Small Town Romance Novels

Something About September

Author: Julia McKay

Year: 2026

Genre: Romance

More info: Internationally bestselling author of Christmas at the Ranch

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Hear the sweater weather calling! Rebecca has to return home to fix up her late grandmother’s diner, but the only contractor in town is Cort Adams, the man who rejected her one year ago. He has changed a lot from the football star she tutored in high school. Once she comes home, she realizes that maybe she has been chasing the wrong dreams all along.

Why Kirsten loves it

The romance was all the fall vibes I was looking for, and I’m really hoping we get a sequel with Sabrina and the bookstore!! I just want to spend more time in Bramley Hollow. Gifted by Putnam.

Find this book in: Fall Romance Books / Small Town Romance Novels

Matchmaker’s Cottage

Author: Kat Sloane

Release Date: August 11, 2026

Genre: Romance

More info: Cozy Fall Romance, Gender Reversal retelling of Emma

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Julia runs a bed and breakfast in upstate New York, but she is not doing well financially. When Ethan Duchamp, her ex-best friend, suggests her romantic inn will be the perfect place for his matchmaking plans for his A-List clients, neither of them expects their connection to rekindle.

When Ethan comes to the B & B, which used to be his home, so many old and unresolved feelings are dredged up. Both Julia and Ethan are terrible at communicating their feelings. Will these two ever be able to overcome what happened in their past so they can move forward together? Their chemistry is undeniable to anyone around them.

Trigger Warnings

anxiety

Why Jackie likes it

The setting is a perfect place for a romance. I loved the gender swapping of Emma, if not an exact retelling. The descriptions of the food and the B & B itself make me want to take a little trip!

Find this book in: Fall Romance Books / Jane Austen Retellings /Small Town Romance Novels

Beg, Borrow, or Steal

Author: Sarah Adams

Year: 2025

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Co-workers turned neighbors, Emily and Jake, can’t stand each other. Emily is determined to get Jake out of her hometown but Jake has other plans in mind. While both of them are on a teacher’s salary, Jake is also secretly a well-known writer, and he’s returned to finish his book, fix up his house, and put down roots – even if that means he’s living next door to the woman who gets under his skin in more ways than one.

Why Kirsten loves it

I will always love a romance about writers and this one was so cute. I just adored their banter and antics, and the chemistry between the leads was fantastic!

Find this book in: Enemies-to-Lovers Books / Romance Books About Books / Small Town Romance Novels

Chef’s Kiss at the Chalet

Author: Sookie Snow

Year: 2025

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Eleanor is so excited when she is admitted to her dream school in London. With a degree from the culinary school, she an work anywhere in the world. The problem is the tuition. Eleanor agrees to take a job as a chalet girl in a small town in the Rockies. Working for the holiday season will give her the money she needs to pay for her tuition- if she can survive Mrs. Hawthorne. She has been warned that Mrs. Hawthorne is demanding and particular, but Elle is not afraid of hard work.

When Elle arrives in Maplewood Creek, she has a romantic encounter with Charles, thinking it was a one time thing. When Elle gets to the chalet, she realizes Charles is a Hawthorne. Will they be able to survive a season or will Elle’s dreams of culinary school be ruined?

Why Jackie loves it

I love this holiday romance. It is the perfect amount of romance and spice with descriptions of food that will make you so hungy. It takes place in the winter over the holiday season, but does not feel like a traditioal holiday romance. This is one that is perfect for the entire winter season.

Find this book in: New Christmas Books 2025 / Best Holiday Books / Small Town Romance Novels

Small Town Romance Books Series

The Cinnamon Spice Inn

Author: Harper Graham

Year: 2025

Genre: Romance

More info: Maple Falls #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

After a mysterious note tells Madison her family’s inn is in trouble, she heads back from the city to get it back on track. When a storm causes a tree to fall through the dining room, she needs to enlist the help of the town handyman, Zach, who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend.

These former lovebirds ended things on not-so-great terms, but their chemistry is undeniable despite their initial animosity. Will Zach and Madison be able to work together to give the inn, and maybe their love, a second chance?

Why Kirsten loves it

I’m a sucker for a small-town, second-chance romance. Add in a dash of fall, and I’m fully on board. Despite this being the first in the Maple Falls series, it was actually the fifth story that I read from Harper Graham, proving this series does not need to be read in order. The chemistry between the characters was great, and the mystery note made the story all the more fun to read!

Find this book in: Second Chance Romance Books / Fall Romance Books / Harper Graham Books in Order: Guide to the Maple Falls Series / Small Town Romance Novels

Daisy Chain Flower Shop

Author: Laurie Gilmore

Year: 2026

Genre: Romance

More info: Dream Harbor #6

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range:18+

Plot

Daisy has not been having luck with the flower shop ever since the Mayor declared it bad luck. Now, no matter what he does, her luck cannot seem to turn around until a newcomer to town turns up in her shop.

He has had relationship issues of his own. The two of them agreed that their problems would be solved if they began fake dating.

Why Jackie loves it

I love that even though this is technically the 6th book in the series, you do not need to read this series in any particular order. Rather, read whichever book has a romance trope you love to read. This entire series is a delightful, spicy, small-town romance series, and I am all for it!

Find this book in: Beach Reads 2026 / Fake Dating Books / Ultimate List of Romance Books by Trope / Small Town Romance Novels

Wild and Wrangled

Author: Lyla Sage

Year: 2025

Genre: Romance

More info: Rebel Blue Ranch #4

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Cam has just been left at the altar, and now she needs to start her life with her daughter all over again. There to help her pick up the pieces as a friend and landlord? Her ex-love, Dusty, who has never gotten over her. As Cam works to figure out life with her daughter, she also needs to determine Dusty’s place in it.

Why Kirsten loves it

This was a great conclusion to the series, and I love that we got to wrap it all up in the epilogue. #gifted by PRH Audio

Find this book in: Beach Reads 2025 / Small Town Romance Novels

Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

Author: Brittanée Nicole

Year: 2026

Genre: Romance

More info: A Hope Harbor Novel, Author of Darling Daffodils Farm

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Penny is the owner of Bonfire & Bliss Bookstore, who has just had a failed engagement. Now, she prefers the book boyfriends she finds in the pages of her romance novels. Jake “Monty” is a writer whose last few books have not done well, and now he has writer’s block. He returns home to get a change of scenery. Penny and Monty were once best friends, but he needs her help to get out of his writing rut. She needs a fake boyfriend to get the town gossip train off her back.

Why Jackie likes it

Small towns, book stores, fake dating, and hot tattooed authors all add up to one fun romance book that is perfect for fall.

Find this book in: Romance Books About Books / Books about Bookstores / Fall Romance Books / Small Town Romance Novels