Recommended Reading Order
While each book in the Beacons of Hope series features a self-contained romance and can technically be read as a standalone, reading them in order is highly recommended. A recurring legacy involving a symbolic wooden cross and a letter, along with closely linked character families, connects the books. For the best experience, follow the publication order, which also matches the chronological progression of the series:
- Out of the Storm (Book 0.5 - 2014): This prequel novella is set at the Presque Isle Lighthouse in Michigan. It follows Isabelle Thornton, a lighthouse keeper's daughter, and Henry Cole, a shipwreck survivor she helps rescue.
- Love Unexpected (Book 1 - 2014): Also set in Presque Isle, Michigan, this story follows Emma Chambers, who enters a marriage of convenience with widowed lighthouse keeper Patrick Garraty.
- Hearts Made Whole (Book 2 - 2015): Set at Windmill Point Lighthouse in Detroit, Michigan. It stars Caroline Taylor and Ryan Chambers (Emma's brother from Book 1), a haunted Civil War veteran.
- Undaunted Hope (Book 3 - 2016): Set in Eagle Harbor, Michigan. It follows Caroline's sister, Tessa Taylor, who works as a teacher and is caught in a love triangle with the local lighthouse keeper and his brother.
- Forever Safe (Book 4 - 2016): The setting shifts to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, at the Race Point Lighthouse. It features Victoria Cole (the daughter of Henry and Isabelle from the prequel novella) and her bodyguard, Tom Cushman.
- Never Forget (Book 5 - 2017): Set at the Rose Island Lighthouse in Newport, Rhode Island. It centers on Abbie Watson and an amnesiac gentleman, Nathaniel Winthrop III, who washes ashore.
Connection and Continuity Caveats
Readers should note that the geographic setting changes halfway through the series. The prequel and first three novels are set along the historic Great Lakes lighthouses of Michigan. However, Books 4 and 5 move to the East Coast, highlighting lighthouses in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Despite this shift, the narrative thread remains connected through the generational links of the characters—most notably in Book 4, where the protagonist is the daughter of the prequel's couple—and the continuing legacy of the traveling wooden cross.
Where to Start
The best place to start is the prequel novella, Out of the Storm, as it establishes the origin of the wooden cross and the family lines that reappear later in the series. If you prefer to begin with a full-length novel, starting with Book 1, Love Unexpected, is also an excellent entry point, as it introduces the Chambers family line.