Where to Start Reading Denise Hunter
With dozens of heartwarming stories to choose from, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, Denise Hunter’s books are grouped into distinct, location-based series and standalone contemporary romances. The best starting point for new readers is the Nantucket Love Story series. Starting with The Convenient Groom—which was adapted into a highly popular Hallmark Channel movie—introduces readers to Hunter’s signature blend of emotional depth, small-town charm, and clean romance. Alternatively, if you prefer mountain settings, Riverbend Gap, the first book in the Riverbend Romance series, offers an excellent modern entry point.
The Nantucket Love Story Series
Set against the scenic backdrop of Nantucket, this series established Denise Hunter as a premier voice in modern Christian romance. While the stories focus on different couples, reading them in publication order is recommended to follow the overlapping community timelines.
- Surrender Bay (2007)
- The Convenient Groom (2008)
- Seaside Letters (2009)
- Driftwood Lane (2010)
The Chapel Springs Series & "A Year of Weddings" Tie-In
Chapel Springs is home to one of Hunter’s most popular family-centered series. A common point of confusion for readers is the placement of the novella A December Bride. While written as the launch for Zondervan's multi-author A Year of Weddings project, it is set in Chapel Springs and focuses on Layla O'Reilly, the sister of the protagonist from the first book, Barefoot Summer. For the best narrative flow, read A December Bride immediately after the first book.
- Barefoot Summer (2013)
- A December Bride (2013) (Novella Companion)
- Dancing with Fireflies (2014)
- The Wishing Season (2014)
- Married 'til Monday (2015)
Blue Ridge Series and the Sweetbriar Cottage Connection
The Blue Ridge series transports readers to the Appalachian mountains. A minor chronological caveat involves Sweetbriar Cottage, which serves as a prequel/companion novel to the main trilogy. You can read it either as a standalone prequel before diving into Blue Ridge Sunrise, or as a companion after finishing the trilogy.
- Sweetbriar Cottage (2017) (Prequel/Companion)
- Blue Ridge Sunrise (2017)
- Honeysuckle Dreams (2018)
- On Magnolia Lane (2018)
Bluebell Inn Romance Series
Centered around three siblings who inherit their grandparents' historic inn in North Carolina, this series must be read in order to fully appreciate the overarching family mystery and growth.
ol>Riverbend Romance Series
Set along the Appalachian Trail, the Riverbend series focuses on the residents of a tight-knit mountain town. It is best enjoyed in order due to recurring character appearances and evolving community relationships.
- Riverbend Gap (2021)
- Mulberry Hollow (2022)
- Harvest Moon (2022)
- Wildflower Falls (2023)
Big Sky Romance Series
For readers who enjoy ranch settings and cowboy themes, this Montana-based trilogy should be read in order of release:
- A Cowboy's Touch (2011)
- The Accidental Bride (2012)
- The Trouble with Cowboys (2012)
Early Series: Kansas Brides & New Heights
Before her famous contemporary hits, Hunter wrote historical and early contemporary romance series. These show her development as an author and are highly recommended for completists.
Kansas Brides Series (Historical)
- Stranger's Bride (1999)
- Never a Bride (2000)
- Bittersweet Bride (2002)
- His Brother's Bride (2003)
New Heights Series (Contemporary)
- Mending Places (2004)
- Saving Grace (2005)
- Finding Faith (2006)
The Smitten Collaboration Series
The Smitten books are unique collaborative projects written by Denise Hunter alongside authors Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, and Diann Hunt. Set in Smitten, Vermont, each book compiles interconnected stories written by each author. They should be read in publication order:
- Smitten (2011)
- Secretly Smitten (2013)
- Smitten Book Club (2014)
- Smitten Ever After (2014)
Standalone Novels
If you prefer self-contained stories without the commitment of a series, Denise Hunter has written several acclaimed standalones. These can be read in any order at any time:
- Sweetwater Gap (2008)
- Summer by the Tides (2019)
- Bookshop by the Sea (2021)
- A Novel Proposal (2023)
- Love, Unscripted (2024)
- Before We Were Us (2024)
What to Know Before You Start
Denise Hunter writes inspirational, clean contemporary romance. While faith and Christian values are integral to her storytelling, the focus remains on authentic human relationships, personal healing, and emotional growth. The primary reason to read her series in publication order is that secondary characters frequently cross over or get their own stories in subsequent books. Reading out of order will reveal who ended up together in previous novels.