How to Begin Reading Claire Cross
If you are diving into the books of Claire Cross, your starting point depends entirely on your preferred romance subgenre. Because Claire Cross is a pen name for award-winning author Deborah Cooke (who also writes historical romance as Claire Delacroix), her bibliography splits into two clear paths: contemporary romantic comedies featuring a close-knit family, and whimsical, magical time-travel romances.
For readers who love modern family dynamics, witty banter, and light mystery, the best place to start is the contemporary Coxwell Series. If you prefer high-concept magical stories, medieval knights out of their depth in the modern world, or fate-spanning love stories, start with her standalone Time Travel Romances (often collected under the title Timeless Loves).
The Coxwell Series Reading Order
The Coxwells are a lively, tight-knit contemporary family whose members find themselves untangling mysteries and falling in love in equal measure. While these books were originally published under the Claire Cross pseudonym, Deborah Cooke has since updated, expanded, and republished them under her own name. They are best read in order of publication to follow the overarching family dynamics and recurring characters:
- Third Time Lucky (2000): The series starter focuses on Philippa Coxwell and Nick Sullivan, whose complicated, fifteen-year-long on-again, off-again relationship is tested by a lingering mystery and deep emotional hurdles.
- Double Trouble (2001): The second installment follows James Coxwell as he finds himself matched with the energetic Maralys, balancing family expectations and romantic sparks.
- One More Time (2006): This book centers on Matt Coxwell and Leslie, proving that second chances at love are possible even when life gets incredibly chaotic.
- All or Nothing (2007): The fourth book focuses on the family bad-boy Zach Coxwell and Jen, featuring a fake-dating scheme that quickly turns into a very real romance.
- Christmas with the Coxwells (2018): A festive holiday novella that catches up with the entire Coxwell family twelve years after the events of the original series, offering a heartwarming update on their lives.
The Time-Travel Romances (Timeless Loves)
Claire Cross’s time-travel romances are a fan-favorite blend of medieval history and modern-day fish-out-of-water scenarios. These stories are completely standalone and can be read in any order, though they are often bundled digitally under the collection title Timeless Loves. Note that the author has republished these editions under her Claire Delacroix pseudonym with updated covers:
- Once Upon a Kiss (1998): Follows Baird Beauforte, a practical businessman who attempts to clear a cursed, bramble-covered ruin to build a resort, only to discover a sleeping beauty named Aurelia who believes she is a medieval princess.
- The Last Highlander (1998): A 14th-century Scottish warrior, Alasdair MacAuley, takes a dare to meet a legendary witch and is accidentally thrown forward in time to 1998. He meets Morgan Lafayette, an American researcher visiting Scotland who initially mistakes him for a drunk tourist.
- The Moonstone (1999): Set in 1390 England, Viviane is accused of witchcraft. She uses a magical moonstone pendant to wish for freedom, accidentally fleeing to modern-day Salt Spring Island, British Columbia—only to be pursued across time by the very knight sent to escort her to execution.
- Love Potion #9 (1999): Set in Toronto in 1999 and Italy in 1420, this tale features Lilith, a matchmaker who has waited centuries for her wrongly-executed lover to be reborn. She creates a love potion that accidentally targets Mitch Davison, her highly skeptical neighbor and single father.
Holiday Novellas & Anthologies
Aside from her main series, Cross penned a standalone holiday story that remains a beloved seasonal favorite:
- A Berry Merry Christmas (1998): Originally published in the star-studded holiday anthology Silent Night alongside authors like J.D. Robb, this paranormal romantic comedy follows Holly Berry, an elf sent by Santa to Toronto. She poses as a nanny to help a grieving uncle, Drew Sinclair, and his young niece, Natalie, rediscover their Christmas spirit.
What to Know Before You Start: Naming & Branding Caveats
Because the author actively maintains her backlist, readers should keep a few details in mind when hunting down copies of these books:
The Pseudonym Shuffle
Depending on where you buy your books, you may find the same stories listed under different author names. The Coxwell series is now predominantly sold under the Deborah Cooke name. Meanwhile, the time-travel romances (The Last Highlander, The Moonstone, Once Upon a Kiss, and Love Potion #9) are published under the Claire Delacroix name, matching her historical romance brand.
Standalone Flexibility
Every single one of Claire Cross’s novels is structured to work as a standalone story. Even in the Coxwell series, the romantic arc of each book is fully resolved by the final page. However, reading the Coxwell books in chronological order is highly recommended to avoid minor spoilers regarding which family members end up together.