Must-Read North Carolina Romance Authors (Plus Romance Books Set in NC)
There’s something extra special about discovering romance authors with ties to a place you love.
As I planned the She Reads Romance Books Readers Retreat in North Carolina, I started thinking about just how many incredible romance authors call North Carolina home or have strong ties to the state. And honestly? Romance readers are spoiled for choice.
Whether you love emotional angst, small town charm, swoony cowboys, queer romance, historical romance, sports romance, or stories that completely wreck your heart, these North Carolina romance authors are worth having on your radar.
These are the NC romance authors I’d recommend adding to your TBR. Plus, I share some of my favorite romance books set in NC, so happy reading…because life is better with a love story!
If you want romance books that are actually worth your time (not just trending), I share my best reads, new releases, and can’t-miss recommendations every week.
*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Jump to an Author
- Jessica Peterson
- Mazey Eddings
- Claire Contrera
- Clare Gilmore
- Joanna Lowell
- Lauren Connolly
- Laney Hatcher
- Virginia Kantra
- Kathryn Kincaid
Jessica Peterson
Jessica Peterson writes the kind of small town romances that are impossible to put down.
Her books blend swoony romance, laugh-out-loud banter, unforgettable chemistry, and the steaminess you can’t get enough of. Whether she’s writing cowboys, small-town heroes, or tight-knit communities, her stories always leave me wanting to move right into the town and stay awhile.
Many of her books are set throughout the Carolinas and the Southeast, making her a perfect addition to any list of North Carolina romance authors.
Start Here: Cash
Cash is one of Jessica Peterson’s hottest cowboys, and this book brings all the enemies-to-lovers tension, big brother energy, snark, sass, and chemistry I want from a small town cowboy romance.
Perfect for readers who love:
- Cowboy romance
- Small town settings
- Enemies to lovers
- Found family
- Steamy romance
- Banter that actually works
Related: Best Cowboy Romance Books
Mazey Eddings
Mazey Eddings has a unique ability to make you laugh one minute and completely break your heart the next.
Her romances often feature meaningful mental health representation, relatable characters, queer love stories, and emotional journeys that feel authentic without ever losing their humor. Her books have such a great balance of lighthearted, funny moments and devastatingly tender ones.
Start Here: Well, Actually
This one is perfect if you love pop culture references, a hilarious meet-cute, a hero who really has to grovel, and a strong heroine you’ll be rooting for from the start.
Perfect for readers who love:
- Mental health representation
- Queer romance
- Emotional growth
- Witty humor
- Strong heroines
- Romance that makes you laugh and tear up
Claire Contreras
If hockey romance is your love language, Claire Contreras deserves a spot on your radar.
Her books are known for emotional intensity, addictive chemistry, and heroes who make readers swoon while also driving them a little crazy. She writes the kind of romance that leans angsty, intense, and hard to put down.
Start Here: Until I Get You
One of her most popular romances, Until I Get You is a great pick for readers who love hockey romance with new adult angst, high tension, and a love story that feels all-consuming.
Perfect for readers who love:
- Hockey romance
- New adult romance
- Emotional angst
- Possessive heroes
- Intense chemistry
- Second-chance-style tension
Related: Best Hockey Romance Books
Clare Gilmore
Clare Gilmore writes contemporary romance with heart, ambition, and characters trying to figure out what they really want from life and love.
If you like romances about chasing your dreams, complicated second chances, and creative characters who are still finding their way, she’s an author to have on your radar.
Start Here: Never Over
This romance brings together music, ambition, and second chances for readers who love stories about what happens when old dreams, old feelings, and unfinished business come back around.
Perfect for readers who love:
- Musician romance
- Second chances
- Chasing your dreams
- Contemporary romance
- Emotionally complicated reunions
- Ambitious heroines
Related: Best Second Chance Romance Books
Joanna Lowell
Historical romance readers looking for something fresh should have Joanna Lowell on their list.
Her books combine the charm and escapism of historical romance with vibrant characters, clever dialogue, and stories that feel lively, romantic, and a little unexpected. If you like your historical romances with strong heroines and a distinct point of view, she’s a great author to try.
Start Here: The Duke Undone
I’d start with The Duke Undone because it’s the first book in her series and one of her most popular titles, making it the best entry point for readers new to her work.
Perfect for readers who love:
- Historical romance
- Strong heroines
- Dukes behaving badly
- Witty banter
- Series starters
- Fresh takes on historical romance
Related: Best Historical Romance Books
Lauren Connolly
Lauren Connolly writes romance with warmth, humor, and characters that are incredibly easy to root for.
