Where to Start with Beth Carpenter
If you are new to Beth Carpenter’s clean, uplifting contemporary romance novels, the best place to begin is with the Northern Lights series. Starting with The Alaskan Catch (2017) allows you to experience her trademark blend of breathtaking Alaskan wilderness, close-knit community dynamics, and heartwarming romance from the very beginning. While most of her books can technically be read as standalones, starting here introduces you to recurring characters and the charming setting of regional Alaska, which plays a major role throughout her work.
Alternatively, if you prefer sun-drenched canyons, small-town crossroads, and emotional second chances set in the Southwest, you can start with At the Turning Point (2012), the first book in her Choices series.
Northern Lights Series (Alaska)
Set against the rugged, beautiful backdrop of Alaska, this series features standalone romance plots that share a common, cozy universe. While the romance arcs are fully resolved in each book, reading them in order helps you appreciate the community development and recurring background characters.
Publication and Recommended Reading Order:
- The Alaskan Catch (2017) - Introduces the wilderness setting and a heartwarming fish-out-of-water romance.
- A Gift for Santa (2017) - A cozy winter romance focused on holiday warmth and family.
- Alaskan Hideaway (2018) - A story of refuge, healing, and romance under the northern lights.
- An Alaskan Proposal (2018) - Follows the emotional journey of a romantic proposal in the wild.
- Sweet Home Alaska (2019) - A reader-favorite story of home, belonging, and unexpected love.
- Alaskan Dreams (2020) - Explores family bonds and new beginnings during the local wedding season.
- An Alaskan Family Christmas (2020) - A holiday-themed story of connection in a rustic, snow-covered cabin.
- An Alaskan Homecoming (2021) - Highlights second chances, community support, and returning to one's roots.
- An Alaskan Family Found (2022) - Focuses on healing past wounds and establishing new family ties.
- An Alaskan Family Thanksgiving (2022) - A seasonal romance centered on gratitude, togetherness, and new hope.
Choices Series (Arizona & Route 66)
The Choices series is set primarily in the American Southwest, winding through scenic locations like Sedona, Flagstaff, and along the historic Route 66. These books focus on pivotal life moments where characters must make difficult decisions that lead to love and personal growth. They should be read in order of release to best capture the structural flow of the series.
Publication Order:
- At the Turning Point (2012)
- Last Flight from Flagstaff (2012)
- Family Planning (2012)
- Shades of Sedona (2013)
- Detour on Route 66 (2013)
- Recalculating Route (2013)
Multi-Author Christmas Collaborations
Beth Carpenter has also contributed to collaborative multi-author series set in shared universes. Her main contribution is to the 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas project, set in the fictional, festive destination of Christmas Town.
In this universe, Carpenter wrote A Gift Horse (2018), which follows Luke Mueller as he moves to Christmas Town to escape his past and ends up restoring the town's antique carousel. While this book is part of a larger multi-author collection, it stands alone perfectly. Below is the full publication order of the collection for readers who want to explore the entire town's stories:
- A Christmas Carousel Proposal (2018)
- Paint Me a Christmas (2018)
- The Dark Horse (2018)
- Five Golden Wishes (2018)
- Pride and Presents (2018)
- Our Christmas Promise (2018)
- Defending Christmas (2018)
- The Hope Chest (2018)
- A Gift Horse by Beth Carpenter (2018)
- His Christmas Carousel Baby (2018)
- A Miracle for Christmas (2018)
- Santa School (2018)
- Sleigh Bells in the Snow (2018)
Standalone Novels & Anthologies
For readers looking for self-contained stories outside of her main series, Carpenter has written several standalones and contributed to holiday anthologies.
- After the Fireweed (2017) - A standalone romantic mystery set against the beauty of the Alaskan frontier.
- Kidnapped in Alaska (2022) - Part of the multi-author Love Inspired: Mountain Rescue collection, this high-stakes romantic suspense novel follows characters escaping danger in the wilderness.
- Christmas Town Bake-Off (2022) - A collaborative 7-book connected holiday romance anthology featuring festive stories.