Nora Roberts Books in Order: Complete Guide & Checklist

With more than 200 books in print, reading all of Nora Roberts books in order can feel overwhelming at first.

The easiest way to tackle her catalog is by series (since so many titles are organized into trilogies). Each series section is listed in publication order, and the standalones are listed the same way. If you want a master list of all 200+ titles, grab the checklist so you can mark off books as you go.

Roberts also writes as J.D. Robb, and those books (including the In Death series) are a separate, long-running universe in a different genre. If that’s what you’re here for, start with my J.D. Robb books in order guide.

Want the printable? Download the PDF checklist here.

Jump to:

• Newest & Upcoming Nora Roberts Books
• Nora Roberts Books in Order by Series
• Standalone Nora Roberts Books
• Nora Roberts Anthologies
• Nora Roberts Book Checklist
• Nora Roberts FAQ

---

Newest & Upcoming Nora Roberts Books

• Hidden Nature (May 2025)
• The Seven Rings (November 2025)
• The Final Target (May 2026)
• Birth of the Witch (November 2026)

---

Nora Roberts Books in Order by Series

This guide is organized by series, since many Roberts books are written as trilogies and connected story worlds. Each series is listed in first-publication order, with crossover notes where they matter.

Where to Start with Nora Roberts

If you’re brand new to Nora Roberts, don’t overthink it. Pick the vibe you’re in the mood for and start with one of these three “easy entry” books — each one gives you a clean on-ramp into a different side of her catalog.

Start here for Romantic Suspense

The Obsession — A darker, faster-paced pick with a strong mystery thread and a romance that builds naturally alongside the danger. If you want “can’t put it down” energy, this is the one.

Start here for Contemporary Romance + Friendship

Vision in White (The Bride Quartet #1) — Four best friends run a wedding business, and each book follows a different couple. This is Nora at her most cozy, competent, and comfort-read reliable.

Start here for Fantasy + Magic

The Awakening (Dragon Heart Legacy #1) — A modern heroine gets pulled into something much bigger than her normal life, with magic, discovery, and a romance that has room to breathe. Perfect if you like fantasy flavor with your love story.

---

Irish Hearts

Nora Roberts’ Irish Hearts series begins with Irish Thoroughbred, following Adelia as she leaves Ireland for her uncle’s renowned Maryland stable. There, her fresh start quickly turns complicated when she’s drawn to the stable’s owner, Travis Grant.

1. Irish Thoroughbred (1981)
2. Sullivan’s Woman (1984)
3. Irish Rose (1988)
4. Irish Rebel (2000)

Reflections and Dreams: The Bannions

Set in the world of ballet, the first story follows teacher Lindsay Dunne as she clashes with architect Seth Bannion over her most promising student. The second shifts to ballerina Ruth Bannion and her mentor Nickolai Davidov, and it connects to the Stanislaskis (especially Considering Kate).

1. Reflections (1983)
2. Dance of Dreams (1983)

The MacGregors

A multi-generation MacGregor family saga that mixes contemporary and historical romances, with each book telling a complete story on its own. If you read them in publication order, you’ll catch more of the recurring characters and family connections—including Myra Ditmeyer, who also appears in Endings & Beginnings.

1. Playing The Odds (1985)
2. Tempting Fate (1985)
3. All The Possibilities (1985)
4. One Man’s Art (1985)
5. For Now, Forever (1987)
6. Rebellion (1988)
7. In from the Cold (1990) (Novella)
8. The MacGregor Brides (1997)
9. The Winning Hand (1998)
10. The MacGregor Grooms (1998)
11. The Perfect Neighbor (1999)
12. Engaged for the Holidays (2023)

Great Chefs

Dessert chef Summer Lyndon takes a new job working for restaurateur Blake Cocharan in Summer Desserts. In Lessons Learned, publicist Juliet Trent goes on tour with Italian celebrity chef Carlo Franconi—and the assignment turns personal.

1. Summer Desserts (1985)
2. Lessons Learned (1986)

Cordina’s Royal Family

Four royal siblings each get their own romance—starting with Gabriella’s kidnapping fallout, then Alexander’s old-school crush, Bennett’s playboy phase, and Camilla going undercover as a “commoner.” If you like connective tissue, Gabriella later pops up in Unfinished Business, and Chantal O’Hurley shows up in The Playboy Prince.

