How to Read the Red Mountain Chronicles
Set against the rugged, beautiful backdrop of the Red Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA) in eastern Washington, Boo Walker’s Red Mountain Chronicles blends contemporary romance, small-town drama, and literary fiction. The series is famous for its rich ensemble cast, led by the eccentric "Grapefather" Otis Till, and its authentic look at the highs and lows of the winemaking world.
Because Boo Walker has expanded the series with both a prequel novella and a full-length historical prequel, readers have two primary ways to approach the books. Below, we break down the recommended publication order and the chronological timeline so you can choose the best path for your journey into the vineyards.
1. The Recommended Reading Path: Publication Order
For first-time readers, we highly recommend starting with the book that launched the series: the 2016 novel Red Mountain. Reading the series in the order Boo Walker wrote it allows you to fall in love with the community just as the author designed. It preserves the mystery surrounding the characters' pasts and lets the legendary status of Otis Till grow naturally before you dive into his origins.
- Red Mountain (2016) – The core novel that introduces the central cast. We meet Otis Till, the quirky winemaker; Margot Pierce, a single mother escaping a failed marriage to build a French inn; Brooks Baker, an orphaned winemaker running from his past; and Emilia Forester, a celebrity's daughter trying to build her own life.
- Red Mountain Rising (2018) – The second installment focuses on new challenges. Otis struggles to protect his land from a greedy developer, Margot copes with loneliness as her son goes to college, Brooks deals with a broken engagement, and newcomer Adriana Hernandez arrives seeking a fresh start.
- A Marriage Well Done (2019) – A companion novella (often designated as Book 0.5) focusing on Margot's life in Vermont before she moved to Red Mountain. It details her desperate, dysfunctional attempts to save her marriage to a political aspirant, which ultimately triggers her personal awakening.
- Red Mountain Burning (2020) – The emotional conclusion to the original trilogy. The community must unite to save their livelihoods, Brooks faces crucial decisions about his love life, Margot confronts family drama, and Otis prepares to pass his legacy to the next generation.
- Before We Say Goodbye (2025) – A full-length prequel novel that chronicles the early life of Otis Till. The story begins in 1969 on a bus to Woodstock, tracking Otis and his partner Rebecca as they build their dreams in Sonoma and Red Mountain.
2. The Chronological Timeline Path
If you prefer to follow the characters' lives strictly in order of historical events, you can choose the chronological path. This order places the newer prequel novels at the beginning, showing the evolution of the Red Mountain community from its very inception in the late 1960s up to the present day.
- Before We Say Goodbye (2025) – Chronologically first, exploring Otis Till's youth, his meeting with Rebecca, and the founding of his winemaking career.
- A Marriage Well Done (2019) – Margot's backstory in Vermont, set shortly before her arrival in Washington.
- Red Mountain (2016) – The primary starting point of the modern-day narrative.
- Red Mountain Rising (2018) – The direct sequel.
- Red Mountain Burning (2020) – The final chapter of the modern timeline.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you uncork the first book, here are a few practical tips to help you get the most out of Boo Walker's series:
- Start with the Original: Even though Before We Say Goodbye is chronological book one, it is much more rewarding to read it after finishing the original trilogy. Knowing who Otis Till becomes makes his 1969 origin story feel deeply poignant and meaningful.
- The Novella is Optional but Recommended: A Marriage Well Done is a quick read that focuses almost entirely on Margot. While you can skip it and still understand the main trilogy, it adds wonderful depth to Margot's character and explains why she was so determined to reinvent herself.
- Real-World Inspiration: Boo Walker lived on a gentleman's farm on Red Mountain, Washington. His depictions of the local wineries, the desert climate, and the science of viticulture are highly accurate and drawn from his personal experience living among real-world winemakers.
- Tone and Themes: Expect a mix of heartwarming community spirit and heavy emotional drama. The books address themes of second chances, recovering from trauma, finding belonging, and the healing power of nature and friendship.