Reading Order List β€” Book Series Reading Order Guide
Fern Michaels

Fern Michaels Reading Order

17 series Β· 203 books Β· Born 1933-04-09

Fern Michaels is a prolific romance author who has published nearly two hundred novels since 1975, building an extensive catalog across seventeen distinct series including Apple Valley, Captives, and Cisco. Working under a pen name, she has become known for her ability to craft interconnected stories and collaborative anthologies that keep readers invested across multiple books and narrative threads. Her decades-long career demonstrates a remarkable commitment to the romance genre and to building rich fictional worlds that resonate with devoted fans.

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Anthologies Series

Ongoing

18 books (1996–2025)

Fern Michaels's Anthologies series comprises 16 interconnected volumes spanning from 1996 to 2025, with additional entries still in development. These romance-focused anthologies should be read in publication order, beginning with A Joyous Season and continuing through The Most Wonderful Time and beyond. The series features interconnected stories that build across each installment, creating an ongoing narrative experience for readers who prefer to follow the collection from start to finish.

Start with A Joyous Season, the first of 16 books in the Anthologies series.

Apple Valley Series

Complete

4 books (2013–2016)

The Apple Valley series is a four-book romance collection published between 2013 and 2016. Written primarily by Shirlee McCoy with contributions from Sarah Title and Stacy Finz, these interconnected stories should be read in publication order beginning with The House on Main Street. The series is complete and concluded with the anthology The Most Wonderful Time in 2016.

Start with The House on Main Street(By: Shirlee McCoy), the first of 4 books in the Apple Valley series.

Start this series with The House on Main Street(By: Shirlee McCoy)

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#Title
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Cover of The House on Main Street(By: Shirlee McCoy)
The House on Main Street(By: Shirlee McCoy)
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Cover of The Cottage on the Corner(By: Shirlee McCoy)
The Cottage on the Corner(By: Shirlee McCoy)
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Cover of The Orchard at the Edge of Town(By: Shirlee McCoy)
The Orchard at the Edge of Town(By: Shirlee McCoy)
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Cover of The Most Wonderful Time(With: Sarah Title,Stacy Finz,Shirlee McCoy)
The Most Wonderful Time(With: Sarah Title,Stacy Finz,Shirlee McCoy)

Captives Series

Complete

4 books (1977–1991)

Fern Michaels' Captives series consists of four complete standalone romance novels published between 1977 and 1991. While each book features different characters and settings, they should be read in publication order beginning with Captive Passions, followed by Captive Embraces, Captive Splendors, and Captive Secrets. The series explores passionate relationships across its interconnected narratives, offering romance readers a collection of emotionally engaging stories from this prolific author's career.

Start with Captive Passions, the first of 4 books in the Captives series.

Start this series with Captive Passions

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Cisco Series

Complete

2 books (2002–2004)

This two-book romance series by Fern Michaels follows interconnected stories across the early 2000s. Published between 2002 and 2004, the complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with No Place Like Home and continuing with Family Blessings. Each installment builds on the previous narrative, making sequential reading essential to fully appreciate the character development and plot arcs that unfold throughout the series.

Start with No Place Like Home and read in order.

Start this series with No Place Like Home

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#Title
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Kentucky Series

Complete

3 books (2001–2002)

Fern Michaels' Kentucky series consists of three interconnected romance novels published between 2001 and 2002. The trilogy follows the lives of the Thornton family and should be read in publication order: Kentucky Rich, Kentucky Heat, and Kentucky Sunrise. This complete series explores themes of family, wealth, and relationships across its three installments.

Start with Kentucky Rich and read in order.

Lost and Found Series

Ongoing

4 books (2021–2024)

The Lost and Found series by Fern Michaels comprises four romance novels published between 2021 and 2024, with the series still ongoing. Begin with Hidden and read the books in publication order: Hidden, Secrets, Liar!, and Proof. Each installment builds on the previous one, making sequential reading essential for following the interconnected narrative.

Start with Hidden, the first of 4 books in the Lost and Found series.

Men of the Sisterhood Series

Complete

8 books (2014–2019)

The Men of the Sisterhood series by Fern Michaels consists of eight complete novels published between 2014 and 2019, following the male counterparts to the author's popular Sisterhood franchise. These romance-focused books should be read in publication order, beginning with Countdown and concluding with Hot Shot. Each installment builds on the relationships and adventures established in the earlier entries, making sequential reading essential for full enjoyment of the ongoing narrative.

Start with Countdown, the first of 8 books in the Men of the Sisterhood series.

Santa's Crew Series

Ongoing

4 books (2021–2025)

Fern Michaels' Santa's Crew is an ongoing romance series consisting of four books published between 2021 and 2025. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Santa Cruise, followed by Santa & Company, Santa's Secret, and Santa's Holiday Spectacular. Each installment builds on the previous entry, making sequential reading essential to fully enjoy the interconnected stories.

Start with Santa Cruise, the first of 4 books in the Santa's Crew series.

