Elisa Braden Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Elisa Braden

For readers new to Elisa Braden’s worlds, the best starting point is her signature Regency romance series, Rescued from Ruin. This series establishes her talent for writing fiercely protective, dark-edged alpha heroes, clever and resilient heroines, and witty, emotionally intense banter. You have two main choices for where to begin: either with the publication-order debut, The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne, or with the chronological prequel, Ever Yours, Annabelle.

Starting with The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne is highly recommended because it introduces the overarching universe naturally, letting you meet secondary characters who later receive their own dedicated books. However, if you love childhood-friends-to-lovers stories and want to see the long history of the Huxley and Lacey families right from the start, beginning with Ever Yours, Annabelle (Book 0.5) is a fantastic alternative.

Rescued from Ruin Series: Reading Order

This bestselling 11-book series features interconnected couples navigating scandalous predicaments, marriages of convenience, and social ruin in Regency England. Lady Wallingham, the sharp-tongued dowager, acts as a recurring matchmaker throughout the series. While each book can be read as a standalone, reading them in order prevents spoilers and tracks the growth of the Lacey and Huxley family trees.

Chronological Reading Order

1. Ever Yours, Annabelle (2019) - Book 0.5. A full-length prequel centering on Lady Annabelle Huxley and Robert Conrad's emotional reunion after seven years of separation.
2. The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne (2015) - Book 1. The dark and fiery debut featuring Victoria Lacey and the vengeful Harrison Lacey, Viscount Atherbourne.
3. The Truth About Cads and Dukes (2015) - Book 2. A fan-favorite marriage-of-convenience story featuring the stoic Duke of Halford and the quiet, bookish Jane Lacey.
4. Desperately Seeking a Scoundrel (2015) - Book 3. The story of Colin Lacey and the spitfire Sarah Keene.
5. The Devil Is a Marquess (2016) - Book 4. Widely considered one of Braden's finest works, featuring the ruined rake Benedict Chatham and the practical heiress Charlotte Wright in a forced proximity farm setting.
6. When a Girl Loves an Earl (2016) - Book 5. A persistent pursuit romance where the determined Viola Netherfield is set on winning the heart of the imposing Scottish Earl of Crestwood.
7. Twelve Nights as His Mistress (2016) - Book 5.5 / 6. A holiday novella following the long-suffering Julia and her second chance at love with the Duke of Windermere.
8. Confessions of a Dangerous Lord (2017) - Book 7. A friends-to-lovers story with high-stakes espionage featuring Henry Infram, Marquess of Grantham, and Lady Maureen Huxley.
9. Anything but a Gentleman (2017) - Book 8. A story focused on the brooding Sebastian Rowland and the companionable widow Augusta.
10. A Marriage Made in Scandal (2018) - Book 9. Featuring Phineas Brand, the rogue-turned-earl, and the scandal-plagued Lady Margaret.
11. A Kiss from a Rogue (2019) - Book 10. The emotional finale to the main series line, following the reformed rake Jonah Lacey and his redemption with Hannah.

Midnight in Scotland Series: Reading Order

Spanning the rugged Highlands, this spin-off series follows the passionate romances of the MacPherson siblings. It blends classic Highland adventure, family loyalty, and sizzling chemistry. It is best read in publication order to fully appreciate the family dynamics and subplots.

1. The Making of a Highlander (2020) - Book 1. The clash-of-wills story between the proper Englishwoman Madelyn and the fierce Highland rogue John MacPherson.
2. The Taming of a Highlander (2020) - Book 2. Brooding and protective, this story follows the mute warrior Broghill MacPherson and his healing romance with Fiona.
3. The Temptation of a Highlander (2021) - Book 3. Follows the sweet and emotional romance of Angus MacPherson and the gentle lady Kate.
4. Right Place, Wrong Duke (2023) - Book 3.5. A companion novella featuring the accidental abduction of Silas Northfield by the spirited widow Lucie Carmichael. This story was originally featured in the 2022 Duke in a Box anthology.
5. The Wickedness of a Highlander (2024) - Book 4. The fiery, gothic-tinted romance of Donald MacPherson and the mysterious, cursed lady.

Elisa Braden has announced that the next installment in the series, titled The Love of a Highlander (planned as Book 5), will tell the long-anticipated story of Rannoch MacPherson and Magdalene.

The Oddflower Series & Other Works

Aside from her two primary series, Braden launched The Oddflower Books, which focuses on shorter, character-driven romances often incorporating lighter tones or gothic mysteries. The primary entry is:

• The Secrets of a Moonlit Night (2023) - An Oddflower novella featuring a swindling governess named Elizabeth Nightingale, a scarred hero named Thomas Warwick, and a matchmaking ghost. It was originally published in the 2022 anthology A Midnight Requiem: The Ghostly Hour.

For a perfect holiday crossover, readers should also look for Once Upon a Midnight Kiss (2022). Officially designated as Rescued from Ruin Book 9.5, this novella crosses characters from both the London ballrooms of Rescued from Ruin and the Highland setting of Midnight in Scotland. It follows the secretary Euphemia Sinclair and the charming antiquities dealer Andrew Farrington, and was originally featured in the 2021 Star of Wonder anthology.

What to Know Before You Start

Elisa Braden's writing features emotional depth, deep angst, and high steam, making her a perfect choice for fans of Lisa Kleypas, Julie Garwood, and Sarah M. Eden. While her books are part of tight-knit series, they are written to function comfortably as standalones. You will not feel lost if you read them out of order, though you will definitely appreciate the secondary character cameos and evolving family connections much more if you stick to the recommended reading paths.