The Recommended Reading Order for Southern Charms
The Southern Charms Cozy Mystery series, written by Bella Falls, is best read in publication order. Because the books follow the personal growth of protagonist Charli Goodwin, her developing magical skills, ongoing romantic subplots, and the evolving dynamics of the supernatural sanctuary town of Honeysuckle Hollow, reading them sequentially ensures you do not spoil major plot points.
However, there is a slight distinction between the strict publication order of the main novels and the chronological flow, which includes the series' novellas. For the absolute best experience, readers should insert the novellas at their respective chronological points, often designated as decimal volumes (like Book 1.5 and Book 6.5) by fans and online book communities.
The Master Reading Path
- Moonshine & Magic (Book 1) - Introduces Charli Goodwin as she returns to Honeysuckle Hollow and investigates her great-uncle's murder.
- Lemonade & Love Potions (Book 1.5 / Novella) - A fun, shorter mystery centered around a love potion gone wrong during the local summer festival.
- Fried Chicken & Fangs (Book 2) - Charli gets caught up in town politics and a suspicious death during Honeysuckle's mayoral election.
- Sweet Tea & Spells (Book 3) - Charli has to navigate her ex-fiancé marrying her cousin, all while dealing with a murder and a disruptive outsider.
- Barbecue & Brooms (Book 4) - High-stakes fun involving broom races and a barbecue contest to save the town from a developer's corporate takeover.
- Collards & Cauldrons (Book 5) - Charli faces challenges that test both her tracking magic and her standing within the magical community.
- Cornbread & Crossroads (Book 6) - Secrets from the past catch up with the town, forcing Charli to dig deep into Honeysuckle's history.
- Red Velvet & Reindeer (Book 6.5 / Novella) - A festive holiday-themed mystery featuring seasonal magic and winter shifters.
- Preserves & Premonitions (Book 7) - Charli must decipher confusing magical warnings to stop a disaster before it strikes.
- Grits & Ghosts (Book 8) - A spooky installment dealing with restless spirits and long-buried town secrets.
Understanding the Honeysuckle Hollow Universe
Bella Falls did not stop at Charli's story. She expanded her supernatural universe by introducing a companion series, the Southern Relics Cozy Mysteries. This series features Ruby Mae Jewell, an antique shop owner in Honeysuckle Hollow who possesses the rare gift of psychometry—the ability to read the history and energy of objects by touching them.
While Southern Relics can be read independently, the two series share the same town, rules of magic, and local cast. In fact, Charli Goodwin makes a special crossover appearance in the third Southern Relics book, Pickups and Pirates, to help Ruby Mae solve a case involving a cursed pirate artifact. For fans who want the complete Honeysuckle Hollow experience, it is highly recommended to read both series.
Southern Relics Cozy Mystery Books in Order
- Flea Market Magic (Book 1)
- Rags to Witches (Book 2)
- Pickups and Pirates (Book 3 - Features the Charli Goodwin crossover)
- Vintage Vampire (Book 4)
- Bargain Haunting (Book 5)
What to Know Before You Start
Before you dive into the first book, here is a quick primer on what makes this cozy world tick:
- The Protagonist: Charli Goodwin is a witch, but she isn't throwing destructive fireballs. Her primary power is tracking magic—she has an innate ability to locate lost items, people, and clues. This unique magic makes her a natural detective, even when she is trying to keep a low profile.
- The Setting: Honeysuckle Hollow, North Carolina, is a hidden sanctuary town. Witches, vampires, shapeshifters, and fairies live side-by-side. The town combines the warmth of classic Southern culture (sweet tea, front porches, and community barbecues) with the eccentricities of paranormal life.
- The Tone: The series maintains a wholesome, lighthearted atmosphere with low-violence mysteries, humorous dialogue, and sweet romantic tension. It avoids dark, gritty themes in favor of comforting community vibes.
- The Audiobooks: For those who prefer listening, the audio versions are narrated by Johanna Parker, whose authentic Southern delivery and distinct character voices have earned high praise from the cozy mystery community.