Books On Board

Sandy Cove Books in Order

  • 6 Books
  • 2019 – 2020 Published

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How to Read the Sandy Cove and Starlight Cottages Books in Order

Susanne O'Leary’s charming contemporary romance books set in the fictional Irish village of Sandy Cove (inspired by the real County Kerry village of Ballinskelligs) are divided into two primary subseries: the original Sandy Cove books and the spin-off Starlight Cottages (also known as the 'Lost' series). While each book offers a self-contained love story with its own happy ending, reading them in order allows you to follow the lives of recurring characters, watch families heal over time, and see the community evolve.

Recommended Reading Order

To experience the full charm of the community and avoid spoilers regarding family secrets, we recommend reading the books in publication order:

  1. Secrets of Willow House (2019) – Introduces Maeve McKenna as she flees her chaotic London life to restore her aunt Philomena's historic Irish mansion, uncovering family secrets along the way.
  2. Sisters of Willow House (2019) – Focuses on Maeve's sister, Roisin McKenna, who returns to Sandy Cove to help with the mansion restoration while facing her own personal crossroads.
  3. Dreams of Willow House (2019) – Follows Cordelia Mafiore, an American cousin searching for her roots who unearths unexpected family history at Willow House.
  4. Daughters of Wild Rose Bay (2020) – Introduces Jasmine Delon, who flees Paris for Sandy Cove to seek comfort from her mother Sally, only to discover a mystery surrounding the ruins at Wild Rose Bay.
  5. Memories of Wild Rose Bay (2020) – Focuses on Kate O'Rourke, a grieving Dublin doctor who temporarily takes over the local surgery and clashes (then falls) for traditional healer Cormac O'Shea.
  6. Miracles in Wild Rose Bay (2020) – Follows Kate's sister, Tara O'Rourke, a New York photographer whose local assignment causes family tension and leads to a romance with local Mick O’Dwyer.
  7. The Lost Girls of Ireland (originally published as The Irish Rose in 2021) – Centers on Lydia Butler, whose arrival at Sandy Cove links the original series to the Starlight Cottages spin-offs.
  8. The Lost Secret of Ireland (2021) – Follows Ella Caron, a French artist recovering from trauma, and Lucille, a vivacious older friend of Ella's late mother who shakes up the village.
  9. The Lost Promise of Ireland (2021) – Focuses on Maggie Ryan as she rents a coastguard cottage and discovers love letters in the attic from a teenage summer romance.
  10. The Lost House of Ireland (2022) – Continues the Starlight Cottages stories with new secrets and romance on the rugged Irish coast.
  11. The Lost Letters of Ireland (2022) – Uncovers deeper historical mysteries and clean romance in Sandy Cove.
  12. The Lost Mother of Ireland (2023) – The final book in the Starlight Cottages sequence, focusing on family origins, healing, and romantic resolutions.

Understanding the Subseries and Trilogies

The Sandy Cove universe is built on distinct story arcs that tie groups of books together:

The Willow House Trilogy (Books 1–3)

The series begins with the Willow House Trilogy, consisting of Secrets of Willow House, Sisters of Willow House, and Dreams of Willow House. These books lay the foundation of the series, focusing on the restoration of the crumbling McKenna family estate and the personal healing of the McKenna sisters and their American cousin. This trilogy is the ideal starting point for anyone new to the series.

The Wild Rose Bay Trilogy (Books 4–6)

The setting expands slightly with the Wild Rose Bay Trilogy, which includes Daughters of Wild Rose Bay, Memories of Wild Rose Bay, and Miracles in Wild Rose Bay. While still set in Sandy Cove, these stories shift the focus toward the coastal area of Wild Rose Bay. We follow characters like Jasmine Delon, Kate O'Rourke, and Tara O'Rourke as they navigate career changes, family friction, and romance with the local villagers.

The Starlight Cottages Subseries (Books 7–12)

Starting with The Irish Rose (later re-released as The Lost Girls of Ireland), the series transitions into the Starlight Cottages (or 'Lost') subseries. This arc features six books, ending with The Lost Mother of Ireland in 2023. These books introduce new protagonists, such as French artist Ella Caron and the heartbroken Maggie Ryan, who move into local cottages seeking fresh starts. They are heavily linked to the original series through shared locations, recurring townspeople, and the overarching cozy atmosphere of Sandy Cove.

What to Know Before You Start

Susanne O'Leary's writing is celebrated for its feel-good, uplifting tone, clean romance, and the prominent role that the Irish setting plays in the emotional healing of her characters. Sandy Cove itself is a fictional seaside village, but O'Leary based it closely on Ballinskelligs, a real village on the Ring of Kerry in southwestern Ireland. Readers who enjoy small-town settings, family secrets, second chances, and the soothing sound of crashing waves will find a perfect literary escape here.

Because the romances are resolved in each book, you can read these novels out of order without losing track of the main plot. However, you will miss out on the subtle updates regarding previous couples and the ongoing development of Sandy Cove’s community if you jump around. We strongly advise starting with book one and reading straight through to book twelve.

Frequently Asked

In what order should I read the Sandy Cove books?

We highly recommend reading the books in publication order, starting with Secrets of Willow House and ending with The Lost Mother of Ireland. This allows you to follow the recurring characters and town updates chronologically.

Are the Sandy Cove books standalones?

Yes, each book features a self-contained romance with its own couple and a resolved ending. However, because characters reappear and the town grows, reading them in order provides the best reading experience.

Why does the seventh book have two different titles?

The seventh book was originally published as The Irish Rose in early 2021, but was later retitled and re-released as The Lost Girls of Ireland to launch the Starlight Cottages spin-off series.

What is the connection between Sandy Cove and the Starlight Cottages series?

The Starlight Cottages series (often called the 'Lost' series) is a direct spin-off set in the same village of Sandy Cove. It features the same locations and some recurring characters, functioning as books 7 through 12 of the overall Sandy Cove universe.

Is Sandy Cove a real place in Ireland?

No, Sandy Cove is fictional, but author Susanne O'Leary drew direct inspiration from the real seaside village of Ballinskelligs on the Ring of Kerry in County Kerry, Ireland.

How many books are in the Sandy Cove series in total?

There are 12 books in total in the Sandy Cove universe: 6 in the original Sandy Cove sequence and 6 in the Starlight Cottages (or 'Lost') spin-off series.

What kind of romance can readers expect in Susanne O'Leary's books?

Readers can expect uplifting, clean contemporary romances filled with cozy atmospheres, second chances, family secrets, and the healing power of the Irish coast.