How to Read Sarah M. Eden's Longing for Home Series
The Longing for Home series (also widely referred to as the Hope Springs series) by USA Today bestselling author Sarah M. Eden is a beloved historical romance saga. Set in the tense, divided frontier town of Hope Springs, Wyoming Territory, during the late 19th century, the series follows the struggles, romances, and resilience of Irish immigrants and local residents. With its deep emotional resonance, clean romance ("proper romance") style, and meticulous historical detail, this series has captured the hearts of readers worldwide.
To fully experience the overarching narrative arc, the town's political developments, and the evolving relationships, we strongly recommend reading the books in publication order. Below, you will find the recommended reading order, details on the prequel novella, and practical advice to get the most out of your visit to Hope Springs.
Recommended Reading Order (Publication Order)
This is the best way to read the series. The community's struggles, recurring character appearances, and family dynamics develop chronologically alongside the publication dates.
- Longing for Home (2013) – The book that starts it all. Katie Macauley, a 26-year-old Irish immigrant fleeing the memories of the Great Famine, arrives in Hope Springs, Wyoming, to work as a housekeeper. She is caught between a town divided by anti-Irish prejudice and two very different men who vie for her heart: Joseph and Tavish.
- Hope Springs (2014) – A direct continuation of Katie's story. The stakes rise as the cultural conflict in the town intensifies, forcing Katie to make sacrifices for the place she has come to call home. This book wraps up the primary love triangle and establishes a fragile peace in the town.
- Love Remains (2017) – This installment shifts focus to Tavish O'Connor. As he cares for his family, including his brother Finbarr, he finds an unexpected connection with Cecily, an English tutor facing her own share of prejudice in the community. This book won the prestigious Whitney Award in 2017.
- My Dearest Love (2017) – A prequel novella focusing on Ian O'Connor and Biddy Dillon's early lives in New York City before they made the trek to Wyoming. (See our chronological notes below on when to read this).
- Long Journey Home (2018) – Focuses on Maura O'Connor, a young war widow looking for a fresh start and healing in Hope Springs. She must navigate her grief and open her heart to new possibilities.
- Valley of Dreams (2020) – Follows Patrick O'Connor, who returns to Hope Springs carrying years of secrets, and Eliza Porter, a widow from New York City searching for her own second chance.
- Choices of the Heart (2022) – Centers on Sophie Kingston, a sophisticated Baltimore socialite, and Burke Jones, the dedicated town doctor who grew up as an orphan. They must bridge the gap between their very different backgrounds.
- Home to Me (2026) – The final chapter of the Hope Springs saga. It brings the series full circle by focusing on Finbarr O'Connor, who lost his sight in a devastating fire ten years prior, as he seeks peace, independence, and love.
Chronological Reading Order vs. Publication Order
The only major deviation between chronological order and publication order involves the novella My Dearest Love. Chronologically, this story takes place first, acting as Book 0.5. It is set in the crowded, dangerous textile factories of New York City and outlines how Ian O'Connor and Biddy Dillon first met, fell in love, and decided to travel west.
While you can read My Dearest Love first, most readers and fan discussions recommend reading it in publication order (after Love Remains). Reading it later provides a richer, nostalgic backstory for characters you have already grown to love, whereas starting with it might feel disconnected from the main Wyoming setting of the first three novels.
The Hope Springs Universe and Story Continuity
The series is built around a heavy continuity of place and family. The first two books, Longing for Home and Hope Springs, form a duology centering on Katie Macauley. Her romantic choice and personal safety are the driving forces of these initial stories. Because of the direct continuity, reading Book 2 without Book 1 will lead to major spoilers and confusion.
Starting with Book 3, Love Remains, the series transitions into a broader town saga. While each subsequent book focuses on a different romantic pairing (mostly centered around the extended O'Connor family), the background events, the healing of the town's deep ethnic divisions, and the lives of previous couples continue to progress. For instance, the fire that plays a central role in Finbarr's story in Home to Me is an event that echoes throughout the earlier books.
What to Know Before You Start
Sarah M. Eden is celebrated for writing "proper romance"—a term for clean historical romance that maintains high emotional stakes, deep passion, and romantic tension without explicit scenes. The series does not shy away from historical hardships. It deals heavily with the prejudice Irish immigrants faced in 19th-century America, the trauma of the Great Famine, poverty, and physical disability, all while maintaining a hopeful and uplifting tone.
If you are planning to dive into the series, keep in mind that the books are best enjoyed when read slowly, allowing the tight-knit community of Hope Springs to feel like a real place. The O'Connor family’s warmth and humor provide a comforting balance to the series' heavier historical themes.