Ever since I fell in love with Gilmore Ladies again in faculty within the early 2000’s, I’ve by no means wished extra fervently to reside in a fictional place than I do the city of Stars Hole.
I’ve re-watched the sequence an uncountable quantity of occasions — each Fall via the winter as a result of it simply looks like Gilmore Ladies season, at any time when I really feel unhappy, at any time when the world feels bleak and onerous, at any time when I don’t know what else to observe, at any time when I’m simply in want to flee.
At this level, the higher query is “when am I NOT visiting Stars Hole?“
The issue is that falling in love with a fictional place so deeply (and the those who occupy it) is it leaves you with a significant void when you’re on the lookout for a learn or a watch that embodies that very same vibe. And begging for suggestions!
I’m all the time on a endless (and sometimes fruitless) seek for books with Stars Hole vibes and I typically find yourself simply re-watching the sequence as a result of few issues ever stack up for me and the best way escaping to Stars Hole feels.
I began my annual Fall re-watch of Gilmore Ladies early this 12 months in August as a result of I used to be simply craving to be in Stars Hole and I used to be considering how fortunate I used to be this summer season to learn not one however TWO books that made me fall in love with a equally tight-knit, nosy-neighbor-filled, quirky small city group feeling of Stars Hole.
So in case you are wanting to flee to a Stars Hole-esque city proper now, I’m going to be your new e book bestie and share a few of the books which have an identical vibe to me or simply seize a few of that magic of small cities that Gilmore Ladies does so effectively.
Count on a variety of quirkiness of the residents (very onerous to seek out one other Kirk or Taylor lol), style and settings!
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Books That Give Me Stars Hole Vibes
The Spell Store by Sarah Beth Durst
Learn it if you’d like: Stars Hole vibes in a cozy fantasy e book
I don’t wish to scare any of you off this listing by having a fantasy e book up as my first choose however that is the latest e book that has given me these vibes and they’re STRONG vibes.
I would like nothing greater than to share some bread and jam with the Pinecone Coven, stroll alongside the coast to see the merhorses and step into Bryn’s bakery as my morning routine.
Very a lot nosy neighbors with principally good intentions vibe occurring right here and filled with great townspeople who will take you in and handle you ways Stars Hole did to Lorelei and Rory. There’s even a love curiosity who builds and fixes issues for our heroine that gave me Luke vibes (although he isn’t like Luke in all points).
Watch Kiela — on the run together with her houseplant bff and spellbooks from the Nice Library — come into this city of her childhood with a go-it-alone mentality and watch her embrace the group round her and attempt to assist their group with spells she’s not speculated to solid.
A lot of great discovered household goodness too!
A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Learn it if you’d like: a seaside Stars Hole and a heartwarming household story
Instantly after studying this I appeared up Beaufort, NC to see if maybe I might actually discover my very own actual life Stars Hole and, after trying it up, I’m tempted to not less than go go to as a result of it seems promising. Apparently it was even named certainly one of America’s Coolest Small Cities by Finances Journal in 2012.
I simply want guarantees that The Dockhouse Dames are actual as a result of I beloved them amongst most of the fictional characters that make up this small city.
I initially thought this was going to simply be a good seaside learn however this e book turned out to be a lot extra because it weaves this household story out and in of this small, vividly written city with its memorable characters that simply leap proper from the pages. It additionally made me cry so simply comprehend it’s not 100% gentle and fluffy.
I beloved watching Keaton — in want of a break and contemporary begin — deal with this undertaking of getting her grandparent’s home (that she didn’t even know existed) able to promote and uncover her household historical past/secrets and techniques within the course of — particularly the whole lot surrounding their dying.
The largest enjoyment of all that’s watching all these great city busybodies — who care about this historic dwelling and her household — embrace her and her undertaking whereas serving to her uncover what she would possibly need her future to appear to be.
These characters and this city sprung to life and made me really feel the sort of consolation Stars Hole does and I can’t advocate this e book sufficient.
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Ebook Lovers by Emily Henry
Learn it if you’d like: rather less shiny Stars Hole however with simply as a lot coronary heart
This small city of Sunshine Falls, NC was one I might vividly see in my head consuming at Pop-A-Squat to perusing the comfortable however rundown bookstore.
It’s possibly rather less vibrant and bustling as Stars Hole however what the outside lacks it makes up for in heat within the characters that reside there and the sturdy sense of group and love/pleasure for his or her city they’ve.
Nice townsfolk and small city setting that actually provides to this story a few cutthroat large metropolis literary agent who reluctantly takes this sisters journey to Sunshine Falls — at her sister’s request — as an escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
The small city daydream meet-cute that might have been is burst when she runs into somebody from her NYC literary orbit who she isn’t all that keen on. This romance performs out throughout this charming city — the place the male lead’s household lives — with its energetic townspeople who’re straightforward to need an entire different e book about.
