We all, I suspect, have read at least one series in its entirety. (Although I can’t imagine having read all 49 of the In Death books. 49!) For the purpose of this discussion, let’s assume that a series is a set of linked books four or more in number. A stellar series has characters whose outcomes you care for and thematic consistency. The best have engrossing world building and offer an immersive experience that deepens with each book.
Romance is rife with series but which ones are spectacular? And do some genres lend themselves more to serieses than others? What do you require in a series? Which one is THE VERY VERY BEST?
Outlander. Period. Thank heaven Diana Gabaldon is working on #9 and plans #10. What do I require? Characters I love, that I would love to meet, that I truly care about. A hero that I fall in love with, who has a sense of humour but is full of kindness, self-knowledge and abiding love. A heroine who deserves him. A good, well researched historical setting with details that send me off to Prof Google to learn more. A story that keeps going, sustained by plotting that is clever, realistic and moreish. An author whose prose is high quality, precise, error free in terms of word use and punctuation and occasionally sends me to the dictionary. A series that has me irritated beyond telling because I have to WAIT for the next book.
People always argue that Outlander isn’t really a romance series–Gabaldon herself included. I’m not sure I’d agree although I’ve only read the first two. Thoughts?
I’ve read them all; I definitely think they are romance. THE LOVE STORY BETWEEN CLAIRE AND JAMIE IS THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF THE SERIES.
There is a central love story in Outlander, yes. But I feel these are more adventure books than romance books. I ADORE this series, and the tv show, too. Jamie is the heart-throbbiest hero ever written. Claire is quirky and interesting and driven. Both are smart, smart, smart. Their love story is beyond romantic. But, still not a romance imho. If and when they get an HEA, then we’ll talk. Until then, these are tales of epic and often romantic adventures.
I sense Ross Poldark fans everywhere shocked you would make such a claim…. 😉
Ross & Demelza are my #2 romance series H/h although I am convinced that Winston Graham did not write the final book himself.
I read the Poldark books when the first series aired, back in the 1970s. Absolutely loved them! But, they drifted away from a focus on Ross and Demelza, and I didn’t like that much. Still, I have many happy memories of both the original show and the books. I have not watched the new series,
I would say that, as AAR reviews books of genres that may not be straightforward romance in perhaps the traditional understanding, then Outlander fits in as a romance for the purpose of the questions we have been asked here. AAR include graphic novels, time travel, steam punk, women’s fiction, mysteries, inspirational fiction, etc., etc,. then certainly Outlander which contains threads that encompass all of the foregoing including m/m romance, then it qualifies as fitting into the spirit of the question posed here. As Em said above, the romance and love between Jamie and Claire is the heart of the series – hot, hot at times and, as time goes on in the stories, a settled partnership of a loving couple who still go at it like rabbits on occasion.
I’m know I’m in the minority but I’m definitely no Outlander fan. IMO, I see the use of sexual assault and violence in this series as way OTT. Quite put me off.
I have so many fave series. Any and all Loretta Chase, Lady Darby (Anna Lee Huber), Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock, Sebastian St. Cyr by C.S.Harris, Poldark, Kleypas’ Wallflower series, Ravenals, Hathaway, and Dreaming of You (Derek Craven!). Also, just finished Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunsmore and really enjoyed it. Can’t wait for the next in the series!
Outlander is kind of polarizing, I think. People seem to either love it or strongly dislike it, usually because of the violence. I loved it from word one, and still do. It’s by far the best series, the best books, I have ever read. And I’ve been a voracious reader since about 1963, so that’s a lot of books.
I love the vivid characters, the historical accuracy, the non-stop action, the mystery of the time-travel element, the intense love and loyalty between Jamie and Claire, and how Gabaldon keeps surprising me with her twists and turns of plot. Not to mention the gorgeous prose.
But there are plenty of people who are seriously offended by Jack Randall’s sadism, the wife-beating episode, the killings and rapes and general violence. I see that as a fairly accurate representation of the dangers of the times, and the general attitudes toward women of that era. But I get how all of that can be sickening to others. Luckily, there are lots of books in the world to choose from, and you have clearly found many great ones to make you happy!
