Where to Start with Courtney Walsh
If you are new to Courtney Walsh's emotionally rich contemporary romances, deciding where to start can feel overwhelming. Walsh is known for her clean, faith-infused stories featuring relatable characters, picturesque small-town settings, and deep themes of forgiveness. Fortunately, her books are structured in distinct series or standalones, meaning you do not have to read her entire bibliography in a single sequence. Instead, choose a starting point based on the subgenre or setting you enjoy most.
For the classic Courtney Walsh experience, we recommend starting with the Sweethaven Circle series, beginning with her bestselling debut, A Sweethaven Summer. If you prefer a coastal, beachy escape, start with the Nantucket Love Story series. If you love sports romance, particularly hockey-themed stories with fun tropes like fake dating, then the Holidays with Hart series is the perfect place to begin.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Because Courtney Walsh's novels are contemporary romances set in our modern world, there are no complicated timeline shifts, flashbacks to ancient eras, or prequels. The chronological order of events aligns perfectly with the order in which the books were published. While some series share recurring characters or overlapping locations, each book typically focuses on a different couple. This means you can read books within a series out of order if you wish, though reading them in publication order offers the best experience as you will appreciate the subtle background cameos and references to previous couples.
The Sweethaven Circle Series
This is the series that launched Courtney Walsh's career as a novelist. Set in the nostalgic, cozy lakeside town of Sweethaven, Michigan, these books follow a tight-knit circle of friends dealing with life, love, secrets, and second chances. They are best read in order of publication:
- A Sweethaven Summer (2012): The debut novel that introduces Campbell Carter as she returns to Sweethaven to discover the truth about her late mother's past.
- A Sweethaven Homecoming (2012): Focuses on Meghan Harlow as she returns to Sweethaven facing professional and personal crossroads.
- A Sweethaven Christmas (2012): A festive holiday installment that brings the Sweethaven circle back together to tackle new emotional challenges under the Christmas lights.
- A Sweethaven Romance (2017): A return to the beloved town, catching up with the community years later.
The Paper Hearts Duology
A sweet, emotionally resonant two-book series that explores art, healing, and unexpected love. These two books should be read in order:
- Paper Hearts (2015): Follows Abigail Pressman as she discovers mysterious paper hearts left in her bookstore, leading her on a path to find the artist behind them.
- Change of Heart (2016): Explores the story of Evelyn Vance as she tries to move past tragedy and find new hope.
The Harbor Pointe Series
Set in a charming small town, the Harbor Pointe books feature some of Walsh's most acclaimed work, including the Carol Award-winning Just Let Go. The books are interconnected but center on different characters:
- Just Look Up (2017): The story of Lane Kelley, a career-focused woman forced to return to her hometown after a family emergency.
- Just Let Go (2018): Follows Quinn Jennings as she runs from her past and finds unexpected solace in a small town. This book won the prestigious Carol Award in 2019.
- Just One Kiss (2019): A heartwarming second-chance romance focusing on single mom Carly Nolan and her childhood sweetheart.
- Just Like Home (2020): Focuses on interior designer Damaris Keefe as she confronts her past while remodeling a historic home.
The Nantucket Love Story Series
For readers who love picturesque island settings, ocean breezes, and deep emotional healing, this series is a must-read. The recommended reading order includes a festive holiday novella:
- If for Any Reason (2020): A poignant story about grief, art, and finding love again on the shores of Nantucket.
- A Match Made at Christmas (2020): A holiday novella (often referred to as book 1.5) that provides a quick, cozy Christmas romance.
- Is It Any Wonder (2021): A second-chance romance featuring two former childhood friends who are reunited on the island.
- What Matters Most (2022): A heartwarming tale of secrets, community support, and finding where you truly belong.
The Road Trip Romance Series
This duology is perfect for readers who enjoy lighthearted, fun road-trip dynamics mixed with sweet romance and holiday cheer:
- A Cross-Country Christmas (2021): Follows Lauren Vance and her childhood rival as they are forced to share a drive home for the holidays.
- A Cross-Country Wedding (2023): The fun continues as characters hit the road again, navigating friendship, weddings, and unexpected love.
The Holidays with Hart Series
This series moves into the popular sports romance subgenre, focusing on professional hockey players finding love in the midst of public drama and holiday celebrations:
- My Phony Valentine (2023): A fake-dating romance between a hockey player trying to rebuild his reputation and a chef who needs a date for the holidays.
- My Lucky Charm (2024): A grumpy-meets-sunshine romance featuring a hockey star and a positive-spirited heroine.
- My Merry Mistake (2025): A sweet festive sports romance that continues the series' themes of hockey and holiday cheer.
The Sweater Weather Series (Collaborative Universe)
Readers should note a common point of confusion: the Sweater Weather series is a collaborative, multi-author project set in the shared fictional town of Harvest Hollow. While the books are marketed together, Courtney Walsh only authored one book in the collection. You do not need to read the other authors' books to understand her contribution, though they do share the same cozy autumn setting. Walsh's contribution is:
- Can't Help Falling (2023): The third book in the multi-author series, featuring a heartwarming story about a fall festival and unexpected romance.
Courtney Walsh's Standalone Novels
If you prefer self-contained stories that require no series commitment, Walsh has written several standalones. These can be read in any order at any time:
- Hometown Girl (2017)
- Things Left Unsaid (2018)
- Merry Ex-Mas (2022)
- The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley (2023)
- The Summer of Yes (2024)
- Everything's Coming Up Rosie (2025)
- Brighter than Before (2026)
What to Know Before You Start
Courtney Walsh's stories are clean, contemporary romances, often classified as Christian fiction or inspirational romance. While faith plays a natural role in her characters' lives and personal growth, her books are widely praised for being accessible and relatable to all romance readers. They focus on universal human struggles, such as processing grief, learning to forgive oneself and others, and taking a leap of faith to build a better life.