Cute romance, nice sister story and a splash of self-discovery. Oh and hey in the event you just like the Luke/Lorelei banter, it’s the cherry on prime of this studying expertise.
When in Rome by Sarah Adams
Learn it if you’d like: an enthralling small city romance filled with nosy & quirky townsfolk with a romance that additionally provides a little bit of Luke/Lorelei as a double bonus
This books is the primary e book in a sequence going down in Rome, Kentucky and is all a few burnt out pop star in want of an escape and finally ends up stranded within the charming and quirky small city of Rome — fairly actually stranded within the entrance garden of resident city grump (however lowkey sweetheart) and native pie store proprietor.
He decides to let her keep in a spare bed room however ONLY till her automobile is fastened. Within the meantime she’s launched to the appeal of Rome and, as he will get to know her, finds a few of that gruff exterior slip away in the direction of her.
(In case you are getting some Luke vibes, you aren’t unsuitable for doing so. And Amelia has a number of comparable traits being a little bit of an reverse to Noah the best way Lorelei is to Luke).
However let’s get to why the city gave me Stars Hole emotions as a result of oh boy it felt prefer it’s personal character much like my beloved Stars Hole!!
There’s an abundance of quirky city residents and neighbors who prefer to poke their noses in issues and speak an excessive amount of. There’s a beautiful principal avenue filled with staple city companies which are the hubs of the group and add to the character of the city very similar to Stars Hole.
The perfect half is in the event you fall in love with this e book there’s a second e book set on this city known as Apply Makes Good and one other e book popping out in January 2025.
Midnight on the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber
Learn it if you’d like: Stars Hole however infused with a little bit of magical realism points
Should you love magical realism infused tales, this one is a should. Even in the event you don’t sometimes go for that I nonetheless suppose that settling into the comfortable city of Wicklow, Alabama goes to make up for studying exterior your typical style.
It’s a small and charming Southern city and, equally to how Luke’s Diner is among the greatest hubs and coronary heart of the group and tales, the Blackbird Cafe is that to this city.
One of many principal characters is the granddaughter of the Blackbird Cafe’s proprietor and is again dwelling to bury her beloved grandmother and settle her affairs shortly solely to seek out out a stipulation to the desire contains her working the cafe — well-known for a sure pie — for 60 days.
That’s her plan — to do what her grandmother wished and get the heck out of this city that her mom ran away from a very long time in the past.
However she finds herself rising connections with a few of the regulars and folk who make up this city — together with one other lady who has returned to this city hoping for solutions solely the cafe can reply.
The characters are quirky and the city is vividly drawn with dynamics to the group and households that had been so harking back to Stars Hole. Particularly the best way the city looks like a personality in its personal proper.
Oh and, I’ve to say, if the fixed meals associated scenes in Gilmore Ladies makes you hungry — this one goes to additionally have you ever drooling.
The Storied Lifetime of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
Learn it if you’d like: a heartfelt story of second probabilities set in a practical Stars Hole setting
This one is ready on Amelia Island which sits proper off the coast of Massachusetts. The city has that comparable New England vibe however the truth its an island provides its personal distinctive vibe to the group and city. The townspeople are quirky and have fullness as facet characters — together with the bookstore itself that takes on being a personality in some sense.
It facilities round A.J. Fikry — the proprietor of the island’s bookshop — who’s going via it personally and professionally with the bookshop having certainly one of its worst years.
In such a small tight-knit group, the locals discover how down A.J. is and take a look at their greatest to not let him isolate from them however he undoubtedly settles into the function of city curmudgeon.
The story is quite a bit about how the group rallies round him particularly when A.J. is met with an sudden shock at his bookstore that adjustments his life in the direction of certainly one of hopefulness and connection. It was so evocative of the best way of us come collectively in help for each other in Stars Hole — within the small methods and the grand methods.
It’s tender, humorous at occasions and at occasions emotional and I fell in love with this charming group.
The Metropolis Baker’s Information to Nation Residing by Louise Miller
Learn it if you’d like: a comfortable Fall / wintry learn
Escape to this little Vermont village because the season adjustments from Fall into Winter. I feel Stars Hole is at its greatest in these two seasons as a result of the vibe is actually magical and this city is evocatively written, capturing that quintessential New England coziness.
It’s acquired an enthralling and historic downtown with a powerful group constructed round all these native companies and filled with group occasions — although they aren’t all as quirky as those in Stars Hole.
Considered one of these companies is the charming Sugar Maple Inn (I saved picturing the Dragonfly) and that’s the place our big-city baker lead finds herself taking a job after solely coming to the city for only a short-term escape and go to after shedding her job.
I learn this one completely on a suggestion for a few associates who answered my name for books which have settings reminiscent to Stars Hole and they didn’t lie!!
