How to Read the Six Pack Ranch Series
If you love steamy contemporary western romance, Vivian Arend’s Six Pack Ranch series is the ultimate ticket to the rugged beauty of Alberta, Canada. Set in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the series follows the sprawling, hard-working Coleman family. With twelve main novels and a handful of companion vignettes (short stories), navigating this cowboy-filled world can look daunting. Fortunately, the path is straightforward once you know how the pieces fit together.
The Recommended Starting Point
For the best experience, you should start at the very beginning with Rocky Mountain Heat (2009). This introduces the central setting—the Coleman family ranch in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta—and establishes the tight-knit family dynamics. While each book focuses on a different couple and delivers a satisfying standalone happily-ever-after (HEA), the background plotlines, family gossip, and recurring characters flow continuously from one book to the next. Reading them out of order is possible, but you will miss out on the rich evolution of the Coleman clan.
Six Pack Ranch Chronological Reading Order
To read the Colemans' stories exactly as the timeline unfolds, you will want to interleave the main novels with the official vignettes. These short stories catch readers up on weddings, babies, and family celebrations that occur in the months between the novels. Here is the complete chronological path for the Six Pack Ranch series:
- Rocky Mountain Heat (Book 1 - 2009) — Features Blake Coleman and Jaxi.
- Rocky Mountain Haven (Book 2 - 2010) — Features Daniel Coleman and Beth Danube.
- Rocky Mountain Desire (Book 3 - 2012) — Features Mitch Coleman and Lacey.
- Making Memories (Vignette 1 - 2013) — A short update featuring Blake and Jaxi, set during the final months of Book 3.
- Rocky Mountain Angel (Book 4 - 2012) — Features Gabe Coleman and Allison.
- Rocky Mountain Rebel (Book 5 - 2013) — Features Jesse Coleman and Dori.
- Never Too Far (Vignette 2 - 2013) — A short story featuring Vicki and Joel, set shortly after Book 5.
- Rocky Mountain Freedom (Book 6 - 2013) — Features Jaxson Coleman and Lisa.
- Rocky Mountain Romance (Book 7 - 2014) — Features Steve Coleman and Melody.
- Home Building (Vignette 3 - 2014) — A vignette focusing on Gabe and Allison's next steps.
- Rubber Boot Romance (Vignette 4 - 2014) — A vignette featuring Travis, Cassidy, and Ashley.
- Rocky Mountain Retreat (Book 8 - 2014) — Features Lee Coleman and Sarah. (Note: Originally categorized as Book 7.5, it has been updated to Book 8 in official reading order lists).
- Rocky Mountain Shelter (Book 9 - 2015) — Features Ted Coleman and Kim.
- Lights & Secrets (Vignette 5 - 2015) — A festive holiday-themed vignette.
- Rocky Mountain Devil (Book 10 - 2016) — Features Maverick Coleman and Lacey.
- A Daddy's Love (Vignette 6 - 2016) — A sweet family vignette focusing on fatherhood.
- Rocky Mountain Home (Book 11 - 2017) — Features Cole Coleman and Sarah.
- Rocky Mountain Forever (Book 12 - 2021) — The emotional finale to the main series, wrapping up the Coleman legacy.
The vignettes were originally released as standalone digital rewards or bonus content on the author's website, but they are now also available compiled together in the digital collection Rocky Mountain Vignettes (2016).
The Broader World: Crossovers and Spin-Offs
Vivian Arend’s stories are part of a larger universe centered around Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. If you want the ultimate deep-dive, there are two related series you should know about:
Thompson & Sons
The Thompson & Sons spin-off series runs concurrently with the later books of the Six Pack Ranch series. The Thompsons are close neighbors and friends of the Colemans, and characters from both families cross over frequently. If you want a combined reading order, start the first Thompson book, Ride Baby Ride, right after finishing Rocky Mountain Freedom (Book 6). From there, you can alternate between the two series to see the town's events unfold from different perspectives.
The Combined Rocky Mountain House Reading List
For readers who want to experience the complete timeline without missing any crossover moments, here is how the Six Pack Ranch books and the Thompson & Sons spin-offs fit together chronologically:
- Rocky Mountain Heat (Six Pack Ranch #1)
- Rocky Mountain Haven (Six Pack Ranch #2)
- Rocky Mountain Desire (Six Pack Ranch #3)
- Making Memories (Six Pack Ranch Vignette)
- Rocky Mountain Angel (Six Pack Ranch #4)
- Rocky Mountain Rebel (Six Pack Ranch #5)
- Never Too Far (Six Pack Ranch Vignette)
- Rocky Mountain Freedom (Six Pack Ranch #6)
- Ride Baby Ride (Thompson & Sons #1)
- Rocky Ride (Thompson & Sons #2)
- Home Building (Six Pack Ranch Vignette)
- Rubber Boot Romance (Six Pack Ranch Vignette)
- Rocky Mountain Romance (Six Pack Ranch #7)
- One Sexy Ride (Thompson & Sons #3)
- Rocky Mountain Retreat (Six Pack Ranch #8)
- Let It Ride (Thompson & Sons #4)
- Rocky Mountain Shelter (Six Pack Ranch #9)
- A Wild Ride (Thompson & Sons #5)
- Lights & Secrets (Six Pack Ranch Vignette)
- Rocky Mountain Devil (Six Pack Ranch #10)
- A Daddy's Love (Six Pack Ranch Vignette)
- Rocky Mountain Home (Six Pack Ranch #11)
- Rocky Mountain Forever (Six Pack Ranch #12)
Heart Falls
Set in the same Alberta universe but in a different town, the Heart Falls series represents a new generation of contemporary western romance. While it functions as a standalone series and does not require you to have read Six Pack Ranch first, it features familiar family connections, including a subseries called The Colemans of Heart Falls. It is a fantastic place to go next once you have finished the main Six Pack Ranch saga.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you saddle up with the Colemans, keep these quick tips in mind:
- A Balance of Heat and Heart: Vivian Arend’s books are famous for their high-heat levels. The chemistry between the leads is sizzling, but it is always grounded in deep emotional bonds, family loyalty, and personal healing.
- Canadian Setting: Unlike many western romances set in Texas or Montana, this series proudly takes place in Alberta, Canada. The beautiful foothills, cold winters, and close-knit local ranching communities are integral to the plot.
- Standalone vs. Series Continuity: Can you read them out of order? Yes, each novel has a distinct couple and a completed love story. However, reading chronologically is highly recommended because of the ongoing family sagas, recurring side characters, and spoilers for previous couples' relationships.