Where to Start with Charlotte Hubbard and Naomi King
If you are stepping into Charlotte Hubbard’s cozy world of Amish romance and inspirational fiction for the first time, your best starting point is the town of Willow Ridge, Missouri. Specifically, you should begin with the Seasons of the Heart series, starting with the novel Summer of Secrets (2012). This series establishes the heart of her writing style: close-knit communities, deep faith, relatable family struggles, and the comforting atmosphere of the Sweet Seasons Bakery Café.
Once you finish the main Willow Ridge saga, you can move directly into the Simple Gifts spin-off series, which features the same town and returning side characters. If you prefer a completely different setting, the Promise Lodge series is another excellent place to start, featuring a unique premise where a group of Amish families buy an old state park to build a brand new community from the ground up.
For readers looking to dive into her work under the pen name Naomi King, the Home at Cedar Creek series offers a standalone entry point. Her editor originally suggested the pseudonym to separate sales statistics and give the author a fresh brand for this specific series, but the style remains just as warm and faith-filled.
The Willow Ridge Universe (Seasons of the Heart & Simple Gifts)
Willow Ridge, Missouri, is Charlotte Hubbard’s most famous setting. Although each romance resolves individually, reading these books in order of publication is highly recommended to avoid spoilers regarding marriages, births, and community developments.
Seasons of the Heart Series
This central series follows the Lantz family and their friends as they run the local bakery and navigate the triumphs and trials of Amish life.
- Summer of Secrets (2012) – Miriam Lantz and her daughters open the Sweet Seasons Bakery Café while carrying long-held family secrets.
- Autumn Winds (2012) – Widowed Miriam Lantz gets a second chance at love when a sweet newcomer arrives in Willow Ridge.
- Winter of Wishes (2013) – Owen Hooley seeks a new beginning during a difficult winter that tests the community's resolve.
- Breath of Spring (2014) – Rose Lantz strives to overcome a troubled past and find love with a man who has his own secrets.
- Harvest of Blessings (2015) – Focuses on Janet Beiler and the strength of faith in mending family rifts.
- The Christmas Cradle (2015) – A holiday tale centering on a mysterious infant left at the bakery during a heavy snowstorm.
Simple Gifts Series
This three-book spin-off series is set in the same town of Willow Ridge but centers on the local craft shop, a rustic red barn where community members sell handmade items.
- A Simple Vow (2016) – Follows the opening of the shop and the blossoming romance between Edith Hochstetler and Loretta Troyer's brother.
- A Simple Wish (2017) – Nora Glick seeks to rebuild her life and establish a greenhouse, finding unexpected love along the way.
- A Simple Christmas (2018) – A cozy holiday romance focusing on faith, family reunions, and festive traditions in Willow Ridge.
The Promise Lodge Series
Promise Lodge is one of Hubbard’s most popular series, taking place in a former state park in Missouri that has been converted into a new Amish settlement. It is best read in publication order to track the growth of the town and its buildings.
- Promise Lodge (2016) – The initial group of families arrives to establish the new church district and open the lodge.
- Christmas at Promise Lodge (2016) – The community navigates its first winter and celebrates the holidays together.
- Weddings at Promise Lodge (2017) – Romance blooms as multiple couples prepare for their wedding days.
- New Beginnings at Promise Lodge (2019) – Focuses on healing from the past and welcoming new members to the community.
- Light Shines on Promise Lodge (2020) – The town faces unexpected visitors and tests of faith.
- Family Gatherings at Promise Lodge (2023) – A reunion story that works beautifully as a companion to the main series.
- Hidden Away at Promise Lodge (2023) – Residents deal with hidden pasts and new relationship dynamics.
- Miracles at Promise Lodge (2024) – The latest community milestones, highlighting themes of hope and redemption.
Home at Cedar Creek (Writing as Naomi King)
Written under the Naomi King pseudonym, this series is set in Cedar Creek, Ohio. It focuses heavily on blended families, mending fractured relationships, and finding purpose after tragedy.
- Abby Finds Her Calling (2012) – Abby Lambright, a talented seamstress, helps a widowed father care for his children.
- Rosemary Opens Her Heart (2012) – Rosemary Lantz struggles to open her heart to love after past disappointments.
- Amanda Weds a Good Man (2013) – Focuses on Amanda Lambright as she navigates a second marriage and the complexities of a blended family.
- Emma Blooms At Last (2014) – Emma Lambright finds her voice and a matching partner in the community.
Maidels of Morning Star Series
This series centers on a group of unmarried Amish women ("maidels") in Morning Star, Ohio, who start their own collaborative marketplace to gain independence.
- Morning Star (2020) – The maidels come together to establish the marketplace despite community skepticism.
- First Light in Morning Star (2020) – Focuses on new business challenges and budding romances.
- Christmas Comes to Morning Star (2021) – A holiday romance set around the marketplace during the festive season.
- Love Blooms in Morning Star (2022) – The final book following the women as they find lasting love and partnership.
Historical Frontier Romance Series
Before focusing almost exclusively on Amish fiction, Charlotte Hubbard wrote historical frontier romance novels set in the American West. These books feature more traditional frontier adventure and historical details.
Angels of Mercy Series
Set on the Kansas frontier, this historical series follows families navigating the hardships of pioneering life and finding faith along the way.
- A Patchwork Family (2005)
- Angel's Embrace (2007)
- Gabriel's Lady (2008)
- Journey to Love (2011)
Cripple Creek Series
Hubbard's earliest historical romance trilogy is set in the 1890s mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado, featuring high-stakes adventure and hidden identities.
- Colorado Captive (1991)
- Colorado Moonfire (1992)
- Outlaw Moon (1994)
What to Know Before You Start
While every book in these series features a self-contained romance that wraps up with a happy ending, the community-focused nature of Charlotte Hubbard's novels means that characters from earlier books frequently appear in later entries. If you read them out of order, you will encounter minor spoilers regarding which couples ended up together. Therefore, sticking to publication order within each specific series is highly recommended for the best experience.