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Dream Trilogy Reading Order.

Quick Answer

Start Dream Trilogy by Nora Roberts with "Holding The Dream", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Three distinct novels following three childhood friends who work together at a luxury hotel, focusing on their careers, relationships, and dreams.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 9 main titles released between 2012 and 2006. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.

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Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Holding The Dream"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

Community Consensus

Low Debate

"The recommended reading order is to begin with the core books, referred to as 'the big four,' introduce the 'End of Time books' about halfway through, and reserve heavily dependent, wider multiverse books like 'Moonbeam Roads' for later stages."

Key Reddit Advice

Start with 'the big four' (potentially the first Elric book or Eternal Champion series). Read 'Moonbeam Roads' significantly later, as it relies heavily on the wider multiverse context.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Dream Trilogy conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Dream Trilogy. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Holding The Dream" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Dream Trilogy" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Reading Order8 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

Kate Powell faces a professional impropriety and a dark secret from her past that forces her to search deep within herself.

2

Plot details hidden until you finish "Holding The Dream".

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts begins her Dream Trilogy with the story of Margo, a housekeeper’s daughter who picks up the pieces of a shattered dream to start a new one—with the sisters of her heart… Margo Sullivan had everything a young woman could ask for. But while growing up along the rocky cliffs of Monterey, she couldn’t help but dream of bigger things. The daughter of the Templeton’s stern Irish housekeeper, Margo had been treated like a member of the family. Deep down, she knew that money could not buy the thing she craved most—her mother’s acceptance. Maybe things would be different if she could be sweet like Laura—or had Kate’s shrewd head for business. But all Margo knew how to do was be Margo, and that meant doing things her own way—no matter what the consequences... Don't miss the other books in the Dream Trilogy Holding the Dream Finding the Dream 

3

Plot details hidden until you finish "Daring To Dream".

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts completes the Inn BoonsBoro trilogy with a novel of starting over and star-crosed love.Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out—with a tough-as-nails exterior and possibly nothing too soft underneath. He’s surly and unsociable, but when he straps on a tool belt, no woman can resist his sexy swagger. Except, apparently, Hope Beaumont, the innkeeper of his own Inn BoonsBoro…The former manager of a D.C. hotel, Hope is now where she wants to be—except for in her love life. Her only interaction with the opposite sex has been sparring with the infuriating Ryder, who always seems to get under her skin. Still, no one can deny the electricity that crackles between them…a spark that ignited with a New Year’s Eve kiss.While the inn is running smoothly, thanks to Hope’s experience and unerring instincts, her big-city past is about to make an unwelcome—and embarrassing—appearance. Seeing Hope vulnerable stirs Ryder’s emotions and makes him realize that while Hope may not be perfect, she just might be perfect for him…Don't miss the other books in the Inn BoonsBoro TrilogyThe Next AlwaysThe Last Boyfriend

4

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Perfect Hope".

In the final novel of Nora Roberts’s Dream Trilogy, Laura struggles to mend a broken heart and broken family—until someone from her past makes all of her dreams come true… Laura Templeton found out the hard way that nothing in life is guaranteed. The daughter of a wealthy hotelier, she had always known comfort, privilege, and security. But by the age of thirty, her storybook marriage had been destroyed by her husband’s infidelity. Laura’s divorce left her both emotionally and financially devastated—but determined to rebuild her life without the Templeton fortune. Laura had always defined herself as a wife, a daughter, or a mother. Now, she must finally discover Laura the woman... Don't miss the other books in the Dream Trilogy Daring to Dream Holding the Dream

5

Plot details hidden until you finish "Finding the Dream".

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts presents four romantic stories of impossible dreams come true... In Nora Roberts’s “In Dreams,” a beautiful young woman is drawn to a castle in the forests of Ireland and becomes the link to a stranger’s past—and the curse that has trapped him forever in the eternity of his own dreams. In Jill Gregory’s “The Sorcerer’s Daughter,” the fate of a captive wizard depends on his lovely daughter—and the intentions of a spellcast adventurer who dreams of a priceless treasure, and a love that could be the greatest reward of all. In Ruth Ryan Langan’s “The Enchantment,” two strangers seek refuge in an abandoned estate on a storm-swept night—only to discover that their most elusive dreams of romance are as enchanted, and as real, as true love itself. In Marianne Willman’s “The Bridge of Sighs,” an American art appraiser becomes haunted by dreams of a lonely young girl while visiting Venice—a vision that illuminates a tragic past, and a future of endless love.

6

Roberts Dream

Pub: 2002

Plot details hidden until you finish "Once upon a Dream".

The Nora Roberts Dream Box Set Includes: Daring the Dream, Finding the Dream, and Holding the Dream.

7

Plot details hidden until you finish "Roberts Dream".

No description available.

8

Dream Makers

Pub: 2006

Plot details hidden until you finish "Lovers and Dreamers".

Untamed Jo Wilder had the heart of a lion and the temper of a wildcat. And when Keane Prescott crossed her path, she bared her claws. Jo was certain her charming new boss imperiled everything she cared for, but she couldn't deny the attraction between them. Though Keane's kisses left her breathless, it was his tenderness that threatened to tame her heart. Less of a Stranger Confident and colossally arrogant, David Katcherton swept into Megan Miller's life and awakened feelings that had long been lying dormant. But she wasn't about to fall for this irresistible stranger who was after her grandfather's business. As Katch challenged her to fulfill her dreams, he also aroused passions she'd never known before....

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Dream Trilogy series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Dream Trilogy?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Holding The Dream" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Nora Roberts intended.

Can I read Dream Trilogy books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Dream Trilogy universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.