Sarah MacLean Books in Order: Hell’s Belles, Rules of Scoundrels, and More

If you’re new to Sarah MacLean, you’re in for a lot of witty banter, scandalous aristocrats, rebellious heroines, and very entertaining historical romances. Her books are often connected through what she calls the MacLeaniverse, so longtime readers will notice familiar characters and families popping up across different series.

The good news is that you don’t need to read every Sarah MacLean book in one giant chronological order. Each series has its own reading order, so I’ve broken them down below. That makes it much easier to decide where you want to begin.

Sarah MacLean Books in Publication Order

If you want to follow Sarah MacLean’s major novels chronologically, this is the basic publication sequence:

The series order itself is confirmed by MacLean’s official book list. Mastermind is the fourth Hell’s Belles novel and is currently scheduled for February 16, 2027.

Love by Numbers Books in Order

Love by Numbers is the series that introduced many readers to Sarah MacLean’s particular combination of historical romance, humor, scandal, and strong-willed heroines.

It is also the series that introduced the St. John family. MacLean’s official site identifies it as the St. John Family Trilogy.

1. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (2010)

Calpurnia Hartwell has spent most of her life following the rules expected of a proper young lady.

But after years of being overlooked, Callie decides that she’s tired of living cautiously. She creates a list of things she wants to experience—including several things a respectable lady absolutely shouldn’t do.

Her first target for some of these lessons is Gabriel St. John, the notorious Marquess of Ralston.

This is the book that started MacLean’s adult romance career and introduced readers to the MacLeaniverse.

2. Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord (2010)

Isabel Townsend has created a home for orphaned girls, but the property is threatened by financial problems.

When the dangerously attractive Lord Nicholas St. John arrives, Isabel sees an opportunity to save the girls and the estate.

Unfortunately, Nicholas has no intention of falling in love with his determined hostess.

Naturally, things don’t quite go according to plan.

3. Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart (2011)

Juliana Fiori has arrived in London with a reputation that makes polite society uncomfortable.

Simon Pearson, the Duke of Leighton, has spent his life protecting his family’s reputation.

Juliana is everything Simon believes a duke should avoid—and exactly the woman he can’t seem to resist.

MacLean’s official site identifies this as the third and final book in Love by Numbers.

Love by Numbers at a Glance

1. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
2. Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord
3. Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart

Rules of Scoundrels Books in Order

The Rules of Scoundrels series follows four notorious men who have been pushed outside respectable society and now rule London’s darker underworld.

MacLean’s official site describes the series as four aristocrats, four scandals, and four romances.

1. A Rogue by Any Other Name (2012)

Michael “Bourne” Marquess of Bourne lost his inheritance years ago and has spent the intervening time building power in London’s gambling world.

Then Lady Penelope Marbury walks back into his life.

Bourne needs her, but Penelope is no longer the quiet girl he remembers.

Their forced bargain becomes something neither of them expected.

2. One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (2013)

Lady Philippa Marbury is intelligent, curious, and much more interested in science than the social expectations placed upon her.

She needs answers before her marriage, so she turns to Cross, the notorious owner of the Fallen Angel.

What begins as an unconventional arrangement quickly becomes something much more dangerous—and romantic.

3. No Good Duke Goes Unpunished (2013)

Temple is a disgraced duke who has spent years carrying the reputation of a murderer.

Everyone believes he killed Mara Lowe.

Then Mara suddenly returns.

The woman whose death destroyed Temple’s life is very much alive, forcing both of them to confront the past.

4. Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover (2014)

Georgiana Pearson has built a secret life far removed from respectable society.

She’s a powerful casino owner and a woman with secrets that could destroy her reputation.

Journalist Duncan West is determined to uncover those secrets.

This is the fourth and final Rules of Scoundrels novel, and MacLean specifically notes that many readers consider it best read last in the quartet.

Rules of Scoundrels at a Glance

1. A Rogue by Any Other Name
2. One Good Earl Deserves a Lover
3. No Good Duke Goes Unpunished
4. Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover

Scandal & Scoundrel Books in Order

The Scandal & Scoundrel series follows the scandalous Talbot sisters.

