Claire Wilder Books in Order (Updated May 9, 2026)

Claire Wilder is a Canadian contemporary romance author who writes small-town romances with interconnected casts, recurring communities, and new central couples in each book.

Her books are usually safe to read as standalones, but order still matters if you want side characters, relationship updates, and cross-series references to feel natural. The best starting point is Love Runs Deep, the first Jewel Lakes book.

For most readers, the best path is to read by series in publication order: Jewel Lakes, then Speeding Hearts, then Valentine Veto, then Quince Valley, followed by Redbeard Cove and Heartbreaker Trades.

Quick Reading Order

1. Jewel Lakes
2. Speeding Hearts
3. Valentine Veto
4. Quince Valley
5. Redbeard Cove
6. Heartbreaker Trades

This order follows the cleanest continuity path without forcing readers to treat every short story as essential.

Jewel Lakes Books in Order

The Jewel Lakes books are interconnected standalone romances. Start here if you want Claire Wilder’s broadest reading path.

1. Love Runs Deep (2020): The first Jewel Lakes book introduces the town, tone, and relationship-centered structure that shapes Wilder’s connected romance world.
2. No Plans for Love (2021): The second Jewel Lakes romance keeps the series grounded in the same small-town setting while expanding the cast around the early books.
3. His Hot Mess (2021): A Jewel Lakes enemies-to-lovers romance that works best after the first two books because the town and recurring characters are already in place.
4. Twice Burned (2021): A second-chance Jewel Lakes romance that continues the series’ focus on complicated history, trust, and emotional repair.
5. All Your Fault (2021): A later Jewel Lakes romance with a single-parent and age-gap setup, best read after the earlier books for smoother series context.
6. Finding His Cheer (2021): A holiday Jewel Lakes story that functions more like a companion piece than a starting point.
7. Touching Wood (2021): A connected Jewel Lakes short or prequel-style entry; optional for casual readers but useful for completists.

Jewel Lakes Spin-Off

• Speeding Hearts (2021): A Jewel Lakes spin-off and Blue Collar Romance shared-world title, best read after the main Jewel Lakes books for character and setting context.

Standalone Bridge Between Series

• Valentine Veto (2022): A standalone novella connected to both Jewel Lakes and Quince Valley, making it the most useful bridge between those two parts of Wilder’s bibliography.

Quince Valley Books in Order

Quince Valley is another small-town romance series with connected characters and standalone couples. The first full novel is Level With Me, while Wait For Me is listed as a prequel novella.

1. Wait For Me (2024): A Quince Valley #0.5 novella that can be read before the main novels for timeline placement, but it is not required before starting the series.
2. Level With Me (2022): The first full Quince Valley novel and the best entry point for readers beginning this series on its own.
3. Fall for Me (2022): The second Quince Valley book continues the town’s romantic web with a brother’s-best-friend setup.
4. Sing For Me (2023): The third Quince Valley novel adds another central couple while keeping the series inside the same shared community.
5. Play With Me (2023): A friends-to-lovers Quince Valley romance involving a single dad, best read after the earlier books establish the town’s rhythm.
6. Mess With Me (2023): The fifth Quince Valley book, better after the earlier entries because the recurring cast and setting have more weight by this point.
7. Wish For Me (2023): The sixth full Quince Valley novel and the last main numbered book currently listed in the series.

Redbeard Cove Books in Order

Redbeard Cove is a separate small-town romance series. Read it in publication order, beginning with Here & There.

1. Here & There (2024): The first Redbeard Cove book introduces the coastal setting and begins the series with a grumpy-sunshine, single-dad romance.
2. Give & Take (2024): The second Redbeard Cove novel continues the setting with a new couple while keeping the town’s emotional framework intact.
3. Over & Out (2025): The third Redbeard Cove book uses workplace, forced-proximity, and enemies-to-lovers tension while moving the series toward its later entries.
4. The Jilted Bride (2026): A loosely connected Redbeard Cove story; optional for readers who only want the main numbered novels.
5. Then & Now (2027): The fourth Redbeard Cove book is listed as the final book in the series and should be saved until after the earlier Redbeard Cove novels.

Heartbreaker Trades Books in Order

Heartbreaker Trades focuses on women in skilled trades and the men who fall for them. The books can be read as standalones, but publication order is the simplest approach.

1. Plunged (2026): The first Heartbreaker Trades novel introduces the series concept through a woman plumber and a reclusive billionaire romance.
2. Nailed (2026): The second Heartbreaker Trades book continues the women-in-trades premise with a new central couple.
3. Sparked (2026): The third Heartbreaker Trades book is listed as a 2026 title and should be read after Plunged and Nailed once available.

