CJ Connor is a cozy mystery and romance writer whose main goal in life is to make their dog proud. They are a Pitch Wars alumnus and an Author Mentor Match R9 mentor. Their debut mystery novel BOARD TO DEATH is forthcoming from Kensington Books. Twitter: @cjconnorwrites | cjconnorwrites.com
From USA Today bestselling author of Nine Month Contract and #BookTok favorite Amy Daws comes a hilarious rom-com you can’t help but love!
It’s enemies-to-lovers meets forced proximity when rugged cat daddy Calder Fletcher gets stuck sharing a tropical wedding room with Dakota, his sister-in-law’s fiery best friend who’s freshly divorced and firmly anti-Calder. Their signature bickering takes a steamy turn under the island sun.
Back home, Dakota enlists Calder for a post-divorce confidence reboot, but sparks keep flying. Turns out, the guy she couldn’t stand might just be the one she can’t resist.
Small-town romance novels are the ultimate comfort read. As couples find belonging among the residents, you get to vicariously explore the setting as a reader. It’s even better when it’s a series, and you can revisit everything you love about the town as you read each installment. These six spicy small-town romance books are perfect for when you want to root for a couple with chemistry you can feel on the page.
If you’re in the mood to fall in love this summer, find more recommendations in this round-up of 6 Must-Read Meet Cute Romances. Among Rachel Brittain’s picks is the small town rom-com Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake!
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Now, onto the steamy small-town romance recommendations!
Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter
Jade Dunn and Francesca Lim are both vying to become their high school’s head football coach. Neither teacher wants to admit that the only feeling stronger than their rivalry is their attraction to each other. But as they compete for the job, they find themselves spending too much time together to be able to keep denying it.
Love Is a War Song by Danica Nava
Following a career scandal, Muscogee pop singer Avery Fox retreats to her grandmother’s horse ranch. She hopes for a quiet life while she decides what to do next. Instead, she finds herself instant enemies with the ranch manager Lucas Iron Eyes. Forced to work together, Avery and Lucas form a reluctant alliance to resolve the ranch’s financial woes, which unexpectedly shifts to something more.
Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt
Married young and divorced by their thirties, Wren and Ellis Byrd live comfortably separate lives in coastal Oregon. While sending their son off to college, they make a spontaneous choice to drive back together. Somewhere along the scenic route home, they rediscover the passion they thought had faded long ago.
Cash Delgado is Living the Dream by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Cash Delgado enjoys being a bartender in Ridley Falls. A partner would be nice, of course, but she’s built a fulfilling life all on her own. But Cash’s quiet contentment falls apart when she starts having steamy dreams about her best friend, Inez O’Conner, just as her old manager returns with shocking news about the bar’s future.
Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods
Getting laid off from her New York marketing job isn’t what Sadie Brooks had in mind for her summer. But at least moving back to her Texas hometown gives her a chance to reconnect with old friends. When she joins their D&D game, Sadie regains her confidence while playing the cleric Jaylie—and IRL chemistry with Noah Walker, a handsome local who moonlights as the campaign’s bard, Loren.
The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid
Grieving his father’s death, retired hockey player Riley Tuck is shocked to see his ex-teammate Adam Shepperd at the funeral in his small Nova Scotia hometown. Their friends-with-benefits arrangement was messy, two things Riley doesn’t need right now. But Adam’s determined to make things right, even if it means facing heavy emotions from the past.
Can’t get enough of the small town setting? Check out the 15 Best Small Town Romance Books of All Time, like Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score and Digging Up Love by Chandra Blumberg.
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