1. Affaire Royale (1986)
2. Command Performance (1987)
3. The Playboy Prince (1987)
4. Cordina’s Crown Jewel (1992)

Celebrity Magazine

A Celebrity magazine reporter, Lee Radcliffe, goes after an exclusive with reclusive horror writer Hunter Brown—and the assignment turns personal fast. Book two shifts to photographer Bryan Mitchell on a cross-country shoot with photojournalist Shade Colby, and Bryan later pops up in Skin Deep (The O’Hurleys).

1. Second Nature (1986)
2. One Summer (1986)

Sacred Sins

A brutal heat wave hits Washington, D.C. just as a serial killer begins escalating, pulling psychiatrist Tess Court into the investigation with detective Ben Paris. In Brazen Virtue, mystery novelist Grace McCabe gets dragged into a nightmare case and clashes with investigator Ed Jackson as the danger closes in.

1. Sacred Sins (1987)
2. Brazen Virtue (1988)

The O’Hurleys

Four talented siblings—Abigail, Maddy, Chantal, and Trace—each get their own romance as the O’Hurleys navigate love after growing up in a showbiz family. The whole family later cameos in Waiting for Nick, and Bryan Mitchell from One Summer shows up in Skin Deep.

1. The Last Honest Woman (1988)
2. Dance to the Piper (1988)
3. Skin Deep (1988)
4. Without A Trace (1990)

Loving Jack

A romance writer’s “quiet” writing retreat gets derailed when the house’s very-much-real owner shows up—and he’s an architect with zero interest in playing along with her fictional cowboy fantasy. The companion stories shift to a resort-build romance and a standalone Western, with a fun crossover note: Chantal O’Hurley lands her first big role in the movie based on Lawless.

1. Lawless (1989)
2. Loving Jack (1989)
3. Best Laid Plans (1989)

Time and Again: Hornblower-Stone

A science-fiction romance duology, Time and Again is about finding love when you least expect it. The series recounts the trials and tribulations of two twenty-third century brothers who travel back in time and must reconcile returning home with who their heart desires from the past.

1. Time Was (1989)
2. Times Change (1989)

The Stanislaskis: Those Wild Ukrainians

A six-book series that follows the Stanislaski family through generations as each main character overcomes their unique challenges to find love within their own books.

The connections within this series to Nora Roberts’s other series are that Nick and Freddie visit the O’Hurleys in Waiting for Nick, and Kate dances for Davidov in the Reflections & Dreams series.

1. Taming Natasha (1990)
2. Luring A Lady (1991)
3. Falling for Rachel (1993)
4. Convincing Alex (1994)
5. Waiting for Nick (1997)
6. Considering Kate (2001)

The Calhoun Women

This five-book series recounts the lives of five sisters as they inherit a crumbling family mansion on the coast of Maine, and unexpectedly find passion and adventure.

1. Courting Catherine (1991)
2. A Man for Amanda (1991)
3. For the Love of Lilah (1991)
4. Suzanna’s Surrender (1991)
5. Megan’s Mate (1995)

Night Tales

This series is described as passionate tales about what can happen when the sun goes down. Night Tales is a thrilling suspenseful romance series of danger and desire.

1. Night Shift (1991)
2. Night Shadow (1991)
3. Nightshade (1993)
4. Night Smoke (1994)
5. Night Shield (2000)
6. Night Moves (2014)

The Donovan Legacy

The Donovan clan share a secret that has been passed down through generations and sets them apart from ordinary mortals. Each book recounts a cousin’s path to love, and how they navigate the great responsibility their powers bring.

1. Captivated (1992)
2. Entranced (1992)
3. Charmed (1992)
4. Enchanted (1999)

Concannon Sisters Trilogy

This series is also known as The Irish Born trilogy or the Born In trilogy. It weaves a tale of three modern sisters bound by the timeless beauty of Ireland as they find love against its rugged landscape.

1. Born in Fire (1994)
2. Born in Ice (1995)
3. Born in Shame (1996)

The MacKade Brothers

Aptly named, The MacKade Brothers tells the stories of four brothers from a small Maryland town. Each brother catches the eye of a woman who makes his heart beat faster and thoughts spin in the direction of settling down.

