Something extraordinary happens when you step onto a modern-day dirt road, doesn’t it? Like you are instantly transported to a time of simple living, where love is unencumbered by technology and city (or even suburban) life.
The stories have the feel of historicals while remaining relatable to our present circumstances because it’s easy to believe we might wind up where the blacktop ends, peering ahead to a new adventure ourselves.
Here are five novels that will inspire you to look beyond the pavement PLUS a giveaway:
Someone Found by Teresa Tysinger
In this June 8th release, Someone Found, Quinn McAlister is lost in more ways than one. When her long hike on the Appalachian Trail comes to an abrupt end, she finds herself injured and stuck in Laurel Cove, North Carolina. The wilds of the Blue Ridge Mountains are no match for the uncharted territory her heart explores with Eli Moreland, the camp director who takes her in. Together, Quinn and Eli discover life’s detours can be the most important steps we’re meant to take.
A Twist of Faith by Pepper Basham
This is one of my favorite romances in any setting! But Pepper takes us deep into Appalachia for this nod to Pygmalion and My Fair Lady. Reese Mitchell is a cattle farmer who cares very little about what others think of him, especially sophisticated Dr. Adelina Roseland. The accent reduction specialist ends up moving into a cabin on the Mitchell family property in order to win a secret wager that she can transform Reese into corporate material. It is a laugh-out-loud trip into the world of overalls, strong family ties, smiling dogs, and a whole lot of dirt.
Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter
A sprawling horse ranch in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern Georgia is the perfect setting if you want to escape from the concrete jungle. Noah and Josephine have just discovered their divorce was never finalized, which creates a rather interesting situation when a snowstorm traps them together in his cottage. If you love forced proximity romances and remote locations, you’ll love this one!
Her Hope Discovered by Cynthia Herron
The Welcome to Ruby series is set in a rural, small town in the Ozarks. Picture a contemporary Mayberry with a vintage-era vibe. In this first book, Charla is a city girl looking for a permanent lifestyle change far away from paved streets bustling with traffic. Readers who enjoy Robyn Carr’s Virgin River or Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove will be drawn to the warm setting of these sweet and wholesome books.
Wildflower Road by Janine Rosche (hey, that’s me!)
I’d be remiss not to mention this Madison River Romance that almost entirely takes place on a Montana riverbank near the western edge of Yellowstone National Park. In this novel, which takes the term “rustic romance” to a whole new level, disgraced city pastor Shane finds refuge at a fly-fishing resort and in the arms of a fiery Montana-born and bred redhead who has never seen a skyscraper in her life. Admittedly, many of Shane’s fish-out-of-water experiences were taken directly from my own life when I first witnessed the wonders of this region: valleys full of bison, the Grand Prismatic Spring, the sunrise glinting off the Madison River, Ghost Village, Earthquake Lake, huckleberry ANYTHING, etc.
Beware: After reading this, you may have a significant urge to head west.
YOUR TURN: What are your favorite contemporary rustic romances? What do you like about these settings?
Your answer may be featured in the summer edition of The LOVE | WANDER | READ Journal—a free publication celebrating family, relationships, travel, home, and books. GIVEAWAY: One commenter will win a signed copy of my book, Wildflower Road.
*Winner must be over 18 and have a valid U.S. residence to receive the paperback. Contest runs until Thursday, May 27th at 11:59pm.
Renate says
Hi Janine! This retiree enjoys back road trips with hubby. We love to find uncharted roads. There are plenty of dirt roads in Michigan. We prefer paved (better for our vehicles), but do occasionally venture on dirt roads, which often are dead ends to a farmer’s field. Thanks for the delightful reads: have explored the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachia Mountains, and Ozarks. The Smokey Mountains are my favorite. Best wishes and happy writing.
Paula Marie says
I love the small town off the grid stories, and sad to say I have not read any of these!
Toni Shiloh says
I haven’t read Cynthia’s, but I loved all the others and glad they’re part of series. Gives us chance to linger longer.
Cynthia Herron says
I love small towns and rustic settings! There’s something special about neighborly camaraderie in little off-the-beaten path niches. Thank you for including Her Hope Discovered, book one in my Welcome to Ruby series set in the Ozarks’ hills and hollows.
What a great selection here!
Trudy says
My favorite small-town contemporary’s are Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series which has some rustic-type locations, the Chapel Cove series by Autumn MacArthur, Marion Ueckermann, and Alexa Verde which also has some rustic locations, and definitely Mandi Blake’s Blackwater Ranch series! They all have down-to-earth people who are successful but real.
Daly says
I live on a ranch and love dirt road romances. I read them, and I write them.
Teresa Tysinger says
I love this post and adore these “dirt road” small town romances. Thanks for including Someone Found! One of my favorites has to be Pepper’s A Twist of Faith so I’m thrilled to see it included here.
