Where to Start Reading Christine Rimmer
With well over 100 contemporary romance novels written for Harlequin, Christine Rimmer is best known for her interconnected family sagas. Because her books are contemporary romances, every single novel features a standalone love story with a definitive happily-ever-after. You can pick up almost any book and not feel lost. However, to fully appreciate the recurring characters, family gossip, and multi-generational relationships, reading them in order is highly recommended.
Depending on what you enjoy, there are two primary paths for starting your Christine Rimmer journey:
- The Master Bravo Route: Start at the very beginning of the Bravo family saga with The Nine-Month Marriage (1997). This book kicked off the original Conveniently Yours miniseries, which eventually expanded into the giant Bravo Family Ties universe.
- The Small-Town Subseries Route: If you do not want to commit to a multi-decade list, start with the first book of one of her localized modern subseries, such as Not Quite Married (2015) for the Oregon-based Bravos of Justice Creek, or The Nanny's Double Trouble (2018) for the coastal Bravos of Valentine Bay.
Understanding the Sprawling Bravo Family Sagas
The Bravo family is the crown jewel of Christine Rimmer's career. Spanning dozens of books, the family has branches stretching from Wyoming to Oregon and even into European royalty. To make reading manageable, the series is divided into distinct subseries and eras:
1. Bravo Family Ties / Conveniently Yours (Wyoming Branch)
This is where it all began in the fictional town of Medicine Creek, Wyoming. The early books were published under the Conveniently Yours banner, introducing characters who would become the patriarchs and matriarchs of the Bravo clan. Key early titles include:
- The Nine-Month Marriage (1997)
- Marriage by Necessity (1998)
- Practically Married (1998)
- Married By Accident (1999)
2. Bravo Royales
For readers who enjoy a touch of nobility mixed with Western charm, this subseries follows the Bravo-Calabretti line in the fictional European principality of Karland. It blends classic royal romance tropes with Rimmer's signature warm, emotional style. Start with:
- The Rancher's Christmas Princess (2012)
- The Prince's Secret Baby (2012)
- The Prince She Had to Marry (2012)
3. The Bravos of Justice Creek
Set in the cozy town of Justice Creek, Oregon, this subseries shifts focus to a new generation of Bravos, starting with a classic fake-relationship trope. Start with:
- Not Quite Married (2015)
- The Good Girl's Second Chance (2015)
- Carter Bravo's Christmas Bride (2015)
4. The Bravos of Valentine Bay
Taking readers to the scenic coast of Valentine Bay, Oregon, this subseries delivers plenty of small-town gossip and family secrets, beginning with a secret-baby and nanny storyline. The chronological order is:
- The Nanny's Double Trouble (2018)
- Almost a Bravo (2018)
- Same Time, Next Christmas (2018)
The Jones Gang and Crossover Guide
Before the Bravos took over her catalog, Christine Rimmer wrote The Jones Gang, a series set in North Carolina focusing on the tight-knit Jones family. While starting out separately, the two series eventually crossed over, linking the universes. If you want to see the families merge, pay attention to the final books of the Jones Gang:
- The Stranger and Tessa Jones (2008) - Crossover book featuring Ash Bravo.
- A Bride for Jericho Bravo (2010) - Connects both family sagas directly.
Multi-Author Shared Worlds
Christine Rimmer has been a frequent contributor to Harlequin's massive multi-author projects. These books are set in established shared universes and can be read independently of her main Bravo timeline:
- Montana Mavericks: Set in Whitehorn (and later Bronco), Montana. Rimmer has contributed to several seasonal sub-franchises including Rust Creek Cowboys, Brothers & Broncos (starting with Summer Nights with the Maverick in 2022), and Lassoing Love (2023).
- Fortune's Children & Logan's Legacy: These are classic multi-author continuity series where Rimmer wrote specific chapters of a larger mystery, such as Hired Husband (1996) for the Fortunes or To Love and Protect (2004) for the Logans.
Other Standout Series
For readers looking for shorter commitments outside the Bravo universe, Rimmer has written several self-contained trilogies and series:
- Wild Rose Sisters: A contemporary trilogy following three half-sisters (Payton, Josie, and Alexandra) on the Wild Rose Farm near Mount Hood, Oregon. Start with The Father of Her Sons (2021), followed by First Comes Baby... (2022) and The Christmas Cottage (2022).
- Viking Brides: A four-book royal romance series from 2003–2004 that starts with The Reluctant Princess.
- Beaudine Sisters: A brief two-book series featuring Cat's Cradle (1995) and The Midnight Rider Takes a Bride (1997).