Claire Wilder Books in Publication Order

This order is best for readers who want to experience the books as they were released.

1. Love Runs Deep (2020): The first Jewel Lakes novel and the strongest starting point for Claire Wilder’s connected romance world.
2. No Plans for Love (2021): The second Jewel Lakes book, continuing the original small-town setting.
3. His Hot Mess (2021): A new Jewel Lakes couple with enemies-to-lovers tension and recurring community context.
4. Twice Burned (2021): A Jewel Lakes second-chance romance that fits naturally after the earlier books.
5. All Your Fault (2021): A later Jewel Lakes entry that expands the series with a single-parent romance.
6. Finding His Cheer (2021): A holiday Jewel Lakes companion story, best after the main early novels.
7. Touching Wood (2021): A Jewel Lakes connected short or prequel-style piece, optional but part of the broader series listing.
8. Speeding Hearts (2021): A Jewel Lakes spin-off that also belongs to the Blue Collar Romance shared world.
9. Valentine Veto (2022): A standalone bridge novella connecting Jewel Lakes and Quince Valley.
10. Level With Me (2022): The first full Quince Valley book and the correct entry point for that series.
11. Fall for Me (2022): The second Quince Valley romance, continuing the town’s relationship network.
12. Nailed: The Naughty List (2022): A holiday/shared-project title that should be treated as optional and separate from the later Heartbreaker Trades book.
13. Sing For Me (2023): The third Quince Valley book, continuing the main numbered run.
14. Play With Me (2023): The fourth Quince Valley romance, centered on a friends-to-lovers setup.
15. Mess With Me (2023): The fifth Quince Valley novel, best read after the earlier books for recurring-cast context.
16. Wish For Me (2023): The sixth full Quince Valley novel and the last currently listed main Quince Valley book.
17. Wait For Me (2024): A Quince Valley prequel novella, useful for timeline readers but not required before book one.
18. Here & There (2024): The first Redbeard Cove novel and the starting point for that series.
19. Give & Take (2024): The second Redbeard Cove romance, continuing the coastal setting.
20. Over & Out (2025): The third Redbeard Cove book, best read after the first two.
21. The Jilted Bride (2026): A loosely connected Redbeard Cove story, optional for main-series readers.
22. Plunged (2026): The first Heartbreaker Trades book and the entry point for that series.
23. Nailed (2026): The second Heartbreaker Trades novel, continuing the series’ skilled-trades premise.
24. Sparked (2026): The third Heartbreaker Trades book, listed as a 2026 release.
25. Then & Now (2027): The fourth Redbeard Cove book, listed as the series finale.

Recommended Claire Wilder Reading Order

This is the best route for new readers who want a smooth continuity path without separating every optional piece into its own decision.

1. Love Runs Deep (2020): Begin here because it starts Jewel Lakes and gives the clearest foundation for Wilder’s connected books.
2. No Plans for Love (2021): Continue with the second Jewel Lakes romance to keep the early series in order.
3. His Hot Mess (2021): Read third for the intended Jewel Lakes progression and recurring-town context.
4. Twice Burned (2021): Read fourth to stay with the series’ emotional and social continuity.
5. All Your Fault (2021): Read fifth as the final main numbered Jewel Lakes novel.
6. Finding His Cheer (2021): Add this after the core Jewel Lakes books as a holiday companion.
7. Touching Wood (2021): Read here as an optional Jewel Lakes extra instead of using it as your entry point.
8. Speeding Hearts (2021): Place this after Jewel Lakes because it spins out of that part of Wilder’s world.
9. Valentine Veto (2022): Read this before Quince Valley because it bridges Jewel Lakes and Quince Valley.
10. Wait For Me (2024): Read here only if you like prequel placement; otherwise, start Quince Valley with Level With Me.
11. Level With Me (2022): Begin the main Quince Valley sequence here.
12. Fall for Me (2022): Continue with the second full Quince Valley novel.
13. Sing For Me (2023): Read third to keep the numbered Quince Valley order intact.
14. Play With Me (2023): Read fourth after the town and recurring cast are established.
15. Mess With Me (2023): Read fifth once the Quince Valley setting has built more history.
16. Wish For Me (2023): Read sixth to complete the main Quince Valley run.
17. Here & There (2024): Start Redbeard Cove with the first full series book.
18. Give & Take (2024): Continue with the second Redbeard Cove romance.
19. Over & Out (2025): Read third to follow the Redbeard Cove publication path.
20. The Jilted Bride (2026): Add this as an optional Redbeard Cove-connected story.
21. Plunged (2026): Begin Heartbreaker Trades here.
22. Nailed (2026): Read second in Heartbreaker Trades for the simplest series flow.
23. Sparked (2026): Read third in Heartbreaker Trades once available.
24. Then & Now (2027): Finish Redbeard Cove here when the listed finale is available.

