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Windy City Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Liz Tomforde
5 Entries
Quick Answer

Start Windy City by Liz Tomforde with "MILE HIGH", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The complete reading order for the Windy City series by Liz Tomforde. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 5 main titles released between 2025 and 2025. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "MILE HIGH"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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Community Consensus

Medium Debate

"The discussion focuses primarily on the recommended starting points for author K.J. Parker (Tom Holt), praising his versatility and focus on logistical details. There is strong consensus that newer works like "Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City" and the standalone "The Folding Knife" are excellent entry points, especially for readers seeking humor and pragmatism. However, his earlier trilogies (Engineer, Fencer, Scavenger) are highly regarded but noted as having a significantly bleaker tone. A secondary debate exists regarding the reading order for Michelle West's House War series versus the Hunter's Duology."

Key Reddit Advice

For those seeking humor and logistics, start with "Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City" or the standalone "The Folding Knife." If a serious, cohesive trilogy is preferred, the Engineer Trilogy is often cited as the best starting place for Parker's bleaker works. (Note on Michelle West: If reading House War, debate exists whether to start with the Hunter's Duology or House War 1-3 first.)

?Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Windy City conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Windy City. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "MILE HIGH" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Windy City" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "MILE HIGH"Explore all by Liz Tomforde

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Reading Order5 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

MILE HIGH

Pub: 2025★ 4.03

A bad-boy hockey player and a flight attendant have a turbulent relationship.

2

The Right Move

Pub: 2023★ 4.39

Plot details hidden until you finish "MILE HIGH".

NBA star Ryan Shay doesn’t need distractions—especially not Indy Ivers, his sister’s best friend and new roommate. When Ryan's leadership is questioned, he asks Indy to pretend to be his girlfriend to improve his image. But it doesn’t take long for their fake relationship to start feeling real.

3

Caught Up

Pub: 2023★ 4.43

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Right Move".

"Kai-- I'm a single dad and starting pitcher for Chicago's MLB team. I'm stretched too thin, but I don't want help raising my son. Each of his previous nannies only lasted a few weeks before I let them go. Now, my coach is putting his foot down by hiring the one person I can't fire--his daughter. Miller Montgomery is the last woman I should fall for. Too wild, too young, and too unattached. Chicago is just a quick stop for her. I thought I'd be counting down the days until she left, but summer feels too short when I start thinking about forever. Miller-- As a high-end pastry chef who recently won the most prestigious award in my industry, I'm desperate to prove I deserve it. But with a new title comes new pressure, and I can't create a fresh and inspiring dessert to save my life. With only two months to get back on track, I should be focusing in the kitchen, but instead, I let my dad talk me into using my time off to nanny for his star player's kid. Kai Rhodes forgot how to have fun, and I'm eager to jog his memory. But when he and his son start to feel like home, I have to remind us both that my time in Chicago ends with the summer. Besides, I've always been a runner, and the last thing I want is to get caught" --

4

Play Along

Pub: 2024★ 4.46

Plot details hidden until you finish "Caught Up".

KennedyI'm the only woman on staff for the Windy City Warriors, and after years of putting up with a sexist lead doctor, I'm desperate to land my dream job with a new team next year. All I have to do is maintain my professional reputation for my final season in Chicago.But a Las Vegas run-in with the team's shortstop threatens it all, leaving me with a fuzzy memory and a ring on my left hand.Now, not only am I legally bound to the most persistent man I've ever met, but thanks to Isaiah's scheme to save my job, I have to pretend the whole thing was a planned elopement and not a drunken mistake.Isaiah Rhodes is reckless, impulsive, and frustratingly charming. He's also my brand-new husband.They got the saying wrong. What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas... sometimes it follows you right back home.IsaiahAs the shortstop for Chicago's professional baseball team, I've had my fair share of fun. But that all ended the day Kennedy Kay became a single woman.I've crushed on the team's athletic trainer for years. I've flirted to no avail, so imagine my surprise when I woke up in Sin City with a ring on my finger and my favorite redhead in my bed.We agree to stay married for one baseball season, just long enough to keep her job safe, but in my mind, I'm using our time together to prove to her I'm husband material.Kennedy might be reluctant to join in on our game, but it's one I refuse to lose.So come on, wife... play along.

5

REWIND IT BACK

Pub: 2025★ 4.46

Plot details hidden until you finish "Play Along".

The fifth book in the Windy City series. Hallie Hart gets assigned to a renovation project for a hockey player who was her first crush.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Windy City series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Windy City?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "MILE HIGH" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Liz Tomforde intended.

Can I read Windy City books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Windy City universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.