1. The Return of Rafe MacKade (1995)
2. The Pride of Jared MacKade (1995)
3. The Heart of Devin MacKade (1996)
4. The Fall of Shane MacKade (1996)

Dream Trilogy

This trilogy starts with the story of a housekeeper’s daughter who picks up the pieces of a shattered dream to start a new one with the sisters of her heart. Each book after picks up the story of another one of the women in this chosen family as they pursue what it is their heart most desires.

1. Daring to Dream (1996)
2. Holding the Dream (1996)
3. Finding the Dream (1996)

Stars of Mithra

Each book in this trilogy features a huge blue diamond known as a Star of Mithra. In each installment a beautiful woman is in possession of one of these diamonds and opposite her is an attractive male intent on solving the mystery of its origins.

1. Hidden Star (1997)
2. Captive Star (1997)
3. Secret Star (1998)

Chesapeake Bay Saga

In Chesapeake Bay Saga, Cameron, Ethan, and Phillip Quinn return to their Maryland home to honor their father’s last request: raise Seth, the boy he took in.

Each novel follows one brother’s romance, and Chesapeake Blue includes a quick reference to Darcy Gallagher from Gallaghers of Ardmore.

1. Sea Swept (1998)
2. Rising Tides (1998)
3. Inner Harbor (1999)
4. Chesapeake Blue (2002)

Gallaghers of Ardmore

Returning to the lush rolling hills of Ireland, the Gallaghers of Ardmore trilogy tells the story of the past and the future for three Gallagher siblings as they explore the depths of their fiery hearts.

Darcy Gallagher, from Heart of the Sea, is also referenced in the Chesapeake Bay Saga.

1. Jewels of the Sun (1999)
2. Tears of the Moon (1999)
3. Heart of the Sea (2000)

Three Sisters Island

A paranormal fantasy romance, Three Sisters Island dances along the edge with its contemporary setting that harkens back to a past of curses and witchcraft. Only three strong, gifted women living on Three Sisters Island can break this spell.

1. Dance Upon The Air (2001)
2. Heaven and Earth (2001)
3. Face the Fire (2002)

Key Trilogy

In this paranormal romance trilogy three women must race to find three keys that will release three souls that are being held captive by an evil god. During this quest Mallory, Dana, and Zoe will face danger and find love along the way.

1. Key of Light (2003)
2. Key of Knowledge (2003)
3. Key of Valor (2003)

In the Garden

Set outside Memphis, Texas, three women discover the secrets from the past contained within their historic home. Each relative must learn to live with the spirit that is said to haunt the ancestral home as they overcome their own hardships and learn to love again.

1. Blue Dahlia (2004)
2. Black Rose (2005)
3. Red Lily (2005)

Circle Trilogy

Another enticing paranormal romance series, the Circle Trilogy is an epic tale that breaks down the boundaries between reality and the otherworldly. It does this while forging together the passions of six men and women caught in a battle for the fate of humanity.

1. Morrigan’s Cross (2006)
2. Dance of the Gods (2006)
3. Valley of Silence (2006)

Sign of Seven

In the town of Hawkins Hollow every seven years on the seventh day of the seventh month, strange things happen. Sign of Seven is a compelling paranormal romance trilogy about three brothers – Cal, Fox, and Gage – bound by fate, blood, and a timeless enemy in a town plagued by evil.

1. Blood Brothers (2007)
2. The Hollow (2008)
3. The Pagan Stone (2008)

Bride Quartet

This quartet is set in the fabulous, hectic world of wedding planning. The books follow the stories of four friends and their struggles with life, love, and family as they build their wedding planning company: Vows.

1. Vision in White (2009)
2. Bed of Roses (2009)
3. Savor the Moment (2010)
4. Happy Ever After (2010)

Inn BoonsBoro

An instant #1 New York Times bestseller, the Inn BoonsBoro trilogy is inspired by the inn Nora Roberts owns and operates in the heart of Maryland with her husband. The books follow the stories of the Montgomery brothers as they renovate an intimate bed-and-breakfast in their hometown, and find love along the way.

1. The Next Always (2011)
2. The Last Boyfriend (2012)
3. The Perfect Hope (2012)

The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy

Set in Country Mayo, Ireland amid centuries-old legends, The Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy is a paranormal romance. Within this trilogy family and friends will fight each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope and love alive.

1. Dark Witch (2013)
2. Shadow Spell (2014)
3. Blood Magick (2014)

The Guardians Trilogy

This fantasy romance begins on the Greek island of Corfu before concluding in Ireland. It follows three couples who join together to create their own family and solve an ancient mystery through the power of timeless love.

