Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path
For the best reading experience, you should read The Montgomery Brothers series in its original publication order. Samantha Chase designed this series to follow the natural timeline of the Montgomery family. As the books progress, characters from earlier stories return as supporting cast members, showing their marriages, pregnancies, and career moves. Reading out of order will spoil the relationship statuses of older siblings, so sticking to the publication sequence is highly recommended.
The ideal entry point is Wait for Me (2013), which introduces the family dynamics and establishes the matchmaking tendencies of the family patriarch, William Montgomery. From there, you can follow the siblings and extended family members as they find love one by one in North Carolina.
The Montgomery Brothers Reading Order
Here is the complete publication and chronological list of the books in the main series:
- Wait for Me (2013): Focuses on former NFL star Lucas Montgomery, who is recovering from a career-ending injury in a secluded cabin, and Emma Taylor, his father's assistant who gets snowed in with him.
- Trust in Me (2013): Focuses on Jason Montgomery, a businessman wary of office politics, and Maggie Barrett, his new assistant whom he mistakenly believes is married, leading to high-tension chemistry.
- Stay With Me (2013): Focuses on the last of the core brothers, Mac Montgomery, and Gina Micelli, his childhood friend who returns to town, blending sweet nostalgia with adult romance.
- More of Me / All of Me (2013): Focuses on Ryder Montgomery and Casey. This story is a second-chance romance novella (Book 3.5) that was originally released inside the All of Me collection, but is also sold separately.
- Return to You (2015): Focuses on James Montgomery and Selena Ainsley, confronting their unresolved feelings and a decade-long separation in a classic second-chance trope.
- Meant for You (2015): Focuses on Summer Montgomery (the only daughter) and Ethan Reed, her brother Zach's best friend. This book uses the popular 'brother's best friend' trope and introduces the crossover character Aidan Shaughnessy.
- I'll Be There (2015): Focuses on Zach Montgomery and Gabriella Martine. After Zach is injured in a climbing accident, his long-time assistant Gabriella is tasked with helping him recover, leading to an office/caregiver romance.
- Until There Was Us (2018): Focuses on Megan Montgomery and Alex Rebat, who share a past one-night stand at a family wedding and get a second chance when Megan moves back to town.
- Suddenly Mine (2019): Focuses on Christian Montgomery and Sophie Bennington, navigating unexpected romance and personal growth.
- A Dash of Christmas (2019): Focuses on Carter Montgomery and Emery Monaghan, providing a festive holiday romance.
- A Merry Montgomery Christmas (2023): The final holiday installment that brings the entire extended family together for a grand, heartwarming reunion.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Caveats
While the publication order matches the chronological flow, readers often get confused by the listing of All of Me. In many databases, All of Me is listed as the fourth book. In reality, All of Me is a box set containing the first three novels (Wait for Me, Trust in Me, and Stay with Me) along with the exclusive novella More of Me, which covers Ryder and Casey's romance. If you are buying the books individually, you should look for the novella More of Me as Book 3.5, rather than searching for a unique novel titled All of Me.
The Shared Universe: Shaughnessy and Donovan Crossovers
Samantha Chase has built an interconnected romance universe. The Montgomery Brothers series directly links to her other major family series, The Shaughnessy Brothers. In Meant for You (Book 6), readers are introduced to Aidan Shaughnessy. Aidan goes on to star in his own spin-off book, Made for Us, which officially launches the Shaughnessy series. Additionally, the author published a special collection called Family Firsts, which compiles the introductory books of the Montgomery, Shaughnessy, and Donovan series, celebrating the overlapping worlds of her romance sagas.
What to Know Before You Start
The series is set in cozy, charming locations across North Carolina, establishing a strong sense of community. The tone of the books is frequently described as 'sweeter than hot, hotter than sweet'—meaning that while there is plenty of romantic tension and physical intimacy, the focus remains heavily on the emotional connection and family bonds. The driving force behind many of the pairings is the patriarch, William Montgomery, whose meddling matchmaker antics provide humor and continuity across the entire 11-book run.