Susan Mallery Series Novels & Stories

Curious about organizing Susan Mallery’s books by series? I love that—you’re in for a treat, because she’s one of those authors who churns out warm, funny, emotional reads and spins them into long-running series, novellas, and linked standalones. Rather than trying to memorize dozens of titles, I rely on a few simple tricks to figure out which books belong to each series and the best order to read them. Below I’ll walk you through the approach I use, explain how to handle novellas and omnibuses, and point out the one series most readers start with: 'Fool's Gold'.

First, identify the series name and official numbering. The fastest route is the author’s official site—Susan Mallery’s site lists her series and often shows publication order. If you don’t trust a random bookstore to have the order right, go to Goodreads and search the author; most series have a dedicated series page where books are listed in publication order and where fans note novellas and short stories that slot between main novels. Publisher pages (Harlequin, HQN, St. Martin’s) are also gold because they often display ISBNs, release months, and whether a title is a part of a boxed set or anthology. I also use Fantastic Fiction for a quick consolidated bibliography. When a series has dozens of entries (yes, that happens), publication order is usually the cleanest reading order unless an author provides a chronological list—some novellas function as prequels and you can slot them where the timeline fits.

Second, watch for special cases: numbered titles, omnibuses, and anthology novellas. A number on a cover usually means the publisher has already established a reading order. Omnibuses collect earlier works, and anthologies sometimes contain a novella that ties into a particular series; those novellas might not be in the author’s main bibliography but matter for character crossovers. If you care about seeing recurring characters in the order those crossovers happen, follow publication date and insert anthology novellas where they were released. A practical tip: build a simple reading list (I keep mine in a notes app) where I put the main novels in publication order and then list novellas with the month/year of release—this avoids accidentally skipping a short story that introduces future characters.

Finally, a quick note on the big one: the 'Fool's Gold' world is what most readers think of first. It’s long and full of town-wide continuity, so reading it in publication order gives the most satisfying payoff for recurring families and shared settings. If you’re diving into other series, the same rules apply: consult the author site or series page on Goodreads, watch for anthology placements, and prefer publication order unless an explicit chronology is given. I love tracking down little novellas that explain a side character’s backstory—those surprise moments feel like gifts. Enjoy building your list; once it’s set up you can binge in whatever order your heart chooses, and I’m always amazed at how many comforting re-reads I find in those series.

Definitely go with the Fool's Gold series if you're looking for that classic small-town comfort read. Mallery really built a whole universe there, with interconnected families and recurring town events that make you feel like you're moving in. I started with 'Chasing Perfect', which introduces the town's founder's family, and it hooked me because you get a sense of the broader canvas right away.

Some folks might recommend the Happily Inc. books, which are a spin-off, but I think starting at the Fool's Gold source gives you all the inside jokes and cameos later. The early books have a slightly different tone than the later ones—more focus on community, maybe a bit less on the artistic careers that dominate Happily Inc. Reading them in order isn't strictly necessary for every romance, but seeing the town evolve is part of the charm for me. I still go back to the Fool's Gold Christmas anthologies when I need a quick, warm read.

I judge a romance series by its pets and kids. Mallery writes great kid characters and adorable animals. If that's your thing, look for books with single dads or heroines with dogs. 'Only Mine' has twins and a therapy dog. 'Only His' has a baby. 'Only Us' has a puppy. The family dynamics add so much warmth. So maybe choose your starting book based on the supporting cast you enjoy. Do you want a story with a precocious child? A mischievous pet? That can be your deciding factor. The central romance is always strong, but those extra elements make certain books stand out. Find one that includes your favorite tropes beyond just the couple.