Alright, so the Chesapeake Shores situation is a little unique because of how it was published. The main line is the six-book core series from Sherryl Woods, starting with 'The Inn at Eagle Point'. You'll want those in publication order: 'The Inn at Eagle Point', 'Flowers on Main', 'Harbor Lights', 'A Chesapeake Shores Christmas', 'Driftwood Cottage', and then 'Moonlight Cove'. That's the bedrock O'Brien family saga.
Now, here's where it gets sticky. Woods wrote a bunch of spin-off novels that weave in and out of that main timeline, focusing on other characters in town. Reading those in pure publication order alongside the main books can work, but honestly, it might overcomplicate things unless you're a completionist. My take? Read the core six first to get fully invested in Abby, Trace, Jess, and the whole clan. Then, if you're still hooked on the town, dive into the spin-offs like 'Willow Brook Road' or 'Sandalwood Beach'—they're like nice little bonus episodes that expand the world without disrupting the primary emotional through-line.
I tried mixing them all once and kept getting pulled out of the main family's momentum, which was a bit of a bummer.