The Best Jenny Colgan Books Ranked and 34 Books In Order

The Best Jenny Colgan Books Ranked by Super Fans
The Best Jenny Colgan Books Ranked and 34 Books In Order 28

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** The Ranked Jenny Colgan Books Post Updated 7/29/22 **

While shopping at the Narberth Bookshop, the cover of Jenny Colgan’s The Bookshop on the Corner caught my eye. I bought it out of pure instinct and it set me on a course of super fandom. After finishing the book, I shoved it into Jackie’s hands and she joined in my obsession with books by Jenny Colgan.

Jenny Colgan books have a formula – girl hits rock bottom, girl needs to change her life, girl travels to a remote island/town/country and finds herself again through books or food. Let me tell you something. I hope Jenny NEVER changes that formula because these books are comfort food to my soul.

I feel like I know the residents of the places in her books. Her books are about community and the connection between people…. and yes, a hint of romance. Neil the puffin is my imaginary pet. I want to visit Nina’s mobile library, have some of Polly’s freshly baked bread, and walk the shore of Mure Island with Flora and her family. I’m in deep with these characters. They are my friends. The characters I turn to when the world is a little too loud and my head needs to embrace the calm.

*Jenny Colgan Books in Order Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you.

What are the Jenny Colgan Books in Order?

Let’s Rank Some Jenny Colgan Books

So now, Jackie and I decided to turn our love for Jenny Colgan’s novels into a fun blog post and we thought – why not rank them? Could we rank them? Surely it would be impossible to put Jenny Colgan books in order so that we both agree.

So below you will see our favorites in order, followed by a list of the few books of hers that we haven’t yet read. It’s no surprise that the book that drew us to Jenny Colgan is in the top spot, but perhaps you will disagree with our placement of the rest.

Our Favorite Jenny Colgan Books In Order (by Series)

Jenny Colgan has so many amazing books, we decided to give you our favorite Jenny Colgan books grouped by series. Some books in the series are better than others but, we ranked these by the overall feel. We are ranking the standalone books separately at the bottome

#1 Favorite Jenny Colgan Books

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The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

The Bookshop on the Corner #1

This contemporary fiction book was the first book that I read by Jenny Colgan and is different from her others.  It is not centered around food but rather, books. 

When Nina, a librarian, finds herself without a job, she decides to embark on a journey with a mobile bookshop in Scotland.  There is nothing not to love in this sweet and cozy book.

Find this book in The Best Jenny Colgan Books Ranked / Novels About Scotland / Books About Books

bookshop on the shore

The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan

The Bookshop on the Corner #2

I love Jenny Colgan books and I was so happy to have an advance copy. This book, while related to her previous book “The Bookshop on the Corner”, is not a sequel. In fact, I felt that this book was a departure from her previous work.

It dealt with some issues that are definitely more serious and delved into these issues in her unique way. The book felt light and easy to read even though it had some more serious issues without trivializing them. Despite the length of the book( 400+ pages), I really wish the ending was longer. I loved the character development and wanted more. I’m hoping there is a sequel! 4 stars.

500 miles from you

500 Miles From You by Jenny Colgan

The Bookshop on the Corner #3

This is Lissa and Cormac’s story, one of the more unique romances I’ve read. Lissa and Cormac are both first responders who end up switching places.

Cormac heads to the hustle and bustle of London and Lissa heads to quiet, sleepy Scotland. They correspond via email and text without ever having seen each other.

This book also deals with organ donation and transplantation in a lovely, meaningful way. This is one of Jenny Colgan’s books that does not follow her formula and the third book in the series but it could be read as a stand-alone. 4 stars.

Novel Ideas 55 1

The Ultimate List of Books About Books: 50+ Great Reads

If love this series as much as we do, check out this post.

#2 Favorite Jenny Colgan Books by Series: Mure Island Series

Cafe by the Sea and other Jenny Colgan Books

The Cafe by the Sea (Mure Island Series #1) by Jenny Colgan

Jenny Colgan churns out another light beach read with heart. Cafe by the Sea is set on the gorgeous island of Muir in Scotland.

Scotland shines in this story about life in a town set in its ways and trying to resist the pull of modern life. There is a romance in this story, but the pull was more on the heroine reconnecting with her old life and family. Jenny Colgan is the queen of bakery romance novels and you can check out our list of The Best Jenny Colgan Books Ranked by Super Fans

endless beach

The Endless Beach by Jenny Colgan

The Mure Island Series #2

The continuation of The Cafe by the Sea series features Flora, Joel, and the cast of characters on the Island of Mure. We see how their relationship is progressing and we get to dive into some of the other romances on the island. I really enjoy book series that immerse the reader into a community. I feel like the inhabitants of Mure are my personal friends at this point! I was happy for their successes and I cried once too. 3.5 stars.