I have a whole category on GoodReads for ‘Favorite Series!’ I think 3 books makes a viable series for me & these all meet that criteria:
Off the top of my head (and peeking at the pictures above), I would include any and all series written by KJ Charles, Loretta Chase, Julia Quinn, Bec McMaster (both London Blueblood linked series), Welsh Blades by Elizabeth Kingston, Sebastian St. Cyr by CS Harris, Hook series by Kennedy Ryan, Enlightenment series by Joanna Chambers, Out of Uniform series by Annabeth Albert, Mixed Messages by Lily Morton, Metahumans by Hailey Turner, Chance of a Lifetime series by Kate Clayborn, any & all series by Sherry Thomas, Devil’s Duke & Falcon Club series by Katharine Ashe….
Oh wow. I could go on and on. I’ll stop there – those include some highlights!
But if you had to pick one…..
I think I’m going with McMaster for the win.
BUT THAT QUESTION IS TERRIBLE.
Also leaning towards Society of Gentleman & the Falcon Club.
McMaster hit it out of the stadium with the Bluebloods. I’ve read a few books in her other series and they’re interesting but not stellar. The London Steampunk books are phenomenal.
*HOOP series by Kennedy Ryan
Also a strong contender for favorite.
I don’t have much to contribute to this discussion as I am only a baby romance reader, I read and truly enjoyed romance for the first time only about a year ago. The only series I’ve read that qualifies (4 books or more) so far is the Spindle Cove series by Tessa Dare. I do want to mention it, because it’s basically what converted me to romance, and her books got me through one of the hardest times of my life. I enjoyed them so much, they kept me going when I had nothing else.
I love to hear that. I’m a big believer in the transformative power of joy.
Same. And Estelle you have so many Spindle-esque series to look forward to!
I have read everything in the In Death series. Overall it is my choice for best series with some being really good and a few others not as good. On other end of the reading spectrum I would choice the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn. My daughter says I am missing out because I haven’t read any of the Outlander novels.
WOW! Go you! All 49? That’s impressive.
For a long time, I’d have picked the Bridgerton series too. Now, I think I’d pick Pennyroyal Green instead.
For me the mark of a great series is characterized by how I respond to it more than by any particular aspect of plot, character, etc. If I finish a book (or even before I finish the book) and immediately want to know all about the author, the other books in the series, and the other books they’ve written (in any genre), that’s my sign.
Thinking about aspects of plot/character/etc., I’m always impressed when an author manages to take a secondary character who is briefly sketched in one book – especially if the sketch is not terribly favorable – and spin them into a fully-fledged person in another book. I’m thinking specifically of Mal/Haven in Sarah MacLean’s Scandal & Scoundrel series. I know Day of the Duchess doesn’t work for everyone but it really does for me, in part because the reader begins the book with every reason to despise Mal and by the end I was so rooting for him.
Another sign is if I feel a silly kind of anxiety about whether the other books will be as good. It must be so hard to write a series and make sure every book is as strong as the others, especially once you move past, say, four books in the series. So whenever I start a new release in a series I love, I’m always excited, a little worried that it might not be as good as the others, and also hopeful for the author’s sake – there’s so much pressure on them!
I’ve only been reading romance for about a year, although I’ve been a fairly voracious reader within that time. The series that have stood out to me have been:
– Julie Anne Long’s Pennyroyal Green series. They are not uniformly excellent – there are 11 books in the series so this seems perfectly understandable – but three of my favorite books come from it: I Kissed An Earl, What I Did For A Duke, and It Started With a Scandal (this last one is my very favorite comfort read. I love a good housekeeper-sets-a-neglected-old-house-to-rights montage.)
– Anything by Sherry Thomas, but especially her London Trilogy and the Lady Sherlock series.
– On that note, several of my favorite series are more properly called historical mysteries with a strong romance woven in: Lady Sherlock, Veronica Speedwell, and Georgina Clarke’s Lizzie Hardwicke series. Love, love, love.
– Bec McMaster’s London Bluebloods, a series I would never have picked up if not for its strong reviews here but wound up loving and racing through. When I think of good world-building, this is the first series that comes to mind.
And I’m looking forward to finding new recs through this thread! Also off to make a modest donation to this lovely site, which has pointed me to so many great reads.
Co-sign the Bec McMasters’ and the Long. Both of those series are on the very top of my list.
While I don’t care for McLean’s writing, I share your love for most others listed here, esp. Lady Sherlock, Veronica Speedwell, and Long’s Pennyroyal Green series. In fact, It Started with a Scandal is one of my very favorites of hers as well in addition to What I Did for a Duke. I have Georgina Clarke’s Hardwicke series on my tbr list. If you haven’t read Deanna Raybourne’s Lady Julia books, they are pretty wonderful too,.
