Classic Romance - Which One First? Rachel Gibson Recommendations

 Classic Romances: Which One First? Time to post all the recommendations for Rachel Gibson. If you've ever looked at her backlist and wondered, “Which one should I read first?” the Bitchery, who knows pretty much know everything (twice), can help you out.

First, a few people were hunting for a complete in-order listing for the series Gibson has written. I'll start with that so you know which book is which in the order.

You can find all the series listings at Goodreads.

The complete Chinook series listing is:

Simply IrresistibleSee Jane ScoreThe Trouble With Valentine's Day

True Love and Other DisastersNothing But TroubleAny Man of Mine

The complete Truly, Idaho, series is:

Truly Madly Yours Tangled Up in You

 

The complete Writer Friends series is:

Sex, Lies, and Online DatingI'm in No Mood for LoveTangled Up in YouNot Another Bad Date

 

The complete Gospel, Idaho series is:

True ConfessionsThe Trouble With Valentine's Day

 

The complete Lovett, Texas, series is: 

Daisy's Back in TownCrazy On YouRescue Me

 

Second, several of Gibson's backlist ebooks are on sale from $3.99 – $5.99 so if you're thinking about it, now's a great time to impulse buy yourself a stack of recommended books. Where I have found a discounted ebook, I've noted it below.

Third, isn't it kind of fascinating that Gibson's covers come in three major flavors: Big Words and a Band of Something, Ugly Cartoons, and Legs? Anyway, let's get to the list! Here are the most recommended books by Rachel Gibson:

Sex, Lies and Online Dating ( A | BN | K | S) (ebook $5.99)

Sex, Lies, and Online Dating

Several readers recommended starting with this one. Pamiam says, “It is the first of a 4 book series and it is a series that I will read again.” KSattler says it's her favorite in the Writer Friends series.

The number of people recommending the first two in the Chinook series, as well as the whole series, was pretty damn impressive. Bnbsrose says, “It's like picking your favorite child! I love the Seattle Chinook series, and I love that the last couple have been published right at Stanley Cup time.”


Simply Irresistible ( A | BN | K | S )(ebook $3.99)

Simply Irresistible

Janelle Stevensons gives the Frayed Cover recommendation for this book, too: “Simply Irresistible is one of the few books that I have worn to the point of having to buy a second copy because the first was coming apart in my hands.” Julie in Duvall says, “I'm recommending Simply Irresistible. It's a sweet and funny story. I was thrilled to find the e-published version as well, so I'll slloooooowly be buying the rest of Rachel's books for my (poor, overworked) Kindle!”

But, alas, it may not be for everyone: SarahCW says she loved See Jane Score, but warns: “avoid Simply Irresistible at all costs. Not only is there a secret baby, the heroine is about as unlikable as any I've encountered.”
 

See Jane Score ( A | BN | K | S ) (ebook $3.99)

See Jane Score

This book was recommended by MANY readers. Elyssa recommends that one “without question,” and says it is, “Lots of fun, sexy, and the hero has a very memorable tattoo.” TrishJ says, “It has everything a good romance book should have.”

Elladrake says, “While I do agree…that starting with the first book in the Chinooks series might be best, See Jane Score was the first of Gibson's that I read and I've re-read three times since. When readers who don't normally read contemporary ask me for a recommendation, it's usually the one I name.” And Rita gives a huge recommendation: “It's one of my go-to books when I get in a reading slump. My copy is worn to the point that the cover is completely frayed.”

Big huge thank you, Rita, for being the inspiration for the thread of Frayed Cover Recommendations.

True Confessions ( A | BN | K | S ) (ebook $5.99)

True Confessions

True Confessions and See Jane Score were mentioned in tandem several times, despite being very different books. Bibliophile says, “As it happens, I have been glomming Gibson's backlist and just read three of her books back to back. You really have to consider taste when choosing your first Gibson book. Her Seattle Chinooks sports romances take place in a completely different environment than the small town books, so I would say read See Jane Score if you want a big city sports romance, and True Confessions if you like small town romances complete with eccentric and entertaining side characters.”

Jessica Hunt added, “I echo the recommendations for TRUE CONFESSIONS (sexual tension btw H/H is palpable) and SEE JANE SCORE (love the hockey backdrop).”  Kiersten Krum says, “True Confessions, hands down. Love this book, still go back to reread it. Someday I'm gonna get that MZBHVN license plate…”

Daisy's Back in Town ( A | BN | K | S ) (ebook $3.99)

Nothing But Trouble ( A | BN | K | S ) (ebook $5.99)

Truly Madly Yours ( A | BN | K | S ) ($3.99)

These three have an assortment of recommendations: Pamiam says, “Nothing But Trouble was my first RG book and is what really got me started reading romance. I was hooked!” Lauren likes Truly, Madly more than the Chinooks series: “I loved her Truly, Madly, Yours. I've read all of her other books, although I absolutely hated her Chinooks series, and regret spending the money on them.”

