Escape Into Your Next Small Town Romance Read
Am I the only one who has noticed the rise of small town romances? While I’m not sure the exact reason why, I can infer that readers love the small town trope in romances and love to read about characters living out the charms of small towns. Below you will find a plethora of recommendations that will be heartwarming, heartbreaking, hilarious, or basically any other emotion that you could think of!
1. All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata
Mariana Zapata knows how to write slow burn romances. Yes, I mean slow. If you want a romance filled with yearning all while set in a small town, then check out All Rhodes Lead Here.
Aurora aka Ora is moving back to a small town in Colorado, a place that was home but now is filled with bittersweet memories of her late mother.
After breaking up with her famous musician boyfriend, hiding out in the mountains seems like the next best option. And checking out her new landlord across the street is just an added bonus.
However, Tobias aka Rhodes did not rent out the apartment to Ora — his teenage son Amos did. Rhodes keeps Ora at a safe distance, but slowly over time Oro is able to break down his walls.
This is the small town, grumpy MMC romance to end all other small town, grumpy MMC romances.
2. Indigo Ridge by Devney Perry (The Edens Series)
Small town romance, but with an enemies-to-lovers and mystery twist.
Winslow is Montana’s new chief of police and she is determined to show the community that she earned this position and it is not because her grandfather is the mayor. All she has to do is earn favor from the town’s founding family — the Edens. However, this won’t be an easy task, since Winslow unknowingly had a one-night stand with their oldest son Griffin.
Sleeping with Griffin Eden was a huge mistake, one she’s trying to forget. He’s insufferable, arrogant and keeps reminding everyone that she’s an outsider. Winslow does her best to avoid Griffin, but when a woman is found dead on Eden property, the two of them have no choice but to cross paths.
As clues to the murderer lead to one of Quincy’s own, Griffin realizes Winslow is more than he gave her credit for. Beautiful and intelligent, she proves hard to resist. For him. And the killer.
Indigo Ridge is part of a small town romance series that follows the Edens. While the first book of the series has a murder mystery to follow, the other books in the series seem to have a bit more of the traditional small town romance vibes.
3. Runaway Road by Devney Perry (Runaway Series)
Looking for a small town romance with a single dad, then look no further because I got a book recommendation for you and it’s called Runaway Road. And yes, it’s another series by Devney Perry, but from what I have seen and heard, the author writes several romance books all revolving around a small town setting.
Londyn ran away from home at sixteen and since then has been searching for a place to call home. However, after a devastating divorce, she is running away again, except this time she’s trying to find herself again.
While driving through the country, her car gets a flat tire. As a result, her life collides with Brooks — the small town mechanic. She was never meant to stay in this small town. That wasn’t part of her plans. She now must make a choice: either risk her heart again or stay on the road.
Runaway Road is part of a series in which each character is running away, either from their problems or to find themselves, and end up in a small town romance.
4. Book Lovers by Emily Henry
One of my favorite authors is Emily Henry. In my opinion, she writes romances that are beyond the romance itself. Usually her books include deeper topics; such as female friendships, difficult family relationships, career changes, and many more.
Book Lovers is reminiscent of a Hallmark movie but in the best way possible.
Nora is not your typical heroine. She’s described as a “shark” and a “cut throat literary agent.” She’s the heroine for her clients — especially for her little sister Libby.
Which is the only reason why Nora agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina. Libby begs Nora to go on a sisters’ trip to this cute, small town. Instead of all the cutesy activities of a small town romance, Nora keeps on running into Charlie, who is her book editing rival from the city.
While Nora might not be an ideal heroine and Charlie thinks he is not a hero, they are slowly crafting a plot twist that neither one of them saw coming.
If you want a small town romance that has small town vibes, but focuses more on the romance and sisterly relationships, then Book Lovers is your perfect next read.
5. Beach Read by Emily Henry
A challenge between literary rivals set in a Midwest small town? Sounds fantastic.
Augustus aka Gus is an author of literary fiction, while January writes romance. They’re polar opposites and now living in neighboring beach houses in Michigan.
While in the middle of the worst writer’s block ever, a challenge is sparked. Gus will spend the summer writing a happily ever after and January will write the next critically acclaimed fiction novel.
Both take “field trips” to learn about their respective genres. Whether it be a scene straight out of a rom-com movie, or an interview with members of a death cult, Gus and January do it all. And unexpectedly fall in love in the meantime.