Oh, tell us what you think of the Hardwicke series when you get there! I hope you like it. Thank you for the Lady Julia recommendation – they are on my tbr list, and now so are the St. Cyr books. And I just started The Legend of Lyon Redmond today because the series was on my mind.
Eloisa James’ Desperate Duchesses and Essex Sisters.
Madeline Hunter’s Rarest Blooms series.
Loretta Chase’s Carsington Brothers and the series connected with Lord of Scoundrels.
What makes these series so good is that the characters are al distinct, not just the same characters with different names and hair colors, and each book has its own unique plot.
I really liked The Rarest Blooms series too. The dynamics between each couple is fascinating.
Everyone’s picked some really nice choices so far! I’d add in the Bridgertons as well.
If I can only pick one…it must be Lisa Kleypas’ Wallflowers series.
I also love Loretta Chase’s Carsington Brothers, Julia Quinn’s Bridgertons series, as well as Kleypas’ Hathaways series and her current Ravenels series. There are many others as well, but those are the standouts, the ones I read over and over and never tire of.
I am with Patricia and have read all 49 In Deaths. I definitely like some books better than others, but any series that can keep me for 49 books is a winner. Other series that are great are:
Tasha Alexander’s series about Lady Emily
Ashley Gardner’s series about Captain Lacey
CS Harris’s series about Sebastian St. Cyr
Lauren Willig’s Pink Carnation Series
As you can see I like a bit of mystery with my romance when it comes to series.
I second The Captain Lacy Series and Jennifer Ashleys Mackenzie series!
I find long-running series intimidating and rarely if ever will read a series featuring only one couple. Sometimes I start a series and abandon it halfway through because I lose interest. That being said I LOVE Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy series. Although it is a short series so maybe that’s why I love it so much. So far only four books and a novella, and only the first three focused on one couple and the second half is another couple. My interest hasn’t waned at all and I’m impatiently awaiting the next book. The only super long-running series I’m still reading is Nalini Singh’s Psy Changeling series. Although I don’t think I’ve loved any of the more recent offerings I’m still hooked to that world. I think what these two series have in common for me is fantastic world-building. As far as historical, Lisa Kleypas Wallflowers is probably the most consistent series for me as I loved all the books in it.
I’m really out in left field here, but I love Sybil Bartel’s Alpha Bodyguards series. Set in Miami, the stories follow the interconnected lives of a group of former Marines who now work for a personal security form. There is a lot of violence, but also hot love stories as each man meets his strong-willed match in a woman who is in some trouble through no fault of her own. The latest book in the series, CALLOUS, just hit my kindle this morning. Can’t wait to get home from work this afternoon and start reading!
I also love Kati Wilde’s Hellfire Riders MC series, about a very inclusive motorcycle club (they even have a “patched-in” female officer). The violence level is pretty high, but Wilde writes wonderfully emotional (and hot!) romantic scenes too. Can’t wait for the next book, LOSING IT ALL, due September 30.
It seems to me that historical romance series often get more love than contemporary romance series. It’s nice to have someone champion the latter.
I’ve enjoyed many of those authors already mentioned, such as Sherry Thomas, Julie Anne Long and Julia Quinn. I’d add a few contemporary romance series: Julie James’s FBI/U.S. Attorney series, Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ Chicago Stars series and Rachel Gibson’s Chinooks hockey books.
Those two–by SEP and Gibson–are, I think, my favorite contemporary romance series.
I agree with all your choices. Those are fantastic contemporary romances.
Joanna Bournes Spymaster series and Long’s Penny Royal Green. I have read them more than once. For contemporary I like Longs’s Hellcat Canyon. I like that they seem like a place to revisit and you know the people that live there. Like seeing old friends.
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I love the Spymaster series too although I thought it went on a book or so too long. The first five are superb.
With my favourite book of any genre, The Spymaster’s Lady, the Spymaster series is certainly up there for me too.
I agree with so many of the series listed by Julie Anne Long, Julia Quinn, Joanna Bourne, Lisa Kleypas, Madeline Hunter, Sarah McLean, and would like to add Mary Balogh’s “Simply Series” “Survivor Series” “Bedwyns” and “Westcott” series and also Jo Beverley’s “Rogue” series.
Question: What do you do with all the books you own? My book shelfs are overflowing and so are the baskets that are all over the house?
I donate as many as possible and, unless it’s an extraordinary book, I replace it with an ebook copy. (I keep a list I want on Amazon and when one goes on sale, I buy it!)