MacLean describes the series as a Victorian-era celebrity-scandal story, essentially gossip culture transported into the nineteenth century.

1. The Rogue Not Taken (2015)

Lady Sophie Talbot is the youngest of the infamous Talbot sisters.

After a particularly public scandal, Sophie finds herself running away from London with a notorious rogue.

The result is an adventure-filled road trip romance with plenty of scandal along the way.

2. A Scot in the Dark (2016)

Lillian Hargrove’s life changes dramatically after a scandalous portrait threatens to destroy her reputation.

Her solution leads her to Scotland and to a very large, very complicated Scottish man.

MacLean’s official description famously calls it her “sex tape romance”—except the story takes place in 1835.

3. The Day of the Duchess (2017)

Malcolm and Serafina have a marriage that has gone very wrong.

The Duke wants his wife back.

Serafina wants her freedom.

And their attempt to resolve their marriage becomes an unusual competition involving potential new duchesses.

This is the final Scandal & Scoundrel novel.

Scandal & Scoundrel at a Glance

1. The Rogue Not Taken
2. A Scot in the Dark
3. The Day of the Duchess

The Bareknuckle Bastards Books in Order

The Bareknuckle Bastards trilogy centers on three brothers who rule London’s criminal underworld.

MacLean’s official description introduces them as the Devil, the Beast, and the Duke.

1. Wicked and the Wallflower (2018)

Lady Felicity Faircloth is desperate to change her social position.

Devil, the mysterious and dangerous head of London’s dark underworld, offers to help transform her into the kind of woman who can capture a man’s attention.

But Devil has an ulterior motive.

Felicity quickly becomes much more than a pawn in his plan.

2. Brazen and the Beast (2019)

Lady Henrietta Sedley has decided that her twenty-ninth year will belong entirely to her.

She plans to take control of her future, including her father’s business.

Then she discovers a handsome stranger tied up in her carriage.

That stranger is Whit, known throughout Covent Garden as the Beast.

3. Daring and the Duke (2020)

Grace Condry has spent years building a life in London’s darkest corners.

Then the man she once loved returns.

Ewan, Duke of Marwick, has spent a decade searching for Grace and has never stopped loving her.

Unfortunately, Grace has no intention of forgiving him.

MacLean’s official site identifies this as Bareknuckle Bastards Book III.

Bareknuckle Bastards at a Glance

1. Wicked and the Wallflower
2. Brazen and the Beast
3. Daring and the Duke

Hell’s Belles Books in Order

Hell’s Belles is MacLean’s most recent historical romance series.

The series follows a group of women in Victorian London who use their skills, wealth, and unconventional methods to protect women and challenge the structures around them.

There are currently three published novels, with the fourth, Mastermind, scheduled for 2027.

1. Bombshell (2021)

Lady Sesily Talbot has embraced her reputation as one of London’s greatest scandals.

But her seemingly scandalous nighttime activities are actually hiding something much more complicated.

Caleb Calhoun has spent years trying not to notice his best friend’s sister.

That becomes increasingly difficult when Sesily’s dangerous activities pull him closer to her.

MacLean identifies Bombshell as Hell’s Belles Book I.

2. Heartbreaker (2022)

The second Hell’s Belles romance brings another member of the group into the spotlight.

Like Bombshell, it combines romance with the larger story of the women who make up the Hell’s Belles.

3. Knockout (2023)

Knockout follows an explosives expert and a detective whose very different worlds collide.

MacLean’s official site describes the heroine as a chaotic explosives expert and the hero as a stern detective.

4. Mastermind (2027) — Upcoming

Mastermind will conclude the Hell’s Belles series.

The story centers on the Duchess of Trevescan, whose glamorous public identity hides a much more complicated truth. Her “husband,” Branok Penrose, Duke of Trevescan, knows more about her secrets than she realizes.

The book is currently scheduled for February 16, 2027.