Beach Read is quite possibly my favorite small town romance because it explores so much more than just the small town romance vibes.
6. Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
I’ve heard that Abby Jimenez books are similar to Emily Henry books in the sense that their romance books explore beyond the romance itself. So, if you love Emily Henry, then you may love Abby Jimenz too. So, may I present you with Abby’s small town romance — Part of Your World.
Alexis's world has been turned upside down. The reason why? Daniel. He’s a carpenter that is ten years younger than her and her complete opposite. But their chemistry is off the charts.
Her parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, but Alexis doesn’t need fame. She’s fine with being just a doctor. Every minute she spends with Daniel in the small town he lives in, she discovers what she actually wants in life.
However, letting their short-term fling become into a real-life relationship would mean leaving her family and opportunities behind. She must choose her world or his.
The crossover between a city girl and small town guy is the next small town romance book you should read!
7. When in Rome by Sarah Adams
A modern take on Roman Holiday, which might I add is one of my favorite movies ever, where a pop star finds herself stranded in a small town quite literally on the doorstep of the small town baker.
Amelia, who is known as Rae Rose by fans, is burnt out. Inspired by her favorite movie Roman Holiday, she drives off to the closest Rome to her…which ends up being Rome, Kentucky.
When Noah finds Amelia and her broken down car on his front lawn, he makes it clear that he doesn’t have time for this. He’s busy running the pie shop left to him by his grandmother. However, despite his feelings, he lets her stay in his spare guest room until her car is fixed.
While living together, Noah sees a different side of Amelia, but he can’t get close to her as one day soon she will return back to her celebrity life. Noah shows Amelia all the charm of living in a small town in the meantime. Amelia is left with the choice to either leave Rome or possibly stay.
When in Rome is the perfect small town romance that takes you along to all the cute and charming experiences of living in a small town, without actually having to live in a small town.
8. The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker
The Simple Wild takes small town romance to the extreme with the remote, wild Alaskan setting.
Calla was two when her mother left her father and took her to flee Alaska, as she was unable to handle the isolation and rural lifestyle. Now at twenty-six, the busy life in Toronto is all she has known. However, when her father reaches out to her as his final days are numbered, Calla makes the long trip back to the remote town where she was born.
She braves all the new adjustments in order to have the chance to finally connect with her father. While she is struggling, she meets Jonah — the quiet Alaskan pilot who keeps her father’s plane operational.
He’s clearly waiting for Calla to give up and fly back home, but Calla is determined to prove him wrong. Over time, they form an unexpected bond. However, Calla can’t help to think that it might be foolish to start a romance, as her parents tried and failed years prior.
If you want a small town romance that is emotional and all about healing, then consider The Simple Wild.
9. The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller
Mix together baking, small town adventures, and country life, then you get this small town romance — The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living.
A pastry chef extraordinaire, Olivia aka Livvy, had a fire mishap while at an exclusive dinner club, so naturally her next step is to flee to the small town Guntire, Vermont where her best friend Hannah lives. The once short getaway turns longer when the owner of the inn offers Livvy a job, which she accepts.
While creating delicious desserts, Livvy discovers the real reason why she was hired — to help the inn owner Margaret to reclaim its blue ribbon status on the annual county fair apple pie contest.
Livvy soon finds herself immersed in the small town, where she meets Martin, who has returned to Guntrie to help his father. Perhaps, Livvy isn’t as alone in this world as she once thought. However, when another new arrival takes the small town by surprise, Livvy has to decide whether or not to flee again.
Don’t read this book while hungry (or you can but you have to have sweet treats nearby.)
10. That Kind of Guy by Stephanie Archer (The Queen’s Cove Series)
That Kind of Guy combines fake dating with a small town romance.
Emmett isn't the relationship type of guy, but when he is running for the mayor of their small town, his excessive dating past is hindering his reputation and therefore his political campaign.
Avery and Emmett are total opposites (which never works out, right?) But if Avery agrees to be his finance, then Emmett will cosign her restaurant loan. Total opposites who are fake dating can lead to real-life feelings (surprise!)
About the Author
Madi is an avid reader at heart. When she doesn't have her nose buried in a book, she enjoys creating social media content and watching romantic comedies. However, nothing beats a cozy night-in spent reading a book.
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