12 Sweet and Swoon-Worthy Books to Read if You Love Hallmark Movies
Small-town setting? Check! A sweet and simmering romance? Check! Heartwarming emotion? Check! There are many reasons millions enjoy the sweet escape of a classic Hallmark movie — and here at Woman's World we totally understand the hype! Watching these movies offers a comforting portal into a charming town where memorable characters navigate everyday problems and stumble upon love along the way. And if you're looking for those warm and fuzzy Hallmark feelings in book form, we have you covered. Here, we rounded up 12 books to read if you love Hallmark movies. Happy reading!
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A Lakeside Reunion by C. Chilove
Filled with a cast of lovable characters and idyllic settings, this story follows Chareese “Reese” Devlin, who spent every summer of her childhood at the lake in Mount Dora, Florida. The summer she turned 17, she fell for Duncan McNeal, who didn’t measure up to her parents’ expectations. Now, 10 years later, Reese and Duncan reconnect. What follows is a heartfelt saga of self-discovery, breaking free and true love.
What readers are saying: "I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. How refreshing to read a story with characters I relate to and with a familiar backdrop. Great read — and I love a happy ending where Black love wins!"
Coming Home to Seashell Harbor by Miranda Liasson
Humor, heart and a picturesque locale combine in this story written by Miranda Liasson. The plot features Hadley Wells, who has just returned to Seashell Harbor after a breakup. At the same time, an injury sends her past love and football player, Tony Cammareri, home for an early retirement. With the duo in the same town again, new rivalries fire up, but so do old feelings. A story about second chances and truly following your heart.
What readers are saying: "I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good second-chance romance that is written with giggle-worthy humor, amazing characters, tons of heart and all the feels because Miranda Liasson never fails to deliver on all of those."
Related: 10 Small Town Romance Books That Are Guaranteed to Make You Smile!
Sunrise Cabin by Stacey Donovan
A tender love story set amid a beautiful landscape unfolds in this novel by author Stacey Donovan. Paige, a free-spirited teacher, loves living in the cabin she rents, so after hearing it’s for sale, she wants to buy it. But when Dylan, an overworked investment banker, says he’s also determined to purchase it, their new romance turns into a rivalry. Will Dylan share his reason for wanting the cabin, and will this unlikely pair learn the true meaning of home?
What readers are saying: "This was like reading a Hallmark movie, which is all I’ve ever wanted in life. I related to Paige on a personal level and now I want to go and find a cabin in the woods. And I’m making the muffin recipe at the end of the book this weekend!"
Table for Two by Sheryl Lister
Small-town charm, a delicious supper club and undeniable attraction — this story penned by Sheryl Lister has it all! Serenity Wheeler loves hosting supper club and being in good company with her best friends. But when she invites her friend’s handsome, hazel-eyed brother, Gabriel Cunningham, they butt heads…there’s just something about Serenity that makes Gabriel nervous. As the chemistry heats up, Serenity wonders if it could be true love.
What readers are saying: "A Table for Two me smile, swoon and tear up a bit. Gabriel is a top-tier book boyfriend and Serenity is the heroine you want to be best friends with immediately. I see potential for more books about this friend group and would love stories about them. While this is my first Sheryl Lister book, it certainly won’t be the last."
Temptation Ridge by Robyn Carr
Award-winning author Robyn Carr is beloved for her layered and heartening stories — and this special reissued novel delivers all her signature allure. After spending five years as her mother’s caregiver, Shelby McIntyre sets out for an adventure. She travels to Virgin River, and she meets handsome, rugged Luke Riordan, a Black Hawk pilot. The two couldn’t be more opposite, but they start to realize that love may be what they're missing.
What readers are saying: “A fantastic addition to the series. I would say this one is easily as good as (if not better than) book one of Virgin River. I was up all night reading it, couldn’t put it down! The main romance of this book is Luke and Shelby, and I just loved them from beginning to end.”
Make a Scene by Mimi Grace
Small-town sweetness, electric chemistry and delicious food descriptions abound in this cute saga by Mimi Grace! Retta Majors is not having a great day. Her ex is now engaged to her cousin and she has decided to attend the wedding with her perfect boyfriend. The only hitch? She doesn’t have one. Meanwhile, Duncan Gilmore is living his dream as the owner of a boxing gym and he’s focusing on its success — until the beautiful baker next door to his gym makes him a very odd offer and he accepts. Duncan agrees to be Retta’s fake wedding date to for a weekend. But soon, the lines between fake and real blur for both of them and real feelings surface.
