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Lisa Kleypas Reading Guide: The Ultimate Breakdown of Her Books

Lisa Kleypas is a must-read author for romance lovers, known for her swoon-worthy heroes, independent heroines, and deeply emotional love stories. She writes both historical and contemporary romance, crafting unforgettable characters across different eras. If you’re new to her books—or want a structured reading order—this guide will walk you through all of her series and standalone books.

Where to Start Reading Lisa Kleypas?

New to Lisa Kleypas? Pick the path that best fits you:

Publication Order (For Longtime Fans & Completists)

• Best for readers who want to experience Lisa Kleypas’s growth as a writer.
• Start with her earliest books and move forward.
• This order includes both historical and contemporary books together.

Historical Chronological Order (For Those Who Like History in Timeline Order)

• Best for readers who want to read in historical sequence.
• Moves through time from early Regency to Victorian England.

1. Vallerands Series (Early 1800s, Creole Louisiana)
2. Stokehursts Series (Regency England, Russian intrigue, past-life elements)
3. Bow Street Runners Series (Early 1800s, England’s first police force)
4. Capitol Theatre Series (Regency, set in London’s theater world)
5. The Gamblers Series (Regency, self-made men & high-stakes romance)
6. The Wallflowers Series (Late Regency, 1840s-1850s, aristocratic matchmaking)
7. The Hathaways Series (Early Victorian, 1850s-1860s, aristocracy & Romani culture)
8. The Ravenels Series (Later Victorian, 1870s-1880s, industrial expansion & next-gen Wallflowers)

Series-Based Order (For Those Who Want a Cohesive Experience) – Our recommendation!

• Best for new readers who want to read by series without jumping around.
• Recommends reading in series order first, then moving on.

1. Start with The Wallflowers (Late Regency, a great introduction to Kleypas’s writing & style)
2. Move to The Hathaways (Loosely connected to Wallflowers & brings in self-made heroes)
3. Read The Ravenels (Modern Victorian setting, ties to The Wallflowers)
4. Now pick up her contemporaries! Start with the Travis Family, then Friday Harbor
5. Then, explore her standalone Regency & Victorian books
6. Go back to earlier books (Bow Street, Capitol Theatre, Gamblers, etc.) if you want more classic Kleypas

Best for New Readers (For Those Who Want the Most Popular First)

• Best for someone brand new to Lisa Kleypas and looking for the most beloved books first.
• This order pulls fan favorites across different series for a strong introduction.

1. The Devil in Winter (The Wallflowers) – One of the most famous historical romance books of all time.
2. Dreaming of You (The Gamblers Series) – Derek Craven, an all-time fan-favorite hero.
3. Marrying Winterborne (The Ravenels) – A steamy romance featuring a self-made hero.
4. Blue-Eyed Devil (Travis Family, contemporary romance) – An emotional second-chance love story.
5. Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways) – Found family, self-made hero, and historical charm.

After these, readers can go back and start series in order based on what they loved the most.

Lisa Kleypas Historical Romance Series

Lisa Kleypas is best known for her Victorian and Regency-era romances, filled with rakes, aristocrats, self-made men, and fiercely independent heroines.

The Wallflowers Series (Victorian London)

Four women considered “wallflowers” at social events form a close friendship and make a pact to help each other find love.

1. Again the Magic (Aline & John) [Read our review]
2. Secrets of a Summer Night (Annabelle & Simon) [Read our review]
3. It Happened One Autumn (Lillian & Marcus) [Read our review]
4. The Devil in Winter (Evie & Sebastian) [Read our review]
5. Scandal in Spring (Daisy & Matthew) [Read our review]
6. A Wallflower Christmas (Rafe & Hannah) [Read our review]

Best for readers who love: Friends-to-lovers, arranged marriages, rakes turned devoted lovers.

The Hathaways Series (Connected to The Wallflowers)

Following the unconventional Hathaway siblings, this series features Romani representation and a charming found-family dynamic.

1. Mine Till Midnight (Amelia & Cam) [Read our review]
2. Seduce Me at Sunrise (Win & Kev) [Read our review]
3. Tempt Me at Twilight (Poppy & Harry) [Read our review]
4. Married by Morning (Leo & Catherine) [Read our review]
5. Love in the Afternoon (Beatrix & Christopher) [Read our review]

Best for readers who love: Strong family bonds, class differences, and brooding heroes.

The Ravenels Series (Bridgerton-era energy with a modern twist)

A mix of aristocrats and self-made heroes in the rapidly changing world of Victorian England.

1. Cold-Hearted Rake (Devon & Kathleen) [Read our review]
2. Marrying Winterborne (Helen & Rhys) [Read our review]
3. Devil in Spring (Pandora & Gabriel) [Read our review]
4. Hello Stranger (Garrett & Ethan) [Read our review]
5. Devil’s Daughter (Phoebe & West) [Read our review]
6. Chasing Cassandra (Cassandra & Tom) [Read our review]
7. Devil in Disguise (Merritt & Keir) [Read our review]

Best for readers who love: Aristocracy-meets-working-class, strong female characters, and modern themes in historical settings.

The Gamblers Series

Gritty, intense romances featuring outcasts and self-made men.

1. Then Came You (Lily & Derek)
2. Dreaming of You (Sara & Derek) [Read our review]

Best for readers who love: Dark pasts, rogues with soft hearts, and high-stakes drama.

Bow Street Runners Series

Romances featuring mystery, intrigue, and London’s first police force, the Bow Street Runners.

