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You are here: Home / My Book Reviews / Book Recommendations / Reader Recommendations – Our Favorite “Starting over in a small town” romance books

Reader Recommendations – Our Favorite “Starting over in a small town” romance books

December 17, 2020 By Maryse 1 Comment

Janie was looking for recommendations and boy did you guys come through already! And I loved quite a few of these recommendations, and I’m thrilled we get to start a “Small Town Romance” list!

She asked:

Hey everyone! I thought I’d jump in here and see if anyone has any recommendations for a specific trope I’m craving.

It’s where a woman (for whatever reason) leaves her life behind to start over, living and working, in a small town where she meets the man of her dreams.

I guess kind of like Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley or the concept of Virgin River (which I just started and am loving!)

Thanks πŸ™‚

Oooooh YES!!!! Sweet Dreams is one of my all time favorites and is absolute PERFECTION for this trope! Here’s my 5-star Book Review.

READER RECOMMENDATIONS:

R. Renee: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks came to mind first, though I like the movie better than the book. πŸ˜†

I think these fit the bill too, but the heroine does know someone in the town prior to moving:

  • The Lost Husband by Katherine Center and
  • Wild Abandon by Jeannine Colette
  • Everything Girl by Emily Meyer might have the feel you’re looking for even though the heroine is only visiting for work.
  • Same with The Simple Wild by KA Tucker.

Janie: Thank you! I’ve been wondering about The Simple Wild. I always hear good things!

R. Renee: It’s soooo good!

Maryse: The Simple Wild is fantastic!! Here’s myΒ Book Review.

Jan: These aren’t all quite on your request, but along those lines – someone trying to start a new life away from the big city and finding the love of their life:

  • The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts
  • True Confessions by Rachel Gibson
  • Some of the books in Susan Elizabeth Phillips Wynette, Texas series might fit the bill. A bit old school, but she’s a terrific and entertaining writer.
  • Or maybe some of Julie Anne Long’s Hellcat Canyon books.
  • You Can Have Manhattan by P. Dangelico.

Janie: Thanks Jan!Β I actually own The Perfect Hope and the rest of the series, but I’ve yet to read them. I’m definitely adding them to my β€œread pile”.

Kathy: I have read all!

  • Devney Perry’s Jamison Valley Series
  • Kelly Elliot’s Meet Me in Montana Series
  • Catherine Cowle’s Sutter Lake Series
  • C.A. Harm’s Sawyer Brothers Series

Janie: Thanks Kathy, these all sound right up my alley!!!

Maryse: I LOVED The Coppersmith Farm House. Warm fuzzies but a bit of enemies-t0-lovers at first and I was thrilled with that. Here’s myΒ Book Review.

Mony: Just put part of this list together for a friend looking for same trope…Hard to beat Sweet Dreams though! Hope you find what you’re looking for!

  • Welcome to Temptation,
  • The Bribe,
  • Call Me Irresistible,
  • Taming a Maverick,
  • Everything Girl,
  • Rock Bottom Girl,
  • Arrogant Devil
  • Kristen Ashley – The Gamble, Rock Chicks (#3), Play It Safe, Soaring
  • Jill Shalvis – Rainy Day Friends, Lucky Harbour Series #10-12 + more, Instant Attraction, Instant Gratification, Then Came You

Janie: More Kristen Ashley?! Yes, please!! Thanks Mony!!

βž”βž”βž” Β Looking for more of our favorite recommendations? Browse our “Ultimate Favorites Lists” here. Are you in the mood for a certain kind of story? BrowseΒ our favorite “genre/trope categories” here and our reader favorites lists too.

βž”βž”βž” Β Love this trope? Browse moreΒ small town romance & starting over book features and reviews on my blog. πŸ˜€

Filed Under: Book Recommendations Tagged With: reader favorites, reader recommendations, small town, starting over

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Janie Otero
Janie Otero
2 months ago

Thank you for this list, Maryse!! I think I’m going to try Kathy’s suggestion of Catherine Cowle’s Sutter Lake Series for tomorrow and through the weekend!

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