series Reading Order

Apple Valley Love Stories Books in Order

5 Books
2021 – 2023 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Reading Order

While each book in the Apple Valley Love Stories series is written as a standalone romantic comedy with a complete happily-ever-after, we recommend reading them in publication order. This allows you to experience the community's growth and enjoy the cameos of returning characters without spoilers.

Apple Valley Love Stories in Order

  1. The Mostly Real McCoy (2021) – The series opener featuring single dad Mac, a temporary nanny arrangement, and fake relationship elements.
  2. My Own Best Enemy (2021) – A rivals-to-lovers story following childhood enemies Emi and Nash as they navigate wedding planning chaos.
  3. Pretending I Love Lucy (2022) – A fake engagement rom-com starring Fix and Lucy.
  4. The Even Odder Couple (2022) – An opposites-attract, forbidden workplace romance featuring Tess and Spencer.
  5. His Third Second Chance (Book 4.5) – A sweet second-chance novella featuring minor characters from the main series.
  6. Jill Came Tumbling (Book 5, 2023) – A sweet companion novella wrapping up the core Apple Valley line.

Crossovers and Companion Series

Julie Christianson's books are set in a shared universe, making it easy to transition to her other works once you finish Apple Valley:

  • Abieville Love Stories: Set in a neighboring town, this series features direct crossovers with Apple Valley. Characters like Mac, Daisy, and the triplets make guest appearances, starting in That Time I Kissed My Brother's Best Friend (2023).
  • Harvest Hollow Love Stories: Another connected small-town sweet rom-com series starting with Faking the Fall, sharing the same cozy, heartwarming tone.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading Apple Valley Love Stories?

We recommend starting with the first book, The Mostly Real McCoy, to get introduced to the town and its recurring characters.

QDo I have to read the Apple Valley books in order?

No. Each book is a standalone romance, but reading them in publication order helps you avoid spoilers and fully appreciate character cameos.

QAre the Apple Valley Love Stories clean romances?

Yes, Julie Christianson writes sweet, closed-door romantic comedies that focus on witty banter, chemistry, and emotional depth without explicit content.

QWhere can I find the novella His Third Second Chance?

His Third Second Chance (Book 4.5) is a newsletter-exclusive novella that readers can obtain by signing up for Julie Christianson's official mailing list.

QIs Jill Came Tumbling a full-length novel?

No, Jill Came Tumbling is a shorter novella, officially considered Book 5 in the Apple Valley series.

QHow does Abieville Love Stories connect to Apple Valley?

They exist in a shared universe. Characters from Apple Valley, including Mac and Daisy, make cameo appearances in the Abieville books.