The Recommended Reading Order: The Master Chronological Path
While it started as a simple, quirky romance between a down-to-earth mystery shopper and a wealthy businessman, Julia Kent’s Shopping for a Billionaire series quickly expanded into a sprawling, multi-couple romantic universe collectively known as The Shopping Series. Because the timelines of the characters cross over extensively—with major milestones like engagements, weddings, and pregnancies happening simultaneously—reading the books in chronological order is highly recommended to avoid major spoilers.
Here is the definitive chronological and publication order to follow for the main series:
- Shopping for a Billionaire 1 (2014) – The meet-cute that starts it all. Shannon Jacoby, on a mystery shopping assignment, drops her phone in a men's restroom toilet and is rescued by the store's handsome owner, Declan McCormick.
- Shopping for a Billionaire 2 (2014) – Shannon and Declan's relationship starts to develop, filled with hilarious mishaps and undeniable chemistry.
- Shopping for a Billionaire 3 (2014) – The romance continues to build as Declan's wealthy background clashes with Shannon's everyday life.
- Shopping for a Billionaire 4 (2014) – The couple faces more comedic obstacles, ex-partners, and family interference.
- Christmas Shopping for a Billionaire (2014) – A festive holiday novella featuring Declan in a Santa suit and plenty of seasonal high jinks.
- Shopping for a Billionaire's Fiancée (2015) – Declan and Shannon take their relationship to the next level with a memorable engagement.
- Shopping for a CEO (2015) – The spotlight expands to introduce Declan's brother, Andrew McCormick (the CEO), and Amanda, initiating their own rival romance.
- Shopping for a Billionaire's Wife (2016) – Shannon and Declan's wild Las Vegas wedding, featuring mistaken identities and frantic comedy.
- Shopping for a CEO's Fiancée (2016) – Amanda and Andrew navigate the challenges of their own engagement.
- Shopping for an Heir (2016) – A change of pace focusing on Gerald Wright, the loyal McCormick family chauffeur, and his second-chance romance.
- Shopping for a CEO's Wife (2017) – The wedding bells ring for Andrew and Amanda.
- Shopping for a Billionaire's Honeymoon (2017) – Following Declan and Shannon as they attempt to have a relaxing honeymoon, with typical chaotic results.
- Shopping for a Billionaire's Baby (2018) – Declan and Shannon prepare for parenthood, sparking a friendly baby competition with Andrew and Amanda.
- Shopping for a CEO's Honeymoon (2018) – Andrew and Amanda's post-wedding getaway adventures.
- Shopping for a Baby's First Christmas (2018) – A holiday crossover novella bringing both families together for festive chaos.
- Shopping for a CEO's Baby (2020) – Andrew and Amanda's journey into parenthood.
- Shopping for a Yankee Swap (2020) – A fun, festive crossover novella centered around a chaotic holiday gift exchange.
- Shopping for a Billionaire's Anniversary (2022) – Declan and Shannon look back at their relationship milestones in this celebratory novella.
The Highlander Spin-Off Series
Once you have caught up with the main McCormick clan, you can dive into the direct spin-off subseries, Shopping for a Highlander. This subseries shifts focus to Declan’s cousin, Hamish McCormick (a Scottish professional soccer player), and Shannon’s sister, Amy Jacoby. While these books can technically be read independently, they feature frequent cameos and crossover jokes from the main series, so they are best enjoyed after completing the first few books of the core series.
Recommended reading order for the Highlander spin-off:
- Shopping for a Turkey (Novella) – The Thanksgiving-themed introduction where Hamish and Amy first cross paths.
- Shopping for a Highlander – Hamish and Amy’s main romance officially begins.
- Shopping for a Highlander's Elopement – The couple’s chaotic path to commitment.
- Shopping for a Highlander's Baby – The final chapter of their romance as they prepare for a new family member.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Julia Kent’s comedic universe, there are a few important things to keep in mind to maximize your reading enjoyment:
The Humor Style is Slapstick and Quirky
This series does not take itself too seriously. It is packed with physical comedy, absurd situations, and witty, fast-paced dialogue. If you enjoy relatable heroines who are prone to embarrassing moments and billionaire heroes who find those flaws endearing, this is the perfect series for you.
The Books are Interconnected
While some romance series allow you to jump around between different siblings or friends, The Shopping Series behaves more like a serialized television show. Because Shannon and Declan’s storyline runs parallel to Andrew and Amanda’s, skipping the CEO books will leave you confused when you return to the Billionaire books, as major life events will have occurred off-page.
Watch Out for Omnibus Collections
To make reading easier, many of the early novellas and short books (such as Books 1 through 4) have been compiled into boxed sets or single-volume editions by the author. When purchasing, make sure to check the contents so you do not accidentally buy duplicate stories.
Meet the Core Couples
Shannon Jacoby & Declan McCormick
The couple that started the phenomenon. Shannon is a down-to-earth mystery shopper with a highly eccentric family and a homicidal cat named Chuckles. Declan is a wealthy, charismatic billionaire who is instantly charmed by Shannon’s authenticity and clumsy nature.
Andrew McCormick & Amanda
Andrew is Declan’s brother and a high-powered CEO, while Amanda is a sharp, career-minded woman. Their relationship is characterized by friendly, competitive banter and a fierce rivalry with Shannon and Declan, making for double the fun in the later crossover novellas.
Gerald Wright
The McCormick family's trusted chauffeur and security guard. Gerald gets his own sweet, second-chance romance in Shopping for an Heir, which provides a heartwarming contrast to the high-energy comedy of the other books.