The Blackberry Island Series in Order

About the Blackberry Island series

Series Premise

The series is set on the fictional Blackberry Island off the coast of Washington state—a small, picturesque community where lifelong ties and fresh starts intersect. Each novel focuses on a different woman (or group of women) facing personal or relational crises, often returning to or discovering the island as a place of refuge and renewal. The stories explore themes of healing from past hurts, rebuilding trust, confronting family secrets, and embracing friendship as a source of strength.

The first book introduces Michelle Sanderson, a wounded veteran returning to Blackberry Island to take over her family's inn after her mother's death. She must confront her estranged childhood best friend Carly, who has been managing the inn and harbors her own pain. Their forced partnership to save the struggling business forces both women to address old wounds and rediscover friendship.

Subsequent stories expand the island's community: three women from different backgrounds buy neighboring historic Queen Anne houses and form an unlikely bond as they navigate divorce, grief, and new beginnings; a nurse and her sisters confront family secrets and personal regrets; a successful businesswoman returns after disaster to rebuild her life and relationships; and a group of friends embarks on a happiness project to transform their lives. While each book stands alone with its own emotional arc and romantic subplot, recurring elements—friendships across books, island events, and the supportive community—create a sense of ongoing warmth and connection.

Main Characters

Michelle Sanderson (Barefoot Season): A wounded army veteran returning home after her mother's death to run the family inn. Tough, guarded, and dealing with physical and emotional scars from war, she must work with her estranged former best friend Carly to save the business.



- Carly Williams (Barefoot Season): Michelle's childhood best friend—warm, hardworking single mom who has managed the inn for years. Betrayed in the past, she struggles with forgiveness and rebuilding trust.



- Deanna Phillips, Averie (or similar), Nina (Three Sisters): Three women from different backgrounds who buy neighboring historic houses. Deanna is a perfectionist dealing with marital strain; the others bring their own struggles—loss, identity, new beginnings—forming a supportive friendship.



- Nina Stone (Evening Stars): A dedicated nurse and one of three sisters on the island. Practical and self-sacrificing, she confronts family secrets and her own regrets about love and life choices.



- Sophie Lane (Sisters by Choice): A successful entrepreneur whose business fails, forcing her back to Blackberry Island. Determined and resourceful, she rebuilds her life and relationships while navigating small-town dynamics.



- Carmen and friends (The Happiness Plan): A group of women committing to a year-long happiness project—small, intentional changes that lead to personal growth and deeper connections.

Setting

The series is set on Blackberry Island, a fictional small island off the Washington coast—think quaint coastal charm with a Pacific Northwest vibe. The island features rolling hills, berry farms (hence the name), a historic downtown with shops and cafes, a waterfront inn, Victorian houses, and scenic views of the Puget Sound. Weather plays a role—foggy mornings, rainy seasons, crisp summers—adding atmosphere and mirroring emotional shifts.



Key locations include the Blackberry Island Inn (a central hub in the first book), the Three Sisters Queen Anne houses (historic homes central to the second book), family homes, local beaches, and community spots like cafes and parks. The island feels intimate and supportive: everyone knows everyone, gossip travels fast, but kindness prevails. The setting symbolizes refuge—a place where characters return to heal, start over, or find belonging amid life's chaos.

Tone & Themes

The tone is warm, uplifting, and emotionally resonant—classic Susan Mallery women's fiction with gentle humor, heartfelt moments, and optimism. The stories are character-driven rather than plot-heavy, focusing on inner growth, forgiveness, and the quiet joys of everyday life. Expect poignant explorations of pain (divorce, betrayal, grief, illness) balanced by hope, laughter, and small triumphs. Romance is present but secondary—sweet, slow-burn connections that feel earned and supportive.

Humor arises from relatable quirks, awkward situations, and the endearing flaws of the characters. Mallery's prose is accessible and conversational, with vivid emotional insight and a reassuring sense that people can change and heal. The series avoids melodrama or high-stakes danger, instead delivering comforting, restorative reading that celebrates resilience, female friendships, and the idea that home (literal or metaphorical) can be rediscovered at any stage of life.

The Blackberry Island series is a delightful celebration of women's resilience, friendship, and second chances—Susan Mallery delivers emotionally rich, comforting stories that feel like warm hugs wrapped in beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery. Through women facing heartbreak, betrayal, and change on a small island community, the books explore healing, forgiveness, and the power of chosen family and personal growth. With relatable characters, gentle humor, and satisfying resolutions, the series offers uplifting escapism—perfect for readers seeking heartfelt women's fiction with heart, hope, and a touch of romance. Whether discovering Blackberry Island for the first time or returning to its shores, these novels remind us that home—and happiness—can always be rediscovered.