Recommended Reading Path
The best way to read the McKenzies of Ridge Trail series is in order of publication. Because the overarching plot involving the siblings' covert anti-human trafficking operations and their personal healing runs sequentially across the trilogy, reading them in order ensures you catch all the background details and character developments.
- No Holding Back (January 2021) – Features Cade McKenzie and Sterling "Star" Parson.
- Stronger Than You Know (August 2021) – Features Reyes McKenzie and Kennedy Brooks.
- Watching Over You (December 2021) – Features Madison McKenzie and Crosby Albertson.
The McKenzies of Ridge Trail Books in Detail
No Holding Back (Book 1)
The series kicks off with Cade McKenzie, a medically retired Army Ranger who runs a bar in the rugged mountain town of Ridge Trail, Colorado. Trained by his father to fight injustice after their mother was kidnapped and murdered by human traffickers, Cade quietly runs vigilante operations. When he crosses paths with Sterling "Star" Parson, a tough-as-nails female truck driver seeking vengeance against a trafficking ring, the sparks fly. Their slow-burn relationship is set against high-stakes action as Cade tries to protect Star from the dangers she is actively running toward.
Stronger Than You Know (Book 2)
The second installment focuses on Reyes McKenzie, a lethal sniper and gym owner who shares his family's drive to protect the vulnerable. He takes on the role of protector for Kennedy Brooks, a courageous survivor of human trafficking who is trying to rebuild her life while being hunted by dangerous criminals. This book deals heavily with themes of trauma, emotional healing, and building trust, delivering a deeply emotional romance alongside the series' trademark suspenseful twists.
Watching Over You (Book 3)
The final book in the trilogy spotlights Madison McKenzie, the tech-savvy sister of the family who manages the digital side of their covert operations. Her path collides with Crosby Albertson, a dedicated local detective who finds himself at odds with the McKenzie family's vigilante methods. The clash of morals between a law enforcement officer and a tech whiz operating outside the law creates an intense, fiery dynamic as they work together to bring down a local threat.
The Osborn Brothers Spin-Off Series
Once you finish the main trilogy, you do not have to leave the universe behind. Lori Foster wrote a direct spin-off series, the Osborn Brothers, which continues the romantic suspense vibes in the same region and features recurring appearances from the McKenzies.
- The Dangerous One (November 2022) – Follows Hunter Osborn and Jodi Bentley. Jodi was introduced as a side character in the McKenzie books, and her transition to leading lady is a fan favorite.
- The Fearless One (July 2023) – Follows Memphis Osborn and Jedidiah "Diah" Stephens at an isolated campground in the Colorado Rockies.
In the Osborn Brothers books, members of the McKenzie family make cameo appearances to provide tactical support and back-up, ensuring that the continuity of the Ridge Trail universe remains intact.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Ridge Trail, readers should be prepared for the heavy themes of the series. While the romance is central and features high steam and emotional depth, the books center on the fight against human trafficking. Lori Foster handles these dark elements with care, balancing the gritty realism of the suspense plots with messages of hope, resilience, and family solidarity.
All three books can technically be read as standalones since each focuses on a different couple with a resolved romantic arc. However, due to the progression of the family's investigations and the development of the secondary characters, we highly recommend sticking to the publication order.