The Blue Heron Series

The Blue Heron Series follows the lives and romances of the Holland family in the Finger Lakes wine region of New York. Set in the fictional town of Manningsport, the series spans five books centered on different family members and their connections to the family vineyard. Each book in the series stands alone while maintaining threads to the larger family saga and small-town community. Characters face career challenges, family obligations, and personal growth as they navigate relationships both old and new in their close-knit wine country setting. The stories feature a mix of family dynamics, humor, and romance against the backdrop of the Blue Heron Winery operations and small-town life. Secondary characters and subplots create a rich community tapestry that spans the entire series. Through its exploration of second chances and the balance between family loyalty and personal fulfillment, the series examines how the past shapes current choices. The books consider what it means to find oneself while honoring family traditions and small-town roots.

Readers consistently rate The Blue Heron series as a solid contemporary romance series with authentic characters and small-town charm. Most books in the series maintain 4+ star ratings across platforms. Readers appreciated: - Real family dynamics and sibling relationships - Balance of humor with emotional depth - Strong sense of place in the Finger Lakes wine country setting - Character development across the series - Realistic dialogue Common criticisms: - Some found the first-person narration limiting - Secondary romance plots sometimes overshadow main stories - Later books in series seen as weaker than early entries Ratings: Goodreads averages: - The Best Man (Book 1): 4.02/5 (27,000+ ratings) - The Perfect Match (Book 2): 4.08/5 (15,000+ ratings) - Waiting on You (Book 3): 4.05/5 (12,000+ ratings) - In Your Dreams (Book 4): 4.01/5 (10,000+ ratings) - Anything for You (Book 5): 3.95/5 (8,000+ ratings) Amazon average across series: 4.5/5

The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker A city woman returns to rural Alaska to reconnect with her estranged father and finds unexpected romance with a rugged bush pilot.

Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper An event planner moves from Chicago to a small Georgia town to work at her family's bait shop and funeral home combination business.

Until There Was You by Jessica Scott A military widow and a former soldier navigate their past losses while working together to save their small town's historic theater.

Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center A recent divorcee joins a wilderness survival course where she forms an unexpected connection with her younger brother's best friend.

The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler A grumpy diner owner in small-town Alaska forms a connection with a tourist who extends her stay to experience authentic local life.

🦅 The Blue Heron Series is set in the fictional Finger Lakes wine country town of Manningsport, NY, which Kristan Higgins modeled after several real towns in the region. 🍷 Author Kristan Higgins worked as a copywriter before becoming a full-time novelist, and she wrote her first book during her maternity leave. 💑 Each book in the series can be read as a standalone romance, though characters from previous books make appearances throughout the series. 🏆 The series' second book, "The Perfect Match," won the 2014 RITA Award for Contemporary Romance from the Romance Writers of America. 🎭 Higgins often incorporates her own experiences into her books - she grew up in a small New England town similar to Manningsport and has a deep appreciation for wine culture, which features prominently in the series.