Where to Start with Beth Merlin
If you are new to Beth Merlin's contemporary women's fiction, the absolute best place to start is at the beginning of her signature series with One S'more Summer. This book introduces readers to her trademark blend of lighthearted humor, romance, and deep camp-fueled nostalgia. As the first installment of the Campfire books, it lays the groundwork for the character growth, friendships, and romantic tension that span the entire series. Alternatively, if you prefer a self-contained story to test her writing style before committing to a multi-book arc, her standalone novel Breakup Boot Camp or her collaborative work The Last Phone Booth in Manhattan make for wonderful, engaging entry points.
The Campfire Books: Publication and Chronological Order
The Campfire series is a serialized four-book saga focusing on the personal and professional evolution of Gigi Goldstein. Because the narrative carries over directly from one book to the next, it is highly recommended to read this series in strict chronological order. Fortunately, the chronological order matches the publication order exactly. Reading these books out of order will result in major spoilers regarding Gigi's relationships and career milestones.
- One S'more Summer (2017): The series opener introduces Gigi Goldstein, a high-end designer from New York City who is reeling from a sudden heartbreak and career setbacks. In an act of desperation, she returns to Camp Chinooka—the sleepaway camp where she spent her youth—to serve as a camp counselor. There, she must navigate the challenges of working with children, confronting past memories, and dealing with Perry Gillman, a fellow counselor who challenges her at every turn.
- S'More to Lose (2017): Taking place shortly after the events of the first book, Gigi returns to the fast-paced design world of Manhattan. She lands a dream commission to design for a high-profile royal wedding. However, the pressure of the job is compounded by unresolved feelings for Perry and the return of figures from her past, forcing her to decide what she is truly willing to risk for happiness.
- Love You s'More (2018): The third installment follows Gigi as she continues to balance her growing career with the complexities of adult relationships. The focus shifts toward finding long-term balance, navigating trust, and realizing that healing from past wounds is not a linear process.
- Tell Me S'more (2021): The final entry in the Campfire series wraps up Gigi's journey with emotional closure, tying up the remaining threads of her professional endeavors, friendships, and romantic future in a satisfying conclusion.
Beth Merlin’s Standalone Novels
When she is not writing about the campfire-lit nights of Camp Chinooka, Beth Merlin has penned several standalone novels that explore themes of reinvention, healing, and serendipity. These can be read in any order, though reading them in publication order showcases her growth as a storyteller.
- Breakup Boot Camp (2019): Written solely by Merlin, this heartfelt standalone features Joanna Kitt, a woman who is blindsided when her engagement ends. Desperate to heal, she signs up for a specialized, tech-free retreat on Topsail Island, North Carolina, designed to help participants move past heartbreak. The novel explores sisterhood, self-care, and the unexpected ways we find love when we focus on healing ourselves.
- The Last Phone Booth in Manhattan (2024): Co-authored with Danielle Modafferi, this modern, Dickensian-inspired holiday romance follows Avery Lawrence. Avery's life is shattered on Christmas Day when her fiancé is arrested for fraud. Left with nothing, she stumbles upon the last remaining physical phone booth in Manhattan. The mysterious calls she makes from the booth set off a chain reaction, leading her back to an old flame and helping her reclaim her life.
Collaborative Evolution: The Merlin & Mod Partnership
A unique aspect of Beth Merlin's bibliography is her frequent collaboration with author and publisher Danielle Modafferi. Writing together under the moniker Merlin & Mod, the duo has built a reputation for co-writing romance novels with rapid-fire dialogue and strong emotional beats. While the Campfire Books were initially published under Merlin's name, they were highly collaborative efforts. In recent years, the duo has officially branded their co-authored releases, expanding their library with standalone titles such as Heart Restoration Project (2024), which follows a reality TV star's self-renovation at a French château, Life Derailed (2025), and The Magic of Us (2026).
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Beth Merlin's books, there are a few stylistic elements to keep in mind. Her books are heavily grounded in the contemporary women's fiction and chick-lit genres, meaning they prioritize character growth, female friendship, and career ambitions alongside the central romance. If you enjoy the witty, relatable writing of authors like Sophie Kinsella or Emily Giffin, you will feel right at home. Additionally, her solo work and co-authored projects share a similar warm, friendly tone, ensuring a cohesive reading experience across her entire catalog. There are no major chronological overlaps or timeline disagreements between her standalone books, making her library exceptionally easy and stress-free to navigate.