Caitlyn Santi says
Ooh, great list! I’ve read all of these, except Teresa’s! 😊
Rustic settings are my favorite! Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy virtual visits to more urban areas through books on occasion, but small town, country settings (the more the rustic the better!) are totally where my heart lives! I’ve lived in the same tiny central Vermont town all my life and I never want to live anywhere else! I love to spend time in nature, wandering through the fields and woods on our property, it’s where I feel closest to God, and where my imagination comes to life! When I think about rustic settings the word peace comes to mind, yes country folks still have to deal with struggles and tough times, but the sense of peace that comes from living so close to the beauty of God’s creation is a constant reminder of His love for us and His presence in our lives. This feeling of peace and tranquility really comes through in the books I’ve read with these settings, and that’s one of my favorite things about those stories! Also, because I live in a rural area I feel like I can often relate better to the day to day joys and challenges the characters experience than those characters who live in more urban areas!
Not to mention that rugged country boys make some of the best (and hottest!) romantic heroes! 😍😍😍
Yvonne Cruz says
These all look like wonderful stories. I do love small town locations
Jcp says
Hope harbor is also my favorite fictional town
Natalya Lakhno says
New roads, new trails, new adventures! Love the small town, rusty settings – charming and enticing!
We love hiking and always discover new trails along the Coastal Highway 1 or Lake Tahoe :)
Janine Rosche says
Yes, dirt roads are torture on our cars, aren’t they? Haha. I love driving up into Michigan though!
Janine Rosche says
Oooooh, you have so much to look forward to!
Janine Rosche says
I agree. Once you fall in love with a town, you don’t want to leave. Would you say your Maple Run series fits this?
Janine Rosche says
The Ozarks aren’t written about nearly enough. I’m glad you’re telling its stories!
Janine Rosche says
Okay, help me out! Which Alexa Verde book should I read first?
Janine Rosche says
What are the names of your books (or your latest one)? I’d love to check them out!
Janine Rosche says
Would you say Pepper’s book “lights your fire?” Hahahahaha. Funniest line ever.
Trixi says
I’ve read several Love Inspired suspense novels set during winter involving a remote mountain cabin & lost/injured/auto accident characters end up being taken care of whoever lives in the cabin. So I’d say, I like the remote mountain cabin stories (without the suspense, lol!), or off-grid somewhere. I’ve also read a book here recently involving a woman who is driving back home in the middle of a blizzard to care for a sick family member and winds up sliding off the road where the hero rescues her & sets her up in his grandma’s house while she recovers (very small town). Of course you know what happens :-) I just can’t remember the book title or author now though.
The stories involving two people forced to keep company with each other for whatever reason is fun too. Lots of things can happen & deep conversations take place!
I agree with the others, Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series is phenomenal! I live on the Oregon coast and she’s set the fictional small town based off a real town a few hours south of me. It’s like taking a trip down the coast without actually driving! :-)
Lincoln says
I do enjoy the small town motif. I grew up in a small town so perhaps that’s why. It seems to me, though, that since romance by definition narrows the story down to two people, even city settings become secondary to the main purpose. Even large cities break down into communities: neighborhoods, churches, social groups, families. I guess the small town setting simply sets the scene more directly.
Great list! Thanks for the suggestions.
Trudy says
You should read the Chapel Cove Series first, by all three, Autumn, Alexa and Marion. Or, you could start with Alexa’s Rios Azules series, or her Show Me series! All of them are great!
Debra J Pruss says
I love romances written with the settings in the mountains or on the beach.
Alicia Haney says
I love small town settings, I am especially partial to settings in cabins and forests. I have not read any of these books yet. Have a great week and thank you for sharing about these awesome sounding books.
Amy Perrault says
I love small town romance & all types of love stories.
Sylvain Perrault says
I enjoy small town & country road stories & even camping romance.
denise says
Since my family has roots in the mountains of Northeast Tennessee, dirt roads and the Appalachian Trail have always been a part of my life.
I find myself drawn to books set in small towns. They have so much heart.
Teresa Tysinger says
Absolutely!! HAHA!
Angeline says
I can’t wait to read Someone Found! I haven’t read the other books, but they look really good.
Janine Rosche says
Caitlyn, what’s the name of your Vermont town? I want to write a series set there one day!
Janine Rosche says
They never get old!
Janine Rosche says
Great mention, Jcp! Hope Harbor is lovely!
Janine Rosche says
I’m jotting notes of where to write about next, Natalya!
Janine Rosche says
You won’t be disappointed!
Janine Rosche says
Make sure you look for Stephanie Gammon’s Love Inspired books! They are right up your alley!
Janine Rosche says
Excellent point about city-set stories, Lincoln! You nailed it.
Janine Rosche says
Both are sweet escapes for me as well!
Janine Rosche says
Reach out to me if you give one a try. I’d love to know what you think!
Janine Rosche says
YES! Camping romance! I’m all about that!
Trix says
Oh, thanks for the recommendation! I’ll be looking up her books :-)
Janine Rosche says
That’s such a gorgeous area. No wonder you love rustic romances.
Janine Rosche says
haha. Yes, the setting isn’t as important as the genre for sure! Give me ALL the love stories.