Jodi Thomas Books in Order: Texas Western Romance

Almost every Jodi Thomas novel stands alone, so you never have to read a whole series before you enjoy one. But her books are built around recurring families and neighbours — the McMurrays of Whispering Mountain, the ranchers of Ransom Canyon — and reading a series in order turns a single romance into a sweeping community saga. Below are her two flagship series in sequence, plus guidance on where to begin.

The Whispering Mountain series in order

This is Thomas's beloved historical Western series, set in 19th-century Texas around the sprawling McMurray family ranch. Read it in order to watch the family grow across the frontier.

1. Texas Rain (2006) — a Texas Ranger and the headstrong woman who once picked his pocket. The spark that launches the McMurray saga.
2. Texas Princess (2007) — a horse breeder and a marriage forged under threat, with the ranch at stake.
3. Tall, Dark, and Texan (2008) — a widower with three daughters and the woman who answers his call for a wife.
4. The Lone Texan (2009) — a former army surgeon and a fiercely independent heroine who refuses to be managed.
5. Texas Blue (2011) — a case of mistaken courtship on the Texas frontier that turns into the real thing.
6. Wild Texas Rose (2012) — a shy heroine, a protective hero, and a quiet romance that sneaks up on you.
7. Promise Me Texas (2013) — the finale, tying the McMurray threads together with one last frontier love story.

The Ransom Canyon series in order

Ransom Canyon is Thomas's contemporary small-town series — the one adapted into the Netflix show — set in a close-knit Texas ranching community where every love story is stitched into the next. Reading in order lets you follow the whole town.

1. Ransom Canyon (2015) — the ranch, the diner, and the tangled histories that anchor the whole series.
2. Rustler's Moon (2016) — a newcomer with secrets and the rancher next door.
3. Lone Heart Pass (2016) — a woman rebuilding her life on inherited land, and the foreman she did not plan on.
4. Sunrise Crossing (2016) — a runaway, an artist, and second chances in the canyon.
5. Wild Horse Springs (2017) — a sheriff, a showgirl, and a snowbound Texas winter.
6. Indigo Lake (2017) — old family feuds and new love on neighbouring ranches.
7. Mistletoe Miracles (2018) — a warm Christmas-set entry as the community gathers.

The series also includes shorter connecting novellas such as Winter's Camp and holiday entries, but the novels above carry the main arc.

Her other Texas series

Thomas is prolific, and beyond these two she has written several other linked series worth exploring once you are hooked — including the Harmony novels (beginning with Welcome to Harmony), a long-running contemporary small-town series, and the Honey Creek and Someday Valley books. All follow her signature formula: a Texas town, a web of families, and romances that grow out of real community.

Where to start

If you love historical Western romance, begin with Texas Rain and read the Whispering Mountain series in order. If you would rather have present-day cowboys — or you came from the Netflix adaptation — start with Ransom Canyon. Either way you are getting the same thing that has made Jodi Thomas a Hall of Fame favourite: heart, Texas, and love that has to be fought for.