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?
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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.
Did anyone mention Rosalind James? I have enjoyed every single one of her series. I think she is an incredible story teller.
Great. I’ll email you all!
I’m in, as well. Currently rereading the latest one.
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.
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).
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
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
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 got hooked on romance via the Lymond series by Dorothy Dunnett.
Great thread everyone!
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!
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
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.
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 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.
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!
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 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…
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 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
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!
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?