I gave up buying physical books years ago. I switched to ebooks for years, but now I have vision issues so I only do audio. Sadly, so many of the series mentioned here are not yet on audio. But I still find plenty to listen to!
Have you checked out the Audible Escape program?
This is so hard to choose! For historical, I’d add Lisa Kleypas’ The Hathaways series. For contemporary, I’d add Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers.
The Winston books don’t do it for me and I’m not sure why. Readers love them. I think maybe they are a bit too nice for me!
I like her Knitting in the City books better (Neanderthal Meets Human is my favorite).
Did anyone mention Stella Riley’s The Rockcliffe series?
Caz would!
You know me so well… 😉
Loved them. Very good series
Oh I forgot that. Yes, a fantastic series!
I’m reading this now for the first time and it’s so very enjoyable! I’m on book 4, The Wicked Cousin.
I really used to like Kresley Coles Immortals After Dark series, but gave up after the hiatus between entries got increasingly longer. If you have to wait years and years for a new book, with no satisfying end in sight, it reaaally gets tedious.
Now I agree that Bec McMasters Blue Blood series is hands down the best. I only wish that very soon she’ll write another spin off series, as there are so many questions unanswered as of yet.
The Immortals also, over time, began to blur together for me. There isn’t really a long term story there that I could follow.
I really love all the historical series mentioned here! Kleypas, Hunter, Quinn, James, and Balogh are my favorite authors. I must also add the original Cynster series by Stephanie Laurens! So great!
I love these discussions and definitely have read most of the historical series and I’m now reading the Lynn Kurland Macloud time travel series! Dont know how I missed them.
Several years ago I would have listed all historical series , but now I enjoy a different category. I would include all of Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series, the Ilona Andrew’s Edge books as well as the Kate Daniel’s series and Anne Bishop’s the Others series.
I would add Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson books and Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock books to that list.
I am terrible at choices like this; I could name lots I’ve enjoyed/am enjoying, but I suppose we’re talking about the really memorable ones, the ones that stick in your mind long after you’ve finished them.
Bec McMaster’s London Steampunk/Blue-Blood Conspiracy series have been mentioned a lot, so I’m adding my voice to that one.
To that, I’ll add Courtney Milan’s Brothers Sinister, Joanna Bourne’s Spymasters, C.S Harris’ Sebastian St. Cyr books and Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock ones. K.J. Charles’ Society of Gentlemen and Sins of the City. Annabeth Albert’s Out of Uniform and Joanna Chambers’ Enlightenment. Stella Riley’s Civil War series (I’m including my long-time favourite, A Splendid Defiance in there!) In romantic suspense, Rachel Grant’s Flashpoint series and Cordelia Kingsbridge’s Seven of Spades, Gregory Ashe’s Hazard and Somerset, L.J. Hayward’s Death and The Devil isn’t finished yet, but is a current favourite.
Others have mentioned Bridgertons, Bedwyns, Carsingtons and Dains … yes to all those, although I’m not sure they’re quite as close to my heart as the ones I’ve listed in the first paragraph!
But if you had to, on pain of Brexit, pick one…..
Now you’re just being mean. Tied between Steampunk/Blue Blood and Seven of Spades. Today. Tomorrow? Who knows…
It’s a tough job but…..
Brothers Sinister is probably, ‘it’ for me, with 3.5 books out of 4 on my reread list (#2 is iffy).
I haven’t seen anyone mention Meljean Brook and her Iron Seas series. If you love Bec McMaster & haven’t read MB, you need to get on that right away. The series has a similar feel (steampunk) but is different and special in it’s own way. I particularly LOVED the The Kraken King, a serialized novel tied to the bigger series. It’s terrific.
I also want to give a shout out to Kristen Callihan and her Darkest London, Game On, and VIP series – all are favorites & sparked a love of the sports romance genre and steampunk genres. When she’s at the top of her game – well, she’s one of my favorite writers.
Lucinda Brant’s Roxton, Salt, and Alex Halsey books are great. Stella Riley’s Rockcliffe as well as her Roundheads and Cavaliers novels. Jo Beverly’s Malloren and Rogues World books. I really enjoyed Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books and just about any series by Mary Balogh.
Back in my misspent youth, I loved Philippa Carr’s The Daughters of England series starting with The Miracle at St. Bruno’s and The Lion Triumphant. Phillipa Carr also wrote as Jean Plaidy and Victoria Holt. Lots of good books there.
