Fool’s Gold Books in Order

The Best Way to Read the Fool’s Gold Series

Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold is a sprawling contemporary romance series set in a charming, fictional town nestled in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada. Because the town's history, community events, and recurring characters evolve continuously over time, the absolute best way to experience the series is in publication order. This ensures you see the town grow and get to watch former main characters settle down as background couples in later installments.

Recommended Reading Path: Publication Order

Here is the recommended reading order for the main novels and novellas, based on their publication timelines and the local database directory:

1. Chasing Perfect (2010)
2. Almost Perfect (2010)
3. Sister of the Bride (2010) — Note: This is a popular 77-page novella (often numbered as Book 2.5) that focuses on Katie McCormick.
4. Only Mine (2011)
5. Only Yours (2011)
6. Only His (2011)
7. Summer Days (2012)
8. Summer Nights (2012)
9. All Summer Long (2012)
10. A Fool's Gold Christmas (2012)
11. Just One Kiss (2013)
12. Two of a Kind (2013)
13. Three Little Words (2013)
14. Christmas on 4th Street (2013)
15. When We Met (2014)
16. Before We Kiss (2014)
17. Until We Touch (2014)
18. Hold Me (2015)
19. Kiss Me (2015)
20. Thrill Me (2015)
21. Marry Me at Christmas (2015)
22. Best of My Love (2016)
23. A Fool's Gold Wedding (2020)

The Essential Short Stories and Novellas

Mallery has also written a handful of companion short stories that add cozy details to the seasonal atmosphere of the town. Reading them alongside the main novels rounds out the experience:

• Almost Summer (2012)
• A Christmas Bride (2012)
• Halfway There (2013)
• Yours for Christmas (2014)
• Sweeter With You (2016)
• A Kiss in the Snow (2016)

The Non-Fiction Companion

• Fool's Gold Cookbook (2013) — Features regional recipes inspired by the local establishments and characters of the town, including cookies, main dishes, and appetizers.

Understanding the Fool's Gold Trilogies and Subseries

Although the series is long, Mallery frequently structured the books in thematic trilogies focusing on specific families, professions, or social circles. This makes the series much easier to digest in blocks:

The Founding / Early Trilogies

The series starts by exploring the town’s famous "man shortage" and introducing the core families. The first three books follow the Hendrix family and their close friends, setting the groundwork for the community's quirky charm. This is followed by the "Only" trilogy, which focuses heavily on the town's local bodyguards and security professionals finding love.

The Summer and Search & Rescue Blocks

Later trilogies, such as the "Summer" trilogy (comprising Summer Days, Summer Nights, and All Summer Long), bring a distinct seasonal warmth to the valley. As the series expanded, Mallery focused on specialized town services like the Search and Rescue team. Books like Hold Me center on the heroes who keep the Sierra Nevada foothills safe, adding a light touch of adventure and high stakes to the romances.

The Mitchell Brothers & Sisters

One of the most beloved groups in the series revolves around the Mitchell family. Known for their good looks and complicated love lives, characters like Del Mitchell (in Thrill Me) and Aidan Mitchell (in Best of My Love) bring deep emotional arcs and second-chance romance themes to the forefront.

What to Know Before You Start

Fool's Gold has a unique premise: a town where the men have historically left, leading the town's mayor, Marsha Kirkland, to actively recruit new businesses and residents to balance the ratio. This lighthearted backdrop creates endless opportunities for newcomers to arrive, clash with the locals, and ultimately fall in love.

While every book features a complete, standalone romance with a guaranteed Happy Ever After (HEA), the community itself is highly serialized. You will regularly see characters from previous books running local businesses like Jo’s Bar, planning festivals, or giving advice to the new couples. For this reason, starting at the beginning with Chasing Perfect is highly recommended.

Spin-offs and Expanded Universe: Happily Inc

If you finish the main Fool's Gold books and are craving more of Susan Mallery's signature small-town charm, you are in luck. In 2017, Mallery launched a direct spin-off series called Happily Inc, set in a nearby wedding-destination town. The connection is built through the younger Mitchell brothers—Nick, Mathias, and Ronan—who migrate from Fool's Gold to Happily Inc to establish their own lives and find love. The Happily Inc series includes titles like You Say It First (2017), Second Chance Girl (2017), and Why Not Tonight (2018), allowing readers to enjoy a seamless transition into a fresh but familiar setting.