‘Sweet Magnolias’ Books in Order: How To Read The Whole Series That Inspired The Hit Netflix Show

Start brewing your sweet tea and mixing those margaritas, Sweet Magnolia fans! Filming of the third season of the popular Netflix series is currently underway in Georgia, which means it’s just a matter of time (okay, maybe more like months) before we are reunited with best friends Maddie, Dana Sue and Helen!

In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past three years, the hit Netflix show is an adaptation of the 11-book romance series by bestselling author Sherryl Woods. Starring JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott and Heather Hadley, the show is loosely based on events in the first three books, with other storylines and characters made up specifically for television. “I'm never offended by the idea that they’re adding to my storylines,” Woods, who is also an executive producer for the TV show, told Parade. “I think that’s the joy of having a series, is that it keeps getting fresher and different.”

But in the Sweet Magnolias books, we meet lots of other quirky characters who call the charming and quintessential Southern small town of Serenity, South Carolina, home. And with nearly a dozen different couples to read about, the romance novels will keep you entertained while you wait for Sweet Magnolias Season 3 to drop on Netflix!

Ready to binge-read? Grab a margarita and check out the complete series of Sweet Magnolias books!

Who writes the Sweet Magnolias books?

Sherryl Woods is the author of the Sweet Magnolias series of books that the Netflix hit drama is based on. Woods also serves as an executive producer on the television show, which premiered in 2019.

What else has Sherryl Woods written?

Since publishing her first book in 1982, Woods has penned over 100 romance and mystery novels.

Have any of Sherryl Woods’ other books been adapted into TV shows?

Yep! Woods is also the author of Chesapeake Shores, which is a series on Hallmark Channel. Set in a small beach town in Maryland, the series explores the lives of the O’Brien family after eldest daughter Abby returns home following her divorce. Starring Meghan Ory, Robert Buckley, Treat Williams, Barbara Niven, Diane Ladd, Laci Mailey, Brendan Penny, Emilie Ullerup, Andrew Francis and Jesse Metcalfe, the sixth and final season of Chesapeake Shores will premiere on Sunday, August 15.

Related: Barbara Niven on Creating “Comfort TV” With Hallmark

What is the Sweet Magnolias book series about?

Based on Woods’ popular series of books, Sweet Magnolias follows three South Carolina women—Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen—who have been best friends since childhood as they support each other while juggling relationships, family and careers.

Does the Netflix series follow the Sweet Magnolias books?

The first season of the Netflix series loosely followed the storylines that took place in the first three Sweet Magnolias books: Stealing Home, A Slice of Heaven, and Feels Like Family. Some events in the show’s first season (like the cliffhanger car accident in the finale) did not happen in the books. And showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson told TV Line that Season 2 did not follow the books at all. “While we deeply appreciate, admire and respect Ms. Woods and the books, we did move away from them a bit in Season 2 through a combination of characters we added to the show and incidents that we added,” she said.

So far, there’s been no official word from the Sweet Magnolias team if Season 3 will depart from the books as well, but there are plenty of storylines for the producers to draw inspiration from if they so choose!

Does Sherryl Woods have other book series?

Yes! In addition to the best-selling Sweet Magnolias series and Chesapeake Shores series, Woods has written many other books that are part of a series. Those collections are as follows, plus she’s authored more than a dozen standalone books.

Adams Dynasty

Molly DeWitt Mysteries

Rose Cottage Sisters

Trinity Harbor

Seaview Key

Perfect Destinies

Whispering Wind

Ocean Breeze

The Calamity Janes

Devaney Brothers

The Bridal Path

The Vows

The Charleston Trilogy

Where does Sweet Magnolias take place?

Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen call Serenity, South Carolina home.

Is Serenity a real town?

Unfortunately, bookworms, Serenity is a completely made-up location, and the charming small Southern town only exists in Woods’ imagination. But Woods has shared that another idyllic South Carolina town—that of Sumter—was her inspiration for Serenity. She used to visit the town every summer to see an old family friend.

Where is Sweet Magnolias filmed?

The Netflix Original Series is mainly filmed in two cities in Georgia: Covington and McDonough. In fact, Covington has been dubbed “Hollywood of the South” because nearly 300 movies and series have been filmed there, including The Vampire Diaries and its spin-off Legacies, My Cousin Vinnie, and Sweet Home Alabama.

How many books are in the Sweet Magnolias series?

There are 11 books in Woods’ Sweet Magnolia series. The first, Stealing Home, was originally published in 2007, and Woods released the final novel in the series, Swan Point, in 2014.

There is also a Sweet Magnolias cookbook, which includes 150 Southern recipes “shared” by Dana Sue, the character who owns Sullivan’s restaurant in the series.