On the non Romance front, Tony Hillerman’s Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee mysteries are great. I also love Ellis Peters’ Cadfael mysteries. For sci fi and fantasy, Assimov’s foundation books, and of course, G.R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones books.
I couldn’t pick a favorite if I tried.
I love a lot of those mentioned above, especially the Outlander series. For me, a series that brings me back again and again belong on ‘greatest’ lists. Anne Bishop’s Black Jewel series is a reread for me, as well as her Others series. I know I’m hooked when I buy the audio after reading the books, and start again. I’m currently listening to Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews, starting from the beginning. There’s just so many to chose from!
I haven’t seen any mentions of Jasmine Guillory’s Wedding Date series and I would include those as recent favorite’s for me.
For sheer consistency in book after book, I might have to go with C. S. Harris’s Sebastian St. Cyr books as the best series.
Sherry Thomas’s Lady Sherlock series is just phenomenal too though.
I flat out adore Lucy Parker’s London Celebrities series, and I love too Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell & Lady Julia series, Julie Anne Long’s Pennyroyal Green, Ann Stuart’s House of Rohan, Loretta Chase’s Carsington Brothers, and Elizabeth Kingston’s Welsh Blades,
Clearly, I need to read Bec McMaster!
Finally a mention of Lucy Parker. One of only 2 series that get at least three quarters of its books on my reread list.
Oh, and Sandra Antonelli’s In Service spy/romance series – just fabulous!
The Slightly series by Mary Balogh followed closely by the Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas. My criteria is can I read them over and again and I can.
And I love the Simply series by Balogh so hard. The Slightly series is less me. 🙂
Agreed
Simply Perfect is definitely a reread for me. The unmarried rake with the secret – and oh, the secret, and the upright school mistress. All of my catnip. Wulfric, though, is my ultimate hero, and his brother Aiden is not far behind. The first paragraph of Slightly Married is one of my favorite openings. All one sentence, too, I believe.
The SLIGHTLY series has the best anchor hero payoff book of any series. I love these books. Balogh is a master.
Is that the guy with the monocle? I do really like that story.
It’s Wulf – we see him being “uptight” while still secretly making all of the romances work even as he acts as if it’s all beneath him – then his book shows us this man who has had to divide himself in two to be one of the most powerful dukes/men in the world and his happy ending is beautiful.
Yes, I remember it. I loved the heroine, Christine (?).
Oh Wulfric Bedwyn! My ideal hero!!!
I am going to cheat and mention my top favorites:
CS Harris’ Sebastian St. Cyr
Loretta Chase’s Carsingtons
Joanna Bourne’s Spymaster
Mary Balogh’s Bedwyns
Jo Beverley’s Rogue
Jo Beverley’s Mallorens
Lucy Parker’s London Celebrities
Julie Garwood’s Highlanders
Elizabeth Kingston’s Welsh Blades
Mary Burchell’s Warrenders
I know Dabney will make me choose one, so on the pain of death, I’ll say: Joanna Bourne
Who me?
Missing a lot of great Nora Roberts series – my fav are the Born In series, the Bride Quints, the MacGregors, The Ardmore, the Stalinski…All great ones
Agreed on the Born In series. I still reread that one.
I’m a long time romance reader and love to read series. I have read all the In Death books and will continue to read them until J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts stops writing them but I wouldn’t pick them as one of my favorite ROMANCE series of all time. They have great character development and world building but I feel the mystery element is still foremost.
For me, a spectacular romance series is one where I re-read most of the books. I think in any series, there are always a few that we love more than the rest but the whole series has to be uniformly good. I like the books to have varying storylines and character personalities. One of my favorite things in a romance series is to be introduced to a future couple in the earlier books and see hints of their relationship develop throughout the series before it culminates in their story (often the last book of the series).
I think you can do great series in any genre. I don’t read a lot of paranormal so my list below doesn’t have those but based on the recommendations on AAR, I have Bec McMaster’s Kiss of Steel on my Kindle and have no doubt that once I read it, I will glom the rest of the series.
(Side note: I used to be a book purist and have the entire In Death series in paperback in a row on a shelf in my living room – it looks pretty glorious. However, I have become a Kindle convert in recent years due to the sheer number of books I can keep on it and how easy they are to read. Getting old enough to need reading glasses helped influence me for sure but also my fantastic library regularly purchases the latest romances in e-book format and my phone’s Kindle app means that I am never out and about without a book!)
