Where to Start Reading the Callaways Series
For the best reading experience, you should start with the main series' debut novel, On a Night Like This. While each romance is written to stand on its own, the overarching family dynamics, sibling relationships, and mysteries unfold chronologically. Starting from the beginning allows you to see the growth of the large, tight-knit Irish-American Callaway family of San Francisco.
The Main Series: The Callaways (San Francisco)
This original run follows the eight siblings of the Callaway family. They are born to serve and protect, featuring firefighters, investigators, and detectives. Here is the recommended order:
- On a Night Like This (2012) - Aiden's story (smokejumper)
- So This Is Love (2013) - Emma's story (fire investigator)
- Falling for a Stranger (2013) - Allison's story
- Between Now and Forever (2013) - Nicole's story
- Nobody But You (2013) - A Callaway Wedding novella (Book 4.5)
- All a Heart Needs (2014) - Sean's story
- That Summer Night (2014) - Declan's story
- When Shadows Fall (2014) - Jack's story
- Somewhere Only We Know (2015) - Burke's story
The Spin-Off: Callaway Cousins
After completing the main series, Barbara Freethy continued the family saga by shifting the spotlight to the Callaway cousins. These books continue the signature blend of heartfelt romance and light suspense:
- If I Didn't Know Better (2015) - Mia's story (Cousins Book 1)
- Tender Is the Night (2016) - Kate's story (Cousins Book 2)
- Take Me Home (2016) - A Callaway Cousins novella (Book 2.5)
- Closer to You (2016) - Ian's story (Cousins Book 3)
- Once You're Mine (2017) - Dylan's story (Cousins Book 4)
- Can't Let Go (2017) - Brady's story (Cousins Book 5)
- Secrets We Keep (2018) - Hunter's story (Cousins Book 6)
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
The publication order matches the chronological timeline perfectly. The only minor decision is where to slot in the two novellas. We recommend reading Nobody But You right after Between Now and Forever, and Take Me Home right after Tender Is the Night to keep the timeline perfectly aligned.