2 Small Town Romance Reads Sarah Adams Swears By
Looking for small town romance? Sarah Adams shares why the trope works, her favorite picks, and what to expect from In Your Dreams in Rome, Kentucky.
Small Town Romance That Feels Like Coming Home
Hi Bookish Besties! If you’re here because you searched small town romance, I’m going to guess you want a very specific feeling: warmth, community, and a love story that unfolds in the kind of place where everyone knows your business… and still shows up for you anyway.
Small-town romance works because it’s not just about the couple-it’s about the ecosystem: the coffee shop regulars, the nosy neighbor, the town matriarch, the “helpful” matchmaking, and that comforting sense that love can be ordinary and still life-changing. And because Sarah Adams writes that vibe so well, I reached out to her to contribute a short Q&A for this post-plus a few of her personal favorite small-town romance picks for your TBR.
Why We Love Small Town Romance, According to Sarah Adams
When I asked Sarah what she loves most about the small-town romance trope, her answer felt like a tiny exhale:
In a world that can feel disconnected and disingenuous, she longs for a place where people really know you-and notice when you’re not okay. A place where someone would check in. And in small-town romance, we get to live that life for a while.
And honestly? That’s the magic. Small-town romance isn’t “perfect life” fantasy. It’s “you’re not alone” fantasy.
Sarah Adams’s Favorite Small Town Romance Reads
Here are two small-town romance books Sarah highlighted-plus why they stayed with her.
August Lane by Regina Black
Sarah described this one as emotionally gripping-the kind of book that makes you feel everything-and she loved that it includes podcast transcripts throughout, which add an extra layer of texture to the story. I’m including it because that’s a very specific small-town-romance superpower: when a town feels so alive it can hold an entire emotional storm and still feel safe. If you love deep-feeling romance with an immersive storytelling style, add this one immediately-it feels like being fully pulled into someone’s life.
You can get a copy of August Lane by Regina Black on Amazon.
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
Sarah called this one “all heart and good vibes,” and I love that it’s set in the 90s-because nostalgia + small-town comfort is basically a guaranteed serotonin boost. She said Julie wrote the characters in a way that made her care about them like they were family, and that is exactly what I look for when I want a small-town romance to hit: community you can feel. If you love warm relationships, soft humor, and feel-good atmosphere, this is a cozy win.
You can get a copy of If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia on Amazon.
What to Expect from In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams
If you’ve loved Sarah Adams’s small-town charm before, In Your Dreams leans into what readers come for-while still giving you fresh emotional stakes.
Sarah shared that readers can expect:
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- more of Mabel (everyone’s favorite town matriarch)
- juicy family secrets
- a slow-burn “yearn-fest” loaded with banter
- blush-worthy steam that’s worth the wait
- and maybe even a spontaneous trip to a big city
- plus the classic small-town reality: everyone is all up in each other’s business… constantly
Which is exactly how a good fictional town should behave.
In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams
Madison Walker comes home to Rome, Kentucky with her confidence bruised after chasing culinary success in New York, and when she’s offered a head chef job at a new farm-to-table restaurant, it feels like her chance to rebuild-until she realizes the offer comes from James Huxley, her brother’s best friend and the steady, maddening presence she’s never quite taken seriously. As they race to launch the restaurant under intense pressure, Madison’s fear of failing again collides with James’s quiet devotion and long-held feelings, and the whole town seems determined to push them together whether they like it or not. I’m featuring In Your Dreams here because it’s small-town romance at its best: a fresh start, real insecurities, big-hearted community meddling, and love that grows through everyday acts of showing up. This is for readers who love slow burn, brother’s-best-friend tension, workplace closeness, and “you’ve been it for me all along” energy-and it left me feeling cozy, giddy, and deeply hopeful.
You can get a copy of In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams on Amazon.
If You’re Craving Small Town Romance, Here’s What to Try Next
If you’re in your small-town romance era, here’s the quickest way to pick your next read based on your mood:
- Want emotional depth + immersive storytelling? Try August Lane.
- Want comfort vibes + nostalgic charm? Try If It Makes You Happy.
- Want banter, yearning, and a community that won’t mind its business? Start with In Your Dreams.
And yes-I’m saving the full Rome, Kentucky series reading guide for a separate post so it can be as helpful (and bingeable) as it deserves.
Ready for More Cozy Romance?
If you want, tell me what you love most in small-town romance-grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, single parent, second chance, brother’s best friend-and I’ll make you a “start here” list in the exact vibe you’re craving.