Related: The Best Shows to Binge Watch on Netflix Right Now

What is the reading order for the Sweet Magnolias books?

While each Sweet Magnolias book focuses on a different couple, there are storylines that carry from one novel to the next. To get the most enjoyment out of the series and the characters who live in Serenity, the reading order for the Sweet Magnolias series is as follows:

Stealing Home

This 2007 novel is the book that first introduced readers to Serenity, South Carolina. In the wake of her sudden divorce, Maddie is trying to balance the stress of parenting her three kids, dealing with her ex-husband and his pregnant younger girlfriend, and opening a fitness spa with her two best friends, Dana Sue and Helen. The last thing she needs is a romance with her son’s baseball coach, Cal, but he just may be the one thing that brings balance to her life. Get Stealing Home on Amazon.

A Slice of Heaven

Dana Sue’s life gets upended when her teenage daughter is hospitalized with an eating disorder and her own health begins to deteriorate. Reluctantly, she reaches out to her cheating ex-husband, Ronnie, for help. But as they spend more and more time together, Dana Sue discovers that sometimes, a second chance is worth taking. Get A Slice of Heaven on Amazon.

Feels Like Family

A career-driven divorce attorney, Helen had put love and family on the back burner. But at 42, she’s finally ready to start a family—despite not being in a serious relationship. As Helen takes charge of her own destiny when it comes to motherhood, the last thing she expects is to find love with widowed chef Erik. Get Feels Like Family on Amazon.

Welcome To Serenity

Family drama has left Janette, the manager of The Corner Spa, feeling less than enthused about the holidays. So planning Serenity’s annual Christmas festival with town manager Tom, a fellow humbug, is the last thing she’d like to do. Will the Christmas mistletoe work its magic on these two grinches? Get Welcome To Serenity on Amazon.

Home In Carolina

The second generation of Sweet Magnolias begins in Home In Carolina with Dana Sue’s daughter and Maddie’s son. Annie always imagined building a life in Serenity with Tyler, her childhood best friend and first love. But those dreams were shattered when the pro baseball player cheated on her and got another woman pregnant. When Ty returns home to recover from a career-ending injury—and win Annie back—will she be able to forgive his betrayal? Get Home In Carolina on Amazon.

Sweet Tea At Sunrise

Single mom Sarah is still carrying around the scars from her emotionally abusive marriage when she moves back home to Serenity, looking for a fresh start with the support of her best friends, Annie and Raylene. While working as a waitress to support her kids, Sarah catches the eye of Travis, a mysterious newcomer to town. Will Sarah believe Travis’ sweet words as the truth and allow herself to fall in love again? Get Sweet Tea At Sunrise on Amazon.

Honeysuckle Summer

After leaving her abusive husband, Raylene finds a new family in the Sweet Magnolias as Annie and Sarah help her heal from her heartbreak and trauma. When Raylene’s friendship with sheriff deputy Carter blossoms into something more, she must decide if she’s ready to move on…or if one sweet summer is all they’ll ever share. Get Honeysuckle Summer on Amazon.

Midnight Promises

Elliott and Karen’s marriage may look picture-perfect from the outside. But behind closed doors, financial troubles, overbearing family members, and a relative’s infidelity have put this husband and wife at odds. Is the love that Elliott and Karen share strong enough to guide them through the issues facing their marriage? Get Midnight Promises on Amazon.

Catching Fireflies

A sweet romance blooms between English teacher Laura and pediatrician J.C. as they work together to stop a bullying issue at the high school. They’ve both had personal experiences with bullies, so making Serenity a safe haven for all of the town’s teens is a passion project for the pair. But as their feelings grow, J.C. and Laura must each overcome the trauma of their pasts if they want to spend their future together. Get Catching Fireflies on Amazon.

Where Azaleas Bloom

Between taking care of her kids, struggling to pay the bills, and the stress of dealing with her soon-to-be ex, Lynn is nearly at her breaking point. When she reconnects with Mitch, the widower can’t help but want to make things easier for the girl he crushed on in high school. But Lynn refuses to be a charity case. Will Mitch help her see that she’s strong enough to stand on her own two feet? Get Where Azaleas Bloom on Amazon.

Swan Point

Starting a new chapter in her life as an independent single mom, divorcee Adelia hires back-in-town Gabe to fix up her historic home. The spark is instant between the two, and despite his having no intentions of settling down, Gabe finds himself feeling things for Adelia that he’s never felt before. As their attraction grows stronger, will Gabe and Adelia find a way to put to bed the demons of their respective pasts for the possibility of a future together? Get Swan Point on Amazon.

Next, check out why Sweet Magnolias star JoAnna Garcia Swisher says the show hits a soft spot in viewers’ hearts!