How to Read the Smoky Mountain Series
Lin Stepp's Smoky Mountain series consists of 12 contemporary romance novels set in the heart of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Because each novel features a self-contained story with a fresh set of main characters, you do not need to follow a strict chronological plotline. However, reading them in publication order is highly recommended for the best experience, as familiar local businesses, minor characters, and subtle town developments frequently make cameo appearances across the books.
For readers who prefer to dive in based on setting, each novel is anchored in a specific, real-world region of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, rendering the landscapes themselves as vital characters. Below is the complete publication order, which also serves as the recommended reading path for spotting recurring characters and community threads.
Smoky Mountain Books in Publication Order
Here is the chronological publication list of the Smoky Mountain novels, including their specific mountain settings:
- The Foster Girls (2009) – Set in Wears Valley, Tennessee. The debut novel follows Vivian Delaney as she navigates secrets, romance with Scott Jamison, and the rescue of a lost foster child named Sarah.
- Tell Me About Orchard Hollow (2010) – Set in the Townsend, Tennessee area. A story of healing and new beginnings focusing on Orchard Hollow Road in the foothills of the Smokies.
- For Six Good Reasons (2011) – Set in the Greenbrier and Cosby, Tennessee region. Social worker Alice Graham takes on the foster care of six orphaned siblings, unexpectedly finding love and family.
- Delia's Place (2012) – Set in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Focuses on Delia Walker as she recovers from a broken engagement and finds healing alongside childhood friend Tanner Cross.
- Second Hand Rose (2013) – Set in Wears Valley, Tennessee. A cozy romance dealing with second chances, local community support, and finding love in unexpected places.
- Down by the River (2014) – Set in Townsend, Tennessee. The story follows Grace Conley, a widow who purchases a local bed-and-breakfast and finds love with Jack, the town's charming ladies' man.
- Makin' Miracles (2014) – Set in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This novel brings minor recurring character Zola Devon, owner of the Gatlinburg shop "Nature's Corner," into the spotlight as she navigates her own path to romance.
- Saving Laurel Springs (2015) – Set in the Cosby, Tennessee area. A tale of preservation, family heritage, and restoring old mountain landmarks.
- Welcome Back (2016) – Set in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. The series crosses state lines to explore the eastern slope of the Smokies, focusing on homecoming and reconciliation.
- Daddy's Girl (2017) – Set in Bryson City, North Carolina. A heartwarming story of family dynamics and regional romance in a historic railroad town.
- Lost Inheritance (2018) – Set in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Blends a contemporary romance with Gatlinburg's vibrant local art community, detailing themes of loss and artistic rediscovery.
- The Interlude (2019) – Set in the Greenbrier and Pittman Center, Tennessee area. The final installment in the Smoky Mountain line wraps up the series with themes of rest, reflection, and mountain hospitality.
What to Know Before You Start
Lin Stepp's novels are widely recognized for their clean, wholesome, and faith-based themes. Unlike many modern romance novels, the Smoky Mountain series is free of explicit content, focusing instead on emotional depth, community ties, Southern hospitality, and the natural beauty of the Appalachian region. This makes the series a popular choice for readers of all ages, from young adults to seniors.
Stepp spends significant time researching her settings, walking the actual trails, and visiting the local shops in towns like Townsend, Gatlinburg, and Wears Valley. This dedication to geographical accuracy means readers who have visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will easily recognize real landmarks, roads, and trails referenced in the text.
The Shared Universe: Cameos and Crossovers
Although the novels are standalones, they exist in a shared literary ecosystem. Characters who are central to one book often appear as background support in others. The most prominent example is Zola Devon, the intuitive Tahitian-Appalachian shopkeeper who runs "Nature's Corner" in Gatlinburg. Zola first appears as a secondary character in Delia's Place (Book 4) and Down by the River (Book 6) before taking center stage as the protagonist of Makin' Miracles (Book 7). Reading the books in order allows you to watch Zola's wisdom guide other characters before you finally read her own romantic journey.
Spin-offs and Sister Series
After concluding the Smoky Mountain series with The Interlude in 2019, Lin Stepp did not leave the mountains behind. In 2020, she launched the Mountain Home Series, which acts as a spiritual sister series. The Mountain Home books follow the exact same philosophy: standalone contemporary romances set in different mountain locales (such as Happy Valley, Townsend, and local bookstores). If you finish the Smoky Mountain series and want more of Stepp's clean Appalachian style, the Mountain Home series is your logical next step.
For readers who want to experience Stepp's storytelling in a coastal setting, she has also written the Edisto Trilogy (set on Edisto Island, South Carolina) and the Lighthouse Sisters Series, which explores coastal locations and historic lighthouses.