Christmas on the Island Jenny Colgan

Christmas on the Island by Jenny Colgan

The Mure Island Series #3

The third book in The Cafe by the Sea series left me gutted. I cried so many times at the end of this book. It was very cathartic but so heart-wrenching. I honestly felt for every character impacted by the many tragic storylines. I know the fourth book in the series is coming out soon, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it now.

Even though this is the third book in the series, this is one of our favorite Jenny Colgan books. 4 stars

christmas at the island hotel

Christmas at the Island Hotel by Jenny Colgan

Mure Island Series #4

This was a happier book in the series than the last one. We get to see Flora and Joel’s new baby, check in with Fintan, and meet a new cast of characters as the residents of Mure prepare for the new hotel opening.

There were cute love stories, wrapping up of some longstanding plot lines, but also space for more books in the series to written.

An Island Wedding by Jenny Colgan

An Island Wedding by Jenny Colgan

Mure Island Series #5

Colgan takes us back to Mure, Scotland in the 5th (!!!) book of the cafe by the sea series. This time, Joel and Flora are FINALLY planning their wedding, but they aren’t on the same page about what it should look like.

Meanwhile, Olivia, Jan’s famous sister wants to throw an over-the-top wedding on the Rock that is making Flora just a wee jealous, while creating tons of drama around the island.

We see Jan become almost unhinged with jealousy, Lorna still nursing her secret passion, and Fintan trying to get over his recent loss too.

Please let us get a sixth book in this series!!! For more books by Jenny Colgan, we’ve got a list of all of her books ranked for your enjoyment.

Feel Good Book Header

Ultimate List of 67 Feel-Good Books to Brighten Your Day

If love this series as much as we do, check out this post.

#3 Favorite Jenny Colgan Books In Order of Series

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The Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

The Little Beach Street Bakery #1

Jenny Colgan is known for her heartwarming tales of self-discovery and this book is no different. Our main protagonist loses her job and boyfriend, so she heads to Cornwall to lick her wounds.

Soon, with the help of a charming seaside community and a cute little bakery, she’s back on her feet. Throughout her time in Cornwall, she finds love, a new job, and creates a life she adores. Also, she has a pet puffin named Neil, the cutest literary pet I could imagine.

Why I Like it: Like all of Colgan’s books, the community takes the book to another level. These characters come to life creating a town I wish was real!

Find this book in Bakery Romance Books / Jenny Colgan Books in Order / Seaside Books

Summer at the Little Beach Street Bakery

Summer at the Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

The Little Beach Street Bakery #2

The continuation of Jenny Colgan’s Little Beach Street Bakery series is another hit. I loved the continuation of Polly, Huck, and Neil’s story. Polly gets fired from the bakery and needs to figure out a new business plan.

We get to catch up with all the lovable characters in the small Cornish town, see inside Polly’s new lighthouse home and have delectable bakery items described throughout. This is one of the novels about weather that use a climate event as a major plot point.

Christmas at the Little Beach Street Bakery and other Jenny Colgan Books

Christmas at the Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

Little Beach Street Bakery #3

I read this book when the snow was coming down outside and I wanted a cozy little pick-me-up. Colgan’s Little Beach Street Bakery series is one of my favorites because it’s light and fluffy with characters I adore, and drama that isn’t as serious. This was no different as we see Polly trying to navigate the Christmas season and keep her darling friend’s big secret!

sunrise by the sea

Sunrise by the Sea by Jenny Colgan

Little Beach Street Bakery #4

While this is technically the fourth book in the Little Beach Street Bakery series, it’s the first one that isn’t really about Polly and her family. Instead, the story focuses on Marisa, a new resident in town who is agoraphobic.

It also features a broken-hearted Russian piano teacher, pizza-making, and the usual Mount Polbearne antics. It’s a character-driven story that’s fairly slow paced, but I found it enjoyable as always.

The christmas bookshop

More Jenny Colgan Books Ranked

The Christmas Bookshop

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

Jenny Colgan is back with a stand-alone Christmas story about a failing bookshop and the woman that saves it. Carmen is stuck with no boyfriend, no job, and living at home, while her sister Sophie seems to have it all – a beautiful house, great husband, a killer job, and 3 kids with one more on the way.

When she realizes her client is going to lose his bookshop and home, she overs Carmen up for the job of turning the shop around, offering her a room at her house to boot.

But the long-standing rivalry between the sisters is out in full force. Carmen seems to sabotage her happiness in the romance department, and her bookstore boss might be hiding some family secrets that need uncovering.

A charming Christmas tale in true Jenny Colgan fashion, this heartwarming story also has some appearances from beloved characters from previous books. 4 stars.

Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe and more Jenny Colgan Books

Meet Me at The Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan

Cupcake Cafe #1

Warning: reading this book will make you hungry.  I am so not a baker and yet, I was almost inclined to give it a try.  Cupcake Cafe, like more of Colgan’s other books, is a perfectly sweet palate cleanser. 

