Top 10 Tuesday — Coming Home to A Small Town

8 Mar

No, I cannot forget from where it is that I come from
I cannot forget the people who love me
Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town
And people let me be just what I want to be — John Mellencamp

I wasn’t raised in a small town, although the Orlando area wasn’t huge before Disney. I would never say I had a small town upbringing, but I have lived in small towns all my married life. I love a small town, and I think it was the best environment for my children growing up. Is that why I love stories set in small towns? Maybe.

This week TTT is featuring favorite literary tropes. One of my favorites is a character that returns to their roots and discovers truths about their lives. Although the small town mystery/suspense novels I have on the list may make them regret their decision, at least for a while. 😉 I’ve included recent novels I have read — historical romance, women’s fiction, mystery/suspense, contemporary romance — something for everyone. I hope you find a small town to love too.

For more favorite tropes, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Coming Home to A Small Town

After She Falls by Carmen Schober

The Cedar Key by Stephenia McGee

Deadly Target by Elizabeth Goddard

The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox

The Inn on Hanging Hill by Christy Barritt

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Barritt

The Secret Place by Camille Eide

Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen

The Sound of Falling Leaves by Lisa Carter

Sunrise by Susan May Warren

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14 Responses to “Top 10 Tuesday — Coming Home to A Small Town”

  1. Cindy Davis March 8, 2022 at 2:26 pm #

    I love this! I hadn’t thought about this as a trope but I enjoy these types of stories as well. Thanks for sharing!

    • rbclibrary March 8, 2022 at 2:35 pm #

      I admit I cheated. I googled lit tropes to get inspiration. 😉

      • Cindy Davis March 8, 2022 at 5:05 pm #

        Whatever works, right?!

  2. lydiaschoch March 8, 2022 at 2:27 pm #

    Coming home to a small town is an interesting way to start a story for sure!

    My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-with-your-favourite-theme/

  3. Carrie March 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm #

    i love your topic!

    • rbclibrary March 8, 2022 at 5:18 pm #

      😀 thanks!

  4. Susan March 8, 2022 at 7:38 pm #

    I grew up in a small town and it was lovely. The town was beautiful, the people were nice, and I had a nice, sheltered upbringing. That’s probably why I love small town settings as well. I especially love stories where perfect-seeming towns are hiding dark secrets!

    Happy TTT!

    Susan
    http://www.blogginboutbooks.com

    • rbclibrary March 8, 2022 at 7:52 pm #

      Yes!

  5. Stephanie @ Books Less Travelled March 8, 2022 at 8:13 pm #

    Nice list! I have Shadows of Stanford Abbey & Sunrise on my TBR!

    Here’s my TTT post

  6. Camille Eide March 8, 2022 at 11:22 pm #

    Thanks for the mention, Beckie! Honored to see The Secret Place listed! I’d long avoided the ‘heroine returns home trope’ as it’s fairly common, but Josie’s story required it. When hindsight is 20/20 & we see God was there all along, like the 4th man in the furnace, we see his steadfast love!

  7. Amanda Cox March 9, 2022 at 8:23 am #

    Thank you so much for mentioning my books!! I just love stories about coming home!! I spy some titles I need to add to my TBR pile :):)

    • rbclibrary March 9, 2022 at 9:31 am #

      🙂

  8. Aj @ Read All The Things! March 11, 2022 at 8:23 am #

    Great list! Small towns are my favorite settings for books.

  9. Lisa Carter Author March 11, 2022 at 12:34 pm #

    Thanks so much for including A Sound of Falling Leaves. Love small town tropes, too.

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