If you’re looking to dive into the captivating world of Lisa Wingate’s books, you’re in for a treat! As a former journalist and inspirational speaker, Lisa Wingate has become a beloved author, penning over 30 novels, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Before We Were Yours. Her stories weave themes of family, faith, resilience, and hope, often blending historical and contemporary fiction with emotional depth. Whether you’re new to her work or a longtime fan, this guide lists all of Lisa Wingate’s books in order, organized by series and standalone novels, to help you navigate her extensive bibliography. Let’s explore her heartwarming stories and find the perfect starting point for your reading journey
Why Read Lisa Wingate’s Books?
Lisa Wingate’s novels are known for their richly drawn characters, compelling narratives, and ability to bring historical events to life. Her bestseller Before We Were Yours spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list, selling over 4 million copies worldwide. Her work spans Christian fiction, historical fiction, and contemporary romance, earning awards like the Christy Award and the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. Whether you’re drawn to heartfelt family sagas or stories rooted in real history, Wingate’s books offer something for every reader.
Below, we’ve organized her books by series and standalone novels in publication order, with brief descriptions to spark your interest. Each series can be read independently, but reading in order enhances the experience, as some characters and settings reappear.
Complete List of Lisa Wingate Books in Order by Series
Below is a comprehensive list of Lisa Wingate’s books, organized by series and standalone novels in publication order, presented in a table format for easy reference. This includes her series, standalone novels, and non-fiction work, accurate as of 2025.
| Series/Novel | Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|
| Tending Roses Series | ||
| Tending Roses | 2001 | |
| Good Hope Road | 2003 | |
| The Language of Sycamores | 2005 | |
| Drenched in Light | 2006 | |
| A Thousand Voices | 2007 | |
| Texas Hill Country Series | ||
| Texas Cooking | 2003 | |
| Lone Star Cafe | 2004 | |
| Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner | 2005 | |
| Blue Sky Hill Series | ||
| A Month of Summer | 2008 | |
| The Summer Kitchen | 2009 | |
| Beyond Summer | 2010 | |
| Dandelion Summer | 2011 | |
| Daily, Texas Series | ||
| Talk of the Town | 2008 | |
| Word Gets Around | 2009 | |
| Never Say Never | 2010 | |
| Moses Lake Series | ||
| Larkspur Cove | 2010 | |
| Blue Moon Bay | 2012 | |
| Firefly Island | 2013 | |
| Wildwood Creek | 2014 | |
| Carolina Chronicles Series | ||
| The Sea Glass Sisters | 2013 | |
| The Prayer Box | 2013 | |
| The Tidewater Sisters | 2014 | |
| The Story Keeper | 2014 | |
| The Sandcastle Sister | 2015 | |
| The Sea Keeper’s Daughters | 2015 | |
| Sisters | 2016 | |
| Outer Banks Short Stories/Novellas | ||
| A Sandy’s Seashell Shop Christmas | 2014 | |
| Standalone Novels | ||
| Before We Were Yours | 2017 | |
| The Book of Lost Friends | 2020 | |
| Shelterwood | 2024 | |
| Non-Fiction | ||
| Before and After (with Judy Christie) | 2019 |
Note: This table reflects Lisa Wingate’s complete bibliography as of 2025, organized by series and publication order. For the latest updates, visit lisawingate.com.
Lisa Wingate’s Book Series in Order
Tending Roses Series
This heartwarming series explores family bonds, personal growth, and life lessons, often inspired by the wisdom of older generations. Perfect for readers who love emotional, character-driven stories.
- Tending Roses (2001)
Kate Benson discovers her grandmother’s journal while caring for her in a Missouri farmhouse, finding inspiration to mend family ties and embrace life’s simple joys. A touching start to Wingate’s career. - Good Hope Road (2003)
After a tornado devastates her town, Jenilee Lane uncovers old letters that reveal secrets and help her community heal. A story of resilience and hope. - The Language of Sycamores (2005)
Karen Sommerfield reconnects with her sister and rediscovers her roots in the Ozarks, learning to embrace change and family. - Drenched in Light (2006)
A school counselor, Julia Costell, finds purpose helping a gifted but troubled student, rediscovering her own passion for life. - A Thousand Voices (2007)
Adopted as a child, Dell Jordan embarks on a journey to uncover her Native American heritage, finding love and belonging along the way.
Texas Hill Country Series
Set in the vibrant Texas landscape, this series blends romance, humor, and small-town charm.
- Texas Cooking (2003)
City girl Collie McCall navigates love and family drama while working at a Texas ranch, serving up a delicious mix of romance and wit. - Lone Star Cafe (2004)
A corporate climber returns to her Texas hometown, finding unexpected love and community in a quirky diner. - Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner (2005)
An archaeologist uncovers more than dinosaur bones in Texas, stumbling into romance and small-town secrets.
Blue Sky Hill Series
This series delves into the lives of diverse characters in a Dallas neighborhood, exploring themes of community and second chances.
