Books On Board

Smitten Books in Order

  • 9 Books
  • 2011 – 2014 Published

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Reading order
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The Recommended Reading Order for Smitten

To fully experience the charm and overarching community development of Smitten, Vermont, the best path is to read the series in its original publication order of the main anthology volumes. Because the novellas within each book are closely interconnected and share chronological character developments, reading the three main books in order ensures you follow the town's transformation and the overarching mysteries seamlessly.

  1. Smitten (2011) – The first collaborative collection containing four novellas that introduce the town and its initial effort to survive an economic crisis.
  2. Secretly Smitten (2013) – The second collaborative volume, which focuses on the Thomas family and an intriguing mystery revolving around a set of old dog tags.
  3. Smitten Book Club (2014) – The third and final collaborative collection, centering on a group of local readers who search for a hidden treasure using a century-old guidebook.

Breaking Down the Main Trilogy

The core of the Smitten universe resides in three main books. Rather than being single long-form novels, each volume is a collaborative effort by real-life best friends and bestselling inspirational romance authors: Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter. Within each book, every author contributes one interconnected novella focusing on a specific heroine.

1. Smitten (2011)

In this debut volume, the fictional small town of Smitten, Vermont, is thrown into financial jeopardy when the local lumber mill closes down. Four friends—Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese—band together to save their community by rebranding Smitten as a premiere romantic getaway. The four stories included are:

  • Natalie (originally published separately as Natalie - Birthday Wishes or Birthday Wishes) by Colleen Coble: Follows Natalie's efforts to kickstart the town's romantic campaign while finding her own second chance at love.
  • Julia by Kristin Billerbeck: Focuses on the next phase of the town's campaign and a blossoming romance.
  • Shelby by Diann Hunt: Continues the lighthearted narrative with Shelby finding love in the midst of the town's makeover.
  • Reese (later published as All Along) by Denise Hunter: Concludes the first volume's romantic journeys as the friends celebrate their hard-won success.

2. Secretly Smitten (2013)

Set a bit later, the second anthology focuses on the Thomas sisters and their mother, Anna. When Rose Thomas's granddaughters discover a mystery in the attic—a set of old dog tags belonging to Rose's long-lost first love who was presumed dead in the war—they begin digging into the past. This volume includes:

  • Love Between the Lines by Colleen Coble: Centered on bookstore owner Tess, who must decipher a riddle associated with the dog tags.
  • Love in Plain Sight by Kristin Billerbeck: Focuses on mother Anna's story.
  • Love in the Details by Diann Hunt: Focuses on Zoe's romantic journey and investigation.
  • Love Blooms by Denise Hunter: Centers on nursery manager Clare Thomas, who hires a mysterious drifter and finds her highly organized life turned upside down.

3. Smitten Book Club (2014)

The final entry in the main trilogy follows members of the Fireside Book Club who discover a century-old guidebook, The Gentlewoman's Guide to Love and Courtship, hidden in a local library book. Believing the margins contain clues to a historic local treasure, the club works together to solve the mystery. This volume features:

  • Love by the Book by Colleen Coble: Centered on Heather's story.
  • Shelved Under Romance by Kristin Billerbeck: Centered on Abby's story.
  • A New Chapter by Diann Hunt: Centered on Emma's story.
  • Happily Ever After by Denise Hunter: Follows Molly, who must learn to trust a long-time admirer when she faces professional struggles with her business.

The Single E-Novella Releases

In addition to the physical and digital compilation books, publisher Thomas Nelson released the individual novellas as standalone digital singles. This is why you will see titles like Natalie - Birthday Wishes (2012), Love Between the Lines (2013), Love Blooms (2013), and Happily Ever After (2014) listed separately in retail stores and databases. While they can be purchased individually, readers should be aware that these are not separate standalone spin-offs; they are the exact same stories that comprise the three main anthologies.

Author-Specific Collected Editions

For fans who prefer to read stories by a specific author, two specialized collections were published in 2014. These anthologies gather the three contributions written by a single author across the entire Smitten series:

  • Smitten Ever After: Three Small-Town Love Stories by Colleen Coble: This collection brings together Coble's three novellas: Birthday Wishes, Love Between the Lines, and Love by the Book.
  • Sweetly Smitten: Three Small-Town Love Stories by Denise Hunter: This collection compiles Hunter's three contributions: All Along, Love Blooms, and Happily Ever After.

What to Know Before You Start

The Smitten series is highly regarded in the inspirational and contemporary Christian romance genres for its lighthearted tone, heartwarming focus on community, and sweet, clean romances. It is also a testament to the real-life friendship of its creators. The third volume, Smitten Book Club, holds a special place in the hearts of fans, as it was the final project completed before co-author Diann Hunt sadly passed away in late 2013 after a brave battle with cancer. The book was dedicated to her memory, making it a poignant conclusion to a unique collaborative literary journey.

Frequently Asked

Can I read the Smitten novellas as standalone books?

While the individual novellas are sold separately as e-books, they are highly interconnected. Reading them out of order or as standalones will spoil earlier plotlines, so it is strongly recommended to read them as part of the three main collections: Smitten, Secretly Smitten, and Smitten Book Club.

Who are the authors of the Smitten series?

The series was written collaboratively by four bestselling Christian romance authors and close friends: Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and the late Diann Hunt.

What is the difference between Smitten and Smitten Ever After?

Smitten (2011) is the first collaborative book containing four stories by all four authors. Smitten Ever After (2014) is an author-specific collection that compiles the three specific novellas written solely by Colleen Coble across the entire series.

Is there a Denise Hunter collection for the Smitten series?

Yes, Sweetly Smitten (2014) is a collection that compiles the three novellas written by Denise Hunter: All Along, Love Blooms, and Happily Ever After.

Where does the Smitten series take place?

The entire series is set in the charming, fictional small town of Smitten, Vermont, which the local characters work together to revitalize and promote as a romantic tourist destination.