Romance with Warmth, Wanderlust, and New Zealand Magic
From the snow-capped Southern Alps to the subtropical beaches of the Bay of Islands, Serenity Woods’s emotionally warm romance novels transport readers to some of the most breathtaking locations in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Why aotearoa New Zealand Is the Perfect Romance Setting
Across the world, the majority of people are hard-pressed to locate New Zealand (also known as Aotearoa or The Land of the Long White Cloud) on a map. It’s buried at the bottom of the globe, some 2000 km or over 1300 miles from Australia, adrift in the Pacific Ocean. But it’s a magical country consisting of vastly different landscapes, and the perfect place to set romance novels because of its variety.
Up in the Northland, where I live, it’s sub-tropical. We sit on the thirty-fifth parallel in the south, and our climate can be compared to that of the countries on the thirty-fifth north, such as Algeria, Greece, and Afghanistan, as well as US States like Tennessee, California, Georgia, and Texas. We have golden and white-sand beaches, and our forests consist of exotic palms and ferns.
The rest of the North Island varies widely; the Waikato area has rolling hills and breathtaking valleys, while the Bay of Plenty features a volcanic landscape, where the earth’s crust is so thin that geysers still spout hot water regularly into the air.
In comparison, the South Island is cooler and more mountainous, and the landscapes there have become synonymous with those made famous by Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies, including the magnificent spine of the Southern Alps and its startling glaciers.
Up in the Northland, where I live, it’s sub-tropical. We sit on the thirty-fifth parallel in the south, and our climate can be compared to that of the countries on the thirty-fifth north, such as Algeria, Greece, and Afghanistan, as well as US States like Tennessee, California, Georgia, and Texas. We have golden and white-sand beaches, and our forests consist of exotic palms and ferns.
The rest of the North Island varies widely; the Waikato area has rolling hills and breathtaking valleys, while the Bay of Plenty features a volcanic landscape, where the earth’s crust is so thin that geysers still spout hot water regularly into the air.
In comparison, the South Island is cooler and more mountainous, and the landscapes there have become synonymous with those made famous by Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies, including the magnificent spine of the Southern Alps and its startling glaciers.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Less than five million people live here, in a country the same size as the UK, which has nearly 70 million people. So we’re a land of vast wilderness on one hand, and bustling cities on the other. We have cinematic scenery and fascinating culture, from our All Blacks rugby team with their rousing haka, to the famous songs and myths of Māori, the indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand. New Zealand has deep bicultural roots, as our land was also settled by Europeans in the nineteenth century, during which time the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Now, we also have many communities from other parts of the Pacific as well as Asia, and we are quickly becoming a multicultural country.
So we have everything here - dramatic landscapes, culture, history, adventure (bungee jump anyone?), kiwi fusion cuisine, amazing coffee… and, of course, romance! I promise to take you on a luxury virtual vacation with every book, from the tip of Cape Reinga in the north to Stewart Island in the south, and everywhere in between. We’ll stay in luxury lodges and coastal retreats, and visit all the major cities. It’s hard not to fall in love with a country like this.
The Different Faces of New Zealand Romance
Coastal Romance in Northland
Coastal locations are my natural habitat, because I’m lucky enough to live in the gorgeous Bay of Islands. Here we have tuis, fantails, and Kiwi birds, palms and ferns, pōhutukawa trees, the magnificent Rainbow Falls, and the Stone Store, which is the oldest stone building in the country.
I’ve set many of my books here, including my Bay of Islands Brides (based around a bridal shop) and Between the Sheets (which is a cocktail bar on the beach.) My Doubtless Bay series focuses on a coffee and chocolate shop in the quaint town of Mangonui. In Obsession Under the Southern Stars (Southern Stars book 2), Joel and Zoe take part in a maritime archaeology excavation, diving on a wreck in the bay, and get stranded in a cabin during a storm.
But maybe my most popular series is called The Billionaire Kings, about Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary. Noah’s Ark is based close to Waitangi, where the Treaty was signed. If you like beaches, boats, a subtropical atmosphere, and a luxury lifestyle, this series is available in a complete collection called Kings of the Bay.
Coastal locations are my natural habitat, because I’m lucky enough to live in the gorgeous Bay of Islands. Here we have tuis, fantails, and Kiwi birds, palms and ferns, pōhutukawa trees, the magnificent Rainbow Falls, and the Stone Store, which is the oldest stone building in the country.
I’ve set many of my books here, including my Bay of Islands Brides (based around a bridal shop) and Between the Sheets (which is a cocktail bar on the beach.) My Doubtless Bay series focuses on a coffee and chocolate shop in the quaint town of Mangonui. In Obsession Under the Southern Stars (Southern Stars book 2), Joel and Zoe take part in a maritime archaeology excavation, diving on a wreck in the bay, and get stranded in a cabin during a storm.
But maybe my most popular series is called The Billionaire Kings, about Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary. Noah’s Ark is based close to Waitangi, where the Treaty was signed. If you like beaches, boats, a subtropical atmosphere, and a luxury lifestyle, this series is available in a complete collection called Kings of the Bay.
