Where to Start Reading Deborah M. Hathaway
Deborah M. Hathaway has built a loyal following by writing wholesome, slow-burn romances that blend historical detail with sweet, emotionally resonant stories. Because her bibliography spans both historical Regency fiction and contemporary romantic comedies, your starting point depends on your preferred subgenre:
- For Historical Romance Lovers: The absolute best place to start is with the Cornish Romance series. You can begin with the prequel novella, On the Shores of Tregalwen, or jump straight into the first full-length novel, Behind the Light of Golowduyn. This series showcases her signature style: clean, Jane Austen-inspired romance set against the dramatic cliffs, lighthouses, and copper mines of 19th-century Cornwall.
- For Contemporary Rom-Com Fans: Begin with Winning Winnie's Hand, the first book in the Men of the Isles series. This collection trades historical ballrooms for lighthearted modern relationships, capturing the author's trademark humor and travel-inspired settings.
- For Holiday Romance Seekers: Start with Christmas Baggage, a sweet contemporary enemies-to-lovers story set in London that serves as the opening book in the multi-author Christmas Escape collection.
The flagship: A Cornish Romance Series
Hathaway’s most famous works belong to her Cornish Romance series. Set between 1815 and 1818, the books explore the lives, struggles, and loves of people living on the rugged coast of Cornwall. While each book is written as a standalone story featuring a different couple, they share recurring characters and an interconnected timeline, making them best enjoyed in chronological reading order.
- On the Shores of Tregalwen (2019) – Book 0.5 (Prequel Novella): A sweet introductory story that sets the atmosphere for the coastal setting.
- Behind the Light of Golowduyn (2019) – Book 1: Introduces Abigail Moore, a lighthouse keeper's daughter who rescues a shipwrecked captain, leading to a marriage of convenience.
- For the Lady of Lowena (2019) – Book 2: A story of class differences, hidden identities, and second chances.
- Near the Ruins of Penharrow (2020) – Book 3: Set against the backdrop of Cornwall's copper mines, this book follows a Cinderella-style romance between a mine worker ('bal maiden') and the mine owner's son.
- In the Waves of Tristwick (2021) – Book 4: A lighthearted twist where a woman hiding her identity pretends to be a mermaid, clashing with a local fisherman.
- From the Fields of Porthlenn (2022) – Book 5: The final entry in the series, featuring a heartwarming second-chance romance about a wounded navy lieutenant returning home.
Men of the Isles Series
For readers who prefer modern settings, Hathaway’s Men of the Isles series delivers clean contemporary romantic comedies. The stories focus on love, personal growth, and humor, often drawing on the author's personal travels around the United Kingdom.
- Winning Winnie's Hand (2024) – Book 1
- Driving Maisie Crazy (2025) – Book 2
- Ruling Out Robyn (2026) – Book 3
Multi-Author Collections & Collaborative Series
A significant portion of Deborah M. Hathaway’s bibliography consists of contributions to multi-author collaborative series. In these collections, several authors write standalone romances set within a shared universe, theme, or timeline. Here are the specific books Hathaway contributed to each popular collaborative project:
Sons of Somerset
This series centers around five working-class men finding love in Somerset, all connected by a local cricket match. Hathaway wrote the inaugural book that kicks off the series:
- Carving for Miss Coventry (2021) – Sons of Somerset, Book 1
Castles and Courtship
A collection of sweet Regency romances set in majestic castles. Hathaway contributed the second installment:
- To Know Miss May (2023) – Castles and Courtship, Book 2
Seasons of Change
A collaborative series of standalone Regency novels written by popular historical romance authors. Hathaway wrote the fifth book:
- The Cottage by Coniston (2020) – Seasons of Change, Book 5
Belles of Christmas & Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair
These festive historical holiday anthologies feature sweet romances set during the Christmas season. Hathaway contributed one novella to each collection:
- Nine Ladies Dancing (2019) – Belles of Christmas, Book 4
- On the Second Day of Christmas (2020) – Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair, Book 4
Timeless Regency Collection
The Timeless Regency Collection is a series of three-novella anthologies. Hathaway contributed to the volume focused on Devonshire inns:
- The Coachman's Choice (2021) – Published in the anthology The Inns of Devonshire (Book 18) alongside stories by Sally Britton and Annette Lyon.
The Gentlemen's Gamble & Bachelors of Blackstone's
Hathaway has also written stories for these multi-author Regency series:
- Love Is for the Birds (2025) – Bachelors of Blackstone's, Book 5: A naturalist-themed romance featuring bird enthusiast Lark Fernside.
- An Accidental Marriage (2026) – The Gentlemen's Gamble, Book 2: An enemies-to-lovers marriage of convenience story.
Standalone Novels & Holiday Escapes
If you want to read a self-contained story that isn't tied to any series or multi-author world, Hathaway has written several standalones. She also has contemporary holiday releases that work perfectly as one-off winter reads:
- When Two Rivers Meet (2015) – A tender, slow-burn historical romance.
- To Warm a Wintered Heart (2016) – A cozy Regency romance perfect for winter reading.
- Christmas Baggage (2022) – Hathaway’s contribution to the contemporary Christmas Escape series. While part of a collaborative project, it functions entirely as a standalone modern holiday rom-com.