How to Read the Sanctuary Island Series
Lily Everett’s Sanctuary Island series is a beloved staple of contemporary romance, set on a fictional Atlantic refuge off the coast of Virginia where wild horses roam and wounded souls find healing. The series consists of six core novels and a companion trilogy of prequel novellas. While each book focuses on a different couple and can technically be read as a standalone, the recurring characters, evolving relationships, and expanding community make reading them in publication order the most rewarding experience.
Sanctuary Island Recommended Reading Order
We recommend following the publication order to watch the island's community grow and see previous couples reappear as supporting characters in later stories. Here is the recommended reading path:
1. Sanctuary Island (2013)
The book that started it all introduces readers to the healing atmosphere of the island. Ella Preston and her sister arrive on Sanctuary Island to reconnect with their estranged mother. Ella, carrying her own emotional scars, finds herself drawn to Grady Wilkes, a quiet, scarred local handyman who understands what it means to be broken. Their slow-burn romance sets the tone for the entire series, blending emotional depth with a beautiful coastal backdrop.
2. Shoreline Drive (2014)
The second novel shifts focus to veterinarian Ben Faulkner, a man with a gruff exterior who guards his heart closely. When Merry Preston (Ella's sister) finds herself pregnant and in need of stability, Ben steps in. What begins as a marriage of convenience soon turns into a deep emotional partnership as both characters learn to trust again and build a family together on the island.
3. Heartbreak Cove (2015)
This installment follows Andie Shepard, the island's sheriff, who is dedicated to keeping the peace but struggles with her own family dynamics. When she crosses paths with Sam Brennan, a reclusive loner who has isolated himself from the world, their shared connection to a shy, traumatized child brings them together. The novel beautifully handles themes of trust, community support, and emotional rehabilitation.
4. Home for Christmas (2015)
A festive holiday romance that brings warmth to the island's winter season. Libby Leeds, a woman seeking a fresh start away from her past, finds herself celebrating the holidays on Sanctuary Island. She crosses paths with Owen Shepard, Andie's brother, and their romance blossoms amidst festive local traditions, proving that love can find you when you least expect it.
5. Close to Home (2017)
Focusing on a powerful second-chance and marriage-in-trouble trope, this book follows Tessa Alexander, who left her husband Johnny after years of an emotionally distant marriage of convenience. Tessa has built a new, independent life for herself working at a local bakery on Sanctuary Island. When Johnny, an undercover ATF agent, returns from a dangerous assignment to find she has filed for divorce, he follows her to the island, determined to heal his own trauma and win back her heart.
6. Home at Last (2017)
The final novel in the core series features Marcus Beckett, a former bodyguard who returns to Sanctuary Island to run a local bar. Marcus carries a bad-boy reputation and past regrets, particularly regarding Quinn Harper, the town's sweetheart whom he previously pushed away. To help Quinn distract her parents during a marital crisis and help Marcus repair his reputation with the suspicious locals, the two embark on a fake four-week courtship that quickly sparks into genuine love.
The Billionaire Brothers Novellas (Prequels)
Before launching the main novels, Lily Everett introduced the island's enchanting setting through a trilogy of novellas focusing on the Harrington brothers—Dylan, Logan, and Miles. These novellas can be read before starting the main series as a prequel introduction, or enjoyed afterward as companion stories. The three novellas are:
- The Firefly Cafe (2013)
- The Summer Cottage (2013)
- Island Road (2013)
For convenience, these three stories are also collected in a single paperback volume titled Homecoming (published in late 2013).
What to Know Before You Start
Sanctuary Island is a character in its own right, acting as a catalyst for emotional transformation. Lily Everett, inspired by her childhood in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains and her love for coastal landscapes, crafted an environment where nature and wildlife, especially the wild horses, reflect the emotional journeys of the protagonists. The series balances lighthearted small-town humor with intense emotional healing, making it an excellent choice for fans of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove or Sherryl Woods' Sweet Magnolias.