Pohutukawa in the Bay of Islands
Vineyard and Luxury Lodge Romance
For some reason, vineyards just evoke romantic thoughts, don’t you think? It’s something to do with the combination of climate, wine, and luxury food, which all feature highly in my stories! I love taking readers to exclusive restaurants and cellar doors, in elegant settings with views across vineyards. My Blue Penguin Bay series features three sisters who inherit a vineyard in the Bay of Islands. In Seducing Summer, book 1 of The Four Seasons, the main characters travel to Marlborough, which is one of the main wine-producing areas in the country. The Midnight Club Billionaires series is based on Waiheke Island, in the luxury club and its surrounding vineyards. All these are perfect reads when you need to escape.
Southern Alps and Mountain Romance
The South Island gives a very different vibe from the North Island. Here, the landscape changes drastically, because the Southern Alps run all the way down the island, dividing the west with the amazing Milford Sound fjords (where I take you in Seduction Under the Southern Stars), from the isolated towns of Queenstown, and the cities of Christchurch and Dunedin. In My Wicked Billionaire (The Billionaire Kings book 6), Ryan and Clio fly to Queenstown and then drive through the mountains all the way to Dunedin before attending a wedding at Larnach Castle. In Tempting Autumn, Hitch and Rowan hike through the Southern Alps and end up stranded in a cozy cabin (where, of course, there’s only one bed!) In Faking Love with the Billionaire Boss (A Boss in a Billion book 3) all the characters in the series attend a wedding at Lake Tekapo, which is in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, and they float in the hot pools looking at the clear skies with the Aurora Australis - the Southern Lights.
In The Mysterious Billionaire (The Ashford Legacy book 2 - coming soon!), Caesar and Maddie stay for two nights in a remote Shepherd’s Cottage near Lake Wanaka, where they’re cut off during a thunderstorm. There’s also only one bed in this cabin. (Why do cabins never have more than one bed?!)
For some reason, vineyards just evoke romantic thoughts, don’t you think? It’s something to do with the combination of climate, wine, and luxury food, which all feature highly in my stories! I love taking readers to exclusive restaurants and cellar doors, in elegant settings with views across vineyards. My Blue Penguin Bay series features three sisters who inherit a vineyard in the Bay of Islands. In Seducing Summer, book 1 of The Four Seasons, the main characters travel to Marlborough, which is one of the main wine-producing areas in the country. The Midnight Club Billionaires series is based on Waiheke Island, in the luxury club and its surrounding vineyards. All these are perfect reads when you need to escape.
Southern Alps and Mountain Romance
The South Island gives a very different vibe from the North Island. Here, the landscape changes drastically, because the Southern Alps run all the way down the island, dividing the west with the amazing Milford Sound fjords (where I take you in Seduction Under the Southern Stars), from the isolated towns of Queenstown, and the cities of Christchurch and Dunedin. In My Wicked Billionaire (The Billionaire Kings book 6), Ryan and Clio fly to Queenstown and then drive through the mountains all the way to Dunedin before attending a wedding at Larnach Castle. In Tempting Autumn, Hitch and Rowan hike through the Southern Alps and end up stranded in a cozy cabin (where, of course, there’s only one bed!) In Faking Love with the Billionaire Boss (A Boss in a Billion book 3) all the characters in the series attend a wedding at Lake Tekapo, which is in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, and they float in the hot pools looking at the clear skies with the Aurora Australis - the Southern Lights.
In The Mysterious Billionaire (The Ashford Legacy book 2 - coming soon!), Caesar and Maddie stay for two nights in a remote Shepherd’s Cottage near Lake Wanaka, where they’re cut off during a thunderstorm. There’s also only one bed in this cabin. (Why do cabins never have more than one bed?!)
Wanaka Town, South Island, NZ
WHY READERS LOVE NEW ZEALAND ROMANCE
Hopefully you’re beginning to see why luxury romance and New Zealand are inextricably linked. It’s impossible not to enjoy being whisked away by the romance of stunning eco-lodges, or excited at the thought of traveling to a private island. There are so many remote retreats and hidden, elite destinations to explore. And luckily, my billionaires are able to fly in their helicopters to anywhere in the country! Come with me and escape to these exotic, exclusive locations, where they eat amazing food, drink the best wine and whiskey, and fall in love against the amazing backdrop of ‘Godzone’ - the best country in the world. And the best bit is it’s exciting and romantic but also safe, and you’ll get to learn all about the country without leaving the comfort of your armchair!
Want to read more about luxury romance? Check out my Luxury Romance Books page.
Want to read more about luxury romance? Check out my Luxury Romance Books page.
Start Your Journey Through New Zealand
Start in the Bay of Islands…
Begin with the Kings of the Bay box set, and enjoy the sub-tropical Northland, with its warm climate, golden beaches, lush palms and ferns, and exotic small towns. If you love animals, you’ll adore the backdrop of the animal sanctuary, too!
