Donna Kauffman Books in Order

Where to Begin Your Donna Kauffman Reading Journey

With a career spanning nearly three decades and over fifty contemporary romance novels, the late Donna Kauffman became a master of small-town communities, quirky secondary characters, and heartwarming love stories. Because her books range from high-octane special forces adventures to sweet, recipe-filled island romances, finding the best starting point depends on your favorite tropes.

If you love cozy settings, close-knit communities, and a touch of humor, the best place to start is with the Cupcake Club Series. Set on a warm Georgia barrier island and featuring real baking recipes, it captures the signature warmth of Kauffman's later writing. For readers who prefer coastal scenery, the interconnected Blueberry Cove trilogies are the perfect next step. If you want a rustic mountain aesthetic filled with acoustic music and family drama, begin with Blue Hollow Falls. For fans of early 2000s category romance with high steam, humor, and quirky premises, the Glass Slipper, Inc. series is an excellent alternative.

The Cupcake Club Series: Sugarberry Island Romance

This is Kauffman's most famous contemporary romance series. Set on the fictional Sugarberry Island, Georgia, the series follows a group of friends who find love, healing, and community while running a local bakery. The books should be read in order to fully appreciate the developing relationships and the overarching story of the island's bakery collective:

1. Sugar Rush (2011) – Follows bakery owner Leilani Trusdale and celebrity chef Baxter Dunne.
2. Sweet Stuff (2012) – Follows Riley Brown and writer Quinn Brannigan.
3. Babycakes (2012) – Focuses on Cloe Richardson and investigator Ares Byrne.
4. Honey Pie (2013) – Follows Sunny Finley and local contractor Will Jenkins.

Blueberry Cove: The Bachelors vs. The Brides

Set on the rugged coast of Maine, Blueberry Cove is home to two trilogy arcs: Bachelors of Blueberry Cove and Brides of Blueberry Cove. While each book can be read as a standalone romance, they feature recurring characters, family tie-ins, and localized subplots that evolve across all six novels. For the best reading experience, read the Bachelors trilogy first, followed immediately by the Brides trilogy:

Bachelors of Blueberry Cove

• Pelican Point (2013) – Logan McCrae and Alexia Merritt.
• Half Moon Harbor (2014) – Brody McCrae and Grace Benson.
• Sandpiper Island (2014) – Ford Kilpatrick and Delilah Sinclair.

Brides of Blueberry Cove

• Sea Glass Sunrise (2015) – Hannah McCrae and Calder Morrison.
• Snowflake Bay (2015) – Fiona McCrae and Ridge Warner.
• Starfish Moon (2016) – Kerry McCrae and Cooper Blackwell.

Blue Hollow Falls: Mountain Melodies and Cozy Cabins

Set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, this series blends small-town charm with bluegrass music, artisanal wine, and deep family connections. The reading order follows a mix of full-length novels and holiday novellas. Reading in publication order ensures you do not miss any major character crossovers or town developments:

1. Blue Hollow Falls (2017) – Sunny Croft and Hudson Montgomery.
2. The Inn at Blue Hollow Falls (2017) – Avery Reed and Seth Mercer.
3. Bluestone & Vine (2018) – Pippa Croft and Keegan O'Neill.
4. Lavender Blue (2019) – Emma Jenkins and Clay Montgomery.
5. Lavender & Mistletoe (2019) – A holiday romance featuring characters from the local community.
6. Under a Firefly Moon (2020) – The final emotional return to the mountain town.

Understanding Multi-Author Anthologies and Shared Universes

Because Donna Kauffman was a highly requested contributor to Harlequin lines and collaborative holiday anthologies, online databases often list massive series under her name. Here is what you need to know to avoid reading unnecessary books:

• The Wrong Bed Series: Harlequin's Wrong Bed is a massive multi-author project spanning over sixty books by dozens of writers. Donna Kauffman only wrote two entries: Carried Away (2002) and Simon Says... (2010). You do not need to read any other books in the series to enjoy these two standalones.
• Moonbright, Maine Series: This is a collaborative seasonal anthology series. Kauffman only contributed the novella "Sweet Magic" to the second book, The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice (2019). The first book (The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine) and third book (The Café Between Pumpkin and Pie) feature stories by other romance authors.
• Angels and Outlaws Series: A multi-author historical/contemporary romance line from 1994. Donna Kauffman contributed Black Satin. The other titles listed in the series are written by Sandra Chastain, Linda Warren, and others, and can be skipped.
• Men of Rogue's Hollow: These stories are interconnected romances focusing on the Morgan brothers. They originally appeared in multi-author holiday anthologies: "Baby, It's Cold Outside" appeared in the anthology Jingle Bell Rock (2003); "Exposed" appeared in Bad Boys Next Exit (2004); and "Making Waves" was published in the anthology Merry Christmas, Baby. The only full-length standalone novel in this group is Catch Me If You Can (2004).
• Hamilton Christmas Series: These holiday stories were originally published in various multi-author Christmas anthologies but are connected by the Hamilton family. They are best read in chronological order: Unleashed (from To All a Good Night), followed by Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells (from Kissing Santa Claus), Naughty but Nice (from The Naughty List), and finally A Hamilton Family Christmas (2020).

Classic Series & Paranormal Romances

Before focusing on cozy small-town romances, Donna Kauffman wrote highly popular contemporary romance series, historical fantasies, and paranormal adventures. They are grouped below by their original series orders:

Glass Slipper, Inc. Series

A fun, humorous contemporary romance series centered on a high-end matchmaking agency:

1. The Cinderella Rules (2003)
2. Dear Prince Charming (2004)
3. Sleeping with Beauty (2005)
4. Not So Snow White (2006)

Delgado's Dirty Dozen Series

An early romantic suspense series featuring elite special operations team members:

1. Santerra's Sin (1996)
2. Silent Warrior (1997)
3. Light My Fire (1997)
4. Dark Knight (1998)

The Three Musketeers Series

1. Surrender the Dark (1995)
2. Born to Be Wild (1995)
3. Midnight Heat (1996)
4. Bayou Heat (1996)

Scottish Romance Trilogies

Kauffman explored her love for Scotland and highlanders in two linked series:

• Chisholm Brothers: Read Bad Boys in Kilts (2006) first, followed by The Great Scot (2007).
• Hot Scot Trilogy: Read in order: Some Like It Scot (2010), Off Kilter (2010), and Santa in a Kilt (2011).

Paranormal Books

These standalones feature time travel, magical artifacts, and fantasy elements. They can be read in any order, though the chronological publication order is:

1. The Legend MacKinnon (1999)
2. Legend of the Sorcerer (2000)
3. Your Wish Is My Command (2001)
4. The Royal Hunter (2001)
5. The Charm Stone (2002) – Note: This novel won the prestigious RITA Award for Paranormal Romance.