1. Stars of Fortune (2015)
2. Bay of Sighs (2016)
3. Island of Glass (2016)

Chronicles of The One

This Nora Roberts trilogy is a science-fiction dystopia. In this post-apocalyptic world the end has come and a new beginning commences: Year One. It is a world of hope and horror, chaos and magick as our survivors embark on a supernatural journey in the fight for their lives.

1. Year One (2017)
2. Of Blood and Bone (2018)
3. The Rise of Magicks (2019)

The Dragon Heart Legacy

The Dragon Heart Legacy, begins in the modern realm. But from Philadelphia our main character Breen travels to Ireland where a portal in Galway takes her to the magical realm of Talamh. Here is a land of faeries and mermaids, a warrior named Keegan, and Breen’s destiny.

1. The Awakening (2020)
2. The Becoming (2021)
3. The Choice (2022)

The Lost Bride Trilogy

The first book echoes back to 1806 when Astrid Poole was murdered on her wedding night, before the marriage can be consummated. Flash forward to the future and Sonya MacTavish has just been left an inheritance by an uncle she never knew existed, Collin Poole. But the majestic Victorian house is haunted and reveals to Sonya the centuries-old bridal curse that she must try to unravel and break.

1. Inheritance (2023)
2. The Mirror (2024)
3. The Seven Rings (2025)

Coven of Three Trilogy

1. Birth of the Witch (2026)

Standalone Nora Roberts Books

Nora Roberts has written plenty of complete, one-and-done novels—no series commitment, no cliffhangers, just a full story you can finish and move on from.

If you want the “pick it up tonight, be satisfied by the end” vibe, start here: these standalone Nora Roberts books are listed in publication order so you can choose by era (or just grab the newest premise that hooks you).

1980s

1. Blithe Images (1982)
2. The Heart’s Victory (1982)
3. Island of Flowers (1982)
4. Search For Love (1982)
5. Song of the West (1982)
6. From This Day (1983)
7. Her Mother’s Keeper (1983)
8. Once More With Feeling (1983)
9. This Magic Moment (1983)
10. Tonight and Always (1983)
11. Untamed (1983)
12. Endings and Beginnings (1984)
13. First Impressions (1984)
14. The Law is a Lady (1984)
15. Less of a Stranger (1984)
16. A Matter of Choice (1984)
17. Opposites Attract (1984)
18. Promise Me Tomorrow (1984)
19. Rules of the Game (1984)
20. Storm Warning (1984)
21. Boundary Lines (1985)
22. Dual Image (1985)
23. Partners (1985)
24. The Right Path (1985)
25. The Art of Deception (1986)
26. Risky Business (1986)
27. Treasures Lost, Treasures Found (1986)
28. A Will And A Way (1986)
29. Mind Over Matter (1987)
30. Hot Ice (1987)
31. Temptation (1987)
32. Local Hero (1988)
33. The Name of the Game (1988)
34. Gabriel’s Angel (1989)
35. Sweet Revenge (1989)
36. The Welcoming (1989)
37. Impulse (1989)

1990s

38. Public Secrets (1990)
39. Genuine Lies (1991)
40. Carnal Innocence (1991)
41. Divine Evil (1992)
42. Honest Illusions (1992)
43. Unfinished Business (1992)
44. Private Scandals (1993)
45. Hidden Riches (1994)
46. True Betrayals (1995)
47. Montana Sky (1996)
48. Sanctuary (1997)
49. Homeport (1998)
50. The Reef (1998)
51. River’s End (1999)

2000s

52. Carolina Moon (2000)
53. Midnight Bayou (2001)
54. The Villa (2001)
55. Three Fates (2002)
56. Birthright (2003)
57. Northern Lights (2004)
58. Blue Smoke (2005)
59. The Best Mistake (2005)
60. Angels Fall (2006)
61. High Noon (2007)
62. Tribute (2008)
63. Black Hills (2009)

2010s

64. The Search (2010)
65. Chasing Fire (2011)
66. The Witness (2012)
67. Whiskey Beach (2013)
68. The Collector (2014)
69. The Liar (2015)
70. The Obsession (2016)
71. Come Sundown (2017)
72. Shelter in Place (2018)
73. Under Currents (2019)

2020s

74. Hideaway (2020)
75. Legacy (2021)
76. Nightwork (2022)
77. Identity (2023)
78. Mind Games (2024)
79. Hidden Nature (2025)
80. The Final Target (2026)

Nora Roberts Anthologies

Nora Roberts has also published several anthologies. If you’re looking for even more Roberts content, the list below holds some wonderful options for you to pick up.

