Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
It took me a bit to think of what to do for this one – I think if it comes up again, Set in a City might be a good option, but for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday I thought it’d be fun to highlight some of the best books I’ve read focused in small towns. There’s just something about the ‘small town vibe’ that can be turned and twisted and emphasised to fit all sorts of different genres – a creepy, sinister edge bleeds well into horror, while a more comforting, community-focused, plenty of events kind of town might be the perfect breeding ground for love in romance.
The full prompt for this one was –
Books Set In X (Pick a setting and share books that are all set there. This could be a specific continent or country, a state, in outer space, underwater, on a ship or boat, at the beach, etc.)
Top Ten Books
Set in a Small Town
Genre: Horror
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: May 16th, 2022
Gallow is a creepy town where a new priest has managed to rile up some real hatred in the townspeople. With everything happening here, it’s one of those kind of places you can feel becomes quickly claustrophobic, and Parker really builds on that sense of “small town England” to add to the tension through the book.
#The Leftover Bride by Elodie Nowodazkij
Genre: Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: September 14th, 2021
I adore all of the Love in Swans Cove books, and currently have the next one on pre-order. This is the one that really introduced me to Swan’s Cove, and is so far the only one to completely focus on the small town. It’s cute and Christmassy and romantic, and I’ll keep coming back for this as long as the author releases them.
Genre: Horror
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: July 18th, 2023
Another one that really plays on the sinister tones of small town life, this with the combined factor of fundamental Christianity and a local conversion camp. Tingle does a great job of really highlighting the tension and creep-factor in the town for the reader, even before our POV character notices. A masterful talent.
A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
Genre: Horror
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: March 28th, 2023
It’s been a while, so I can’t quite remember if this was a small town as such, but there’s definitely a strong ‘small town’ vibe to it, especially that sense of knowing who your neighbours are and usually what they’re up to. It works so well, too.
The Awakening & The Struggle by L.J. Smith
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Age: Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Published: January 1st, 1991
It’s really hard not to think of ‘small town’ books and not think of this one, if you’ve read it or watched the series. (Mystic Falls in the TV show, Fell’s Church in the books.) Long before there was Twilight and Bella and Edward and the rest, there was Elena, Stefan, and Damon. These are far from the best written books of all time, but they’re so much fun, they’re super easy to devour quickly, and…it’s Vampire Diaries. You know exactly what you’re in for, and the setting in both the book and show allows for some real small town drama and festivals!
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Age: Adult
Format: Paperback
Published: September 28th, 2021
Of course I had to include one of my favourite witchy romances. Graves Glen is an excellent setting, following in the tradition of places like Fell’s Church, it’s a small town with plenty going on, whether it’s magical or simply the town’s Halloween festival! Book 2 was also excellent and I can’t wait for Book 3 next year!
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
Format: Hardback
Published: June 29th, 2021
Bayron has to rank among my favourite authors by now – excellent work, and This Poison Heart really utilizes the setting, the house Briseis moves into with her parents, in rural New York, to the small town where people quickly start requesting her help, and seem to know more about her family than she does herself. Absolutely captivating, and I look forward to getting to the second book.
The Meeting Point by Olivia Lara
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age: Adult
Format: Paperback
Published: September 2nd, 2021
I’m not completely sure if Carmel is a ‘small town’, but it definitely comes across as one in this wonderful rom-com. I’d never heard of it before this book, but Lara makes it sound so beautiful it instantly became a place I’d love to visit.
Genre: Horror
Age: Young Adult
Format: ebook
Published: July 9th, 2020
When I think of small town scares, it’s this book that springs immediately to mind – this town is super creepy, emphasised by the strange obsession the townsfolk have with the film Lola’s father made in the town. It’s one of those books that really keeps you on your toes and wondering who, exactly, can be trusted in this place.
Genre: Horror
Age: Adult
Format: Paperback
Published: April 17th, 2013
I loved this book. Despite having read it years ago, it still kind of lives in my head. It floored me when I read it – the town of Black Spring has a secret, namely the Black Rock Witch, a 17th century woman with sewn-shut eyes and mouth. The witch is creepy as hell, but what adds to it is the way the town reacts to her, and the lengths they go to to protect their very peculiar secret. If you’ve read Under the Dome (which could have been included here but honestly isn’t as good as the other books I’ve mentioned here), there’s a certain idea that is repeated throughout – we all support the team. Heuvelt captures that idea here so, so well, and I’d honestly recommend this over King’s Dome if you want that small town horror.
I would love to hear about your favourite books set in small towns – are there particular genres you think that setting works really well for? Do you love the small town vibes (whatever kind of vibes they are!) or do you prefer isolated rural settings, or the sprawling city settings?
Unwrapping Words 
I’ve only read HeX, but the Dutch version which is a little different from the translation. The setting is different (small Dutch town) and the ending is different.
My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2023/11/28/top-ten-tuesday-how-am-i-doing-on-my-backlist-titles/
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I really wish I could read the original – I understand why he transported it to a small American town, but I still felt a little gutted about it
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I have only read The Meeting Point in your list, and because of its setting. Carmel is a small town and so very Instagrammy!
My post is here
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I’d love to visit one day!
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