Elizabeth Johns Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Elizabeth Johns

For readers new to Elizabeth Johns' clean Regency romances, there are two primary paths depending on what experience you are looking for. Because her books combine character crossovers with self-contained storylines, choosing a starting point is simple:

• The Classic Entry Point (Loring-Abbott Series): Start with Surrender the Past. This is Johns' debut novel and the beginning of her original family saga. It introduces the signature emotional depth, historical detail, and high-society tension that defined her early career. Following this path lets you watch her universe grow from the very beginning.
• The Most Popular Entry Point (Gentlemen of Knights Series): Start with Duke of Knight. This is currently her most widely read and highly recommended series. It centers on the close-knit, protective brothers of the Knight family and offers a perfect blend of witty banter, protective hero tropes, and clean romance.

The Interconnected Universe: Loring-Abbott & Descendants

The Loring-Abbott series and the Descendants series are directly linked. While each book works as a standalone romance, the Descendants series follows the next generation of children from the families introduced in Loring-Abbott. To get the full impact of the family lineages and character cameos, it is highly recommended to read Loring-Abbott before moving on to Descendants.

Loring-Abbott Series Reading Order

This series introduces the Loring and Abbott families as they navigate scandals, societal pressure, and second chances at love in the Regency era.

1. Surrender the Past (2014)
2. Seasons of Change (2014)
3. Seeking Redemption (2015)
4. Shadows of Doubt (2015)

Note: A related short story titled "Second Dance" (2017) is also set in this family universe, and the first four books are available together in the Loring-Abbott Series Box Set.

Descendants Series Reading Order

Follow the children and younger relatives of the Loring-Abbott characters as they find their own paths to love.

1. Out of the Darkness (2017)
2. After the Rain (2017)
3. Ray of Light (2017)
4. Moon and Stars (2018)

Gentlemen of Knights Series

The Gentlemen of Knights series is Elizabeth Johns' most popular collection, focusing on the aristocratic Knight brothers. The series has a clear narrative progression, making publication order the best way to enjoy it.

1. Duke of Knight (2020)
2. Black Knight (2020)
3. Knight and Day (2020)
4. Holiday Knights (2020)
5. Dark of Knight (2021)
6. Shining Knight (2021)
7. Dangerous Knight (2021)
8. Lord of the Knight (2022)
9. Return of the Knight (2023)

Ladies of Miss Bell's Finishing School

This series focuses on the teachers, students, and governesses associated with Miss Bell's Finishing School. It highlights themes of independence, resilience, and clean romance for women facing difficult social standing.

1. The Governess (2019)
2. The Heiress (2019)
3. The Beauty (2019)
4. The Spinster (2019)
5. The Widow (2020)
6. The Headmistress (2020)

Brethren in Arms Series

This series follows soldiers returning from the Napoleonic Wars who struggle to adapt to civilian life, dealing with physical and emotional scars while finding love.

1. On My Honour (2019)
2. Not Forgotten (2019)
3. An Officer, Not a Gentleman (2020)

Note: Later standalone expansions in this universe include "The Ones Left Behind" (2021) and "What Might Have Been" (2022).

A Series of Elements

A fun, high-concept trilogy following three triplets whose romantic stories are matched to the themes of fire, ice, and wind.

1. Through the Fire (2016)
2. Melting the Ice (2016)
3. With the Wind (2016)

The Virtues Series

One of Johns' newer series, which focuses on characters embodying classical virtues like faith, hope, and patience during difficult personal trials.

1. Leap of Faith (2023)
2. Finding Hope (2024)
3. The Gift of Patience (2024)

Understanding the Timeless Anthology Contributions

Many listings of Elizabeth Johns' work include the Timeless Regency Collection, Timeless Victorian Collection, and Timeless Georgian Collection. It is important to know that these are multi-author anthology projects published by Mirror Press, not solo novels. Elizabeth Johns is one of several bestselling historical romance authors (including Sarah M. Eden and Heather B. Moore) who contribute individual novellas to these volumes.

You do not need to read the entire Timeless collections in order to follow Johns' work, but her individual contributions include:

• Poor Relations (published in A Season in London, 2018)
• The Orient Express (published in the Timeless Victorian Collection, 2018)
• A Midnight Masquerade (published in the Timeless Georgian Collection, 2023)
• Her Country Gentleman (published in the Timeless Georgian Collection, 2022)
• A Lady's Wager (published in the Timeless Georgian Collection, 2023)