How to Read Ashton Lee's Cherry Cola Book Club Series
For readers who appreciate small-town Southern charm, quirky community dynamics, and a deep love for libraries and literature, Ashton Lee’s Cherry Cola Book Club series is a perfect fit. The series takes place in the fictional town of Cherico, Mississippi, and centers on Maura Beth Mayhew, a passionate librarian determined to protect her local library from budget cuts and redevelopment projects.
Because the series follows a tight, continuous timeline that tracks Maura Beth's personal life, career progress, and the evolving relationships of Cherico's residents, you must read these books in publication order. Reading out of order will spoil major life changes, marriage milestones, and the ongoing development of the town's beloved community library.
The Cherry Cola Book Club Books in Publication and Chronological Order
Here is the complete order of the series, showing how the community of Cherico grows and comes together book by book:
1. The Cherry Cola Book Club (2013)
This is where the story begins. Maura Beth Mayhew, Cherico's enthusiastic librarian, is devastated to learn that local Councilman Durden Sparks plans to shut down her beloved library to make room for an industrial park. In a desperate bid to boost circulation and show the town how vital the library is, Maura Beth starts the Cherry Cola Book Club. Gathering local residents for potluck dinners themed around classic Southern literature, the club slowly begins to mend old town rivalries and build an unbreakable community spirit.
2. The Reading Circle (2014)
With the library's future still hanging in the balance, Maura Beth doubles down on her outreach efforts. The Cherry Cola Book Club expands, welcoming new members who bring their own secrets, struggles, and delicious recipes. While navigating the continued political pushback from Councilman Sparks, Maura Beth also finds herself dealing with a developing personal romance with Jeremy McShay.
3. The Wedding Circle (2015)
Love and progress are in the air in Cherico. In this third installment, Maura Beth's hard work finally pays off as plans get underway to build a brand-new, modern library on the shores of Lake Cherico. At the same time, she is busy preparing for her wedding to Jeremy. As the book club gathers to discuss classic Southern reads, the community unites to help their favorite librarian prepare for her big day.
4. A Cherry Cola Christmas (2015)
In this festive holiday volume, Maura Beth and Jeremy are adjusting to their new lives as newlyweds. However, the holiday season in Cherico is threatened by a sluggish local economy and a mysterious rash of local crimes. To lift everyone's spirits, Maura Beth and the book club plan a special holiday gathering to share uplifting stories and revive the town's festive cheer.
5. Queen of the Cookbooks (2016)
The long-awaited, state-of-the-art Cherico library is finally complete, and the town celebrates its grand opening during a massive Fourth of July celebration. To mark the occasion, Maura Beth organizes a high-stakes cooking contest to crown the "Queen of the Cookbooks." Naturally, local rivalries flare up, and Maura Beth has to manage both kitchen drama and logistical mishaps to make the opening a success.
6. Book Club Babies (2017)
The final novel in the series brings new life to Cherico. Maura Beth and Jeremy are expecting their first child, and Jeremy's pregnant sister, Elise, also moves to town. Balancing her library duties with the anticipation of motherhood, Maura Beth shifts the focus of her community gatherings to launch "Expecting Great Things," a support circle for the town's pregnant mothers and families, bringing the series to a heartwarming conclusion.
What to Know Before You Start
Ashton Lee's series is a delightful blend of cozy fiction and real-world advocacy. Drawing from his own professional background working as a publisher's representative for Southern libraries, Lee weaves genuine challenges faced by public libraries—such as funding cuts, shifting municipal priorities, and the need for modern tech spaces—into a lighthearted narrative. Additionally, food plays a central role in these books, with each chapter often highlighting Southern potluck dishes, making them highly popular among real-life reading circles and cooking enthusiasts.
There are no spin-offs, companion novellas, or co-authored books to keep track of, making this a highly accessible six-book journey that provides a satisfying, completed story arc for Maura Beth and the town of Cherico.