A lot of my favorite romance series are the same as already listed but a few are different. Also, there are many authors where I have read everything they have written but I don’t usually like every series equally so I only list my favorites. Here they are:
Lisa Kleypas – the Hathaways, the Ravenels
Julia Quinn – the Bridgertons
Mary Balogh – the Huxtables, the Westcotts
Susan Elizabeth Phillips – Chicago Stars
Nora Roberts – the MacGregors, the Bride Quartet
Penny Reid – the Winston brothers
Julie James – FBI/U.S Attorneys
Lauren Layne – Stilletto/Oxford
Sarina Bowen – the Ivy Years/Brooklyn Bruisers
Kristen Callihan – VIP (yes, I know there are only 3 but I love them so and just know she is going to eventually write the other 2)
I have also read all of the JD Robb In Death series, and I also still follow Catherine Coulter’s FBI series. A newer one is Anne Cleeland’s Acton and Doyle series. As well, I read Ilona Andrews’ Magic series, in fact all of their work. Also Penny Reid, and heaps more. I love the ongoing connection and continuity that a series provides.
As I am reading all the comments saying “yep- that one- and that – and OF course that one and…” just enjoying thinking back on all of these wonderful series! If I had to pick ONE (I have all the paperbacks and audiobooks) it would be Troubleshooters (Suzanne Brockmann). Maybe because I resisted any military romances for a long time, maybe the style just grabbed me at the time, maybe being an Army brat/Army wife. Whatever it was, that is a series that I return to and still enjoy the (somewhat dated) plots and characters 🙂
Now, if I could name my top 10 series…..too tough a choice.
Love Troubleshooters! I just recently discovered it, early this year in fact, and inhaled the books. They’re so exciting and funny and multi-layered. I’m an Army brat, too, so maybe that is part of it, but I just fell in love.
At some point, they became too political for me. But I loved the early ones.
I’ll mention 2–one more current and one read on tape in the late 90s/early 2000s. The more current one on my favorite list is The Lost Lords series by Mary Jo Putney. I sutmbeled into these after reading the annotation to NoWhere Near Respectable on the National Library Service for the Blind’s BARD download site. I got hooked in from there.
The older series that is my comfort read is the 3 book Swan series: Wild Swan, Swan’s Chance, and a Season of Swans by Celeste de Blasis. I originally read them on cassette in the late 90s/early 2000s. Needless to say, half of southeast MI probably heard me yell when those books were available in digital audio for download.
Now, I’d better go to bed so I won’t nod off on students.
Kate Daniels series hands down my favorite!
And……
Balogh’s Survivors Club
In Death (I’ve read many of them multiple times).
The Carstairs series
Jo Beverley Mallorens (Yummy Rothgar)
Mary Jo Putney’s Fallen Angels
Guild Hunter (minus the vampire books)
Carsington not Carstairs
Thank you! I was like how has no one mentioned Kate Daniels. I reread the entire series at least once a year. Such incredible writing and one of my favorite heroines. Although that said, their latest in the Wildfire Universe was meh. Ilona Andrews meh is still damn fine reading but I didn’t like the heroine. I want more books from Kate Daniels: Erra’s story or Desandra. Also Roman needs a HEA. And eventually they’ll write Julie and Derek, they have to right?
I was reading all the comments before I posted because surely someone mentions Ilona Andrews! Thank you! I love the Kate series but I think I like the Edge series just a tiny bit more. Either way, I’ll read anything they write, the more books the better
Its so hard to chose – I can probably chose favorites in different genres:
– paranormal – a tie between Bec McMaster’s London Blue Bloods and Nalini Singh Guild Hunter
– contemporary – Penny Reid Knitting in the City and Winston Brothers
– historical mystery – C S Harris Sebastian St Cyr
– historical – a tie between Mary Balogh Bedwyn and Lisa Kleypas Hathaways
But that is really pushing me, and there are many more honorable mentions
I find long-running series intimidating and rarely if ever will read a series featuring only one couple. Sometimes I start a series and abandon it halfway through because I lose interest. That being said I LOVE Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy series. Although it is a short series so maybe that’s why I love it so much. So far only four books and a novella, and only the first three focused on one couple and the second half is another couple. My interest hasn’t waned at all and I’m impatiently awaiting the next book. The only super long-running series I’m still reading is Nalini Singh’s Psy Changeling series. Although I don’t think I’ve loved any of the more recent offerings I’m still hooked to that world. I think what these two series have in common for me is fantastic world-building. As far as historical, Lisa Kleypas Wallflowers is probably the most consistent series for me as I loved all the books in it.