Cerulean says, “Truly, Madly… is one of my favorites by her – I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned it. That being said, I love Daisy's Back in Town, but it is a bit more serious, so I wouldn't start with it.” And Lena says, “Truly,Madly,Yours. is a brilliant piece. I've read this book 6 times already.”

Now, usually when I compile these lists, I highlight the book that have received the most mentions or recommendations, and link to the complete thread as well. But Justine rocked the data HARD and posted the following list of the total number of recommendations based on the prior 33 comments in the thread before hers:

14 See Jane Score (Chinooks Hockey Team #2)

7 True Confessions (Gospel, Idaho #1)

5 Sex, Lies, and Online Dating (Writer Friends #1)

5 Simply Irresistible (Chinooks Hockey Team #1)

3 Daisy's Back in Town (Lovett, Texas #1)

3 Nothing But Trouble (Chinooks Hockey Team #5)

3 The Trouble with Valentine's Day (Chinooks Hockey Team #3)

3 True Love and Other Disasters (Chinooks Hockey Team #4)

2 I'm in No Mood for Love (Writer Friends #2)

2 Lola Carlyle Reveals All (not part of a series)

1 Not Another Bad Date (Writer Friends #4)

1 Tangled Up in You (Writer Friends #3)

1 Truly Madly Yours (Truly, Idaho #1)

I hope this helps you find a Gibson book to try – and that you'll let us know what you think of the one you read first!

Comments are Closed

  1. Bnbsrose says:

    Thanks for the list Sarah. I actually reread “See Jane Score” over the weekend because of the many mentions. And the Cup playoffs are on so…. Nothing says spring like a hockey romance. Except maybe a baseball romance.

  2. Shell says:

    I can’t remember which Rachel Gibson book I read first, it might’ve been “Sex, Lies and Online Dating” whichever it was, it was followed by a relentless search for absolutely everything she’s written.  I think I most enjoy her sense of humor, I love to laugh and she almost always makes me laugh.  Looking at which one of her books is the one that is the most dog-eared from having been reread over and over again, I would recommend “The Trouble with Valentine’s Day”.  My only complaint about Rachel Gibson is that I have to wait for her next book, so I doubt she’d think that was a complaint but a compliment. 

  3. Tabs says:

    Oh man, I am all aboard the “Simply Irrisistable” is awful train.  I remember spending the whole time reading it thinking “Both of these people are selfish, immature asshats and I don’t give a crap if they find love.”

    I’ve tried a bunch, but I just don’t think Gibson works for me.

  4. Tabs says:

    And, like a total asshat myself… I spelled “irresistible” all kinds of wrong in my last post.  Typos… the only disadvantage to turning off autocorrect.

  5. ksattler says:

    Woot! Highlight of my day making it into post on Smart Bitches. *grin*

  6. Tori says:

    My fav Gibson series is the Writers series. I re read Not Another Bad Date all the time.

  7. Lisa Pegg says:

    I read “Any Man of Mine” over the weekend and snorted multiple times. I love that the first game is against the SJ Sharks, that’s MY team! Her hockey is authentic and the tension was fun.

  8. RebeccaJ says:

    I think I’ve read True Confessions about five times now….love it!

  9. Jessica says:

    I read Simply Irresistible yesterday and like one of the other commenters spent most of the time reading the book going WTF these people are so so selfish. I loved the supporting characters so much though.

  10. Kathleen says:

    I have read all of Rachel’s books and one of my favs is Daisy’s Back in Town… But you cannot go wrong with any of Rachel’s books… You are going to get Sassy, Sexy, Smart woman and some Bad ass Guys to keep you entertained…

  11. Cerulean says:

    Squee! My comment was mentioned!! 🙂

  12. Amy says:

    What about the book ‘It must be love’?  I don’t see it on your list at all?  I think the heroine was called Gabriella?  I think the hero was a cop?  That was a good one!

  13. Turophile says:

    Thank you for the list.  Fun to explore, though I will agree with the reader who panned Simply Irresistible (though it was the hero I found impossibly unlikeable, not the heroine). You can see my view on goodreads.

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