The Recommended Reading Order
The best way to read the Queens of Montana series is in its original publication order. While each book is written as a standalone contemporary western romance focusing on a different heroine, there is a natural progression of characters, family dynamics, and setting introductions that makes reading them in order of release the most rewarding experience.
Queens of Montana Books in Order of Publication
- The Cowgirl Code (Book 1): Published in March 2011. The story introduces Will Ashley, a city slicker who takes a job tutoring four young sisters on a remote Montana ranch. He quickly clashes with—and becomes fascinated by—Anne, the ranch's pint-sized and fierce foreman.
- One Classy Cowgirl (Book 2): Published in April 2011. The focus shifts to Libby Chapman, one of the sisters, who is desperate to find a way off the isolated ranch. Her plans get complicated when Dobbie, her sister's ex-boyfriend, returns to help them deal with a family financial crisis.
- Cowgirl Undercover (Book 3): Published in June 2011. The third book centers on Kitty Chapman, a self-described misfit on the ranch who feels she doesn't fit in. Determined to uncover secrets at a neighboring ranch, she ends up entangled in mystery and an unexpected romance.
- Cowgirl on the Run (Book 4): Published in July 2011. The story follows Maggie Chapman, the youngest of the sisters, who has lived a sheltered life on the ranch. When an obsessed madman threatens her safety, she flees to New York City under the protection of a young police officer named Nick Marino.
- The Cowgirl Who Loved Horses (Book 5): Published in October 2011. The final novel focuses on Cecily Blake, a pampered princess whose life is upended when her father is sent to prison. Cecily is forced to take over the family ranch and give up her old dreams to survive.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
Because all five books in the series were published rapidly throughout 2011, the chronological order aligns perfectly with the publication order. The Chapman sisters grow and change across the series, making it highly beneficial to read the books sequentially. While you won't be completely lost if you pick up a later book first, reading them in order prevents spoilers regarding the relationships and fates of the older sisters.
What to Know Before You Start
Vanessa Gray Bartal is known for writing sweet, clean romance with strong, independent female leads, cozy mystery vibes, and plenty of lighthearted humor. The Montana setting is more than just a background; it acts as a character itself, shaping the resilience and attitude of the cowgirls. The first four books are closely tied together by the Chapman family ranch, while the fifth book branches out to a new family dynamic with Cecily Blake.
The Sister Series: Kings of Montana
If you finish the Queens of Montana and want more of Bartal's signature western style, you should check out her companion series, The Kings of Montana. Also released in 2011, this five-book series focuses on the cowboys of the King family ranch. It features the same heartwarming, small-town romance elements and consists of the following titles:
- Cowboy Down (2011)
- Cowboy Lost (2011)
- Cowboy Found (2011)
- Cowboy Proud (2011)
- Christmas with the Kings (2011)