Where Should You Start Reading Claire Kingsley?
For readers new to Claire Kingsley, the best entry point depends on what style of contemporary romance you prefer. If you want a hilarious, slow-burn romantic comedy filled with witty banter, start with Faking Ms. Right, the first full-length novel in the Dirty Martini Running Club series. It works beautifully as a standalone introduction to her writing style.
If you prefer small-town family sagas with deep emotional connections, light mystery, and interconnected characters, the absolute best starting point is the Miles Family series, beginning with Broken Miles. This serves as the foundation for Kingsley's massive, beloved shared universe set in the Pacific Northwest.
The Tilikum Shared Universe Reading Order
Many of Claire Kingsley's most popular series are set in the same fictional world, centering on the small town of Tilikum, Washington (and the nearby Echo Creek). While each book features a different couple and technically wraps up with a happily-ever-after, the characters overlap heavily. Reading them out of order will expose you to spoilers regarding marriages, babies, and family secrets. For the best experience, follow this chronological universe order:
Phase 1: The Miles Family (Echo Creek)
This series introduces the Miles siblings. While they live in Echo Creek, this series sets up characters and dynamics that directly crossover into the town of Tilikum.
- Broken Miles (2018)
- Forbidden Miles (2018)
- Reckless Miles (2018)
- Hidden Miles (2019)
- Gaining Miles (2019)
Note: In this series, you will meet Grace Miles, who acts as the bridge to the next series, becoming the heroine of the very first Bailey Brothers book.
Phase 2: The Bailey Brothers (Tilikum)
Set in Tilikum, Washington, this series focuses on the chaotic, fiercely protective Bailey brothers. It should be read in order as there is a long-running family mystery that spans the entire series.
- Protecting You (2020)
- Fighting for Us (2020)
- Unraveling Him (2020)
- Rushing In (2020)
- Chasing Her Fire (2021)
- Rewriting the Stars (2022)
The Holiday Crossover Standalone
- How the Grump Saved Christmas (2022)
This standalone holiday romance is set in Tilikum and features a grumpy hero and a sunshine heroine. Its timeline runs parallel to or slightly after the final Bailey Brothers book, Rewriting the Stars, making it the perfect bridge before moving forward in time.
Phase 3: The Haven Brothers (Tilikum, Six Years Later)
This series returns to the beloved town of Tilikum but jumps six years into the future, following a new set of brothers. It features plenty of cameos from the Baileys and the Miles family.
- Obsession Falls (2023)
- Storms and Secrets (2024)
- Temptation Trails (2024)
Other Contemporary Romance Series
Beyond her main Tilikum universe, Claire Kingsley has written several other standalone series that can be read independently of her small-town books.
Dirty Martini Running Club
A laugh-out-loud series about a group of female friends who form a "running club" that mostly involves drinking martinis and complaining about their love lives. It is highly recommended to start with the prequel novella before diving into the first novel.
- Everly Dalton's Dating Disasters (2019) – Prequel Novella
- Faking Ms. Right (2019)
- Falling for My Enemy (2020)
- Marrying Mr. Wrong (2021)
- Flirting with Forever (2023)
Bootleg Springs (Co-authored with Lucy Score)
This cozy, mystery-infused small-town romance series was co-written with bestselling author Lucy Score. Set in a quirky West Virginia town, it features a decades-old cold case mystery that is solved over the course of the six main books. Because of the mystery element, these books must be read in order.
- Whiskey Chaser (2018)
- Sidecar Crush (2018)
- Moonshine Kiss (2018)
- Bourbon Bliss (2019)
- Once Upon A Wager (2019) – A companion "Bootleg Fairytale" short story
- Gin Fling (2019)
- Highball Rush (2019)
Bluewater Billionaires (Shared Multi-Author Universe)
This unique series features four powerful, self-made female billionaires. Each book is written by a different prominent romance author, with Claire Kingsley writing the second installment. The books should be read in order to appreciate the group dynamics.
- The Price of Scandal by Lucy Score (2019)
- The Mogul and the Muscle by Claire Kingsley (2019)
- Wild Open Hearts by Kathryn Nolan (2019)
- Crazy for Loving You by Pippa Grant (2019)
Jetty Beach Series
An early series by Kingsley set in a charming coastal town. These are lighter, sweet-and-steamy contemporary romances.
- Behind His Eyes (2016)
- One Crazy Week (2016)
- Messy Perfect Love (2016)
- Operation Get Her Back (2016)
- Weekend Fling (2017)
- Good Girl Next Door (2017)
- The Path to You (2017)
Book Boyfriends Series
These lighthearted romantic comedies follow three different couples and can be read completely as standalones in any order.
- Book Boyfriend (2017)
- Cocky Roommate (2017)
- Hot Single Dad (2017)
Always Series
A trilogy following a single couple's emotional journey. Unlike her other series, these three books should be read in sequence to get the complete story of the same characters.
- Always Have (2016)
- Always Will (2016)
- Always Ever After (2016)
What to Know Before You Start
Claire Kingsley's books are known for balancing high steam and emotional depth with humor. While the Dirty Martini Running Club leans heavily into romantic comedy, the Bailey Brothers and Haven Brothers series add elements of mystery, family secrets, and mild suspense. Standalone novels like His Heart (2017) and Finding Ivy (2021) offer standalone contemporary experiences separate from any established series, making them great quick reads if you are looking for a singular, self-contained story.