1. Mysterious (1985)
2. Western Skies (1985)
3. Historical Christmas Stories 1990 (1990)
4. Moon Shadows (2004)

Nora Roberts Collaborative Anthology Series

In addition to the anthologies Nora Roberts has written herself, she has also collaborated with fellow authors on an anthology series.

The Once Upon series is written by Nora Roberts, Jill Gregory, Ruth Ryan Langan, and Marianne Willman. Each author writes a piece of short fiction that is collected in an anthology. The tales blend between reality and fantasy, connected through shared themes and tropes.

1. Once Upon a Castle (1998)
2. Once Upon a Star (1999)
3. Once Upon a Dream (2000)
4. Once Upon a Rose (2001)
5. Once Upon a Kiss (2002)
6. Once Upon a Midnight (2003)

Nora Roberts’s short fiction contributions to this collaborative series were later recorded as audiobooks and released individually in order of their initial appearance.

1. Spellbound
2. Ever After
3. In Dreams
4. Winter Rose
5. A World Apart
6. The Witching Hour

---

Get your Printable Nora Roberts Book Checklist

If this full list of Nora Roberts books in order is a bit overwhelming, perhaps you’d prefer a printable reading guide that you can check off the books you’ve read, and even give them a star rating with a short note.

You can download your Nora Roberts book checklist here.

Nora Roberts Books FAQ

Do I have to read Nora Roberts series in publication order?

Not always. Most series are designed so each book follows a different couple, so you can jump in — but you’ll get richer character context (and avoid minor spoilers) if you start at #1 for any given series.

Are her series connected to each other?

Some are, lightly. You’ll occasionally see cameo characters or shared locations across related books, but you don’t usually need a “master universe” reading order unless you’re trying to catch every crossover.

Can I mix standalones and series books without spoiling anything?

Yes. Standalones are built to be read on their own, and reading them between series books won’t mess up your experience.

How “spicy” are Nora Roberts romances?

Generally: on-page romance, but not extreme. Expect relationship-building and chemistry, with heat levels that vary by book and era.

Are her books all contemporary romance, or do some have paranormal/fantasy elements?

They’re not all contemporary. Some books lean into suspense/mystery, and others include magical/paranormal elements — so it’s worth checking the subgenre tag before you start.

---

Nora Roberts Book-to-Screen Adaptations

In addition to hundreds of bestselling novels, twelve of the Nora Roberts books in order have been adapted for the screen. All of these adaptations have been TV movies except for her most recent adaptation with Netflix.

Eight of her adaptations were also part of one bundle deal with the Lifetime cable network. She was the first author ever to have her work adapted consecutively by Lifetime.

The movies have had varying degrees of success, but have captured star power with names like Heather Locklear, Brittany Murphy, Jerry O’Connell, and LeAnna Rimes in leading roles.

Brazen is the most recent adaptation and stars Alyssa Milano and Samuel Page. Unfortunately, it did not receive favorable reviews from critics or audiences, but if you’ve read the book Brazen Virtue you may want to watch it and decide for yourself.

1. Magic Moments (1989)
2. Sanctuary (2001)
3. Angels Fall (2007)
4. Montana Sky (2007)
5. Blue Smoke (2007)
6. Carolina Moon (2007)
7. Northern Lights (2009)
8. Midnight Bayou (2009)
9. High Noon (2009)
10. Tribute (2009)
11. Carnal Innocence (2011)
12. Brazen (2022)

Who is Nora Roberts?

Nora Roberts is a Maryland-based bestselling novelist known for her huge romance catalog and for writing the In Death series under the pen name J.D. Robb.

She began writing while home with her young children during a blizzard, and her first published novel, Irish Thoroughbred, arrived in 1981. Today, she’s one of the most commercially successful writers in the genre and co-owns Turn the Page Bookstore in Maryland with her husband.

---

Looking for more books in order?

If you want more romance authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Romance Books in Order index.

• Books in Order (Full Index)
• Sandra Brown books in order
• Janet Evanovich books in order