What readers are saying: “A breath of fresh air. I loved the setup and the characters. I loved the side plot with the hero’s parents. It was a really refreshing take on the fake relationship trope with a couple of kind funny people who are really nice to each other.”
Related: 11 Romance Books to Make You Swoon
Love At First Like by Hannah Orenstein
This delightfully modern and rollicking rom-com by Hannah Orenstein enchants! Eliza, a single jewelry shop owner with an online following, accidentally posts a photo of herself wearing an engagement ring, leading to a storm of press inquiries…and sales. With all the buzz, she forgoes owning up to her mistake and instead starts a search for her faux Mr. Right. Will she find something real along the way?
What readers are saying: "If you are looking for a read that is warm and fuzzy while also being deliciously scandalous then Love at First Like is the book for you! The book was sexy without being too cheesy or crude and it was just so much fun to read."
The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren
This witty and laugh-out-loud funny novel by bestselling author duo and best friends known as “Christina Lauren” will leave readers starry-eyed. Carey Douglas works for home design gurus Melissa and Rusty Tripp. As the Tripps — who secretly cannot stand each other — prep for their book tour, they also hire handsome engineer James McCann. Can Carey and James juggle their jobs and their fiery chemistry?
What readers are saying: "This book was a blast to read! To me, it read like a Hallmark movie with a little much-needed steam and spice. I alternated between laughing and smiling as I read — I highly recommend this read by Christina Lauren!"
The Beach House by Rochelle Alers
Bestselling author Rochelle Alers delivers a second-chance love story filled with beachy scenes and endearing characters. It's been almost a year since Leah Berkley Kent left her Richmond home to spend two months on Coates Island, North Carolina. There, she found friendship and a fun book club. With her sons now grown, Leah decides to return to the island and possibly leave her old life behind.
What readers are saying:"The Beach House by Rochelle Alers is a perfect summer beach read. It is about family drama, second chances at life and love, and friendships. The author did a good job in creating and crafting the characters who fit perfectly with the storyline."
The Holiday Plan by Emma Lynden
Hallmark movie lovers will adore this wholesome, feel-good tale! Coming off of a relationship that ended disastrously and dealing with a case of writer’s block while working on her next novel, Verona Scott wants to get away from it all. So she heads to the beautiful Courtington Castle, in the quaint town of Camelot Creek, over the week of Valentine’s Day. But upon arrival, she discovers the hotel is the center of a matchmaking retreat — and the single and attractive host is determined to help Verona find love, despite her pessimism. But neither of them realize their perfect match might be found in each other.
What readers are saying: "Okay wow this was adorable! This really is one of those feel-good romance books. It makes you want to fall in love!"
Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Crusie's Welcome to Temptation is a fan-favorite among romance readers! In this sweet and sexy novel, Sophie Dempsey dreams of leaving Temptation, Ohio. Meanwhile, all Mayor Phin Tucker wants to do is play pool with the police chief. Soon, the two meet and chemistry soars.
What readers are saying: "Welcome to Temptation is my absolute favorite small town romance. Admittedly, it’s been a while since I read it, so I can’t remember a lot of the little details, but it’s funny, sexy and has a compelling story along with the romance. The FMC (female main character) is the flawed filmmaker with a sweet side and MMC is the charismatic and somewhat arrogant small town mayor."
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
A deliciously fun young-adult tale ensues in this novel by Loan Le. Bao Nguyen is as steady as a rock: he's smart, has a few friends and a job at his parents’ pho restaurant. Then there's Linh Mai, who describes herself as a firecracker who loves art. But these days, Linh reluctantly spends her days working at her family's pho restaurant...which just so happens to be Bao's family's biggest competition. So when a chance meeting brings Bao and Linh together, sparks fly and the two begin to wonder why their parents kept them apart for so long. A lighthearted, romantic story perfect for fans of Jenny Han!
What readers are saying: "I've been on quite a bit of a YA kick lately and was so excited to read A Pho Love Story. This book hit me in the all the right places — I loved it so much. I was hooked from the first page. It is such a sweet story about forbidden young love, complicated family dynamics and a long standing feud between old friends."
For more book roundups, click through the links below!
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