The Recommended Narrative Reading Order
For the best reading experience, we highly recommend following the narrative or chronological order of the Shore Leave Cafe series rather than its strict publication timeline. Reading in narrative order keeps the family dynamics, character growth, and the mysterious family curse progression perfectly aligned.
- Summer at the Shore Leave Cafe (2012) – The entry point introducing Joelle Gordon, her daughters, and the lakeside diner in Landon, Minnesota.
- Second Chances (2013) – Picks up Joelle and Blythe's story as they wait for each other and confront lingering shadows from the past.
- A Notion of Love (2016) – Shifts focus to Joelle's sister Jillian, whose pregnancy and new life with Justin are tested by returning threats.
- Winter at the White Oaks Lodge (2014) – Expands the horizon to the cozy but dramatic setting of the nearby lodge during the snowy months.
- Wild Flower (2014) – Follows Joelle's daughter Camille as she travels to Montana to dig into the secrets of the generational family curse.
- The First Law of Love (2015) – Focuses on the next phase of romance, healing, and overcoming small-town secrets.
- Until Tomorrow (2015) – Explores deeper family ties, emotional resilience, and second chances at love.
- The Way Back (2018) – Brings returning characters back to Landon to heal old wounds.
- Return to Yesterday (2018) – The final core novel of the main sequence, resolving major generational threads and romances.
The Publication Order vs. Narrative Order Discrepancy
If you look at the publication years, you will notice a major hiccup with the third book, A Notion of Love. Although it is the third book in terms of storyline progression, it was actually published in 2016, long after Winter at the White Oaks Lodge (2014), Wild Flower (2014), The First Law of Love (2015), and Until Tomorrow (2015) had already hit shelves. This delay was primarily due to publishing schedules rather than a chronological jump.
For readers who want to experience the series exactly as it was released, here is the original publication order:
- Summer at the Shore Leave Cafe (2012)
- Second Chances (2013)
- Winter at the White Oaks Lodge (2014)
- Wild Flower (2014)
- The First Law of Love (2015)
- Until Tomorrow (2015)
- A Notion of Love (2016)
- The Way Back (2018)
- Return to Yesterday (2018)
We advise against reading in this order because jumping from Until Tomorrow back to A Notion of Love can feel disorienting, as the latter takes place much earlier in the timeline of the Gordon and Davis families.
What to Know Before You Start: The Davis Family Curse
Before you dive in, it helps to understand the central mystery uniting these contemporary romances: the Davis family curse. For generations, the women of the Davis family (ancestors of Joelle, Jillian, and Camille) have believed they are destined to lose the men they love to tragedy or betrayal. This touch of magical realism or folklore adds a unique layer of suspense and emotional stakes to the books. As you read, you will watch the women struggle to find happiness while constantly looking over their shoulders, wondering if their relationships are doomed by destiny.
Continuing the Story: A Place to Belong
Once you finish the main nine-book series, the story doesn't completely end. Abbie Williams published a follow-up novel titled A Place to Belong in 2019. While not officially numbered as Book 10, it is widely recognized by the author and publisher as a continuation of the characters' lives in Landon, Minnesota. It is the perfect epilogue for readers who are not yet ready to say goodbye to the cozy diner and the families who call it home.