The Recommended Starting Path
For readers new to Catherine Walsh, your best entry point depends on what kind of reading mood you are in. If you love festive, cozy holiday settings, you should begin with her popular Fitzpatrick Christmas series, starting with Holiday Romance. However, if you prefer standalone, sunnier contemporary stories, starting with her debut novel, One Night Only, or her popular heatwave romance, How to Write a Love Story, will give you a perfect introduction to her signature humor and Dublin-infused charm.
The Fitzpatrick Christmas Series in Reading Order
While many of Catherine Walsh's books are standalones, she has written a beloved, connected series centered around the Fitzpatrick family. These books features overlapping characters, running jokes, and the cozy chaos of Irish winters. To get the full experience and avoid character spoilers, you should read them in chronological order:
1. Holiday Romance (2022)
The series kicks off with this fan-favorite, trope-filled holiday romance. The story follows Molly and Andrew, two Irish expats living in Chicago who have spent the last ten years flying home to Dublin together for Christmas. When a massive snowstorm grounds all flights, Molly and Andrew are stranded. Andrew, determined to get Molly home to her family, plans an chaotic, multi-stop journey across countries and oceans. Along the way, the boundaries of their long-term platonic friendship begin to blur into something much warmer.
2. A Mistletoe Kiss (2023 - Book 1.5)
This is a companion novella rather than a full-length book. Published originally as a digital-only treat for fans, it functions as an epilogue to Holiday Romance, checking back in with Molly and Andrew as they navigate their new relationship status. Walsh has made this short story available to readers for free via her official website and newsletter, making it a quick, delightful bridge before moving on to the next major novel.
3. Snowed In (2023)
The second full novel in the series shifts focus to Andrew's sister, Megan Fitzpatrick. Megan hates Christmas and has returned to her small Irish hometown hoping for a quiet, low-key holiday. Instead, she finds herself agreeing to play the fake girlfriend of Christian, a family friend who is desperate to get his meddling family off his back. When a massive blizzard traps them together in a cozy cabin, the fake relationship starts to feel all too real. Fans of fake-dating tropes and forced proximity will find this a perfect sequel to Molly and Andrew's adventure.
4. Merrily Ever After (2025)
Published in late 2025, this book is a collection of four festive short stories that bring readers back into the orbit of the Fitzpatrick household. Rather than focusing on a single couple, the collection checks in on multiple characters, including Oliver and Lara, Zoe, Hannah, and Sean. It captures the warm, chaotic, and sentimental atmosphere of a big family holiday and offers a cozy wrap-up for fans of the wider Fitzpatrick universe.
Catherine Walsh’s Standalone Novels (Publication Order)
If you prefer novels that do not require any prior reading, Walsh has published several standalone romantic comedies. These books can be read in any order, though reading them in publication order lets you see how her writing style has evolved:
1. One Night Only (2021)
Walsh's debut novel introduces Sarah Anderson, a Dubliner living in New York who returns home to Ireland for her sister's wedding. Hoping to survive the weekend without facing her complicated family dynamics, she runs into Declan, a charming stranger she spent a memorable night with in New York. The novel established Walsh's talent for writing snappy Irish banter, awkward family reunions, and realistic, heartwarming chemistry.
2. The Rebound (2022)
This story centers on Abby Reynolds, who returns home to rural Ireland after her life in New York falls apart. Heartbroken and feeling like a failure, she runs into Luke, her childhood enemy who has grown up to be surprisingly attractive. It is a classic enemies-to-lovers story set against the backdrop of a tight-knit Irish village, exploring themes of second chances and self-acceptance.
3. The Matchmaker (2023)
Set in a sleepy coastal village, this book follows Katie Collins, who decides to revive her village's traditional matchmaking festival in a desperate bid to save her beloved local pub from closure. The primary obstacle in her way is Callum, a cynical city developer who wants to buy the property. The clash between local tradition and modern commercialism drives a funny, heartwarming enemies-to-lovers arc.
4. How to Write a Love Story (2026)
Released in March 2026, this novel features a dual POV narrative set during a rare Irish heatwave. It follows Ciara Sheridan, a writer tasked with completing the final book of her late father's bestselling epic fantasy series, and Sam, a New York editor sent to Dublin to make sure she meets her deadline. The tension between the creative struggle of writing fantasy and the real-world romance blooming between author and editor makes this one of Walsh’s most unique books.
5. Only One Island (Expected March 2027)
Scheduled for release in March 2027, this upcoming book follows Grace, who moves from Toronto to a remote, uninhabited Irish island to work as a summer caretaker and host. Seeking peace after a rough breakup, she is shocked to find her co-caretaker is none other than Nathan—the ex-boyfriend she was trying to get away from. With no electricity and no escape, the two must work through their past issues in a scenic, isolated setting.
What to Know Before You Start
Catherine Walsh’s writing style is frequently compared to Irish rom-com giants like Marian Keyes and British authors like Sophie Kinsella. Her books are contemporary, character-focused, and heavily grounded in the geography and culture of Ireland—from Dublin pubs to remote coastal villages. While her novels deal with real emotional themes like grief, career burnout, and family expectations, they maintain a lighthearted, comforting tone that guarantees a happy ending. All of her books, including the holiday series, work perfectly well as standalones, but reading the Fitzpatrick Christmas books in order will enhance your enjoyment of the characters' cameos.