I’m on the third book (Wildfire) in the Hidden Legacy series and can definitely see what all the fuss was about. These books were on my trb list for such a long time and I’m so glad I made time for them now. I’m hooked on this series.
I forgot to mention Robyn Carr’s VIRGIN RIVER! May be time to do a re-read.
Loved the Virgin River series and am now inhaling the Thunder Point series 🙂
In recent years, I have to say that KJ Charles’ Society of Gentlemen series is at (or near) the top of my list. I’ve re-read them all so many times, I’ve lost count.
Also have to throw in the Blackshear family books by Cecilia Grant. Does anyone know what happened with the author?
I’ve seen her around on Twitter – a couple of weeks back, she said: “FWIW I haven’t stopped writing; just stopped writing anything I like enough to share. Still hoping that will eventually change.”
Oh yes, Cecilia Grant was one of my favorite HR writers and I miss her books. I too hope she comes back.
I hope so, too. Historical romance needs all the help it can get at the moment!
Another wonderful series is Josh Lanyon’s Adrien English series. It’s an MM series that is much beloved and a groundbreaker in the genre. It follows one couple throughout, and each book features a murder mystery. This is a great place to start exploring MM fiction if you have not already done so.
That’s a terrific series and is wonderful in audio! It’s a tough read/listen at times, but SO worth it in the end!
I too have read all of the In Death series; I agree it is not a romance series. I like it for the mystery/detective focus, the futuristic world building and most of all for the continued growth of all the characters – not just the primary ones. I also appreciate that the mystery plots vary in their approach
I’m not sure I have a favorite romance series – one I re-read often; The closest I come is Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changling series, I suppose and it’s for the world building as much as the romances. I have enjoyed many of the series mentioned here; just not sure I’d list them as favorite of all time!
Hands down my favorite series of books is science fiction – the Liaden Universe books by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller.
Oh my gosh–my favorite series EVER? That’s a whole ‘nother thing!
Probably His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman.
Liaden universe has enough romance to keep me happy–Scout’s Progress is in my top 3 romances of all time
I love this thread and would like to add my favorite contemp: Laura Florand’s Chocolate series and her Roses series. Such yummy French heroes.
Runner ups are Grace Burrowes Kiss series (I don’t like any of her historicals, but enjoy these lawyer brothers) and Ruthie Knox’s Camelot series.
Honorable mention to early Troubleshooters (Brockmann), Knitting in the City (Reid), and Jessica Scott’s Fall (military reentry into civilian life) series.
I second many of the already mentioned historical series, especially Balogh’s Slightly series and Bourne’s Spymaster series.
Love Laura Florand! Although I will say I think The Chocolate Thief is my least favorite and I’m glad I kept reading because I thought it got so much better! The Chocolate KISS is one of my fave books ever, so sweet and funny and just lovely
I totally forgot Cassandra Gannons A Kinda Fairytail series!!!! Sooo loved the three books out so far and eagerly awaiting the next one scheduled and any further entries…
Many of you keep mentioning the Spymaster series. A few years back I tried the first one and managed to finish it, but I was seriously underwhelmed. Is the rest of the series better? I thought the first one was just tedious and predictable. Should I try book 2?
I am the rare romance reader who does not love the first one, The Spymaster’s Lady. The next two in the series, The Forbidden Rose and My Lord and Spymaster, are my favorites in the series and are, I think, more engaging.
Thanks Dabney! Turns out I had Forbidden Rose in my tbr, so I downloaded it. I won’t get to it for a while, but I won’t forget it. Next time I need an HR fix I’ll check it out!
I love them all. I’m a big fan.
I find Annique a bit much.
I am a huge fan, too, and I liked Annique and Grey right from the start.
I loved Annique and Grey on first read but revisited it recently and was struck by how much he took advantage of her (drugging her, pretending to be someone else, imprisoning her…) It soured that book for me but I love the rest of the series.
I wasn’t as bothered by that–he’s sort of a Bondish guy at first, anything for Britain. She was too much of a superhero to me–able to navigate strange worlds with ease despite being blind, having an photographic memory, brilliant, and beyond clever. I like the book but I prefer Jess and Marguerite more as heroines.
I decided to go digging through my Kindle cloud and found Janet Chapman‘s Pinecreek highlander series. This was 2009 when i got my first Kindle and I remember really enjoying The series. Thanks to this amazing thread I have enough re-reads to last until summer!
