What is a small town romance?

Lets start at the beginning. What are small town romance books? Small town romances are all about where a romance is set. If you have a romance set in small town or community, where everyone seems to know everyone else then it’s a small town romance. Traditionally these romances have a certain vibe, they’re cosy, sweet and heart warming, with authors likes Jill Shalvis and Robyn Carr. If you like your books seasoned with a bit more spice, you don’t have to look away from the small town genre. We have some steamy small town romance books in our recommendations as well.

But, there are consequences to reading small town romances. I can now never go to any small town in America. Why you ask? Well, the stereotype is that romance books give people – especially women – unrealistic expectations of romantic relationships. Now, I refute that completely. I love romance books, they don’t give people unrealistic expectations, they give them expectations that they should be treated with respects and be emotionally and physically fulfilled. Having said that I am convinced that small town America is choc full of gorgeous (and possibly bearded) men who are dying to give me orgasms and just need me to love them. If it’s not true, please don’t tell me.

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Are small town romance books always contemporary romances?

Short answer? No. Although the majority of small town romances you find are contemporary, there is a small section that isn’t. Small town romances are romances set in small towns, and that happens across genres. What usually has people applying the small town romance trope to a book is less the population size and more the vibes. If a book is set somewhere with a cosy tight knit community then, voila! Small town romance. Does it matter if the residents are vampires and gargoyles? Not really, the small town romance still applies.

What authors write popular small town romance books?

There are some fantastic authors who love writing small town romance books and have been doing for a long time. This makes them perfect to pick up if you haven’t read any small town romance and don’t quite know where to start. These authors are all giants of the small town romance trope, with a lovely long backlist for you to explore. So much so, that you might be able to see some of their work come to live on Netflix!

15 Summers Later by RaeAnne Thayne

I’ve added RaeAnne Thayne’s latest book to this list: one, because I think the cover is beautiful, and two because…wowsa.;Thayne has a lot of books, it was becoming impossible to pick just one. She has had a long career writing small town romance books, and you can expect a sweet heartfelt story with each one of them.

Have I convinced you to give it a try? You can pick up 15 Summers Later on Amazon.

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

Welcome to Lucky Harbor, once you have visited once we know you will be coming back for more. This series is an oldie but a goodie, it’s full of larger than life characters, family coming together and of course, some lovely romance. If you want the bookish equivalent of a hug, then this small town romance book (and the series) if just want you need.

Give a whirl, you can find Simply Irresistible on Amazon. And, if you want to see more of our thoughts on this book and the rest of the Lucky Harbor series check out our reviews.

The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan

Sarah Morgan is another author who writes some lovely and heartfelt small town romances. Her books are a great choice if you have a love of women’s fiction and fancy something with a stronger romance plot. Or, you fancy trying some women’s fiction, but you still want a some delicious romance to get lost in.

You can find The Summer Swap, and all Morgan’s other books on Amazon.

Virgin River by Robyn Carr

If you really want to get to know a small town and everyone in it, this is the series for you. There are currently 22 books in the series. And if that isn’t enough then grab some popcorn and settle in to watch the Netflix show based on the books.

Give the books a try (they’re always better than the TV show!), you can find Virgin River on Amazon.

Small town romance books

We have some more small town romance books that we think you will love. There are a variety of books here to cater to all tastes, including older books, newer releases, closed door romance and something a little spicier. If you want want something extra hot though, check out the Spicy small town romance book section of the list!

The Simple Wild by KA Tucker

Set in a small town in Alaska, prepare to fall in love with the story, with the heartbreak of a broken home and the pieces that are left of it that the heroine has to try to put together. And I haven’t even mentioned the grumpy, bearded pilot hero! This is a beautiful story of a journey that goes a little deeper than a simple romance. If you’re looking for an addictive and unique read, look no further.

It’s one of our favourites, come and find The Simple Wild on Amazon. Or if you want to hear us wax poetic about our love for this book and others in the series, check out our reviews.

The Best Man Plan by Jaci Burton

If you want an easy, light hearted summer read, then The Best Man Plan by Jaci Burton could be what you’re looking for. Bonus if you enjoy friends to lovers stories and some unrequited love getting requited!

Pick up The Best Man Plan on Amazon. If you want to see more of our thoughts on this book, check out our review.

The Next Always by Nora Roberts

If you want to read a book set in an Inn that the author actually owns – a very niche urge I know – then this is the book for you. It’s the start of the Inn Boonsboro series and in it Nora Roberts tells a some cracking tales involving home improvement and ghostly matchmakers. So, prepare yourself for the haunted Inn that, if you really wanted to, you could go visit in real life!

