This trope isn’t only popular among books: Audrey Hepburn’s Sabrina, Reese Witherspoon’s Home Again, 70% of Hallmark Channel’s Christmas catalog every single year… There are countless movies in which one of the protagonists returns to their hometown, whether willingly or because they have no choice, and finds love along the way. While there is certainly room for criticism (for a long time, the Venn diagram of Return to Hometown romances that were also Successful City Heroine Leaves It All Behind for a Small Town Man romances was a circle), there is a lot about this trope to love. You will love the eight novels below — whether you read them from your hometown or within comfortable distance of a pizza delivery place in the city. In the market for more trope-y romances? Whether you prefer small-town romance, enemies-to-lovers, or fake dating, we’ve got your back.