Hell’s Belles at a Glance

1. Bombshell — 2021
2. Heartbreaker — 2022
3. Knockout — 2023
4. Mastermind — February 16, 2027

Sarah MacLean Standalone Books

Not every Sarah MacLean book belongs to one of her major series.

Her official website currently lists several works separately as standalone or loosely connected to the MacLeaniverse.

The Season (2009)

The Season is MacLean’s first published novel and her only YA novel.

It’s a Regency-era story involving three best friends, romance, and a murder mystery.

If you’re looking for MacLean’s earliest published fiction, this is where her bibliography begins.

A Duke Worth Falling For (2021)

This is a contemporary novella rather than one of MacLean’s historical romance series.

It follows a celebrity photographer who retreats to the British countryside after her career takes a bad turn—and encounters a mysterious duke.

MacLean describes it as her first contemporary novella.

These Summer Storms (2026)

These Summer Storms is a major departure from MacLean’s historical romances.

It is her first contemporary novel, centered on a wealthy New England family, complicated relationships, old secrets, grief, and inheritance.

Penguin Random House lists its publication date as May 12, 2026 in the U.S.

Unlike her historical romance series, this book is completely standalone.

Sarah MacLean Short Stories and Anthologies

There are a few additional books worth knowing about if you want a truly complete Sarah MacLean bibliography.

How the Dukes Stole Christmas (2018)

This is a multi-author holiday anthology, not a Sarah MacLean novel.

It features stories from Sarah MacLean, Tessa Dare, Sophie Jordan, and Joanna Shupe.

MacLean contributed “The Duke of Christmas Present.”

The Bladesmith Queen (2024)

This is a short medieval story rather than a full-length novel.

MacLean’s official site describes it as a medieval short story.

Ladies in Waiting (2025)

This is a multi-author collection focused on Jane Austen’s overlooked female characters.

MacLean contributed to the collection, but it should not be counted as a Sarah MacLean standalone novel. Her official bibliography includes it among her broader book contributions.

Other Anthology Contributions

MacLean has also contributed stories to collections including Generation Wonder and Dark Duets. These are best treated as anthology contributions, rather than part of her core novel bibliography.

Do You Need to Read Sarah MacLean’s Books in Order?

Only within each series.

You don’t need to start with The Season and work through every Sarah MacLean publication chronologically.

For example, if you’re interested in Hell’s Belles, you can simply begin with Bombshell and continue through Heartbreaker, Knockout, and eventually Mastermind.

The same applies to Love by Numbers, Rules of Scoundrels, Scandal & Scoundrel, and the Bareknuckle Bastards.

However, reading each series in order is recommended because characters, families, friendships, and relationships can carry from one book to the next.

Where Should You Start With Sarah MacLean?

If you’re completely new to Sarah MacLean, there are a few natural entry points.

Start with Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

This is the book that introduced the MacLeaniverse and is the beginning of Love by Numbers.

Start with A Rogue by Any Other Name

If you like darker, more notorious heroes and London’s criminal underworld, Rules of Scoundrels is another strong entry point.

Start with Wicked and the Wallflower

If the Bareknuckle Bastards sound more appealing, begin here.

Start with Bombshell

If you want MacLean’s more recent historical romance style, Bombshell begins Hell’s Belles.

Start with These Summer Storms

If you don’t specifically want historical romance, These Summer Storms is her contemporary standalone and can be read completely independently.

Are Sarah MacLean’s Books Connected?

Many of them are loosely connected, but they aren’t one giant series.

MacLean refers to her interconnected historical-romance world as the MacLeaniverse. Her official biography notes that her books make up this broader shared universe.

The individual series are much easier to navigate on their own.

For example:

• Love by Numbers → St. John family
• Rules of Scoundrels → The Fallen Angel and its notorious owners
• Scandal & Scoundrel → The Talbot sisters
• Bareknuckle Bastards → Three brothers ruling London’s underworld
• Hell’s Belles → A group of women fighting against Victorian society’s expectations

There are connections between some of these books, which can make reading the series chronologically rewarding, but you don’t need to memorize the entire MacLeaniverse before starting.

