Valentine Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for the Valentine Series

To experience the full charm of Valentine, Oklahoma, readers should follow the books in order of their release. Because the characters age, marry, and grow together, reading the series sequentially allows you to appreciate the background gossip, town growth, and evolving relationships. While each story features a self-contained romance with a happy ending, the community itself is the ultimate overarching character.

Here is the recommended reading path for Curtiss Ann Matlock's series:

1. Love in a Small Town (1997) - The story that started it all. We meet Molly Hayes and her husband Tommy Lee as they navigate the challenges of a twenty-five-year marriage, seeking to reignite the spark they thought they had lost.
2. Lost Highways (1999) - A touching story of healing that follows Rainey Valentine, a twice-divorced woman returning home to find herself, which earned the author a RITA Award nomination.
3. Driving Lessons (2000) - Focuses on Molly's sister, Charlene Darnell, who must rebuild her life, manage a farm, and raise three children after her husband suddenly walks out after two decades of marriage.
4. Cold Tea on a Hot Day (2001) - Centered on Marilee James, a busy mother juggling a special-needs son and managing the local newspaper, who finds her structured life shaken up by the arrival of a charming new managing editor, Tate Holloway.
5. At the Corner of Love and Heartache (2002) - A direct continuation of Marilee and Tate's story as they face the prospect of marriage, complicated by the unexpected return of Marilee’s ex-husband, Stuart.
6. Recipes for Easy Living (2003) / Christmas Comes to Valentine (2016) - This installment details a magical holiday season in the town. Note: This book is also published under the title Christmas Comes to Valentine.
7. Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel (2004) - Follows Claire Wilder as she flees her empty city lifestyle, checks into the nostalgic Goodnight Motel in Valentine, and finds a welcoming community—only for her ex-husband to show up trying to win her back.
8. Chin Up, Honey (2009) - Explores the resilience of the Berry family. Long-married couple Emma and John Cole Berry are planning a divorce, but decide to pretend they are still happily together to make their son's wedding perfect.
9. Little Town, Great Big Life (2010) - Set during the town's grand centennial celebration, this novel follows thirty-seven-year-old Belinda Blaine as she navigates an unexpected pregnancy and a secret from her past, guided by the radio broadcasts of ninety-two-year-old Winston Valentine.

Decoding the Order: The Retitling of Book Six

One of the most common points of confusion for readers diving into the Valentine series is the relationship between Recipes for Easy Living (2003) and Christmas Comes to Valentine (2016). They are not separate books or sequels; they are the exact same story.

Author Curtiss Ann Matlock has openly shared on her official website that she felt the original title, Recipes for Easy Living, was a poor fit that did not accurately represent the heart of the story. Years later, she revisited the manuscript, made minor updates, and re-released the novel as Christmas Comes to Valentine to better reflect its festive setting and cozy themes. If you are purchasing the books today, you only need to acquire one of these versions—historically, it sits as the sixth book in the publishing timeline.

Chronological vs. Publication Order

Fortunately, the chronological timeline of the series aligns perfectly with the publication order. The town of Valentine ages in real-time alongside the release of the books. For instance, the town's centennial celebrations and the aging of beloved patriarch Winston Valentine to ninety-two years old in Little Town, Great Big Life naturally build upon the decades of history established in the earlier novels. Reading the books out of order will spoil who ends up with whom, which marriages endure, and how the children of the town grow up.

Key Characters of Valentine, Oklahoma

While the setting feels like a character itself—complete with local drugstores, front-porch swings, and a local radio station—the heartbeat of the series lies in its ensemble cast:

• Molly Hayes & Charlene Darnell: The two sisters whose personal and romantic lives anchor the early books in the series. Their deep bond and mutual support set the familial tone for the town.
• Marilee James: The dedicated caretaker and newspaper manager who represents the daily struggles of balancing self-sacrifice with personal happiness. Her relationship with Tate Holloway spans multiple books.
• Winston Valentine: The ninety-two-year-old town patriarch whose local radio broadcasts bring the community together and serve as the narrative conscience of the town, especially in the final book.
• Willie Lee: Marilee's special-needs son, whose innocence, warmth, and companionship with his dog, Munro, bring a sweet and authentic emotional depth to the community.

What to Know Before You Start

Curtiss Ann Matlock’s Valentine series stands out in the contemporary romance genre for its authentic, down-to-earth portrayal of ordinary people. Rather than focusing on high-society glamour, these books dive into real-world issues: coping with divorce after long marriages, raising children with special needs, finding love in middle age, and the slow process of emotional healing. The tone is deeply conversational, friendly, and imbued with a distinct Southern flair. While the romance is central, the themes of forgiveness, neighborly support, and personal growth are what truly define the series.