Where to Start with Amanda Renée
For readers diving into Amanda Renée's contemporary western romances, the absolute best place to start is with the Welcome to Ramblewood series, beginning with her debut novel, Betting on Texas. This was the book that launched her career after winning the Harlequin So You Think You Can Write contest in 2013. Starting here introduces you to her signature blend of rugged but emotionally tender heroes, strong-willed heroines, and her recurring inclusion of hippotherapy (horse-assisted therapy).
After completing the Ramblewood saga, you should transition to the Saddle Ridge, Montana series. This series keeps the beloved ranch settings but shifts the location to the beautiful, snowy backdrop of Montana, introducing lawmen, single parents, and high-stakes family dynamics. Because both series follow a linear timeline where characters reappear and communities evolve, reading them in publication order is highly recommended for the best experience.
Welcome to Ramblewood Series in Order
Set in the gorgeous Texas Hill Country, the Ramblewood series spans nine novels. While each book can technically be read as a standalone romance, they are deeply interconnected through the central community, ranching conflicts, and family trees. Reading them in order allows you to watch the characters grow and see familiar faces return in later books.
- Betting on Texas (2013) - Book 1: The debut novel following Miranda Archer and cowboy Jax Barlow as they clash over land, trust, and unexpected chemistry in the Texas Hill Country.
- Home to the Cowboy (2013) - Book 2: Details the emotional journey of childhood sweethearts getting a second chance at love on the family ranch.
- Blame It on the Rodeo (2014) - Book 3: A classic rodeo-themed romance exploring whether a fast-paced cowboy can settle down with a home-town girl.
- A Texan for Hire (2015) - Book 4: Features an intriguing workplace dynamic on a working ranch where professional boundaries blur.
- Back to Texas (2015) - Book 5: Explores themes of homecoming, healing old wounds, and discovering that love was waiting right where you left it.
- Mistletoe Rodeo (2015) - Book 6: A festive holiday romance featuring a cozy ranch setting, which earned Amanda Renée an RT Book Reviewers' Choice Award nomination.
- The Trouble with Cowgirls (2016) - Book 7: A lively battle of wits between a stubborn cowboy and an equally determined cowgirl who refuses to back down.
- A Bull Rider's Pride (2016) - Book 8: Spotlights the high-stakes world of professional rodeo, injury recovery, and emotional redemption.
- Twins for Christmas (2016) - Book 9: The final Ramblewood novel, focusing on Hannah Tanner as she becomes the guardian of twin girls and faces off against their biological father, Noah Knight, during the holidays.
Saddle Ridge, Montana Series in Order
Moving from the warm plains of Texas to the dramatic landscapes of Montana, this five-book series focuses on the tight-knit community of Saddle Ridge. It brings a slightly colder, cozier vibe—perfect for winter reading—while maintaining the ranching themes and emotional depth of her earlier work.
- The Lawman's Rebel Bride (2017) - Book 1: Shifts the focus to local law enforcement, introducing Deputy Sheriff Toby Henderson and a rebellious heroine looking for a fresh start.
- A Snowbound Cowboy Christmas (2017) - Book 2: A forced-proximity romance where two stranded strangers find warmth and sparks under the starry Montana skies.
- Wrangling Cupid's Cowboy (2018) - Book 3: Features a delightful matchmaking plotline set against the backdrop of local ranching life.
- The Bull Rider's Baby Bombshell (2018) - Book 4: An emotional secret-baby trope story involving a professional bull rider trying to adjust to sudden parenthood.
- Montana Redemption (2019) - Book 5: Originally published with the imprint prefix Home on the Ranch, this final book wraps up the Saddle Ridge arcs with a poignant story of forgiveness, healing, and second chances.
The "Standalone" Compilations: Clearing Up the Confusion
If you are looking through online bookstores, you might see two books listed as standalone novels published in 2021: A Ranch Called Home and The Bull Rider's Unexpected Family. However, before you buy these expecting brand new stories, there is an important caveat you need to know. These are actually Harlequin compilation volumes (2-in-1 paperbacks) that package Amanda Renée's previously released novels alongside works by other romance authors:
- A Ranch Called Home (2021): Features Amanda Renée's 2014 novel Blame It on the Rodeo alongside Patricia Thayer's story Her Rocky Mountain Protector.
- The Bull Rider's Unexpected Family (2021): Features Amanda Renée's 2018 novel The Bull Rider's Baby Bombshell alongside Tina Leonard's story The Bull Rider's Twins.
If you have already read the main series, you can safely skip these collections as they do not contain new material by Renée. However, they are a fantastic, cost-effective way for new readers to grab physical copies of her older stories alongside other popular Harlequin authors.
What to Know Before You Start
Amanda Renée's stories are published under Harlequin's Western Romance imprint. This means they are category romances: shorter, fast-paced, and highly focused on the emotional development of the core couple. Her writing is notable for its clean yet passionate romance, family values, and emotional themes. If you enjoy authors like Diana Palmer, Maisey Yates, or Patricia Thayer, you will feel right at home. The inclusion of animals—particularly horses used in therapy—adds a unique, authentic layer of realism and heart that distinguishes her books from standard western templates.