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series Reading Order

Cottonbloom Books in Order

7 Books
2016 – 2018 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with the Cottonbloom Series

For the best reading experience, you should start with the first novel, Kiss Me That Way. The Cottonbloom series is highly interconnected, with characters from earlier books frequently appearing as supporting cast members in later stories. Reading the books in their publication order allows you to watch the town evolve and see the relationships between the families grow naturally.

The Cottonbloom Reading Order

The Core Novels

  1. Kiss Me That Way (2016) – Centers on Cade Fournette and Monroe Kirby.
  2. Then He Kissed Me (2016) – Follows Tally Fournette and Nash Hawthorne.
  3. Till I Kissed You (2016) – Focuses on Sawyer Fournette and Regan Lovell.
  4. Leave the Night On (2017) – Focuses on Wyatt Abbott and Sutton Mize.
  5. When the Stars Come Out (2018) – Centers on Jackson Abbott and Willa Brown.
  6. Set the Night on Fire (2018) – Follows Mack Abbott and Ella Boudreaux.

Novellas and Supplementary Stories

  • Candy Cane Christmas (Book 3.5 / 2016) – A holiday novella that fits perfectly between the Fournette and Abbott family trilogies.
  • Light Up the Night (Book 3.75 / 2017) – A short story set in the Cottonbloom universe.
  • Christmas in the Cop Car (2020) – A festive self-published addition to the series.
  • Nobody's Hero (Book 3.7 / 2022) – A later novella featuring Clayton Preston and a romance writer seeking research.

Divided by a River: Subseries Breakdown

The Fournette Family (Books 1–3)

The first three novels focus on the Louisiana side of Cottonbloom and the Fournette siblings (Cade, Tally, and Sawyer). These books establish the town's social dynamics, emphasizing the divides between the "swamp rats" on the Louisiana side and the wealthier residents across the river.

The Abbott Family (Books 4–6)

The next three novels shift the spotlight to the Mississippi side and the Abbott brothers (Wyatt, Jackson, and Mack), who run the Abbott Brothers Garage and Restoration. This subseries blends blue-collar romance with themes of healing and community restoration.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Fortunately, the chronological timeline of Cottonbloom matches the publication order of the main novels. The only decisions you need to make involve where to insert the holiday novellas. Reading the novellas in their designated fractional slots (such as 3.5 and 3.75) provides the most rewarding and seamless narrative flow.

Frequently Asked

QDo I need to read the Cottonbloom series in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended to read the series in order. The town's community and individual character arcs build upon one another across the books.

QWhat is the setting of the Cottonbloom series?

The series is set in Cottonbloom, a fictional town split by the Mississippi River. One side is a wealthy Mississippi enclave, while the other is a working-class Louisiana neighborhood.

QWhich book starts the Abbott family storyline?

The Abbott family's arc begins with the fourth book, Leave the Night On, which focuses on Wyatt Abbott and Sutton Mize.

QHow many main novels are there in the Cottonbloom series?

There are six core novels originally published by St. Martin's Press, along with several supplementary novellas.

QWhere does Candy Cane Christmas fit in the reading order?

Candy Cane Christmas is officially Book 3.5 and should be read after Till I Kissed You (Book 3) and before Leave the Night On (Book 4).

QWho is the protagonist of Nobody's Hero?

Nobody's Hero (Book 3.7) follows Clayton Preston, a tattooed ex-convict looking for a fresh start, and a romance writer visiting Cottonbloom.