Short Stories/Novellas Series

Ongoing

7 books (2012–2024)

Fern Michaels' Short Stories/Novellas series consists of seven romance-themed novellas published between 2012 and 2024, with new releases still forthcoming. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Merry, Merry and continuing through Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Stocking, A Golden Tree, Three's a Crowd, Amazing Gracie, and A Christmas Homecoming. Each standalone entry offers a complete story while contributing to the collection as a whole.

Start with Merry, Merry, the first of 7 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.

Short Story Collections Series

Likely Complete

4 books (2006–2022)

Fern Michaels' Short Story Collections series comprises four volumes of short fiction published between 2006 and 2022, with the most recent entry appearing to be the final release. These collections should be read in publication order, beginning with I'll Be Home For Christmas and continuing through Coming Home for Christmas, Mistletoe Magic, and In Bloom. Several volumes feature collaborations with other authors including Lori Foster and Carolyn Brown.

Start with I'll Be Home For Christmas, the first of 4 books in the Short Story Collections series.

Start this series with I'll Be Home For Christmas

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#Title
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Cover of I'll Be Home For Christmas
I'll Be Home For Christmas
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Cover of Coming Home for Christmas
Coming Home for Christmas
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In Bloom(With: Lori Foster,Carolyn Brown)

Sins Series

Complete

2 books (1989–1990)

This two-book romance series by Fern Michaels was published between 1989 and 1990 and is now complete. The novels should be read in publication order, beginning with Sins of Omission followed by Sins of the Flesh, as the stories build sequentially across the two installments.

Start with Sins of Omission and read in order.

Start this series with Sins of Omission

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#Title
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Sisterhood Series

Ongoing

39 books (2001–2026)

Fern Michaels' Sisterhood series consists of 38 books published from 2001 to 2025 and is still ongoing. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Weekend Warriors. This long-running romance series follows a group of women who seek justice and revenge through various interconnected adventures across its expanding lineup of titles.

Start with Weekend Warriors, the first of 38 books in the Sisterhood series.

Start this series with Weekend Warriors

Buy Book 1 πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸŽ§ Listen free on Audible
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Cover of Wishes for Christmas / And the Angels Sing
Wishes for Christmas / And the Angels Sing
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Standalone Novels Series

Ongoing

84 books (1975–2027)

Fern Michaels has published 83 standalone romance novels since 1975, with the series still ongoing and new releases planned through 2026. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Pride and Passion and continuing through titles like Vixen in Velvet, Valentina, and Whitefire. Each novel stands alone as a complete story, allowing readers to start anywhere in the collection or follow the author's prolific output chronologically from its debut to the present day.

Start with Pride and Passion, the first of 83 books in the Standalone Novels series.

Start this series with Pride and Passion

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#Title
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Picture Perfect / Panda Bear is Critical
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Cover of Listen To Your Heart
Listen To Your Heart
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Cover of Up Close and Personal
Up Close and Personal
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Cover of Mr. and Miss Anonymous
Mr. and Miss Anonymous
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Cover of Christmas At Timberwoods
Christmas At Timberwoods
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Spirit of the Season
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Beyond Second Chances

Texas Series

Complete

4 books (1985–1993)

Fern Michaels' Texas series comprises four romance novels published between 1985 and 1993. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Texas Rich and concluding with Texas Sunrise. Each book builds on the previous installment, making sequential reading essential for following the interconnected narrative.

Start with Texas Rich, the first of 4 books in the Texas series.

The Godmothers Series

Complete

11 books (2009–2019)

The Godmothers is a complete romance series by Fern Michaels consisting of eleven books published between 2009 and 2019. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Scoop and concluding with Far and Away. This series follows interconnected stories across contemporary settings, with several entries focusing on special occasions and themes like Christmas and getaways.

Start with The Scoop, the first of 11 books in the The Godmothers series.

Twin Lights Series

Ongoing

2 books (2025–2026)

Twin Lights is an ongoing romance series by Fern Michaels consisting of two books published in 2025 and 2026. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Smuggler's Cove followed by The Boat House.

Start with Smuggler's Cove and read in order.

Vegas Series

Complete

3 books (1996–1997)

Fern Michaels' Vegas trilogy consists of three romance novels published between 1996 and 1997. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Vegas Rich, followed by Vegas Heat, and concluding with Vegas Sunrise. This three-book sequence forms a finished narrative arc and is best enjoyed when read sequentially from start to finish.

Start with Vegas Rich and read in order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Fern Michaels written?
Fern Michaels has written 203 books across 17 series. Their published works span from 1975 to 2027.
What is the first book in each Fern Michaels series?
Here are the first books in Fern Michaels's series: Anthologies: A Joyous Season; Apple Valley: The House on Main Street(By: Shirlee McCoy); Captives: Captive Passions; Cisco: No Place Like Home; Kentucky: Kentucky Rich.
What order should I read Fern Michaels's books?
We recommend reading Fern Michaels's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is Fern Michaels still writing new books?
Yes, Fern Michaels has 7 ongoing series: Anthologies, Lost and Found, Santa's Crew, Short Stories/Novellas, Sisterhood and 2 more.

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