Below is the complete list of Kiera Cass’ Betrothed books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of Betrothed Books
About Betrothed
For Lady Hollis Brite, attracting the attention of a handsome young king seems like the fulfilment of every ambition she has been encouraged to pursue. Yet the prospect of becoming queen gradually reveals the uncomfortable distance between a glamorous royal marriage and genuine personal happiness. Kiera Cass explores this conflict in the Betrothed series, a two-book young adult romantic fantasy that combines courtly intrigue, forbidden love, political rivalry, and the difficult transition from youthful dreams to independent decisions.
Set in a fictional world inspired by sixteenth-century European monarchies, the duology follows Hollis as she moves from the privileged surroundings of the Coroan court into a dangerous political struggle involving two rival kingdoms. Unlike the dystopian society of Cass’s Selection series, this setting draws upon historical-style customs, aristocratic hierarchies, and the influence of royal marriages.
The opening novel, The Betrothed (2020), introduces Hollis as a young noblewoman living at the court of King Jameson of Coroa. Although her family’s social position is relatively modest compared with that of more influential aristocrats, Hollis has become a favourite of the king through her charm, humour, and lively personality.
When Jameson declares his affection for her, Hollis initially believes she has secured an extraordinary future. Her parents eagerly encourage the relationship, recognising the advantages that a royal marriage could bring their family.
However, life at court becomes increasingly uncomfortable as Hollis confronts the expectations associated with becoming queen. Her friendship with Delia Grace, another young woman navigating the court’s social hierarchy, also reveals how ambition and insecurity can complicate seemingly dependable relationships.
The arrival of the Eastoffe family, refugees from the neighbouring kingdom of Isolte, introduces an unexpected challenge to Hollis’s carefully imagined future. Among them is Silas Eastoffe, a young man whose sincerity and understanding affect her more deeply than the elaborate attention she receives from Jameson.
Silas offers Hollis something she has struggled to find within the palace: the freedom to express herself without constantly considering how her behaviour might influence her social standing. Their growing connection forces her to question whether becoming queen would require sacrificing essential parts of her identity.
The romantic conflict gradually becomes inseparable from political danger. The Eastoffes have fled the oppressive rule of Isolte’s King Quinten, and their circumstances reveal tensions extending far beyond Hollis’s personal decisions.
The Betrayed (2021) continues Hollis’s story after devastating events force her to flee Coroa. Seeking refuge in Isolte, she must adjust to an unfamiliar country while grieving the loss of Silas and attempting to find a place among his surviving relatives.
Although the Eastoffe family provides affection and shelter, Hollis encounters hostility from Etan, a cousin whose resentment toward Coroans makes him suspicious of her motives. Their disagreements introduce another complicated relationship shaped by cultural prejudice, personal grief, and conflicting loyalties.
The political situation in Isolte also becomes increasingly unstable. King Quinten’s oppressive rule has created widespread resentment, and the Eastoffes possess connections that could help challenge his authority. Hollis finds herself drawn into circumstances demanding considerably greater courage and judgment than anything she experienced at Jameson’s court.
The contrast between the two novels reflects Hollis’s development. Initially concerned with romance, status, and the expectations of aristocratic society, she gradually becomes more conscious of political injustice and the responsibilities accompanying personal freedom.
Cass gives particular attention to the emotional consequences of Hollis’s choices. Relationships cannot always be repaired, loss cannot simply be forgotten, and pursuing independence sometimes requires abandoning the future that once seemed most desirable.
The Betrothed is separate from Cass’s Selection universe, despite sharing an interest in royal romance and the restrictions imposed upon young women by powerful institutions. Its two novels form a complete narrative, with the second bringing Hollis’s personal and political conflicts to their conclusion.
The duology ultimately examines the difference between being chosen for an impressive position and choosing a meaningful life. Through Hollis’s changing circumstances, Cass portrays a young woman discovering that love, loyalty, and personal dignity cannot be measured by royal favour or social advancement.