Books On Board

The O’Connells Books in Order

  • 19 Books
  • 2020 – 2023 Published

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The Recommended Reading Order for The O'Connells

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read The O'Connells series in publication order. While each book spotlights a different sibling's romance and resolves a primary self-contained suspense plot, the series is anchored by a massive, overarching family mystery: the disappearance of their father, Raymond O’Connell. Reading the books out of order will spoil major developments in this family-wide investigation.

Meet the O'Connell Siblings

Before diving into the books, it helps to know the key members of the O'Connell family residing in Livingston, Montana. Raised by their fierce single mother, Iris, after their father mysteriously vanished, the six siblings include:

  • Owen O'Connell: The responsible oldest brother who stepped up as a father figure at age sixteen.
  • Ryan O'Connell: A dedicated park ranger whose protective instincts keep the family safe.
  • Marcus O'Connell: A deputy sheriff (and later sheriff) who often finds himself on the frontlines of local crimes.
  • Luke O'Connell: A special forces operator accustomed to high-stakes, dangerous missions.
  • Suzanne O'Connell: A brave local firefighter who isn't afraid to run into danger.
  • Karen O'Connell: A sharp attorney who fights for justice in and out of the courtroom.

The O'Connells Book-by-Book Publication Order

Here is the complete sequence of books in the series, matching the order they were published and the timeline of the O'Connell family's adventures:

  1. The Neighbor (2020): Focuses on park ranger Ryan O'Connell as he reconnects with his past fling Jenny and discovers he has a daughter, Alison, who has suddenly gone missing.
  2. The Third Call (2020): Follows deputy Marcus O'Connell as he investigates mysterious calls from a six-year-old girl named Eva, drawing him into a dangerous web.
  3. The Secret Husband (2020): Centers on lawyer Karen O'Connell, whose hidden past with her ex-husband Jack resurfaces when he is accused of murder.
  4. The Quiet Day (2020): Features firefighter Suzanne O'Connell, who finds herself caught between two men and a life-threatening situation.
  5. The Commitment (2020): A bridging novella that continues Ryan and Jenny's romance as they prepare for their wedding day.
  6. The Missing Father (2020): Follows special forces operator Luke O'Connell as he initiates a relentless quest to uncover what really happened to their father eighteen years ago.
  7. The Hometown Hero (2020): Focuses on Owen O'Connell as the secrets surrounding his father's long-ago disappearance begin to unravel.
  8. The Family Secret (2020): The O'Connell siblings find themselves dealing with the direct fallout of uncovering deep-seated secrets about Raymond's past.
  9. Justice (2020): Marcus O'Connell is pushed to his limits trying to keep the peace when family secrets threaten to tear the town apart.
  10. The Fallen O'Connell (2020): Focuses on the shocking return of Raymond O'Connell, whose dark past brings immediate danger to the family.
  11. The Return of the O'Connells (2020): The family must unite to face the fallout and protect one another from external threats following their father's reappearance.
  12. And Then She Was Gone (2020): A fast-paced mystery that puts the siblings on the trail of a missing woman while navigating their own complicated lives.
  13. The Stalker (2020): Karen O'Connell is targeted by a dangerous stalker, requiring the family's full protection and legal maneuvering.
  14. The O'Connell Family Christmas (2020): A holiday-themed story that brings the family together, though danger and secrets are never far away.
  15. The Girl Next Door (2021): Follows Luke O'Connell as he crosses paths with Chloe, a woman from his past who is hiding a dangerous secret.
  16. Broken Promises (2021): The siblings step in to help Reine Colbert, a woman caught in a web of betrayal and danger.
  17. The Gatekeeper (2021): Suzanne and Karen team up to help Reine Colbert right the wrongs she has suffered from a corrupt system.
  18. The Hunted (2022): Sheriff Marcus O’Connell is drawn into a high-stakes manhunt where he must rely on his family's help to survive.
  19. A Christmas of Betrayal (2023): The O’Connell family's holiday plans in Livingston are shattered when assassins target Raymond, forcing the siblings to fight for survival.

Major Series Arcs & Continuity Caveats

While you can pick up any single book to enjoy a satisfying romance, the larger plot arcs span multiple books. Understanding these arcs will help you navigate the series more effectively:

The Raymond O'Connell Disappearance Arc

The mystery of the family patriarch's disappearance begins in the background of the first few books but becomes the primary focus of The Missing Father (Book 6) and The Hometown Hero (Book 7). The saga takes a dramatic turn in The Fallen O'Connell (Book 10) and reaches another climax in A Christmas of Betrayal (Book 19). If you want to follow the suspense elements of the series, these books are critical milestones.

The Reine Colbert Arc

A secondary narrative arc begins with Broken Promises (Book 16) and carries directly into The Gatekeeper (Book 17). This storyline shifts some focus onto Reine Colbert as she seeks justice, with Suzanne and Karen O'Connell playing major roles. You should read these two back-to-back to get the full story.

Practical Reader Advice

  • Where to Start: Always start with The Neighbor. It introduces the O'Connell siblings, the small-town setting of Livingston, and sets up the family dynamics that persist throughout the entire series.
  • Can they be read as standalones? Yes, the romantic relationship in each book is resolved by the end of that book. However, the overarching suspense elements and the status of their missing father are serialized. We strongly recommend reading them in order to avoid spoilers.
  • Relation to The Friessens: Lorhainne Eckhart is highly known for her long-running Friessen family saga. While both series focus heavily on large, protective families and emotional drama, The O'Connells is a separate romantic suspense series set in Montana rather than a direct character spin-off, meaning you do not need to read the Friessen books first.

Frequently Asked

Where should I start reading The O’Connells series?

You should start with The Neighbor (Book 1). It introduces the O'Connell family and the town of Livingston, Montana.

Do I need to read Lorhainne Eckhart's Friessen series first?

No. While both feature the author's signature family dynamics, The O’Connells is a standalone romantic suspense series set in a different location with different characters.

Are the books in The O’Connells series standalones?

The romance in each book is a standalone story with a resolved happy ending, but the mystery of their missing father, Raymond, is highly serialized and builds across the books. Reading them in order is recommended.

How many O'Connell siblings are there?

There are six siblings: Owen, Ryan, Marcus, Luke, Suzanne, and Karen. Each sibling gets their own dedicated romance and suspense storylines throughout the series.

Which books focus on the mystery of the missing father?

The mystery of Raymond O'Connell is central to The Missing Father (Book 6), The Hometown Hero (Book 7), The Fallen O’Connell (Book 10), and A Christmas of Betrayal (Book 19).

What is the order of the Reine Colbert storyline?

You should read Broken Promises (Book 16) followed immediately by The Gatekeeper (Book 17) to follow the complete story of Reine Colbert's search for justice.