She writes a mix of contemporary and paranormal romance, but what stood out to me most when I read Love in Plane Sight was her pacing, humor, and ability to create side characters who completely steal the show. Beth and George were so cute fighting their attraction, but Shawn and Darla? Absolute genius. I loved them.
Start Here: P.S. I Hate You
Since P.S. I Hate You is one of her most popular books, it’s a great place to start if you want to get a feel for Lauren Connolly’s humor, heart, and romantic tension.
Perfect for readers who love:
- Romantic comedy
- Contemporary romance
- Humor and heart
- Quirky side characters
- Forced proximity vibes
- Characters fighting their attraction
Related: Best Romantic Comedy Books
Laney Hatcher
Laney Hatcher writes the kind of small town romances that make you want to pack your bags and move there immediately.
Her books are filled with charming communities, strong found-family dynamics, and settings you want to dive right into. If you love romances where the town itself feels like part of the story, she’s definitely an author to check out.
Start Here: Take It or Leaf It
A grumpy former baseball player, a heroine looking for a fresh start, and a small town you’ll wish was real. This is exactly the kind of cozy, heartwarming romance that reminds me why I love small town romance so much.
Perfect for readers who love:
- Small town romance
- Grumpy sunshine
- Found family
- Fall settings
- Apple farms
- Former athlete heroes
- Kindle Unlimited romance
Related: Best Small Town Romance Books
Virginia Kantra
Virginia Kantra is a longtime romance author known for emotional, character-driven stories, including her modern retellings of beloved classics.
If you love books that blend romance, family dynamics, personal growth, and women’s fiction crossover appeal, she’s an author worth exploring.
Start Here: Meg and Jo
I’d start with Meg and Jo because it reimagines Little Women in a contemporary setting, making it a great pick for readers who love classic-inspired stories with family, love, and second chances at the center.
Perfect for readers who love:
- Literary retellings
- Modern classics
- Family-centered stories
- Contemporary romance
- Women’s fiction crossover
- Second chances
Kathryn Kincaid
Kathryn Kincaid is an author sports romance readers should have on their radar.
Her books combine romantic chemistry, compelling character dynamics, and the kind of tension that makes fake dating and sports romance so much fun to read.
Start Here: Play Your Part
This fake dating hockey romance is a great pick for readers who want the energy of sports romance with plenty of sparks, romantic tension, and hockey hype.
Perfect for readers who love:
- Hockey romance
- Fake dating
- Sports romance
- Romantic tension
- Strong chemistry
- Athlete heroes
Related: Best Sports Romance Books
Romance Books Set in North Carolina
If you love reading romances tied to a strong sense of place, North Carolina gives authors so much to work with: charming small towns, coastal escapes, mountain towns, music scenes, and that Southern setting that can make a romance feel even more immersive.
Here are a few romance books set in North Carolina to add to your TBR.
Book Lovers
by Emily Henry
Set in the fictional small town of Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, Book Lovers is one of Emily Henry’s best books for readers who love sharp banter, bookish characters, and a romance that plays with small town romance expectations in the best way.
Sounds Like Love
by Ashley Poston
Set in the Outer Banks, Sounds Like Love is a great pick if you love coastal settings, music, magical realism, and Ashley Poston’s signature mix of whimsy and emotional depth.
Flock
by Kate Stewart
The first book in Kate Stewart’s wildly popular Ravenhood series, Flock is a must for readers who want an intense, addictive, emotionally messy romance that has become a true reader favorite.
The Notebook
by Nicholas Sparks
You can’t really talk about romance books connected to North Carolina without mentioning The Notebook. It’s one of the most recognizable love stories tied to the state and remains a classic pick for readers who love emotional, sweeping romance.
Idol
by Kristen Callihan
If you love rock star romance, Idol is a great NC-set romance to check out. It brings music, chemistry, and the kind of forced proximity setup that makes celebrity romance so addictive.
More Romance Book Recommendations
If you’re looking for even more romance books to add to your TBR, check out these reader-favorite book lists next:
Final Thoughts on North Carolina Romance Authors
One of the best parts of being a romance reader is discovering authors who bring such different voices, settings, tropes, and emotional experiences to the genre.
From Jessica Peterson’s steamy small town cowboys, to Mazey Eddings’ humor and heart, Joanna Lowell’s historical romances, and Laney Hatcher’s cozy small town charm, North Carolina has no shortage of romance authors worth reading.
Have a favorite North Carolina romance author I should add to this list? Let me know in the comments because I’m always looking for more romance authors to discover.
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