Chronological Order

A strict chronological order is not necessary for Claire Wilder’s books. The series are built around standalone romances, not one continuous plot that depends on every event happening in exact timeline order.

The only meaningful adjustments are:

1. Touching Wood (2021): This may be treated as Jewel Lakes prequel-style material, but it works better after readers know the setting.
2. Wait For Me (2024): This is listed as Quince Valley #0.5, so timeline readers can place it before Level With Me.
3. The Jilted Bride (2026): This is loosely connected to Redbeard Cove and should be treated as optional.

For first-time readers, publication order by series is still the safer route because it preserves introductions and callbacks.

Optional Claire Wilder Books and Short Works

These titles are useful for completists but not required before the main novels.

1. Touching Wood (2021): Optional Jewel Lakes background that should not replace Love Runs Deep as the starting point.
2. Finding His Cheer (2021): A Jewel Lakes holiday companion that fits best after the main early books.
3. Speeding Hearts (2021): A Jewel Lakes spin-off and shared-world title, useful if you want every connection.
4. Valentine Veto (2022): A bridge novella between Jewel Lakes and Quince Valley.
5. Nailed: The Naughty List (2022): A holiday/shared-project title that should be separated from the later Heartbreaker Trades book two.
6. Wait For Me (2024): A Quince Valley prequel novella, optional before the main novels.
7. The Jilted Bride (2026): A loosely connected Redbeard Cove story, optional after the early Redbeard Cove books.

Anthologies and Shared-World Appearances

These books are separate from the core series order.

1. Love is Coming to Town (2021): A multi-author collection appearance, not required for Jewel Lakes or Quince Valley continuity.
2. Dissent: Volume 1 (2022): A charity anthology appearance, separate from the main romance-series path.
3. Small Towns, Wild Hearts (2023): A multi-author collection appearance for completists.
4. Blue Collar Romance – Speeding Hearts (2021): A shared-world entry that also functions as a Jewel Lakes spin-off.
5. Sycamore Mountain – Valentine Veto (2022): A shared-world entry that also connects Jewel Lakes and Quince Valley.

Latest Claire Wilder Book Status

As of this update, Claire Wilder’s active newer listings include Plunged, Nailed, Sparked, and Then & Now.

Sparked is listed as Heartbreaker Trades book three for 2026. Then & Now is listed as Redbeard Cove book four for 2027.

Future release details can shift, so upcoming titles should be checked again before publication.

FAQs

Do Claire Wilder books need to be read in order?

No. Most of Claire Wilder’s books are interconnected standalones with a different couple in each book. Reading in order is still recommended because returning characters and relationship updates make more sense that way.

What is the best Claire Wilder book to start with?

Start with Love Runs Deep. It begins Jewel Lakes and gives the best foundation for Wilder’s wider connected reading path.

Can I start with Quince Valley instead?

Yes. Start Quince Valley with Level With Me. Read Wait For Me first only if you prefer prequel placement.

Are Jewel Lakes and Quince Valley connected?

Yes. Valentine Veto is the clearest bridge between Jewel Lakes and Quince Valley, and the suggested route places Jewel Lakes before Quince Valley.

Is Redbeard Cove a separate series?

Yes. Redbeard Cove has its own numbered order. Begin with Here & There, then continue with Give & Take, Over & Out, and Then & Now.

What is the difference between Nailed and Nailed: The Naughty List?

Nailed: The Naughty List is an earlier holiday/shared-project title. Nailed is also listed as Heartbreaker Trades book two, so the safest reading-order treatment is to list them separately.

Which Claire Wilder books are optional?

The main optional reads are Touching Wood, Finding His Cheer, Speeding Hearts, Valentine Veto, Wait For Me, The Jilted Bride, and anthology or shared-world appearances.

Conclusion

The best Claire Wilder reading order starts with Love Runs Deep and follows Jewel Lakes before moving into Speeding Hearts, Valentine Veto, Quince Valley, Redbeard Cove, and Heartbreaker Trades.

Readers who want only one series can begin with Love Runs Deep, Level With Me, Here & There, or Plunged. For full continuity, read by series in publication order.