The Recommended Reading Order for the Magdalene Series
For the best reading experience, the Magdalene series should be read in publication order. Because the books follow the same community and feature overlapping characters, reading them in sequence allows you to see the growth of the town and appreciate the recurring appearances of previous couples. Fortunately, the chronological timeline matches the publication order perfectly.
- The Will (2014): The series begins with Josephine Malone, a woman who spent her life traveling the world with her glamorous grandmother, only to find herself inheriting a house in Magdalene, Maine, and an unexpected guardian. Jake Spear, a retired boxer and single father with a complicated past, is also named in the will. Together, they must navigate grief, small-town gossip, and an unlikely path to love.
- Soaring (2015): The second installment follows Amelia Hathaway, an heiress who moves to Magdalene to escape her toxic past and rebuild a peaceful life for herself and her children. There, she meets Mickey Donovan, a dedicated local firefighter and single father. This story focuses heavily on healing, family, and the power of finding a safe place to land.
- The Time in Between (2017): The emotional finale of the trilogy brings together Cady Moreland and Coert Yeager. Years after a devastating betrayal tore their passionate relationship apart, Cady returns to Magdalene, forcing both of them to confront their unresolved feelings, long-held secrets, and the possibility of a second chance.
Magdalene Books in Order of Publication
If you want to track your progress or search for specific editions, here is the list of Magdalene books in order of their original release dates:
- The Will (Published February 2014)
- Soaring (Published March 2015)
- The Time in Between (Published August 2017)
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Magdalene, Maine, there are a few unique aspects of Kristen Ashley's writing style and this specific series to keep in mind:
- Mature Protagonists: Unlike many contemporary romances that feature characters in their twenties or early thirties, the leads in the Magdalene series are in their forties. They come with history, emotional baggage, ex-spouses, and children, which adds a layer of maturity and realistic complexity to their romances.
- Small-Town Atmosphere: The town of Magdalene acts as a character itself. The tight-knit, gossipy, yet fiercely supportive community of coastal Maine provides a warm and comforting backdrop to the heavy emotional themes of the books.
- Emotional Depth: While Ashley is known for her high-heat romance, the Magdalene trilogy focuses deeply on healing from trauma, overcoming grief, and finding redemption. The books deal with heavy topics including domestic abuse, parental loss, and deep betrayal, but always resolve with a heartwarming, hopeful ending.
Are There Connections to Other Kristen Ashley Series?
Kristen Ashley is famous for her massive, interconnected "KA Universe," where characters from different series frequently cross paths, share family ties, or make cameo appearances. While the Magdalene series is largely a self-contained trilogy that can be enjoyed entirely on its own, it still shares minor ties with her broader bibliography.
For instance, Coert Yeager (the male lead in The Time in Between) is originally from Colorado, which serves as a thematic nod to Ashley’s various Colorado-based series (such as the Colorado Mountain series). Additionally, characters from Magdalene have made brief cameos or have been referenced in other Kristen Ashley books. However, readers do not need to read any of Ashley’s other series to fully understand or enjoy the stories of Jake, Mickey, Coert, and their partners.
Practical Reading Advice
If you are planning to read the series, keep these tips in mind:
- Start with The Will: Because the characters in Soaring and The Time in Between are introduced or established as part of the community in the first book, starting anywhere other than The Will will spoil minor plot points and character dynamics.
- Expect a Slow Burn: Kristen Ashley’s books are known for their detailed prose and gradual romantic build-ups. The characters take time to talk through their baggage, build trust, and integrate their families before committing.
- Audiobook Options: The series is widely available in audiobook format and has been praised by fans for its narration, which successfully captures the emotional highs and lows of the mature protagonists.