Abby Gaines Books in Order

Where to Start with Abby Gaines

Abby Gaines is celebrated for her lighthearted, humorous romance novels. If you are new to her work, your best starting point depends on whether you prefer contemporary or historical settings:

• For Contemporary Romance: Start with Her So-Called Fiance (2009). This is the first book in the Those Merritt Girls trilogy, showcasing her signature blend of witty banter, fake relationships, and emotional depth.
• For Historical Romance: Start with The Earl's Mistaken Bride (2011). This starts her Regency-era duology, Parson's Daughters, and is highly recommended for fans of Jane Austen-style misunderstandings and clever dialogue.

Those Merritt Girls Series

This contemporary trilogy follows three sisters finding love in humorous, high-stakes situations. While each book can be read as a standalone, reading them in publication order lets you see the sisterly dynamics unfold naturally:

1. Her So-Called Fiance (2009)
2. Her Secret Rival (2009)
3. Her Surprise Hero (2009)

Parson's Daughters Series

Gaines transitioned to historical Regency romance with this charming two-book series, focusing on independent women navigating the strict societal rules of the era:

1. The Earl's Mistaken Bride (2011)
2. The Governess and Mr. Granville (2012)

Understanding Her Harlequin Multi-Author Series Contributions

A common source of confusion for readers of Harlequin authors is the appearance of massive series lists. Abby Gaines contributed standalone books to several shared-universe, multi-author Harlequin miniseries. You do not need to read the dozens of other books in these series by other authors to enjoy her contributions. Here are the specific books she wrote within these collections:

Harlequin NASCAR Series

Set within the high-octane world of professional stock car racing, Gaines penned several contemporary romances for this line:

• Back on Track (2007)
• The Natural (2007) – First published in the holiday anthology A NASCAR Holiday 2 before receiving standalone releases.
• Fully Engaged (2008)
• Teaming Up (2008)
• Checkered Past (2009)
• The Comeback (2010)

Other Harlequin Miniseries Contributions

• Suddenly A Parent / Bundles of Joy: The Diaper Diaries (2008) – A sweet contemporary story about unexpected parenthood.
• Marriage of Inconvenience: The Groom Came Back (2008) – A classic marriage-of-convenience tale that stands alone.
• More Than Friends: Her Best Friend's Wedding (2011) – A friends-to-lovers story that is the sixth entry in this multi-author collection.

Standalone Novels

If you prefer standalone contemporary stories that require no series commitments, these books are excellent choices:

• Whose Lie Is It Anyway? (2007) – Her debut novel, featuring a fake-marriage premise.
• Married by Mistake (2007) – A fan-favorite contemporary comedy.
• The Rebel Tycoon's Outrageous Proposal (2008)
• That New York Minute (2012)
• The Wedding Plan (2012)
• Jane's Gift (2013)