Beth Pattillo Books in Order

Where to Begin with Beth Pattillo

Beth Pattillo has established herself as a beloved voice in clean, contemporary romance, inspirational women's fiction, and Regency-era romance. As an ordained minister and an avid fan of Jane Austen, her stories frequently weave together themes of faith, second chances, community, and literary legacy. Because her catalog spans several distinct series and standalones, the best place to start depends heavily on your reading preferences:

• For Jane Austen Fanatics: Start with Jane Austen Ruined My Life (2009). This is her most famous work and serves as the entry point to a trilogy of novels that blend modern romance with literary mysteries and walking tours of England.
• For Fans of Cozy Small Towns: Begin with Sweetgum Second Chance (originally published as The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society in 2008). It is a warm, community-centered story that reads like a comforting cup of tea, complete with knitting patterns and book group discussions.
• For Inspirational & Faith-Based Romance: Start with Heavens to Betsy (2005), a lighthearted, humorous romance following a female minister that won the Romance Writers of America (RWA) RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance in 2006.

1. Adventures with Jane Austen and Her Legacy (Jane Austen's Formidables)

This contemporary romance trilogy is a dream for Jane Austen fans. The books follow modern women whose personal lives, romantic struggles, and academic careers intersect with the historic locations, letters, and novels of Jane Austen. Each book features a central mystery involving a lost or hidden Austen artifact.

While the books feature different protagonists, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order to follow the subtle thematic progression and continuity of the literary investigations:

1. Jane Austen Ruined My Life (2009) - Follows English professor Emma Grant as she travels to England to investigate a secret society dedicated to protecting Jane Austen's lost letters, while trying to rebuild her own life after a divorce.
2. Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart (2010) - Note: Reissued in some markets under the title Talk Darcy to Me. Follows Claire Prescott as she travels to an Oxford seminar and stumbles upon a rare, early manuscript of Pride and Prejudice (originally titled First Impressions).
3. The Dashwood Sisters Tell All (2011) - Note: Reissued in some markets under the title Sense, Sensibility, and Spilling the Tea. Follows two estranged sisters, Ellen and Mimi Dashwood, as they take a walking tour of Hampshire in accordance with their mother's dying wish, discovering a secret diary kept by Jane Austen's sister, Cassandra.

In addition to this trilogy, Beth Pattillo contributed a short story titled "When Only a Darcy Will Do" to the 2011 anthology Jane Austen Made Me Do It (edited by Laurel Ann Nattress). This short story follows Elizabeth Brown, who runs unauthorized walking tours in London and meets a handsome man dressed as Mr. Darcy.

2. The Sweetgum Series (The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society)

Set in the fictional small town of Sweetgum, Tennessee, this series focuses on a Friday night knitting book club where a group of diverse women share their life struggles, relationship drama, and secrets. It highlights female friendship, healing, and local community. Readers should note that these books have been published under alternative titles over the years:

1. The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society (2008) - Note: Reissued in 2021 under the title Sweetgum Second Chance. This first installment introduces the core group of women, their love of literature and knitting, and the unexpected challenges that draw them closer together.
2. The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love (2009) - Note: Reissued in 2022 under the title Sweetgum Secrets. The second book continues the story of the society members as they navigate new relationships, family crises, and personal secrets.

Both books are best read in chronological order, as the characters' lives and relational dynamics build directly from the first book into the second.

3. The Reverend Betsy Blessing Series

Drawing on Pattillo's real-life experiences as an ordained minister, this humorous and heartfelt series centers on Betsy Blessing, a young female minister navigating church politics, dating, and community life in Nashville. The books are a mix of contemporary chick-lit and clean, inspirational romance:

1. Heavens to Betsy (2005) - Introduces Reverend Betsy Blessing as she balances her duties at a struggling church with her messy love life. This novel won the prestigious RITA Award in 2006.
2. Earth to Betsy (2006) - Follows Betsy as she faces new ministerial challenges, eccentric parishioners, and ongoing relationship decisions.

4. Collaborative Series: Mystery and the Minister's Wife

The Mystery and the Minister's Wife series is a collaborative, multi-author cozy mystery collection published by Guideposts. The books are set in the fictional town of Copper Mill, Tennessee, and revolve around Kate and Paul Hanlon, a minister and his wife who keep finding themselves in the middle of local mysteries.

While the entire series spans 18 books written by several rotating authors (including Diane Noble, Traci DePree, Carol Cox, Sunni Jeffers, and Eve Fisher), Beth Pattillo was a contributing writer and penned exactly two entries in the lineup:

• Beauty Shop Tales (Book 3, 2007) - Written by Beth Pattillo.
• Where There's a Will (Book 5, 2008) - Written by Beth Pattillo.

Reading Advice: You do not need to read all 18 books to enjoy Beth Pattillo's entries. However, because it is a shared-world series with continuing characters, reading the series opener, Through the Fire (Book 1, written by Diane Noble), will help establish the main cast and setting before diving into Pattillo's volumes.

5. Standalone Historical Romances & Pseudonym Works

Before transitioning to contemporary novels, Pattillo wrote historical romances set in the Regency era. These can be read in any order as they are entirely standalone projects:

• Princess Charming (2003) - Pattillo's debut novel under her own name, a Regency-era romance that establishes her characteristic mix of humor and strong female leads.
• Her Perfect Earl (2005) - Written and published under the pen name Bethany Brooks. This is a Regency historical romance featuring a spirited heroine and a traditional nobleman.

What to Know Before You Start

When searching for physical or digital copies of Beth Pattillo's books, pay close attention to the titles. Many of her books have been re-released with modern covers and revised titles. For instance, if you cannot find The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society, look for Sweetgum Second Chance—they are the exact same novel! The same applies to The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love (re-released as Sweetgum Secrets), Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart (re-released as Talk Darcy to Me), and The Dashwood Sisters Tell All (re-released as Sense, Sensibility, and Spilling the Tea). By sticking to the publication orders detailed above, you will avoid accidentally buying the same story twice.