Where to Start Reading Cate Woods
If you are new to Cate Woods's bibliography, you have two primary entry points depending on what style of feel-good fiction you prefer:
- For Cozy Small-Town Romance: Start with The Inn at Tansy Falls (2021). This book launches her signature series set in Vermont and is the perfect introduction to her talent for building warm, welcoming communities filled with quirky characters and emotional healing.
- For Witty, High-Concept Rom-Coms: Start with her debut novel, Just Haven't Met You Yet (2016). This standalone focuses on a clever modern premise regarding technology and soulmates, perfect for readers who enjoy fast-paced British humor and unexpected plot twists.
The Tansy Falls Series in Order
The Tansy Falls books transport readers to a picture-perfect, charming town in Vermont. While the books feature recurring locals and share the same cozy atmosphere, each novel focuses on a different central couple and can technically be read as a standalone. However, reading them in order of publication enhances the experience as you get to see familiar faces and watch the town evolve.
1. The Inn at Tansy Falls (2021)
The series begins with Nell, a city-dwelling English girl who is dealing with deep grief after the loss of her best friend, Megan. Before passing away, Megan left Nell a structured two-week itinerary in Tansy Falls, Vermont, designed to push Nell out of her comfort zone. Nell stays at a local inn, tackles the daily challenges on the list, and learns to navigate life again—all while trying to follow Megan's explicit rule to stay far away from Brody Knott, the handsome former local quarterback.
2. A Secret at Tansy Falls (2022)
The second installment shifts the spotlight to Connie Austen, who manages the Covered Bridge Inn and has lived a seemingly perfect life in Tansy Falls with her husband of twenty years, Nate. When Nate loses his job and grows distant, the couple decides to rent out a room in their home to make ends meet. The arrival of a mysterious lodger carrying a shocking secret about Nate's past threatens to shatter Connie's world, forcing her to find her own independence and navigate a path forward with the support of her friends.
Cate Woods’s Standalone Novels
In addition to her small-town series, Woods has written several standalone contemporary fiction novels. These books are completely self-contained and can be read in any order.
Just Haven't Met You Yet (2016)
Woods's debut novel introduces Percy James, a woman who is content with her flat, her boyfriend Adam, and her social circle. Her life is turned upside down when a high-tech matchmaking agency called "Eros Tech" contacts her to reveal they have used phone and search data to identify her ultimate soulmate—who happens to be one of their wealthiest clients. Percy is thrown into a hilarious and chaotic dilemma: should she stay with the comfortable man she loves, or take a leap of faith on a mathematically guaranteed match?
More Than a Feeling (2018)
This novel centers on Annie Taylor, an exhausted mother trying to balance life with her partner Luke and their baby daughter Dot. Annie looks back at her confident, creative twenties—when she worked in photography and performed Barbra Streisand impersonations—and feels disconnected from the person she has become. After uncovering a shocking truth about Luke, Annie is thrust into single motherhood and must embark on a witty, emotional journey of self-discovery to reclaim her identity and happiness.
The Accidental Inheritance (2023)
This charming fish-out-of-water story features Cassidy Beeswhistle, an American woman who relocates to the quirky English village of Dithercott with her daughter after losing both her job and her boyfriend. Following her father's death, Cassidy discovers a family secret: her ancestors once owned the local stately manor but lost it due to gambling debts. Upon arriving in England, Cassidy impulsively purchases a run-down village pub and clashes with Ned Bamford-Bligh, the gruff current lord of the manor who is highly suspicious of Cassidy's potential claim to his home.
Festive Fiction under the Daisy Bell Pseudonym
For readers looking for holiday-themed comfort reading, Cate Woods published a festive novel under the pen name Daisy Bell. This book is standalone and separate from her main bibliography, though it shares her trademark warmth and emotional heart.
The Christmas Guest (2016)
This heartwarming Christmas story is uniquely told from the perspective of Teddy, a sweet, homeless puppy who runs away just before the holidays. Teddy is rescued by the Woods family, who are quietly struggling through a difficult season of grief and emotional distance. As the family cares for Teddy, the puppy works his magic to bring joy, laughter, and healing back to their home in time for Christmas Day.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Because Cate Woods writes contemporary romantic comedies and standalone women's fiction, there are no complicated timelines or chronological loops to navigate. The recommended reading order matches the publication order of her works:
- Just Haven't Met You Yet (2016)
- The Christmas Guest (Published under the pseudonym Daisy Bell, 2016)
- More Than a Feeling (2018)
- The Inn at Tansy Falls (Tansy Falls Book 1, 2021)
- A Secret at Tansy Falls (Tansy Falls Book 2, 2022)
- The Accidental Inheritance (2023)
What to Know Before You Start
Cate Woods's writing style is defined by its relatable female leads, witty dialogue, and realistic portrayals of life's messier transitions—whether that involves recovering from grief, surviving infidelity, adjusting to motherhood, or starting fresh in a brand-new country. While her books are classified as romantic comedies, they offer significant depth and focus heavily on personal growth, self-love, and community support alongside the central romance. Because of this, readers who enjoy authors like Robyn Carr, Jill Mansell, or Sophie Kinsella will find themselves right at home in her novels.