Visit the fascinating and varied cities…
The A Boss in a Billion complete series features nine billionaire romances that are perfect for binge reading! The first three are based in Auckland, the second three in Wellington, and the third three in Christchurch, and they’re all available in three box sets of three. You always get an emotionally warm romance with your vacation, and I dare you not to fall in love with these kind, generous, and sexy guys!
Explore vineyard romance…
What would you do if you discovered your estranged father had died and left you and your sisters a vineyard in the exotic Bay of Islands? Fred, Ginger, and Sandi have exactly this conundrum, and in the end they decide to leave England and move to Blue Penguin Bay. You can experience their nerves and excitement as they arrive at the bay and fall in love with their Kiwi men.
The grand tour…
If you can’t make your mind up which part of New Zealand you like most, why not get all the landscapes in one series with The Four Seasons? This features four friends who run a lingerie shop in Wellington, but the stories take the characters all across the country. The books are standalones, but I promise you’ll love the way they’re all interlinked.
Begin with the Kings of the Bay box set, and enjoy the sub-tropical Northland, with its warm climate, golden beaches, lush palms and ferns, and exotic small towns. If you love animals, you’ll adore the backdrop of the animal sanctuary, too!
Visit the fascinating and varied cities…
The A Boss in a Billion complete series features nine billionaire romances that are perfect for binge reading! The first three are based in Auckland, the second three in Wellington, and the third three in Christchurch, and they’re all available in three box sets of three. You always get an emotionally warm romance with your vacation, and I dare you not to fall in love with these kind, generous, and sexy guys!
Explore vineyard romance…
What would you do if you discovered your estranged father had died and left you and your sisters a vineyard in the exotic Bay of Islands? Fred, Ginger, and Sandi have exactly this conundrum, and in the end they decide to leave England and move to Blue Penguin Bay. You can experience their nerves and excitement as they arrive at the bay and fall in love with their Kiwi men.
The grand tour…
If you can’t make your mind up which part of New Zealand you like most, why not get all the landscapes in one series with The Four Seasons? This features four friends who run a lingerie shop in Wellington, but the stories take the characters all across the country. The books are standalones, but I promise you’ll love the way they’re all interlinked.
The town of Russell in the Bay of Islands
FAQS
What are Serenity’s best romance novels set in New Zealand?
My most popular series is A Boss in a Billion, maybe because readers love the bingeability factor of its nine books. My USA Today bestselling series, however, is Three Wise Men. This features three Cinderella-style stories, where three billionaire brothers fall in love with three single mums. These stories travel right through the country and take readers to some beautiful exotic retreats. But their magic lies in their heartfelt stories in which both the mums and their children are healed at Christmas, so if you love holiday romances, these are the stories for you.
Why is New Zealand such a romantic setting?
The country features such vastly different landscapes that naturally lend themselves to exploration, escape, and romance. Whether you like warmer climates, beaches, and remote islands, thriving cities, or snow-topped mountains, there’s a luxurious story for you!
Are Serenity Woods books interconnected?
Many of my books are set in a central “universe” or “world”, and lots of my characters cross over into other series. Because of this it can be difficult to know where to start! I have a suggested reading order in the PDF below (updated May 2026).
But TL;DR, start with Three Wise Men, because that’s where my billionaire world began.
(If you'd like to read more about the Serenity Woods Billionaire world, check out my Billionaire Romance Series page!)
My most popular series is A Boss in a Billion, maybe because readers love the bingeability factor of its nine books. My USA Today bestselling series, however, is Three Wise Men. This features three Cinderella-style stories, where three billionaire brothers fall in love with three single mums. These stories travel right through the country and take readers to some beautiful exotic retreats. But their magic lies in their heartfelt stories in which both the mums and their children are healed at Christmas, so if you love holiday romances, these are the stories for you.
Why is New Zealand such a romantic setting?
The country features such vastly different landscapes that naturally lend themselves to exploration, escape, and romance. Whether you like warmer climates, beaches, and remote islands, thriving cities, or snow-topped mountains, there’s a luxurious story for you!
Are Serenity Woods books interconnected?
Many of my books are set in a central “universe” or “world”, and lots of my characters cross over into other series. Because of this it can be difficult to know where to start! I have a suggested reading order in the PDF below (updated May 2026).
But TL;DR, start with Three Wise Men, because that’s where my billionaire world began.
(If you'd like to read more about the Serenity Woods Billionaire world, check out my Billionaire Romance Series page!)
| reading_list_2026.pdf |
What New Zealand locations appear in Serenity Woods novels?
Gosh, where don’t I take you in my stories! Here are some of the locations I feature: Cape Reinga (the topmost point of the country), the Bay of Islands and the Hokianga (the north-west coast), Lake Taupo, the Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay with its black-sand beaches, Marlborough, the Southern Alps, all the way to Dunedin.
Escape with me... I promise you won't be disappointed ❤️
Gosh, where don’t I take you in my stories! Here are some of the locations I feature: Cape Reinga (the topmost point of the country), the Bay of Islands and the Hokianga (the north-west coast), Lake Taupo, the Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay with its black-sand beaches, Marlborough, the Southern Alps, all the way to Dunedin.
Escape with me... I promise you won't be disappointed ❤️
