Hmm, I'm not 100% sure, but I think it might be 'Georgia'? I've seen that title mentioned a lot as her early work. I could be wrong though. Maybe someone else in the thread knows for certain and can confirm. I don't want to give you bad info!
Consider your reading format preference. Her older books might only be available in mass-market paperback or used copies, while newer ones are in larger trade paperback, ebook, and audio. If you're a dedicated ebook reader, check which titles are readily available on your preferred platform. There's no point in deciding to start with 'Georgia' if you can't find a digital copy and you hate reading physical books.
Practical access can dictate a perfectly good order. Maybe the Kindle store has a deal on 'The Last Summer'. Maybe your library's Libby has no wait for 'Suspects'. Let availability be your guide for the first pick. Once you're hooked, you'll be more motivated to hunt down the harder-to-find earlier editions. Remove the friction. The goal is to start reading, not to perfect a plan.
Okay, but imagine if they were all connected in some wild, secret way. Like, a minor character in 'Gypsy' is the great-grandmother of the protagonist in 'Belle' or something. That would be a wild fan theory to develop. Someone should write that fanfiction. The Lesley Pearse Extended Universe, complete with hidden clues and crossover villains. It would be gloriously absurd. Until then, we just have to live with the fact that they're excellent, separate stories about women overcoming impossible odds. A much less complicated, but still satisfying, reality.
I got into her through 'The Promise'. Wasn't thinking about order at all. After devouring it, I just asked in my local bookshop for recommendations of her other work, and the bookseller pointed me to a few. I ended up reading them totally randomly. It didn't harm my enjoyment. Sometimes not having a plan is the best plan. Let serendipity guide your reading!
Wait, are we talking about the Lesley Pearse who writes those big, chunky family sagas? My mom loves her. I think she just reads whatever the library has in stock. She's never mentioned an order. Maybe the books aren't that connected?
The best order is the one that gets you reading. Seriously. I tried to be a purist and start at the very beginning with 'Georgia', but it didn't grab me like 'The Promise' did. I put Pearse down for years because I thought I had to read them 'right'. What a mistake! When I finally picked up 'The Promise' on a whim, I was hooked and went back to read everything.
Her earlier books are good, but her middle period—roughly from 'Remember Me' onward—is where she really hits her stride with the epic, multi-generational sagas she's famous for. So maybe don't start with the very first book she ever wrote. Start with one of her most recommended, like 'Remember Me' or 'Belle', to see if you like the style. Then you can explore backwards or forwards.
Hmm, I think I've only read a couple of these. My mom loves them though. She's always talking about Three Pines and Inspector Gamache. I know the first one is 'Still Life'. The last one she mentioned was 'A World of Curiosities'. Not sure about all the ones in between, sorry. I should probably borrow her copies someday.