How to Read the Wells Landing Series
The Wells Landing series by Amy Lillard is best read in publication order. While each novel is written as a standalone romance with its own satisfying conclusion and no cliffhangers, characters from earlier books frequently reappear as neighbors, friends, and family members in subsequent stories. Reading the books chronologically as they were published allows you to fully appreciate the growth of the community, the changing seasons in Oklahoma, and the recurring cast of characters as they support one another through life's trials.
The Wells Landing Reading Order
Here is the complete list of books in the Wells Landing series in their recommended reading order:
- Caroline's Secret (2014): The series opener introduces Caroline Hostetler, a single mother seeking a fresh start for herself and her daughter in Wells Landing. When she meets newcomer Andrew Fitch, a painful secret from her past threatens their chance at love.
- Courting Emily (2015): Emily Ebersol, the bishop’s daughter, is torn between her childhood sweetheart Luke (who has left the Amish community) and the steady, faithful Elam Rhiel.
- Lorie's Heart (2015): Following her father's sudden death, Lorie Kauffman uncovers a secret life he lived in the Englisch world, leading her to question her own identity while finding love in the process.
- Just Plain Sadie (2016): Focuses on Sadie Kauffman, who struggles with the expectations of the community and her growing feelings for Ezra Hein, an outsider who may not fit into her structured world.
- Titus Returns (2016): Titus Lambert returns to Wells Landing after serving a prison sentence, seeking forgiveness and a clean slate, which he finds alongside the cautious Abbie King.
- Marrying Jonah (2017): When Jonah Miller's heart is broken by his former girlfriend Lorie, he enters an impulsive marriage of honor with Sarah Yoder, who has secretly loved him for years.
- The Quilting Circle (2017): A companion anthology consisting of three connected novellas: More Than Friendship (Clara Rose Yutzy and Obidiah), More Than a Promise (widow Mariana Miller and Reuben Weisel), and More Than a Marriage (newcomer Tess Smiley and her husband Jacob).
- A Wells Landing Christmas (2018): A seasonal tale focusing on Ivy Weaver, who returns to the community after making reckless mistakes and finds a path to redemption and love with Zeb Brenneman.
- Loving Jenna (2020): The first book focusing on the Burkhart family. Jenna Burkhart moves to Wells Landing with her mother and grandmother, finding an understanding partner in Buddy Miller who respects her despite a childhood head injury.
- Romancing Nadine (2020): Centers on Jenna's grandmother, Nadine Burkhart, a practical widow in her mid-60s who moves to town to support her family but finds herself courted by persistent bachelor Amos Fisher.
- A New Love for Charlotte (2021): Follows Jenna's mother, Charlotte Burkhart. When she discovers an abandoned baby on her doorstep, her neighbor Paul Brenneman offers to marry her to help her realize her dreams of motherhood.
What to Know Before You Start
Amy Lillard’s Wells Landing is set in a fictional Amish settlement in Oklahoma (specifically inspired by the real-world Amish community in the Chouteau area). Unlike traditional Amish fiction set in Pennsylvania or Ohio, the Oklahoma setting offers a unique, slightly more progressive backdrop. In Wells Landing, the Amish community allows certain modern conveniences, such as tractor use, which creates a distinct cultural dynamic. The books deal with real, relatable struggles—including grief, physical differences, prison rehabilitation, and the challenges of single parenthood—while maintaining a warm, uplifting, and faith-filled tone.
The Burkhart Family Subseries
Books 9 through 11 (Loving Jenna, Romancing Nadine, and A New Love for Charlotte) form a distinct multi-generational subseries within the larger Wells Landing universe. These books follow three generations of women in the Burkhart family—granddaughter, grandmother, and mother—as they relocate to Oklahoma and navigate romantic second chances at different stages of life. While they remain connected to the broader community, these three books are tightly knit and should definitely be read sequentially.
The Quilting Circle Companion
Originally released as separate digital novellas, The Quilting Circle compilation brings together three shorter romances centered around the local quilting circle. While it is officially designated as Book 7, it serves as a wonderful companion piece that fleshes out secondary characters and community dynamics, making it a perfect cozy read between the longer novels.