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series Reading Order

Blacktop Cowboys Books in Order

14 Books
2010 – 2019 Published
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Reading order

Why the Blacktop Cowboys Series is Best Read in Order

While every book in the Blacktop Cowboys series features a standalone romance with a satisfying happily-ever-after, they all take place in a tight-knit community of rodeo professionals and ranchers. Reading the books in order of publication is highly recommended because it allows you to follow the natural evolution of secondary characters, catch recurring subplots, and watch relationships in the background develop naturally over time.

The Official Reading Order

The series timeline matches the order of publication, including both full-length novels and bridging novellas. Here is the recommended sequence:

  1. Corralled (2010)
  2. Saddled and Spurred (2011)
  3. Wrangled and Tangled (2011)
  4. One Night Rodeo (2012)
  5. Turn and Burn (2013)
  6. Hillbilly Rockstar (2014)
  7. Roped In (2014) – Novella (Book 6.5)
  8. Stripped Down (2015) – Novella (Book 6.6)
  9. Wrapped and Strapped (2015)
  10. Strung Up (2016) – Novella (Book 7.5)
  11. Hang Tough (2016)
  12. Tripped Out (2017) – Novella (Book 8.5)
  13. Racked and Stacked (2018)
  14. Spun Out (2019)

Crossovers and the Rough Riders Connection

Lorelei James has another massive contemporary Western romance series called Rough Riders. Both series share the same contemporary Wyoming universe, meaning you will occasionally see common elements or references to the local lifestyle. However, they focus on different groups: Rough Riders is a family saga centered on the McKay family, whereas Blacktop Cowboys focuses on a broader circle of friends and rodeo stars. You do not need to read one series to understand the other.

For readers who want to experience everything, the novella Wound Tight (2018) serves as an official crossover, bringing characters from both series together for a May-December romance.

Frequently Asked

QDo I need to read the Rough Riders series to understand Blacktop Cowboys?

No. While they share the same universe, the Blacktop Cowboys series focuses on a community of friends rather than the McKay family from Rough Riders, making it fully enjoyable on its own.

QWhat is the first book in the Blacktop Cowboys series?

The series begins with the novel Corralled, which was published in 2010.

QWhere is the Blacktop Cowboys series set?

The series is set against the rugged backdrop of professional rodeo circuits and sprawling ranches in contemporary Wyoming.

QIs there a crossover book between Blacktop Cowboys and Rough Riders?

Yes. The 2018 novella Wound Tight is a crossover story that features characters and settings from both series.

QAre the books standalones or do they continue the same story?

Each book features a different couple and is a standalone romance, but they share a chronological timeline and recurring side characters, so they are best read in order.

QHow many books and novellas are in the series?

The core series consists of 10 full-length novels and 4 key novellas, making 14 entries in total.