Beth Kendrick Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path

For readers new to Beth Kendrick, the best starting point is her signature Delaware shore-set series, Black Dog Bay. While almost all of her books can technically be read as standalone novels, starting with her most popular series allows you to experience her world-building, recurring humor, and cozy coastal aesthetic at its peak. After exploring Black Dog Bay, you can dive into her popular standalone romances and her early young adult trilogy written under her pen name, Beth Killian.

1. The Black Dog Bay Series (Recommended Start)

Set in a charming Delaware beach town designed to be the ultimate sanctuary for healing from heartbreak, the Black Dog Bay series is Kendrick's most celebrated work. The town features quirky local mainstays like the "Whinery" bar and the "Better Off" bed-and-breakfast. While each book focuses on a different heroine's path to recovery and new love, reading them in publication order is highly recommended to follow the minor crossovers and town developments.

• Cure for the Common Breakup (2014): Follows Summer Benson, a pilot who flees to Black Dog Bay to recover from a public, humiliating breakup, only to find herself falling for a local bartender with his own baggage.
• New Uses for Old Boyfriends (2015): Centers on Lizzie, who returns to Black Dog Bay after her high-society engagement falls apart, opting to rebuild her life on her own terms.
• Put a Ring On It (2015): Focuses on Brighton Smith, who ends up with a chaotic Las Vegas marriage and must figure out how to navigate the aftermath in the quiet seaside town.
• Once Upon a Wine (2016): Tells the story of Cammie, who runs a local wine shop and must deal with the return of her first love.
• In Dog We Trust (2019): Features a canine-loving protagonist, Chelsea, who inherits a grand estate and a pack of unruly dogs, leading to a romance with the estate's handsome executor.

2. Standalone Novels

Once you have finished the Black Dog Bay novels, Beth Kendrick has a rich catalog of standalone contemporary romances. These books feature her signature blend of smart humor, self-discovery, and strong female friendships. They can be read in any order, but starting with her award-winning debut or her famous Hallmark-adapted novel is a great choice.

• My Favorite Mistake (2004): Kendrick's debut novel, which won the Romance Writers of America's prestigious Golden Heart Award. It tells the story of Faith Geary returning to her chilly Minnesota hometown and confronting her past.
• Exes and Ohs (2005): A fun, sassy look at navigating past relationships while trying to move forward.
• Fashionably Late (2006): Focuses on a woman reorganizing her life and career after unexpected twists.
• Nearlyweds (2006): One of her most famous standalones. It follows three friends who discover their marriages were never legally binding due to a paperwork error, forcing them to re-evaluate their relationships.
• The Pre-Nup (2008): A humorous look at the complications of modern marriage contracts.
• Second Time Around (2010): A story focusing on second chances, family dynamics, and fresh starts.
• The Bake-Off (2011): A heartwarming and funny tale of two estranged sisters who reunite to compete in a national baking competition.
• The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service (2012): Highlights Kendrick's real-life passion for rescue dogs, centering on a woman who matches dogs with owners and finds love along the way.
• The Week Before the Wedding (2013): Focuses on the pre-wedding jitters and complex choices faced by a bride-to-be.
• The Christmas Concierge (2022): A festive holiday romance that marks Kendrick's return to standalone publishing after a decade-long hiatus.

3. The YA "310" Series (Written as Beth Killian)

Early in her career, Kendrick wrote a young adult trilogy under the pseudonym Beth Killian. Set in the sunny, dramatic world of Southern California teen culture, this series offers a fun, nostalgic read for fans of mid-2000s teen drama.

• Life as a Poser (2006)
• Everything She Wants (2006)
• Boy Trouble (2007)

Complete Publication Order

If you prefer to watch the author's style evolve chronologically, you can read her entire bibliography in order of release. This list includes her main novels, her young adult works, and her anthology contributions.

1. My Favorite Mistake (2004)
2. In One Year and Out the Other (Anthology, 2004)
3. Exes and Ohs (2005)
4. Fashionably Late (2006)
5. Nearlyweds (2006)
6. Life as a Poser (As Beth Killian, 2006)
7. Everything She Wants (As Beth Killian, 2006)
8. Boy Trouble (As Beth Killian, 2007)
9. The Pre-Nup (2008)
10. Second Time Around (2010)
11. The Bake-Off (2011)
12. The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service (2012)
13. The Week Before the Wedding (2013)
14. Cure for the Common Breakup (2014)
15. New Uses for Old Boyfriends (2015)
16. Put a Ring On It (2015)
17. Once Upon a Wine (2016)
18. In Dog We Trust (2019)
19. The Christmas Concierge (2022)
20. Christmas Gifts and a Winter Kiss (Anthology, 2022)

What to Know Before You Start

Beth Kendrick's books are classified as contemporary romance and women's fiction. Her heroines are typically smart, independent women dealing with realistic setbacks—divorce, career changes, or family pressure—with a healthy dose of humor. If you love stories featuring tight-knit coastal communities, cute rescue dogs, and second chances at love, you will find her books highly comforting. Her writing tone is fast-paced, dialogue-heavy, and warm, making her books ideal beach reads or cozy weekend escapes.