Sarah MacLean Books at a Glance

Love by Numbers

1. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake — 2010
2. Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord — 2010
3. Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart — 2011

Rules of Scoundrels

1. A Rogue by Any Other Name — 2012
2. One Good Earl Deserves a Lover — 2013
3. No Good Duke Goes Unpunished — 2013
4. Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover — 2014

Scandal & Scoundrel

1. The Rogue Not Taken — 2015
2. A Scot in the Dark — 2016
3. The Day of the Duchess — 2017

The Bareknuckle Bastards

1. Wicked and the Wallflower — 2018
2. Brazen and the Beast — 2019
3. Daring and the Duke — 2020

Hell’s Belles

1. Bombshell — 2021
2. Heartbreaker — 2022
3. Knockout — 2023
4. Mastermind — February 2027 — upcoming

Standalone / Other Works

• The Season — 2009
• A Duke Worth Falling For — 2021, novella
• The Bladesmith Queen — 2024, short story
• These Summer Storms — 2026, contemporary novel

Selected Anthology Contributions

• How the Dukes Stole Christmas — 2018
• Generation Wonder — 2022
• Ladies in Waiting — 2025
• Dark Duets — 2014

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first Sarah MacLean book?

Sarah MacLean’s first published novel is The Season, released in 2009. Her first adult romance novel was Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, which began the Love by Numbers series and introduced readers to the MacLeaniverse.

How many Sarah MacLean series are there?

Sarah MacLean currently has five major romance series: Love by Numbers, Rules of Scoundrels, Scandal & Scoundrel, The Bareknuckle Bastards, and Hell’s Belles. Her official bibliography also lists standalone works and anthology contributions.

What is the order of the Hell’s Belles books?

Read them as follows:

1. Bombshell
2. Heartbreaker
3. Knockout
4. Mastermind — scheduled for February 16, 2027

Mastermind is the fourth Hell’s Belles book and is currently scheduled as the series conclusion.

What is the order of the Bareknuckle Bastards books?

The order is:

1. Wicked and the Wallflower
2. Brazen and the Beast
3. Daring and the Duke

MacLean’s official site identifies these as Books I, II, and III of the series.

What is the order of the Rules of Scoundrels books?

Read them in this order:

1. A Rogue by Any Other Name
2. One Good Earl Deserves a Lover
3. No Good Duke Goes Unpunished
4. Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover

MacLean’s official recommendations page confirms this sequence and notes that Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover is generally best read last.

What is the order of the Love by Numbers books?

The Love by Numbers trilogy is:

1. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
2. Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord
3. Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart

MacLean’s official site identifies these as the St. John Family Trilogy.

Are Sarah MacLean books connected?

Many of her historical romances are loosely connected through the MacLeaniverse. However, each individual series can generally be read independently.

What is Sarah MacLean’s newest book?

As of September 2026, Sarah MacLean’s newest published novel is These Summer Storms, her first contemporary novel, published in 2026.

Her next major release is Mastermind, Hell’s Belles Book 4, scheduled for February 16, 2027.

Is These Summer Storms part of a series?

No. These Summer Storms is a standalone contemporary novel and marks MacLean’s first contemporary novel after years of primarily writing historical romance.

Is The Season a romance novel?

The Season is a young adult novel combining Regency romance, friendship, and a murder mystery. MacLean describes it as her only YA novel.

Final Thoughts

Sarah MacLean has built a surprisingly large reading universe, but it becomes much less intimidating once you break it into the five main series.

If you’re starting from scratch, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake is a natural place to begin because it introduced the MacLeaniverse. If you prefer her newer historical romances, Bombshell opens the Hell’s Belles series, while These Summer Storms offers a completely different contemporary side of her writing.

And if you’re already a MacLean reader, there’s still something new to look forward to: Mastermind, the fourth Hell’s Belles book, is currently scheduled for February 2027.

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.