This month, I’m starting a new monthly column here (and also on the Delacroix blog) spotlighting books of a certain trope. I’ll pick a trope or theme each month, then tell you about a few of my books that fit. I’m also going to experiment with discounting those titles for newsletter subscribers when they buy directly from me.

This month, let’s talk about small town romance. I’m thinking about small towns right now because I’m planning Aidan’s book, which will begin a series set in Harte’s Harbor, a fictional small town on the east coast. I’ve got a map done and a few landmarks—because Tyler and Shannyn were married in Harte’s Harbor in Just One More Time—but am building out the town even more. I love doing this! And yes, I’ve done it before. Let’s have a look:

My fictional town of Rosemount, MA turns up in my Coxwell series, which is where the Coxwell siblings grew up. We first visit to Rosemount in Third Time Lucky: Phil has mixed feelings about her hometown, and Nick was always considered to be from the wrong side of the tracks. These two carry a lot of emotional baggage from their high school years, and I like that they both find roots in the town where they grew up. (Spoiler: they end up living there together.)

I think All or Nothing shows Rosemount with the most affection, since Zach and Jen buy a building downtown at the end of the story. Jen opens a yarn shop in that building on the main street and they live upstairs. I love the scene in All or Nothing where Zach takes Jen to his hometown on the way to a holiday dinner at the family home: she’s enchanted by Rosemount, decorated for Christmas, and he sees the familiar with new eyes.

My fictional small town of Honey Hill, ME, has a cameo role in my Flatiron Five Tattoo series: the three friends who get tattoos from Chynna at Flatiron Five are on a girls’ weekend in New York City, then return to this small town. Spencer, the hero of Just One Snowbound Night, grew up in Honey Hill and has opened a lodge there—Wolfe Lodge—with his partner, Gabe, who is the hero of Just One Unforgettable Night. (Spencer’s sister, Lexi, is the heroine of that one.)

My favorite depiction of the quiet little town of Honey Hill is in Reyna’s story, Just One Vacation Night. She’s deliberately chosen a sleepy location to hide from her past, and runs a cupcake bakery in town. The hero, Kade, is a cop from Portland on leave who comes up to Honey Hill to help his retired aunt and uncle with some renovations on their house in town. Reyna just wants a fling, but once with Kade just isn’t enough. 🙂

There’s going to be a sale on Flatiron Five Tattoo this month, available at all portals, and I’ll put a special on the Coxwells in my Heroes & Happy Endings newsletter. (Click the link if you haven’t subscribed yet!) As usual, when you buy ebooks directly from me, I’ll provide a link that will take you first to Paypal, then will redirect to BookFunnel once you’ve paid for your book. The people at BookFunnel are awesome at making sure you get your ebook onto your reading device of choice, so don’t be afraid to ask them for help.

What do you like best about small town romance?