Finished your last Jill Shalvis book and feeling lost? These 10 authors will save your TBR.
If you've already devoured Lucky Harbor, binged through Heartbreaker Bay, and are diving into the newest book in the Colburn series, you're in the right place. Her stories deliver everything we crave in contemporary romance: small coastal towns that feel like home, found families that make us laugh and cry, sister bonds that run deep, and characters who choose hope even when life gets messy.
The good news? There are plenty of authors who write with that same warmth, humor, and heart. Here are 10 small-town romance authors and series that capture the magic of Jill Shalvis — perfect for your next reading binge.
Whether you’ve been reading small-town romance for years or you’re newer to the genre and looking for feel-good love stories that hold up, these authors deliver the same cozy, heartfelt vibes Jill Shalvis readers adore.
I’ve reviewed several Jill Shalvis books here on the blog, and if you’re in the mood for more of that small-town charm, you can browse all my Jill Shalvis reviews here before diving into the recommendations below: Jill Shalvis Reviews .
What Makes Jill Shalvis Special
Before we dive into the recommendations, let's talk about what makes Jill's books so irresistible. Her stories center on relatable heroines navigating fresh starts, complicated pasts, and everyday challenges. You'll find quirky small towns full of meddling neighbors who become family, swoony heroes who show up when it matters, and friendships that anchor every story. The romance is sweet with moderate heat, and there's always humor woven through the emotional moments. If you love cozy reads that leave you feeling hopeful, Jill Shalvis is the gold standard.
Jill's must-read series to start with: Lucky Harbor (begin with Simply Irresistible), Heartbreaker Bay (begin with Sweet Little Lies), and standalone favorites like The Lemon Sisters for sisterhood and healing. Find all of Jill's books and books series on Goodreads.
Start with Jill Shalvis:
1. Susan Mallery — Fool's Gold Series
Why you'll love it: If you adore Lucky Harbor's small-town charm and ensemble cast, Fool's Gold is your next obsession. This California mountain town is full of quirky festivals, matchmaking locals, and interconnected love stories that span over 20 books. Each book focuses on a different couple, but the town itself becomes a character you'll fall for.
Similar vibes: Found family, community connections, humor and heart, heroines finding their place.
Start with: Chasing Perfect (Fool's Gold #1) or Almost Perfect (a fan favorite).
Heat level: Moderate — sweet romance with some steam.
2. RaeAnne Thayne — Haven Point Series
Why you'll love it: RaeAnne Thayne writes Idaho lake-town romance with the same gentle warmth and emotional depth as Jill Shalvis. Her heroines are strong, compassionate, and often healing from loss or heartbreak. The romances are tender and hopeful, with heroes who cherish the women they love.
Similar vibes: Second chances, single parents, small-town support systems, healing journeys.
Start with: Snow Angel Cove (Haven Point #1).
Heat level: Light to moderate — fade-to-black with emotional intimacy.
3. Kristan Higgins — Blue Heron Series
Why you'll love it: Kristan Higgins brings laugh-out-loud humor, family drama, and swoon-worthy romance to the fictional town of Manningsport, New York. If you love Jill's sister dynamics and banter, you'll adore the Holland family and their vineyard-centered community. These books have heart and hilarity in equal measure.
Similar vibes: Family businesses, best friends to lovers, small-town meddling, witty dialogue.
Start with: The Best Man (Blue Heron #1).
Heat level: Moderate — romantic and funny with some steam.
4. Robyn Carr — Virgin River Series
Why you'll love it: If you haven't read the books that inspired the Netflix series, now's the time. Virgin River delivers Northern California mountain-town romance with wounded heroes, strong heroines, and a tight-knit community that rallies around each other. The emotional depth and healing themes echo Jill's storytelling beautifully.
Similar vibes: Small-town refuge, emotional healing, military heroes, found family.
Start with: Virgin River (Virgin River #1).
Heat level: Moderate — emotionally driven with romantic intimacy.
5. Susan Wiggs — Lakeshore Chronicles
Why you'll love it: Set in the Catskills around a beautiful lake, this series captures the same seasonal, cozy atmosphere as Lucky Harbor. Susan Wiggs writes layered characters dealing with real-life challenges — divorce, family expectations, career changes — all while falling for the right person at the right time.
Similar vibes: Lake-town settings, family legacies, second chances, emotional growth.
Start with: Summer at Willow Lake (Lakeshore Chronicles #1).
Heat level: Light to moderate — tender and heartfelt.
