Where to Start Reading Ava Miles
Ava Miles is celebrated for her emotional, uplifting contemporary romances that weave love, family, and deep personal healing. Her books are set in a shared universe filled with recurring characters, friendly cameos, and sweeping family histories. While almost all of her novels can be read as standalones, diving into her series in the recommended order lets you experience the community growth, character relationships, and overarching plots exactly as they were meant to unfold.
The Golden Starting Point: Start with Nora Roberts Land, the book that launched her flagship Dare Valley series. This serves as the cornerstone of her entire fictional universe, introducing the Hale family and the charming Rocky Mountain town of Dare Valley. From there, you can follow the main Dare Valley books or branch off into the country-music-infused Dare River companion series.
The Flagship: Dare Valley Series
Set in the fictional, picturesque town of Dare Valley, Colorado, this 13-book series focuses on second chances, family loyalty, and small-town charm. The Hales, who run the local newspaper, form the backbone of the community.
- Nora Roberts Land (2013) - Meredith Hale moves back to Dare Valley and meets Tanner McBride. This book received the real-life blessing of romance icon Nora Roberts.
- French Roast (2013) - A culinary-focused romance highlighting the local coffee shop.
- The Grand Opening (2013) - Explores the opening of the Grand Mountain Hotel.
- The Holiday Serenade (2013) - A warm holiday novella featuring local music.
- The Town Square (2013) - Focuses on community recovery and healing.
- The Park of Sunset Dreams (2014) - A journey of self-discovery and love.
- The Perfect Ingredient (2014) - Another food-heavy romance focusing on finding the right life balance.
- The Bridge to a Better Life (2015) - A story of transition, career shifts, and unexpected romance.
- Daring Brides (2015) - A collection of stories focusing on weddings and happy endings.
- The Calendar of New Beginnings (2016) - Dealing with time, loss, and restarting life.
- Home Sweet Love (2017) - A homecoming tale filled with sweet romance.
- The Moonlight Serenade (2017) - A musical, nocturnal romance under the stars.
- The Sky of Endless Blue (2018) - The final main entry in the original Dare Valley run.
The Companion: Dare River Series
Set near Nashville, Tennessee, the Dare River series introduces a slightly grittier, music-centric setting while retaining the signature warmth of Dare Valley. Country star Rye Crenshaw is a close friend of the Dare Valley characters, making this series a natural sister project. The author recommends reading these alongside or immediately after the first few Dare Valley books.
- Country Heaven (2014) - Features country superstar Rye Crenshaw and cook Elizabeth Hale.
- The Chocolate Garden (2014) - A sweet story of art, gardens, and chocolate.
- Fireflies and Magnolias (2015) - A southern romance about politics and old flames.
- The Promise of Rainbows (2016) - A story of rebuilding after tragedy.
- The Fountain of Infinite Wishes (2016) - A magical, hopeful romance about wishes coming true.
- The Patchwork Quilt of Happiness (2018) - A heartwarming conclusion focusing on family ties.
Dare Valley Crossovers and Spin-offs
As the universe grew, Ava Miles wrote direct crossovers and spin-offs that merge Dare Valley with international locations like Paris. These should be read after the early Dare Valley books to avoid spoilers.
Once Upon a Dare
This spin-off shifts focus to professional sports. The single book in this subseries is a heartwarming story about family and athletic pressures.
- The Gate to Everything (2016) - Follows quarterback Jordan Dean and chef Grace Kincaid as they navigate co-parenting and love.
Dare Valley Meets Paris
A four-part mini-series that bridges the rustic charm of Colorado with the high-society elegance of France.
- The Billionaire's Gamble (2015)
- The Billionaire's Secret (2015)
- The Billionaire's Courtship (2015)
- The Billionaire's Return (2015)
Note: The novella Dare Valley Meets Paris Billionaire (2015) serves as a companion piece to this specific crossover arc.
The Merriam Family Sagas
The Merriam family first appears within the Dare Valley universe, but they spin off into their own globe-trotting romantic adventures. The Merriams series deals with family secrets, high-stakes corporate drama, and international travel.
- Wild Irish Rose (2019) - The Merriam family story begins, moving between America and Ireland.
- Love Among Lavender (2019) - Set in the beautiful lavender fields of Provence.
- Valley of Stars (2019) - A journey to the night skies and vineyards.
- Sunflower Alley (2020) - A bright, hopeful story of second chances.
- A Forever of Orange Blossoms (2020) - Explores Mediterranean romance and legacy.
- A Breath of Jasmine (2020) - The final installment of the core Merriam family saga.
The Unexpected Prince Charming Series
This series moves the setting permanently to the lush, green landscapes of Ireland. It follows modern fairy-tale romance tropes with a signature Ava Miles touch of realistic family dynamics.
- Beside Golden Irish Fields (2021)
- Beneath Pearly Irish Skies (2021)
- Through Crimson Irish Light (2022)
- After Indigo Irish Nights (2022)
- Beyond Rosy Irish Twilight (2022)
- Over Verdant Irish Hills (2023)
Friends & Neighbors and The Paris Roommates
In her later works, Miles began publishing fresh contemporary romance series that focus on close-knit groups of friends overcoming collective and personal hurdles.
Friends & Neighbors
- The House of Hope & Chocolate (2021)
- The Dreamer's Flower Shoppe (2021)
The Paris Roommates
This series centers on a group of six close friends who once lived together in Paris and reunite to help their mentor restore her business.
- The Paris Roommates: Thea (2023)
- The Paris Roommates: Dean (2024)
What to Know Before You Start
Ava Miles utilizes her real-world background as a professional chef and a international conflict expert in war zones to ground her stories. This means you will find a lot of themes regarding emotional healing, reconciliation, community rebuilding, and culinary arts. Because characters from Dare Valley, Dare River, and the Merriam family frequently crossover, reading in publication order is highly recommended for the best experience. However, if you are drawn to a specific trope (such as country music in Dare River, or Irish settings in Unexpected Prince Charming), you can comfortably start there without feeling lost.