Go grab the The Next Always on Amazon. And if you want to know more, check out our Inn Boonsboro Trilogy Series Guide.

Lovelight Farms by BK Borison

You might want to save this one for the holiday season as it’s delightfully Christmas themed. Or, not, after all it’s hard to resist a friends to lovers romance, with a fake relationship plot all set at a Christmas tree farm. Sign me up now!

Grab some holiday cheer, you can find Lovelight Farms on Amazon.

Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl

If you are after a summer time small town romance book, we have the read for you! Victoria Dahl’s Tumble Creek series, which starts with Talk Me Down. The series is packed with witty banter and plenty of chemistry,. But all with that heartwarming and funny vibe you would expect from a small town romance book. So, escape to the Rockies and find yourself a whole new cast of book boyfriends and girlfriends to add to your harem.

Find Talk Me Down on Amazon. If you want to see more of our thoughts check out our Tumble Creek Series Guide!

Well Met by Jen DeLuca

I love a unique setting, and what’s more unique then a Renaissance Faire in a small town? It is such a delicious concept, especially as it has a Pride & Prejudice retelling vibe as well. There was also a really lovely family thread in this as our heroine starts to reconnect with her sister and niece. It’s a warm, light hearted and funny book that will leave you smiling.

Grab Well Met on Amazon. You can also find out more in our review.

Talulah’s Back in Town by Brenda Novak

What happens fourteen years after a runaway bride comes back to their small home town? Why they come and fix up a Victorian farmhouse (of course!) and perhaps fall in love with an old friend as well?

You can find Talulah’s Back in Town on Amazon.

Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey

If you are a fan of dual time lines, this might be the one for you. This story unfolds both when the hero and heroine are teenagers and fifteen years later. A lot has changed, can they move on from the past and skip happily into their happily ever after?

You can pick up Just Another Love Story on Amazon.

Here are some more small town romance books that we urge you to give a try!

• A Taste of her own Medicine by Tasha L Harrison – if you’re looking for an older single mum heroine taking back her life we have you sorted! You can also check out our Single Mom Romance Books to Make Your Heart Melt list!
• The Road to Rose Bend by Naima Simone – don’t let the cover of this one fool you…it’s Naima Simone, it’s got some spice!
• The Rebel by JR Ward – I know we all think vampires when we look at a JR Ward book, but she has dabbled in other genres as well – including small town contemporary romance. Want more JR Ward, check out our Beginners Guide to JR Ward
• Forever in Honeymoon Harbor by JoAnn Ross
• Wild Card by Karina Halle – Karina Halle is a favourite author here at Under the Covers book blog, she has a slight edge to her writing that we enjoy, and applying that to a small town romance book, yes please.
• Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai
• Barely Breathing by Pamela Clare – This one is an oldie but a goodie! It was Pamela Clare’s first foray into straight up contemporary with no action packed suspense stuff. See more of our thoughts in our review.
• Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips – I love this book, it’s so funny and has another of my favourite things: a secondary romance. If you want to see me moon endlessly about it, check out our review.

Spicy small town romance books

A sweet small town romance book is lovely, but sometimes you want something with more spice. These small towners have got to be getting up to some deliciously raunchy things behind their lace curtains, right? Well, we have found the books where they most definitely are.

• The One Who Got Away by Roni Loren – Not only is this book sexy, but it’s an emotional rollercoaster. Expect all the feels for this one. Check out our review.
• Misadventures of a Curvy Girl by Sierra Simone – A fat heroine happy with her body, check. Two sexy bi guys looking for a third in their relationship, check. Sexy barn action, check, check, double check!
• It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey – It’s Tessa Bailey, it’s gonna be sexy as hell! Check out our review of the book.
• Master of the Mountain by Cherise Sinclair – Our shy fat heroine lets her horrible boyfriend talk her into a swingers weekend in a remote lodge. Well, he’s soon the ex-boyfriend and the sexy lodge owner is teaching her all about her submissive side.
• Three to Ride by Lexi Blake – When you are on the run from a stalker, what is better than one man to guard your back? Why, it’s two men of course.
• Naughty Bits by Joey W Hill – A heroine who inherits an erotica shop and has hidden submission cravings, I think you can see where this is going.

Read More

• Books set in Ireland
• Historical romances set outside England
• Romance books about Librarians

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