The Bookshop on the Nook by Jenny Colgan
Learn it if you’d like: a lightweight & straightforward learn set in a rural Scottish village that also provides Stars Hole feels
This one doesn’t fairly have the identical sort of city to me as Stars Hole however I felt like regardless that it was a extra rural group the group connection grew to become simply as sturdy because the story progressed and made me really feel these feel-good feels the best way Stars Hole does.
It’s a few lady who till lately was a librarian in a giant metropolis library who decides to maneuver to a sleepy village and open a cellular bookshop. In driving round to serve her group, the sense of group and her relationship simply blossoms as she slowly begins to really feel a way of belonging.
It’s a complete gentle and feel-good learn, too! There’s additionally two extra books on this unfastened sequence that function their very own comparable vibes in small city goodness specializing in new characters.
A part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
Learn it if you’d like: a incredible romance on the middle of a e book that boasts an superior small city and loveable facet characters that inhabit it
I really like Abby’s books a lot — they’re romances which are simply so layered and weave collectively a number of emotional depth and grounded actual life themes that many can relate to. The characters and humor are unparalleled and I really like this one specifically as a result of the city/the parents in it added a lot for me.
Head to the city of Wakan the place you’ll instantly really feel at dwelling due to the group that all the time seems out for its personal and each physique is aware of all people.
That is the city that Alexis, an ER physician, finds herself in after she is saved by a brilliant good-looking native who will get her automobile out of a ditch. He’s sort of the Kirk of the city in that it looks like he wears many hats amongst city however TRUST ME — Daniel is NOT Kirk. He additionally occurs to be the proprietor of a neighborhood B&B and the mayor.
I beloved expertise this small city appeal alongside of Alexis whose life couldn’t be any totally different than life right here for Daniel and the remainder of the city. I beloved getting swept up, alongside her, within the life of those characters in Wakan and begin to care about them.
You’ll stroll away feeling like you might be part of their large ol’ city household similar to I all the time do after watching Gilmore Ladies. I’m a bonafide resident at this level.
*whereas a lightweight and romantic learn it does delve into some extra severe points corresponding to home abuse/emotional abuse*
Three Holidays and A Marriage ceremony by Uzma Jalauddin and Marissa Stapley
Learn it if you’d like: a extra various Stars Hole however particularly one set throughout the vacation season
I really like Christmas romances and as I used to be listening to this one and getting acquainted with the city that everyone finally ends up stranded in I instantly considered Stars Hole throughout the vacation season — particularly if Taylor might finagle the city getting used within the set of a Hallmark-y vacation film.
It’s various and filled with fairly the solid of characters and I so badly wished extra tales from the townspeople who so warmly welcome the stranded passengers who get snowed in there.
It’s a cute and enjoyable romance set throughout the vacation time and has the movie star/common individual trope that I really like. I listened to it on audiobook and actually loved it for what it was — a pleasant wintry escape with romance and a memorable setting/residents.
Suggestions From My Readers That I Put On My Personal Studying Checklist:
These are those that readers really useful on my newest Fb submit begging for books that might give me these Stars Hole feels. You’ll be able to take a look at that submit right here.
- The Peach Tree Bluff sequence from Kristy Woodson Harvey, really useful by Mandy H. — on the highest on my listing as a result of I LOVE Kristy Woodson Harvey (I really useful her in the beginning of this listing but additionally beloved The Summer season of Songbirds by her). This one seems to have 4 books within the sequence so a great city and group to get misplaced into for a number of books which excites me. It’s a Southern set small city and appears to revolve across the story of three sisters and their mom.
- Enchanted To Meet You by Meg Cabot, really useful by Jennifer R. — Cherished Meg Cabot again within the day and I’m all the time on the lookout for witchy rom-coms — particularly whether it is set in a vividly written small city!
- something Jenny Colgan, really useful by Janelle D. — Janelle stated 500 Miles To You is her absolute favourite which I’m desirous to learn after studying the primary two books on this sequence. I’m desirous to learn extra as a result of it seems she has another nice small city set books with community-centered story traces.
- Backyard Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, really useful by Heidi D. — this e book has been on my TBR for a ridiculous period of time so undoubtedly prioritizing it. I’ve loved two books by Sarah earlier than (The Peach Keeper & Different Birds) so I’ve excessive hopes.
- Sweetwater Springs & Somerset Lake sequence’ by Annie Rains, really useful by Lindsey Self — She stated — “The Somerset Lake companion sequence by Annie Rains all the time provides me Stars Hole vibes. She additionally has the Sweetwater Springs set as effectively. Small city, quirky characters, romance, lights drama.”
- Witches Brew Thriller sequence by Gretchen Rue, really useful by Wendi M. — this looks as if a great sequence to deal with for Fall! Stars Hole-y setting however witchy homicide mysteries.
Please throw all your Stars Hole-esque city e book suggestions at me!! I would like a endless listing to satiate meeeee. Have you ever loved any of those I shared? Agree or disagree that they offer off the appropriate vibe?