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McPhee Clan Books in Order

11 Books
2013 – 2016 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Reading Order for the McPhee Clan

The McPhee Clan series by Jillian Hart is best read in publication order. Because the characters live in the same small frontier town of Bluebell, Montana, and frequently appear in each other's stories, reading the books in sequence allows you to watch the community grow and follow the chronological progression of marriages, births, and family milestones. Below is the complete reading path, starting with the prequel novella and continuing through all ten full-length novels.

  1. Then Came You (2013) — A prequel novella (often designated as Book 0.5) that sets the stage in 1870s Montana. It follows the story of Maebry O'Riley, a relative of the McPhees whose dreams of love and freedom are tested by indentured servitude.
  2. Montana Hearts (2013) — The first official novel. Daisy McPhee relocates from Chicago to Montana after inheriting a portion of her grandmother's ranch. She clashes with the handsome ranch foreman, Beckett Kincaid, as they navigate their shared inheritance and an unexpected romance.
  3. The Sweetest Thing (2013) — Focuses on Magnolia McPhee, a sister with a guarded heart. When a wealthy suitor arrives in Bluebell, she must learn to trust again and open herself up to second chances on the frontier.
  4. High Mountain Drifter (2013) — A fan-favorite installment starring Verbena McPhee. On the run from a dangerous ex-fiancé, Verbena finds protection and love in the arms of Zane Reed, a rugged bounty hunter.
  5. Deep In The Heart (2013) — Follows cousin Annie McPhee, who moves to Bluebell to work at her aunt's ranch. Reluctant to love again due to past heartbreak, Annie is drawn to Adam Butler, the rugged driver she hires to haul her belongings.
  6. Jingle Bell Hearts (2014) — A holiday-themed story centered on Rose McPhee. When she hires local rancher Seth Daniels to help her find the perfect horse, a gentle romance blossoms despite Seth's belief that he is out of her league.
  7. Sweet Forever (2014) — A transitional novel featuring Penelope Shalvis, Nathaniel, and young Evie. The book includes warm cameos from the McPhee sisters, Aunt Aumaleigh, and her long-lost love, Gabriel.
  8. Dreams of You (2014) — Focuses on Iris McPhee and Sheriff Milo Gray. Milo is a single father struggling to raise his two spirited young daughters, who accidentally cause chaos at Iris's bakery, bringing the two together.
  9. Where The Heart Leads (2015) — Centers on the generation that started it all, following the emotional reunion of Aunt Aumaleigh and her lost love Gabriel as they try to overcome past misunderstandings.
  10. A Place In The Heart (2016) — Stars Rhoda Collins, a hardworking widow raising two daughters and working at the Bluebell Bakery. Oscar Holloway, who secretly loves Rhoda, must decide between his career and staying in Bluebell.
  11. My Heart To Keep (2016) — The final installment focusing on Sarah Combs, the local schoolteacher who dreams of her own happily-ever-after. Her life shifts when Lucas McMillian rides into town, offering safety and a fresh start.

What to Know Before You Start

Jillian Hart's McPhee Clan is a cornerstone of the Christian historical romance genre, specifically published under Harlequin's Love Inspired Historical imprint. The series is celebrated for its emotional depth, strong moral themes, and atmospheric descriptions of the Montana Territory. Here are a few things to keep in mind before diving in:

Standalone vs. Series Continuity: Each book is designed as a standalone romance with a satisfying, clean, and faith-based happily-ever-after. However, the overarching community timeline, recurring characters, and evolving relationships of the McPhee family members mean that reading out of order will result in minor spoilers regarding who ends up with whom.

The Prequel Decision: While Then Came You is a prequel, some readers prefer to start with Montana Hearts because it introduces the primary ranch setting and the main sisters, returning to the prequel later as a flashback. Either starting point is perfectly fine, though starting with the prequel provides a smoother chronological flow.

Setting and Tone: The stories are set in the fictional town of Bluebell, Montana, in the late 1870s. The tone is cozy, heartwarming, and deeply rooted in faith, perseverance, and forgiveness. Expect detailed descriptions of frontier life, small-town dynamics, and baking, alongside clean romantic tension.

Understanding the Clan Structure and Cameos

As the series progressed, Jillian Hart expanded the narrative beyond the original five McPhee sisters (Daisy, Magnolia, Verbena, Rose, and Iris). The inclusion of cousins like Annie, maternal figures like Aunt Aumaleigh, and town mainstays like schoolteacher Sarah Combs and baker Rhoda Collins turned the series into a true community saga. Because characters frequently pop in to offer advice, share meals, or help prepare for weddings (such as those of Aumaleigh and Magnolia in the later books), the recurring cast is a major draw for long-time readers who enjoy watching the extended clan support one another through frontier trials.

Frequently Asked

QCan the McPhee Clan books be read as standalones?

Yes. Each book in the series focuses on a different couple and features a complete romantic arc with a happy ending. However, reading them in order is recommended to fully appreciate the recurring characters and the growth of the Bluebell community.

QWhere is the McPhee Clan series set?

The series is set in the fictional town of Bluebell in the Montana Territory during the 1870s, showcasing the beauty and hardships of historical frontier life.

QWho are the main characters of the prequel, Then Came You?

The prequel novella stars Maebry O'Riley, a relative of the McPhee family, who is trying to find love and freedom while bound by indentured servitude.

QWhich McPhee Clan book features a holiday theme?

Jingle Bell Hearts (Book 5 of the main series) is a Christmas-themed romance that follows Rose McPhee and Seth Daniels.

QWhat is the order of the first three full-length novels?

The first three full-length novels are Montana Hearts (focusing on Daisy), followed by The Sweetest Thing (focusing on Magnolia), and High Mountain Drifter (focusing on Verbena).

QIs the McPhee Clan series appropriate for readers seeking clean romance?

Yes. The series is published under the Love Inspired Historical line, offering clean, wholesome historical romance with strong Christian values and themes of faith, family, and forgiveness.