Welcome to the Cozy World of the Kowalskis
If you love contemporary romance filled with big, boisterous families, small-town charm, and a perfect blend of sweet and steamy moments, Shannon Stacey’s Kowalski Family series (also known simply as The Kowalskis) is a must-read. Set against the scenic backdrops of New Hampshire and Maine, this long-running saga follows a tight-knit clan, their cousins, and their close friends as they navigate the messy, hilarious, and heartwarming path to finding true love.
Beginning in 2010 with the runaway success of Exclusively Yours, Stacey’s series captured the hearts of romance readers with its relatable banter, family dinners, and beautiful New England settings. After seemingly wrapping up with a reunion novel in 2017, the series made a triumphant return in 2025 and 2026 under the Harlequin Special Edition banner, introducing a new generation and a new business venture for the family: Birch Brook Campground.
Where to Start Reading the Kowalski Family Series
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the series in publication order. While each book works perfectly well as a standalone contemporary romance with a satisfying Happy Ever After (HEA), the series relies heavily on recurring characters, family gossip, and ongoing storylines. For instance, the brothers in the Maine lodge trilogy continuously appear in each other’s books, and reading them out of order will spoil who ends up with whom, alongside the developmental progress of the family businesses.
The ultimate starting point is the first book, Exclusively Yours, which introduces the core New Hampshire family branch and establishes the humorous, warm tone that defines the entire saga.
The Main Reading Arcs and Subseries
The series can be naturally divided into four main story blocks, helping readers navigate the changing settings and character focuses:
1. The New Hampshire Branch (Books 1–3)
The series kicks off in New Hampshire, introducing the main siblings and their immediate family circles. We meet Joe Kowalski (the reclusive author), Kevin Kowalski (the local bar owner), and their cousin Sean (a newly discharged Army soldier). These books focus on the warmth of the New Hampshire woods, family camping trips, and local business dynamics.
2. The Northern Star Lodge / Maine Branch (Books 4–6)
The setting shifts temporarily to Whitford, Maine, focusing on another set of Kowalski brothers—Mitch, Ryan, and Josh—who are working together to refurbish and run the family’s Northern Star Lodge. This trilogy is tightly connected, as the brothers deal with the pressure of the family business while finding love with local women or high school sweethearts.
3. The New Hampshire & Friends Expansion (Books 6.5–10)
Returning to New Hampshire, these stories expand the universe to focus on beloved recurring side characters, such as local waitresses, librarians, game wardens, and paramedics. The highlight of this era is the 2017 reunion novel, What It Takes, which gathers the family back at the Northern Star Lodge for their annual chaotic camping trip.
4. The Birch Brook Campground Era (Books 11–13+)
Starting in 2025, the family returns in a new subseries published by Harlequin. Here, a fresh set of Kowalski brothers buys the Birch Brook Campground. These stories maintain the trademark Stacey warmth and humor, focusing on outdoor adventures, campfires, and the trials of managing a bustling campground together.
Kowalski Family Books in Publication Order
Here is the complete chronological publication order of the Kowalski Family books, including main characters and key details:
- Exclusively Yours (Book 1 - 2010): Follows author Joe Kowalski and journalist Keri Daniels in a second-chance romance during a chaotic Kowalski family camping trip in New Hampshire.
- Undeniably Yours (Book 2 - 2010): Features bar owner Kevin Kowalski and Beth Hansen as they navigate an unexpected pregnancy and a bumpy road to love.
- Yours to Keep (Book 3 - 2011): Features army veteran Sean Kowalski and Emma Shaw in a fake-fiance romance designed to fool Emma’s visiting grandmother.
- All He Ever Needed (Book 4 - 2012): Mitch Kowalski and Paige Sullivan kick off the Maine branch of the series at the Northern Star Lodge.
- All He Ever Desired (Book 5 - 2012): Follows Ryan Kowalski and his high school sweetheart Lauren Carpenter, a single mother living in Maine.
- All He Ever Dreamed (Book 6 - 2013): Youngest brother Josh Kowalski finds love with his long-time best friend Katie Davis at the lodge.
- Alone with You (Book 6.5 - 2014): A companion novella featuring trivia queen Darcy Vaughan and restaurant owner Jake Holland as they work together upstate.
- Love a Little Sideways (Book 7 - 2013): Follows Liz Kowalski and her brother’s best friend, police chief Drew Miller, in a classic friends-to-lovers story.
- Taken with You (Book 8 - 2014): Focuses on librarian Hailey Genest and state game warden Matt Barnett in New Hampshire.
- Falling for Max (Book 9 - 2014): Shy, model-train enthusiast Max Crawford finds romance with cynical waitress Tori Burns.
- What It Takes (Book 10 - 2017): Paramedic Ben Rivers and Laney Caswell find love during a family camping trip at the Northern Star Lodge.
- A Kowalski to Count On (Book 11 - 2025): Launches the Birch Brook Campground arc, following Rob Kowalski and guest Hannah Shelby.
- A Kowalski Secret (Book 12 - 2025): Brian Kowalski discovers he has a son, Oliver, with single mother Siobhan Rowe during a wedding celebration.
- Their Campfire Romance (Book 13 - 2026): Author Danny Kowalski falls for Kenzie Pelletier while working at the family campground.
Chronological Caveats and Reading Advice
While the publication order is very straightforward, there are a few minor details to keep in mind:
First, the novella Alone with You (Book 6.5) was published in early 2014, but it takes place between the events of All He Ever Dreamed and Love a Little Sideways. Reading it in its designated spot provides the smoothest transition. Second, the publication years of the early books might show slight discrepancies across databases (such as 2010 vs 2011 for Exclusively Yours) due to digital-first releases by Carina Press followed by print editions. However, the reading order is unchanged. Finally, if you prefer buying in bulk, the first nine stories are available in three handy omnibus editions titled The Kowalskis Collection (Volumes 1 to 3), which are excellent for binge-reading.