Are Courtney Ellis's historical fiction books connected?

No. At Summer's End , The Forgotten Cottage , and Flyweight are all standalone novels set in different locations with completely different characters. You can read them in any order.

What is the best book to start with?

We recommend starting with her debut novel, At Summer's End . It beautifully showcases her writing style, historical detail, and focus on characters recovering from the trauma of World War I.

Is there a dual-timeline structure in all of her books?

No. While The Forgotten Cottage features a dual-timeline narrative split between 1915 and 2014, her debut novel At Summer's End is set entirely in the historical year of 1922.

What is Courtney Ellis's upcoming book about?

Her upcoming novel, Flyweight (scheduled for late 2026), is set in 1921 East London and follows a woman who takes up professional boxing to support her family, challenging the societal norms of her era.

Does Courtney Ellis write non-fiction as well?

Yes, but those books are written by a different Courtney Ellis, who is a pastor and speaker. To avoid confusion, note that the historical fiction author has the official website courtney-ellis.com , while the non-fiction faith author uses courtneybellis.com .

Courtney Ellis Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path

Because Courtney Ellis writes standalone novels rather than interconnected series, you can dive into her books in any order you choose. However, for the best experience of her stylistic evolution and thematic depth, we recommend reading them in publication order. This path allows you to transition from the lush, classic estate mystery of her debut to the complex dual timelines of her second novel, and finally to the gritty, high-stakes historical drama of her upcoming release.

Here is our suggested reading order:

At Summer's End (2021) – Start here to experience Ellis's signature blend of post-war healing, artistic passion, and secrets hidden within a grand English manor.
The Forgotten Cottage (2022) – Move next to this sweeping dual-timeline story that connects a modern-day American nurse with her great-grandmother's courageous service on the battlefields of World War I.
Flyweight (Expected October 2026) – Conclude with this upcoming, action-oriented historical novel that shifts the setting to the working-class streets of 1920s East London.

Publication Order of Courtney Ellis Novels

If you prefer to follow the author's journey as she wrote and released her work, follow this direct publication timeline:

At Summer's End (Berkley, 2021)
The Forgotten Cottage (Berkley, 2022)
Flyweight (Blackstone Publishing, expected October 2026)

Chronological Settings and Historical Timelines

While the publication order is straightforward, Courtney Ellis's stories span a century of history. If you want to understand how the historical settings line up chronologically, here is a breakdown of when each story takes place:

The Forgotten Cottage (Historical Timeline: 1915) – Lady Emilie Dawes leaves behind her aristocratic life in England to serve as a nurse near the front lines of the Western Front in France.
Flyweight (Timeline: 1921) – Lucy Cotter enters the underground and illegal world of female professional boxing in East London to save her family from destitution.
At Summer's End (Timeline: 1922) – Aspiring artist Alberta "Bertie" Preston arrives at Castle Braemore in Gloucestershire to paint portraits, only to discover the lingering wounds of the Great War.
The Forgotten Cottage (Modern Timeline: 2014) – American nurse Audrey Collins travels to North Yorkshire to claim an inherited stone cottage that has been locked up since the mid-20th century.

Detailed Book Guidance and Standalone Synopses

At Summer's End (2021)

Set in the summer of 1922, Courtney Ellis's debut novel introduces readers to Alberta "Bertie" Preston. An ambitious artist struggling to make her mark, Bertie accepts a commission at Castle Braemore to paint portraits for the reclusive Julian, the Earl of Wakeford. The Earl, physically and emotionally scarred by his time on the battlefields of World War I, rarely leaves the castle. As Bertie works, she finds herself drawn into the mysteries of the estate and the tragic history of the family. At Summer's End is a rich, atmospheric novel that explores how survivors of the Great War rebuild their lives, making it a perfect starting point for readers who enjoy slow-burn romance and gothic-tinged historical mysteries.

The Forgotten Cottage (2022)

In her sophomore novel, Ellis employs a dual-timeline structure to tell a multi-generational family saga. In the modern timeline (2014), Audrey Collins is an American nurse reeling from the loss of her grandmother. She inherits a stone cottage in North Yorkshire, only to find the home exactly as it was left in 1941, filled with dust and hidden journals. The narrative shifts back to 1915 to follow Lady Emilie Dawes, Audrey's great-grandmother, who defies societal expectations to care for wounded soldiers on the Western Front. As Audrey untangles the secrets of the cottage, she learns the truth about Emilie's wartime sacrifices and the origins of her family's wealth. This book is ideal for readers who love dual-timeline mysteries and stories focusing on early female medical pioneers.

Flyweight (Expected 2026)

Moving away from grand country manors and front-line hospitals, Ellis's forthcoming novel Flyweight explores a grittier side of history. Set in 1921 East London, the story is inspired by the real, often-overlooked history of early women's professional boxing. The protagonist, Lucy Cotter, faces extreme poverty and must find a way to support her family. Breaking laws and defying gender barriers, she steps into the boxing ring to fight for survival and equality. Flyweight represents a more action-focused, socially conscious direction for the author, showcasing the resilience of working-class women in post-WWI Britain.

What to Know Before You Start

Courtney Ellis's historical fiction is characterized by detailed historical research, strong female protagonists who challenge the boundaries of their respective eras, and deep emotional resonance. Her books frequently deal with the physical and psychological aftermath of war, particularly World War I. While romantic elements are present, they are woven naturally into broader plots about family secrets, personal identity, and professional ambition. Because all of her historical novels are independent stories, you do not need to worry about cliffhangers or missing plot points if you read them out of order.