I am never surprised or disappointed in her books. Even though this is ranked lower in our list of Jenny Colgan books in order, it is still a delightful read.

Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop

Midnight at the Christmas Bookstore by Jenny Colgan

This Christmas book is the sequel to The Christmas Book Shop, a New York Times bestseller from Jenny Cogan. If you know us, you know that we love anything she has written, and you can find a complete list of all of her books in our post The Best Jenny Colgan Books Ranked.

This particular sequel wasn’t my favorite though. It had all the same characters as the first story, but while the setting was still just as enchanting, I didn’t love the characters as much this time around. Oke was barely in it, Carmen was infantile, but the new “stacks” of the bookstore and Carmen’s new living situation were wonderfully described. Plus I loved the quest to save the bookstore once again. #gifted

Sweetshop of Dreams and more Jenny Colgan Books

Sweetshop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan

Rosie Hopkin’s Sweetshop # 1

I read this book quite quickly.  I needed something light after I had read some heavier books.  Colgan’s books are always light and sweet. 

Though they all follow the same general storyline, I enjoy knowing that I will read something with a happy ending.  3 stars

Stand Alone Jenny Colgan Books in Order

The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris


The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan

Jenny Colgan delivers every time.  Her books follow a formula that is tried and true.  The girl goes to a new place, starts a chocolate shop/ cafe/ bakeshop/ bookshop, and meets a man, falls in love, etc.   

I read her books because I need an escape and she delivers every time. This book was no exception so there was no question that it belongs on a list of books set in Paris.

And if you love Jenny Colgan like we do, check out our post The Best Jenny Colgan Books Ranked by Super Fans.

The Summer Skies

The Summer Skies by Jenny Colgan

This brand-new book brings us to northern Scotland, where Morag McGinty is a third-generation pilot. Following an accident in the air, Morag’s boyfriend wants her to move with him to Dubai.

Struggling and now fearful of flying, she returns home to fly her Grandpa’s route when he is sick. When she has to make a quick landing on a small island in a storm, she meets Gregor Cameron who might change everything.

Here’s the thing, I am TERRIFIED of flying so a book about planes isn’t going to be a favorite of mine, especially if it involves mechanical failures. It wasn’t my cup of tea, but if the subject matter doesn’t put you off, you might enjoy the newest Jenny Colgan book! #gifted by Avon

Diamonds are a Girl's best friend and more Jenny Colgan Books

Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend by Jenny Colgan

Jenny Colgan has become one of my go-to for fluff reads.  I love her books that are centered around food. This most recent book is a departure from her bookshop-centered books as well.  Sophie Chesterton is the “it” girl with her clothes, diamonds, and money.  She is shocked when she finds out that she has to start earning a living for herself.  There was more character development than I thought there would be. 3 stars

Amanda's Wedding and more Jenny Colgan Books

Amanda’s Wedding by Jenny Colgan

This was Colgan’s first book and although I enjoyed it, it did not have the charisma her other books have.  There is something so comforting about a book that involves friends, food, and love.  This story was a different sort of equation with characters that are a little more flawed and a little less adorable and loveable than I have become accustomed to. 

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42 of the Best YA and Adult Christmas Books

If you love Jenny Colgan Christmas books, check out these other delightful reads.

What order do Jenny Colgan Books go in?

Jenny Colgan has six different series in addition to her stand-alone novels. You can read books by Jenny Colgan in any order you want but, we suggest that you read the books from each series in order!

Are the Jenny Colgan books clean?

Yes, Jenny Colgan’s books are considered closed-door romances. Meaning, all the intimacy happens behind the door but the romance leading up to that point is yours to enjoy!

Are Jenny Colgan Books a Series?

YES and no. Jenny Colgan has written a number of series in addition to her stand-alone novels. Her series are:
1. School by the Sea
2. Cupcake Cafe
3. Rosie Hopkins
4. Beach Street Bakery
5. Bookshop on the Corner
6. Mure Island

Jenny Colgan Books We Still Need to Read

We haven’t been lucky enough to read all of Jenny Colgan’s books just yet, but we have plans to in the future! For now, those that we haven’t yet read or that haven’t been released yet, are listed below. The question now is which Jenny Colgan book do we read first?

So that, dear friends, is our final line-up of Jenny Colgan books in order. Do you agree with us?

We LOVE to support independent bookstores. You can shop our entire list of Jenny Colgan Books on bookshop.org

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Jenny Colgan's Books Ranked Best to Worst!
The Best Jenny Colgan Books Ranked and 34 Books In Order 29

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2 Comments

  1. 500 Miles From You is book 3 in the Bookshop on the Corner series, and it is fantastic! I gave it 5 stars! I would totally read it next.