Jenn McKinlay Books in Order (Complete Reading Guide)

The best way to read Jenn McKinlay is by series and publication order. She is a New York Times bestselling author celebrated for her cozy mystery and romance series, including the Library Lover’s Mysteries, Cupcake Bakery Mysteries, and Hat Shop Mysteries. McKinlay also writes rom-coms, but her cozy mysteries are the foundation of her popularity. Below, you’ll find all her reading orders explained, complete book lists, and the latest releases.

Publication Order

Jenn McKinlay writes several interconnected cozy mystery series. Here’s the complete publication order for each.

Cupcake Bakery Mysteries

Set in Scottsdale, Arizona, this series follows bakery owner Melanie Cooper and her friends as they juggle cupcakes, love, and murder.

1. Sprinkle with Murder (2010)
2. Buttercream Bump Off (2011)
3. Death by the Dozen (2011)
4. Red Velvet Revenge (2012)
5. Going, Going, Ganache (2013)
6. Sugar and Iced (2014)
7. Dark Chocolate Demise (2015)
8. Vanilla Beaned (2016)
9. Caramel Crush (2017)
10. Wedding Cake Crumble (2018)
11. Dying for Devil’s Food (2019)
12. Pumpkin Spice Peril (2020)
13. For Batter or Worse (2021)
14. Strawberried Alive (2022)
15. Sugar Plum Poisoned (2023)
16. Claus for Alarm (2024, upcoming)

Library Lover’s Mysteries

Lindsay Norris, a library director in Briar Creek, Connecticut, uses her skills and her book club to solve crimes in her small town.

1. Books Can Be Deceiving (2011)
2. Due or Die (2012)
3. Book, Line and Sinker (2012)
4. Read It and Weep (2013)
5. On Borrowed Time (2014)
6. A Likely Story (2015)
7. Better Late Than Never (2016)
8. Death in the Stacks (2017)
9. Hitting the Books (2018)
10. Word to the Wise (2019)
11. One for the Books (2020)
12. Killer Research (2021)
13. The Plot and the Pendulum (2022)
14. Fatal First Edition (2023)

Hat Shop Mysteries

Set in London, this series follows Scarlett Parker, who inherits her grandmother’s hat shop and soon discovers it’s the perfect place for murder and mystery.

1. Cloche and Dagger (2013)
2. Death of a Mad Hatter (2014)
3. At the Drop of a Hat (2015)
4. Copy Cap Murder (2016)
5. Assault and Beret (2017)

Bluff Point Romance Series

A sweet rom-com series set in a seaside town, featuring second chances, friendships, and happily-ever-afters.

1. About a Dog (2017)
2. Barking Up the Wrong Tree (2017)
3. Every Dog Has His Day (2018)

Happily Ever After Romance Series

Romantic comedies centered around a wedding shop and bookstore, perfect for fans of contemporary romance.

1. The Good Ones (2019)
2. The Christmas Keeper (2019)

Standalone Rom-Coms

Jenn McKinlay has also written popular standalone romantic comedies, including:

• Paris Is Always a Good Idea (2020)
• Wait for It (2021)
• Muffin But Trouble (2021, novella)
• Summer Reading (2023)
• Love at First Book (2024)

Chronological Order

For Jenn McKinlay’s work, chronological order matches publication order within each series. Events progress in a natural timeline, with character growth and relationships unfolding book by book. There are no prequels or time-jumps, so reading them in release order is ideal.

Recommended Reading Order

When readers ask about “reading order,” they may mean whether to follow publication order or thematic preference. With Jenn McKinlay, here’s the best approach:

• If you love food-themed cozies, start with the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries.
• If you’re drawn to small-town and bookish settings, begin with the Library Lover’s Mysteries.
• If you prefer quirky British charm, dive into the Hat Shop Mysteries.
• Romance readers should explore her Bluff Point and Happily Ever After series, or her standalones.

All her series are independent, so you can safely start with whichever appeals most. Just stay in order within the series for the best character experience.

Complete Book Series List

Here’s a quick checklist of Jenn McKinlay’s writing:

• Cupcake Bakery Mysteries (16 books, 2010–2024; ongoing)
• Library Lover’s Mysteries (14 books, 2011–2023; ongoing)
• Hat Shop Mysteries (5 books, 2013–2017; complete)
• Bluff Point Romance Series (3 books, 2017–2018; complete)
• Happily Ever After Romance Series (2 books, 2019; complete)
• Standalone Rom-Coms (multiple titles, 2020–2024; ongoing)

Latest Release

Jenn McKinlay continues to release both cozies and rom-coms every year.
The Cupcake Bakery Mystery, Claus for Alarm (2024), is her latest confirmed release. Her rom-coms also remain active, with Love at First Book (2024) being her most recent.

FAQs

Here are some common questions and answers about Jenn McKinlay books in order.

How many Jenn McKinlay books are there?
She has published over 45 books across multiple series and standalones.

Is the Cupcake Bakery series finished?
No, it is ongoing, with the next book Claus for Alarm releasing in 2024.

Is the Library Lover’s Mysteries series finished?
No, it is still active, with 14 books so far.

What order should I read Jenn McKinlay books?
Read each series in publication order for the best character and story progression.

Which Jenn McKinlay series was adapted for TV?
The Cupcake Bakery Mysteries has not yet been adapted, but its style is similar to Hallmark cozies.

Does Jenn McKinlay only write cozies?
No, she also writes contemporary romantic comedies alongside her cozy mysteries.

Related Series You May Like

Fans of Jenn McKinlay often enjoy cozy mystery authors like Kate Carlisle, Krista Davis, Paige Shelton, Eva Gates (Vicki Delany), and Elizabeth Penney. These series share the same mix of charm, suspense, and heart.

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