6. Brenda Novak — Whiskey Creek Series
Why you'll love it: Whiskey Creek is a Northern California gold-rush town where everyone knows everyone — and that history runs deep. Brenda Novak writes emotionally layered romance featuring high school friends who've grown up together, second chances, and characters working through complicated pasts. If you love Jill's focus on healing and hope within tight-knit communities, this series delivers.
Similar vibes: Childhood friends, second-chance romance, small-town ties, emotional healing, supportive friendships.
Start with: When Lightning Strikes (Whiskey Creek #1).
Heat level: Moderate — emotionally intense with romance.
7. Sherryl Woods — Chesapeake Shores Series
Why you'll love it: This Maryland coastal-town series is all about the O'Brien family — five siblings navigating love, career changes, and family expectations. If you love Jill's emphasis on sibling relationships and multigenerational dynamics, Chesapeake Shores delivers that in spades with plenty of heart and hometown charm.
Similar vibes: Family-centered stories, coastal settings, rekindled romance, community roots.
Start with: The Inn at Eagle Point (Chesapeake Shores #1).
Heat level: Light — sweet romance focused on emotions and family.
8. Marina Adair — Sugar, Georgia Series
Why you'll love it: If you want Southern small-town charm with sass, humor, and swoon, Marina Adair's Sugar, Georgia books are for you. These stories feature strong heroines, protective heroes, and a community full of meddling (but well-meaning) neighbors who'll have you laughing out loud.
Similar vibes: Small-town matchmaking, Southern hospitality, laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt romance.
Start with: Sugar's Twice as Sweet (Sugar, Georgia #1).
Heat level: Moderate — playful banter with romantic heat.
9. Debbie Macomber — Cedar Cove Series
Why you'll love it: Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove is a Pacific Northwest coastal town full of warmth, friendship, and interconnected love stories. If you love Jill's focus on community and second chances, this series offers that comfort-read magic with a slightly gentler, sweeter tone.
Similar vibes: Coastal-town charm, friendship circles, multigenerational stories, heartwarming romance.
Start with: 16 Lighthouse Road (Cedar Cove #1).
Heat level: Light — fade-to-black with emotional connection.
10. Jill Sanders — Lucky Series
Why you'll love it: With a similar name and a similar vibe, Jill Sanders writes the Lucky, Texas series for fans of small-town contemporary romance with found family themes. Her stories move quickly, feature strong ensemble casts, and deliver satisfying happily-ever-afters with humor and heart.
Similar vibes: Small-town Texas setting, found family, quick reads, ensemble cast.
Start with: Finding Pride (The Pride Series, which crosses over with Lucky).
Heat level: Moderate — romantic with some steam.
"The best small-town romances make you wish you could move there and become friends with everyone in town — and these authors do exactly that."
If one of these authors caught your eye and you’d like to explore more reviews by genre or reading mood, you can browse all of my reading categories here: Browse Reading Categories .
More Romance Reads to Explore
If these recommendations speak to you, here are curated lists to browse and add to your TBR:
Why Small-Town Romance Never Gets Old
There's something deeply comforting about small-town romance. The settings feel familiar, the communities wrap around you like a warm blanket, and the characters become friends you want to check in on book after book. Whether it's a coastal harbor, a mountain retreat, or a Southern town square, these stories remind us that connection, hope, and love are worth choosing — even when life feels complicated.
If Jill Shalvis has been your go-to for that feeling, I hope this list gives you plenty more reads to fall in love with.
Pair These Cozy Reads with Comfort Food
Nothing completes a small-town romance binge like the perfect comfort food pairing. Check out my Reading Pairings & Recipes for book-inspired treats that match the cozy vibes of these stories.
FAQs
Do I need to read these series in order?
Most small-town romance series feature recurring characters and settings, so reading in order enhances the experience. However, many books work as standalones if you want to jump around.
Are these books similar in heat level to Jill Shalvis?
Yes! Most fall into the light-to-moderate range with a focus on emotional connection and sweet romance. I've noted heat levels for each recommendation.
Which author should I try first?
If you want the closest match to Jill Shalvis, start with Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold series or RaeAnne Thayne's Haven Point books.
Where can I find these books?
All of these authors are widely available through your local library, indie bookstores (support them via Bookshop.org), or major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Let's Chat
Have you read any of these authors? Which small-town romance series is your favorite? I'd love to hear your recommendations too — drop them in the comments below!
Pin this list! Save it to your TBR board so you never run out of cozy small-town romances to read.
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