• Someone to Watch Over Me (Grant & Victoria) [Read our review]
• Lady Sophia’s Lover (Ross & Sophia) [Read our review]
• Worth Any Price (Nick & Charlotte) [Read our review]

Best for readers who love: Mystery, suspenseful romance, and protective heroes.

Capitol Theatre Series

Regency romance with dramatic flair, set in London’s theatre scene.

• Somewhere I’ll Find You (Julia & Damon)
• Because You’re Mine (Madeline & Logan)

Best for readers who love: Forbidden romance, actors in disguise, and theatrical drama.

The Vallerands Series

Set in New Orleans, this series follows the powerful, passionate Vallerand family in an era of duels and Creole society.

• When Strangers Marry (Lysette & Maximilien) [Read our review]
• Only With Your Love (Célia & Griffin)

Best for readers who love: American historical settings, morally gray heroes, and intense drama.

The Stokehursts Series

A Regency-era duology featuring English aristocrats and Russian intrigue.

• Midnight Angel (Anastasia & Lucas)
• Prince of Dreams (Emma & Nikolas)

Best for readers who love: Historical romance with mystery, Russian nobility, and unconventional plot twists.

Standalone Historical Romances

• Where Dreams Begin – Widow falls for a self-made man [Read our review]
• Stranger in My Arms – Second-chance marriage
• Suddenly You – Older woman & younger hero [Read our review]
• Agains the Odds (in Where’s My Hero?) (Jake & Lydia)
• Love, Come to Me (Lucinda & Heath)

Best for readers who love: One-book stories with rich character development.

Lisa Kleypas Contemporary Romance Books

Lisa Kleypas also writes contemporary romances set in Texas and the Pacific Northwest, featuring powerful, protective men and strong-willed heroines.

The Travis Family Series

1. Sugar Daddy (Liberty & Gage/Hardy) – Love triangle [Read our review]
2. Blue-Eyed Devil (Haven & Hardy) – Toxic ex + healing romance [Read our review]
3. Smooth Talking Stranger (Ella & Jack) – Single-mom trope [Read our review]
4. Brown-Eyed Girl (Avery & Joe) – Wedding planner & billionaire [Read our review]

Best for readers who love: Intense emotions, protective heroes, and strong female leads.

The Friday Harbor Series

1. Christmas with Holly (Mark & Maggie) [Read our review]
2. Rainshadow Road (Lucy & Sam)
3. Dream Lake (Zoe & Alex) [Read our review]
4. Crystal Cove (Justine & Jason) [Read our review]

Best for readers who love: Magical realism, small-town settings, and slow-burn romance.

Why We Love Lisa Kleypas

Lisa Kleypas isn’t just a romance author—she’s a storytelling icon. Whether she’s crafting historical rakes and rogues or contemporary billionaires and bad boys, her books consistently deliver deep emotional connections, unforgettable heroes, and heroines with heart. Here’s why her books continue to be must-reads:

Her Heroes Are the Blueprint for Swoon-Worthy Romance

From rakes turned devoted lovers (Sebastian, Derek, Hardy) to brooding protectors (Kev, Ethan, Harry), Kleypas writes men who fall hard and love fiercely. They often have emotional wounds, but watching them soften and adore their heroines is peak romance magic.

Check out our ranking Lisa Kleypas heroes post to find our top 10 book boyfriends!

Her Heroines Are Strong, Smart, and Unapologetic

Lisa Kleypas heroines are bold, independent, and never boring. Whether they’re Wallflowers scheming to marry on their own terms or modern women finding their voices, they bring intelligence, resilience, and warmth to every love story.

Check out our ranking Lisa Kleypas heroines with our top 10 favorites.

Every Book Has That One Scene You’ll Never Forget

Kleypas doesn’t just write romance—she writes iconic moments. From heated declarations of love to heroine-saving scenes, her books stay with readers long after the final page.

She Blends Emotion, Humor, and Sensuality Perfectly

Lisa Kleypas books hit every emotion—you’ll laugh, swoon, and even tear up. She balances deeply emotional moments with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and heartwarming family connections.

Her Series Have That “Family Saga” Feel

Whether it’s siblings like the Hathaways, best friends like the Wallflowers, or interconnected aristocrats like the Ravenels, her books feel like stepping into a living, breathing world.

About Lisa Kleypas

Lisa Kleypas is a New York Times bestselling author known for her historical and contemporary romance novels. Since publishing her first book at 21, she has written over 40 novels and won multiple RITA Awards. Her books blend emotion, passion, and unforgettable characters, making her a favorite among romance readers worldwide.

Must-Read Lisa Kleypas Books

If you only have time for a few, these are the most iconic:

• The Devil in Winter (Ultimate rake redemption arc)
• Dreaming of You (Derek Craven = best hero ever)
• Marrying Winterborne (Alpha businessman in historical romance)
• Blue-Eyed Devil (Powerful, emotional healing journey)
• Mine Till Midnight (Found-family vibes & forbidden romance)

Upcoming Books & News

Lisa Kleypas writes some of the most unforgettable romances in both historical and contemporary settings. Whether you’re into rogues, rakes, CEOs, or second chances, her books offer deep emotion, humor, and passion.

What’s your favorite Lisa Kleypas book? Let’s chat in the comments!

More Lisa Kleypas Content You’ll Love!

• Best Lisa Kleypas Books You Must Read
• Exclusive Interview with Lisa Kleypas
• In-Depth Reviews of Her Books

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