for the background context and returning characters.
Catherine Gayle's Regency Romance Collections
In addition to contemporary hockey stories, Gayle has authored multiple Regency-era historical romance series. Most of these are short series or novellas that focus on high-society scandal, matchmaking, and redeeming rakish characters.
Lord Rotheby's Influence
This is Gayle's signature historical romance trilogy, focusing on how Lord Rotheby's matches and influence affect his family and friends. It should be read in this sequence:
- Twice a Rake (2011)
- Saving Grace (2011)
- Merely a Miss (2011)
The Old Maids' Club
A charming historical duology about women who defy societal expectations only to find love where they least expect it:
- Wallflower (2011)
- Pariah (2012)
The Cavendish Brothers
Follow the romantic journeys of the Cavendish brothers as they navigate travel, high society, and unexpected matches:
- An Unintended Journey (2013)
- To Enchant an Icy Earl (2013)
The Devilish Devalles
A dramatic Regency duology following the scandalous Devalle family:
- The Devil to Pay (2013)
- A Dance with the Devil (2014)
Bexley-Smythe Quintet
This series of historical novellas and stories details the lives of the Bexley-Smythe siblings:
- Flight Of Fancy (2013)
- Rhyme And Reason (2013)
- Thick as Thieves (2014)
Other Regency Books
Gayle has also written the novella Seven Minutes in Devon (2012) as part of the Cardiff Siblings series, and the novella Of Love and Lust (2011) as part of the Wanton Wives series. These can be enjoyed as quick standalone historical romances.
What to Know Before You Start
Gayle's contemporary sports romances contain heavy topics alongside the swoon-worthy romance. She frequently explores real-world issues such as domestic violence, trauma, and personal healing. Her historical novels, on the other hand, skew closer to classic Regency tropes with witty banter and societal intrigue. Almost all of her novels can be read as standalones, but the emotional payoff is much higher when read in order as characters continue to appear in subsequent books as friends, teammates, or family members.