Books Like The Pumpkin Spice Café: 5 Cosy Small-Town Romance Reads with Spice

If you’re looking for books like The Pumpkin Spice Café, you’re probably chasing that same cosy small-town romance feeling…a setting you can sink into, characters who feel real, and a slow-burn romance that quietly builds before tipping into something much hotter.

I had exactly that moment after finishing it. Closed the book, stared into space, and immediately went looking for something that gave me the same mix of comfort and chemistry.

These are the ones that hit that same sweet spot for me.

What books are like The Pumpkin Spice Café?

The Pumpkin Spice Café was a TikTok sensation, and rightly so. It’s one of those books that feels cosy from the very first page… and not just because of the name.

If you loved it, chances are you’re looking for stories where the setting actually feels like somewhere you could exist for a while. Where the characters aren’t perfect, but you end up rooting for them anyway. Where things get a bit complicated, but never in a way that feels overwhelming.

And the romance? It takes its time… until suddenly it really doesn’t.

I loved it when I first read it. It felt like  comfort, but with a bit of spark (a lotta spice ;-) running underneath it. So let’s begin with the book that really hit the mark for me.

1. The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore

I have to start with the follow-up to The Pumpkin Spice Café, because if you loved Dream Harbor, this is where you go next.

I loved the small town bookstore (ah-hem, as you can tell from The Cherry Blossom Boathouse, I have a thing for small town book stores) and the way secret codes were hidden between the pages. And the sunshine bookseller and a fisherman who absolutely falls first was lush. Treasure hunts, forced proximity, cinnamon in the air… and chemistry that builds as they follow the clues around town.

Why I loved it:

It keeps everything readers adored about The Pumpkin Spice Café - the cosy atmosphere, the lived-in community, the sense that everyone knows everyone - but adds a playful romantic mystery thread. Hazel and Noah feel warm and grounded, and that opposites-attract dynamic gives the romance a lovely push-pull without tipping into unnecessary angst. It’s sweet, yes. But it’s not flat. There’s proper spark under all that sugar.

2. Virgin River by Robyn Carr

This one is what the amazing Netflix series was based on. I love the remote Californian town it’s set in, and the idea of a nurse starting over, and a former Marine who keeps himself pretty tightly guarded falling for each other is irresistible

And then there’s the community that quietly shows up when it matters, whether you asked for it or not.

Why this works:

This is basically the blueprint for small-town romance. Everything feels steady, grounded and real. The relationships build through everyday moments rather than big dramatic gestures, and when the emotional and physical connection does deepen, it feels soooo earned.

3. Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison

A struggling Christmas tree farm, best friends pretending their relationship is purely practical, and fake dating in a town where absolutely everyone has an opinion.

And then, just to add to the chaos, you’ve got raccoons taking over Santa’s barn at the worst possible moment. Which, honestly, feels very on brand for small town life.

Why this hit the same note:

This is one of those books where the setting does so much of the work. The twinkling lights, the cold air… it all builds this really cosy backdrop for a romance that’s quietly simmering the whole time.

And because the relationship is built on history, when it shifts, you really feel it.

4. The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker

This one feels slightly different, but in a good way. It’s about a heroine completely out of her comfort zone in a rugged setting that doesn’t let her hide from that. Add in a gruff potential love interest (yessss) who doesn’t exactly make things easy, and it’s just gorgeous. Especially as there’s resistance here. Real resistance.

What this does well:

Nothing is rushed. The connection builds slowly, through friction as much as anything else, and that makes the softer moments land properly when they come.

It’s cosy in terms of setting, but emotionally it stretches a bit further, which I really like.

5. The Cherry Blossom Boathouse by Laura Bloom

Well… it would’ve felt strange not to include this one.

I wrote The Cherry Blossom Boathouse because I wanted that same mix of comfort and tension. The kind of story I’d reach for when I wanted to disappear into a place for a while, but still feel that spark building underneath everything.

Let me set the scene properly.

A lakeside small town in spring, cherry blossoms drifting through the streets, and a community where everyone knows each other… or at least thinks they do.

And right in the middle of that, a sunshine woman who believes in connection, community and saying what she feels… and a very grumpy man who prefers routine, silence and absolutely no emotional disruption. 

Why you might fall in love with it:

If you like slow-burn romance where the tension creeps up on you, characters who don’t always behave perfectly, and a setting that feels like it could hold you there for a bit, you’ll feel at home in Solace Springs.

When writing it, I wanted to include t all the things I love about the genre:that sense  of belonging, the slightly chaotic found family, the emotional connection that builds over time… but all with a bit of edge (and spice!) to it too.

And yes… if you’re a fan of a grumpy character who really doesn’t stand a chance against a sunshine personality, you’re in the right place.

Come and Find Your Next Favourite

If you’re building a cosy reading list, these are all a very good place to start.

And if you’re curious about a small town with cherry blossoms, lakeside walks and a cast of characters who are very much themselves… you might want to wander into Solace Springs for a bit.

The Cherry Blossom Boathouse is on its way, and if you fancy a few extras along the way, you can join the Welcome Wagon for early access, sneak peeks and a couple of cosy surprises. If you’re still chasing that Pumpkin Spice Café feeling, you can take a look at The Cherry Blossom Boathouse and see if Solace Springs might be your next small-town escape.