- A Month of Summer (2008)
A woman returns to care for her estranged father with Alzheimer’s, finding unexpected connections and healing. - The Summer Kitchen (2009)
A makeshift kitchen in a struggling neighborhood becomes a place of hope and transformation for two women. - Beyond Summer (2010)
A young mother in a low-income housing complex discovers strength and community amid financial struggles. - Dandelion Summer (2011)
An unlikely friendship between a teenage girl and an elderly man leads to a journey of self-discovery and family secrets.
Daily, Texas Series
A lighthearted series filled with small-town antics, romance, and faith-based themes.
- Talk of the Town (2008)
A Hollywood producer visits Daily, Texas, to plan a reality show, only to find love and a new perspective in the quirky town. - Word Gets Around (2009)
A horse trainer and a scriptwriter team up to save a ranch, sparking romance and community spirit. - Never Say Never (2010)
A hurricane evacuation leads to unexpected friendships and romance for a young woman escaping her past.
Moses Lake Series
Set in the scenic Moses Lake, this series combines romance, mystery, and personal growth.
- Larkspur Cove (2010)
A social worker and a game warden team up to help a troubled child, uncovering love and community along the way. - Blue Moon Bay (2012)
An architect returns to her hometown to settle a family estate, unraveling secrets and finding romance. - Firefly Island (2013)
A congressional staffer moves to a remote Texas ranch, facing challenges that test her strength and love. - Wildwood Creek (2014)
A young woman filming a historical reenactment uncovers mysteries tied to a 19th-century Texas town.
Carolina Chronicles Series
This series blends historical and contemporary narratives, focusing on family heirlooms and coastal settings.
- The Sea Glass Sisters (2013)
A novella about two sisters finding hope and healing during a hurricane on the North Carolina coast. - The Prayer Box (2013)
Tandi Reese discovers a box of letters that reveal a woman’s life of faith, helping her find her own path. A fan favorite - The Tidewater Sisters (2014)
A novella exploring sisterhood and forgiveness as Tandi uncovers family secrets. - The Story Keeper (2014)
A manuscript editor discovers an unpublished story that leads her to the Blue Ridge Mountains and a hidden past. - The Sandcastle Sister (2015)
A novella about a woman rebuilding her life and finding love on the Outer Banks. - The Sea Keeper’s Daughters (2015)
A restaurant owner uncovers her mother’s secrets through letters, weaving a tale of heritage and redemption. - Sisters (2016)
A novella tying together the Carolina Chronicles with stories of love and family.
Outer Banks Short Stories/Novellas
- A Sandy’s Seashell Shop Christmas (2014)
A heartwarming holiday novella about a woman finding love and purpose in a seaside shop.
Standalone Novels
These standalone novels showcase Wingate’s ability to craft gripping, emotional stories, often inspired by true historical events.
- Before We Were Yours (2017)
Based on the real-life scandal of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, this bestseller follows a family torn apart by adoption fraud and a modern-day woman uncovering her heritage. A must-read - The Book of Lost Friends (2020)
Inspired by historical “Lost Friends” ads, this novel weaves the stories of three women in post-Civil War Louisiana and a modern-day teacher connecting past to present. - Shelterwood (2024)
Set in Oklahoma, this novel explores the lives of “elf children” escaping corrupt guardians in 1909 and a park ranger uncovering their story in 1990. A powerful historical tale.
Non-Fiction
- Before and After (2019, with Judy Christie)
A companion to Before We Were Yours, this book shares real-life stories of orphans from the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, blending history and personal accounts.
How to Start Reading Lisa Wingate’s Books
Not sure where to begin? Here are some tips:
- For historical fiction fans: Start with Before We Were Yours or The Book of Lost Friends for gripping, true-history-inspired stories.
- For Christian fiction readers: The Tending Roses series or The Prayer Box offer uplifting, faith-based narratives.
- For romance and small-town charm: Try the Texas Hill Country or Daily, Texas series for lighthearted, romantic reads.
- For short reads: Start with a novella like The Sea Glass Sisters or A Sandy’s Seashell Shop Christmas.
Why Lisa Wingate’s Books Are Perfect for Book Clubs
Wingate’s novels are ideal for book clubs due to their rich themes and discussion-worthy topics. Her website offers book club kits for titles like Before We Were Yours and Shelterwood, complete with discussion questions and behind-the-scenes insights. These resources make it easy to dive deeper into her stories.
Where to Buy Lisa Wingate’s Books
You can find Lisa Wingate’s books at major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookstore. Many are available for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. Check her official website, lisawingate.com, for excerpts and purchasing options.
Final Thoughts
Lisa Wingate’s books offer a beautiful blend of heart, history, and hope. Whether you’re drawn to her series or standalone novels, this guide makes it easy to explore her work in order. Start with a series that matches your interests, or dive into her bestsellers for an unforgettable reading experience. Which Lisa Wingate book will you read first? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and happy reading!
