The Recommended Reading Order
To fully appreciate the emotional development, family dynamics, and continuous story arcs of the Harrington family, the Treading Water series must be read in its chronological publication order. Because each book builds directly upon the events, struggles, and resolutions of the previous installments, reading them out of sequence will result in major spoilers.
Here is the recommended reading order for the Treading Water series:
- Treading Water (2011) – Focuses on Jack Harrington and Andi Walsh.
- Marking Time (2011) – Focuses on Clare Harrington and Aidan, alongside Kate Harrington's early choices.
- Starting Over (2011) – Focuses on Brandon O'Malley and Daphne.
- Coming Home (2012) – Focuses on Kate Harrington and Reid Matthews, taking place after a ten-year time jump.
- Finding Forever (2020) – Focuses on Maggie Harrington and Brayden Thomas, serving as the series finale.
Why the Order Matters: Story Continuity and Timeline
Unlike many contemporary romance series where each book can easily be read as a standalone with only loose connections, the Treading Water series functions more like a multi-generational family saga. The central conflict of the first book sets off a chain reaction that affects every character for years to come.
The Coma and Its Aftermath (Books 1 & 2)
In Treading Water, we meet architect Jack Harrington, who has spent over a year caring for his comatose wife, Clare, while trying to raise their three daughters. When he meets interior designer Andi Walsh, he is forced to navigate a profound moral and emotional dilemma. The story does not end with a simple resolution; in Marking Time, Clare miraculously awakens from her three-year coma, shifting the narrative focus to her journey of rebuilding her identity, finding new love with Aidan, and dealing with the reality of Jack's new life.
Spin-offs and Time Jumps (Books 3, 4, & 5)
The third book, Starting Over, pivots slightly to focus on Brandon O'Malley's struggle with addiction and his path toward redemption and love with Daphne. However, the family continuity returns in full force in Coming Home. This book features a dramatic ten-year time jump, following Jack and Clare's daughter Kate as an established music superstar returning to St. Kitts to win back her first love, Reid Matthews. Finally, Finding Forever brings the saga to a close, centering on Maggie Harrington's efforts to run a crisis shelter and her romance with horse whisperer Brayden Thomas, while updating readers on the marriages, children, and graduations of the entire extended cast.
Detailed Book-by-Book Breakdown
1. Treading Water
The novel that started it all introduces Jack Harrington, a devoted father who is emotionally drowning under the weight of his wife's tragic accident. When Andi Walsh enters his life to design a new hotel project in Newport, Rhode Island, they spark a deep, long-distance relationship. The book explores the complex grey areas of love, fidelity, and grief during a family tragedy.
2. Marking Time
Waking up from a coma is only the beginning of the battle for Clare Harrington. As she tries to find her place in a world that moved on without her, she forms a bond with Aidan. Concurrently, Clare's oldest daughter Kate chases her musical ambitions in Nashville, falling for a significantly older man, which forces her divorced parents to put aside their differences and intervene.
3. Starting Over
Brandon O'Malley has hit rock bottom. This installment focuses heavily on the themes of sobriety, accountability, and the arduous road to self-improvement. Brandon's relationship with Daphne offers a hopeful look at recovery, showing that second chances are possible even after devastating personal failures.
4. Coming Home
Originally planned as a trilogy, Marie Force expanded the series due to popular demand. Jumped ahead by a decade, Kate Harrington is now a famous singer-songwriter, yet she remains unfulfilled without her first love, Reid Matthews. Kate tracks him down in the Caribbean, rekindling a romance that causes immediate friction with her protective father, Jack.
5. Finding Forever
In the final chapter of the series, Maggie Harrington runs Matthews House, a crisis shelter founded by Kate and Reid. Overwhelmed by the emotional toll of her work, Maggie hires Brayden Thomas to implement an equine therapy program. As they work together, Maggie must dismantle her professional walls to let Brayden in, while the rest of the Harrington family gathers to celebrate major life milestones.
What to Know Before You Start
Origin of the Series
Marie Force began writing the manuscript for Treading Water around 2004–2005. It was her very first series, marking a significant milestone in her career. The protagonist, Jack Harrington, was so central to her writing journey that she named her corporate entity, HTJB, Inc., after him (representing "How To Jack Book" or references to the characters Jack and Brandon).
Separate Universes
Readers often wonder if the Treading Water books cross over with Marie Force's other highly popular series, such as the Gansett Island Series or the Fatal Series. While Gansett Island is also set in Rhode Island (on a fictional version of Block Island), these series exist in separate narrative universes. You do not need to read Gansett Island or the Fatal books to understand the events of Treading Water.
Themes and Tone
This series leans heavier and more emotional than typical lighthearted contemporary romances. It directly addresses sensitive themes, including chronic illness, divorce, recovery from alcoholism, domestic crisis, and intergenerational family friction. However, Marie Force balances these heavy elements with her signature warmth, small-town charm, and hopeful resolutions.