I guess I’ll be the negative Nancy because I’m generally not a series fan, at least not with romance. When I do read more than one book in a series it’s usually in spite of them being linked and not because of it. I’m kinda struggling to even think of a series with four or more books where I’ve read them all, much less liked most/all of them.
Let’s see, I’ve read 5 out of 7 of Sarina Bowen’s Brooklyn Bruisers series and have definitely enjoyed those. Not terrible interested in the remaining two, though, so it probably doesn’t count.
I’ve read all four books in Jessi Gage’s Love Under Construction/Blue Collar Boyfriend series, and I liked those. Even better, I think the only connection is that the main characters have blue collar jobs – they don’t show up in each other’s books. So I think this one gets my vote.
No question–my favorite is Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series.
Several other series I follow(ed) and love: Julia Anne Long’s Pennyroyal Green series, Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series, Colleen Gleason’s Victoria Gardella series, and the current Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas (which barely qualifies, because book 4 is scheduled for publication next month.)
I’m terrible at picking ‘best of’ or my number one of anything so I’ll go with a couple options, but both from the same author. Jane Feather’s early books were all so rich in history and sumptuous in romance so I’m going to pick her BRIDE trilogy (HOSTAGE BRIDE, ACCIDENTAL BRIDE, and THE LEAST LIKELY BRIDE) and her KISS trilogy (WIDOW’S KISS, TO KISS A SPY, and KISSED BY SHADOWS).
What I loved about her earlier books was how complicated the lives of her characters were and how they’re caught up in serious, world-changing events that may or may not allow them to have their HEAs (don’t worry, they do).
If I had give the edge to one series I’d go with the BRIDE ones, but only by a nose.
Love reading through the comments and being reminded of all the series out there waiting on me like good friends to spend time with them again.
I don’t think anyone has mentioned Patricia Briggs series. I like both Mercy and Charles and Anna. I love how the core of the characters stays the same but they do grow and learn. I see this in the Kate Daniels series, too.
With Ilona Andrews, i find myself going to comfort read a small part of a book, but then getting sucked back into the world and I start at the beginning and read them all over again ha
One author I really liked was Meredith Duran. Has anyone heard anything about her writing anything new?
She is on hiatus with nothing about when she would be returning to writing.
She is sorely missed by many.
Thank you ladies. I miss her writing v much. Hope she’ returns!
I got hooked on romance via the Lymond series by Dorothy Dunnett.
Great thread everyone!
Speaking of MIA writers, does anyone know what’s up with Elizabeth Lowell? She hasn’t written anything new in several years and I can’t find anything about upcoming projects.
Or Anne Calhoun, Jill Sorenson, Cara McKenna? Great writers all and not a peep from any of them in a couple of years.
Jill still writes but under the name Susan Cliff. Although she’s not super prolific.
I limited myself to three (which was very difficult!)
~ In Death for certain (I’ve read them all multiple times)
~ Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series
~ Shannon Stacey’s The Kowalski Family
I have read the In Death series entirely too (all 49 of them). My favorites are Mary Balogh (bedwyns and her older series), Mary jo putney, Julia quinn (bridgertons) in historicals. Julie James, Sarah morgan, Nora roberts and Susan Elizabeth Phillips in contemporaries. If I had to pick only one out of all these, then I will go with McGregors by Nora Roberts
My favorite series are Outlander, the Beyond series by Kit Rocha, and the Amour et Chocolat series by Laura Florand. I’ve a fondness for Julie James’ FBI/Attorney series and Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor series too, but I haven’t loved every one in each of those series (whereas I love all the ones in the preceding list).
Those of you who have read ALL the In Death series, would you be willing to be interviewed about them for AAR? If so, let me know and I’ll email you a few questions. Thanks!
Ooh, Dabney, this sounds interesting. I’m in!
Sounds interesting. I have her recent one on my Kindle and I have read all of them and a few more than once so I am in.
I’m in, as well. Currently rereading the latest one.
Great. I’ll email you all!
Did anyone mention Rosalind James? I have enjoyed every single one of her series. I think she is an incredible story teller.
The Smythe Smith series by Julia Quinn is probably my most favorite romance series of all time because it is absolutely hilarious. I’ve had mixed feelings with her Bridgerton series. My other favorite series is Jennifer Robson’s Great War trilogy. Its not romance per se its more historical women’s fiction but there is a romance running in each book which I greatly enjoy. That series has a very Downton Abbey like feel to it which I love.