10 Authors Like Robyn Carr: Masters of Small-Town Romance and Community Stories

If you’ve binge-read Robyn Carr’s romance novels like you binge-watched the addictive Virgin River series on Netflix, you’ll love these authors like Robyn Carr.

One of the best romance authors, Robyn Carr, is best known for her Virgin River series, which tells the story of a nurse who moves to a small town to start over and finds herself wrapped up in love, drama, and friends who begin to feel more like family. Many readers first became familiar with Carr’s work after getting hooked on the hit Virgin River Netflix series. In addition to her Virgin River series, Carr has written several other New York Times bestsellers, including Sullivan’s Crossing series and the Thunder Point series.

The Las Vegas-based author’s books have sold over 27 million copies worldwide. In 2016, Carr won the 2016 Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award from the Romance Writers of America. While the author is a well-known name in romance writing today, her career had a tough start. Her first book was published in 1978, but it took her three decades to hit the NYT bestseller list, and fans worldwide are grateful that she stayed the course.

Why Robyn Carr’s Formula Resonates in 2025

Robyn Carr’s approach to romance has proven remarkably prescient for contemporary readers. Several key elements make her work particularly significant in today’s literary landscape:

Community as Character: Carr’s small towns aren’t just backdrops—they’re living, breathing entities where everyone knows everyone, supporting each other through life’s challenges. In an era of increasing social isolation and digital connection, her emphasis on genuine community resonates deeply with readers seeking authentic human connection.

Chosen Family Narratives: Her stories consistently explore how people create families from friendships and neighbors, particularly appealing to readers who’ve had to build support systems outside traditional family structures. This theme has become increasingly relevant as more people move away from their origins and create new lives elsewhere.

Second Chances and Fresh Starts: Carr’s protagonists often come to small towns to escape past trauma or start over after major life changes. This theme speaks to contemporary readers navigating career changes, divorce, loss, or major life transitions, particularly post-pandemic when many people reassessed their priorities.

Intergenerational Relationships: Her stories feature meaningful connections between different age groups, showing how wisdom passes between generations. This addresses the modern need for mentorship and community wisdom in an increasingly fragmented society.

Mental Health and Healing: Carr addresses trauma, PTSD, addiction, and recovery with sensitivity, reflecting contemporary awareness of mental health issues while maintaining hope and community support as healing mechanisms.

Economic Realism: Her characters often struggle with real financial pressures—small business challenges, healthcare costs, economic uncertainty—making their romantic journeys feel grounded in contemporary reality.

Slow-Burn Romance in Fast-Paced World: Carr’s patient approach to relationship development offers an antidote to swipe culture and instant gratification, appealing to readers seeking deeper emotional connections.

If you’ve worked through Carr’s novels, you’ll love the authors in our guide.

Must-Read Authors Like Robyn Carr

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1. Debbie Macomber, 1948 -

Award-winning contemporary romance author Debbie Macomber burst onto the literary scene on New Year’s Day in 1983 with the release of her debut novel, Starlight. The New York Times bestseller follows protagonist Karen and the apple of her eye, Rand. Macomber is known for her tenacity. It took her five years to have her first book accepted by a publisher, and she worked tirelessly on her manuscripts on a rented typewriter while raising four children.

She once attended a conference where she volunteered to have a novel critiqued by a Harlequin editor - the editor heavily criticized her work. Macomber turned around and sent the book to Harlequin’s rival, Silhouette Books. The company picked up Macomber’s novel, Heartsong, and it became one of the most well-received books of the author’s career.

Why Carr fans will love her: Macomber shares Carr’s gift for creating warm, welcoming communities where characters support each other through life’s challenges. Both authors excel at multi-generational storytelling and exploring how friendship can become family.

Heartwarming themes: Like Carr, Macomber focuses on hope, redemption, and the healing power of community connections, making her books perfect comfort reads for fans seeking emotional warmth and satisfaction.

2025 relevance: Macomber’s focus on small-town values and community support has become increasingly appealing as readers seek stories that emphasize human connection over digital isolation.

“I want to practice gratitude. I know that sounds hokey, but instead of concentrating on the negative, I want to look at the positive side of life.” —Debbie Macomber, Thursdays at Eight

2. Nora Roberts, 1950 -

New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts (born Eleanor Marie Robertson) name is synonymous with romance genre excellence. To date, the author has written more than 225 novels. She’s also written under the pen names J.D. Robb, Jill March, and Sarah Hardesty. Roberts’ novels have spent a combined 861 weeks on the New York Times bestsellers list.

Like many authors, Roberts was rejected many times before Silhouette Books picked up her 1981 novel Irish Thoroughbred. Over the following three years, Roberts wrote and published 23 more novels. Since 1999, every work Roberts has published has become a New York Times bestseller, and she’s sold more than 400 million copies worldwide.

Series mastery: Roberts’s ability to create interconnected series with recurring characters and settings mirrors Carr’s approach to building fictional communities where readers want to return again and again.

Emotional depth: Both authors understand that romance readers want more than just romantic tension—they want fully developed characters with rich backstories, family complications, and personal growth arcs.

Professional respect: Roberts’s influence on the romance genre parallels Carr’s impact on small-town romance, both helping to elevate the genre’s literary reputation and readership.

“Feeling too much is a hell of a lot better than feeling nothing.” —Nora Roberts, Midnight Bayou

3. Sherryl Woods, 1944 -

Sherryl Woods (also known by pseudonyms Alexandra Kirk and Suzanne Sherrill) has written over 140 romance novels. She started in 1982 by publishing her first novel, Restoring Love. Woods’ Sweet Magnolias series spans 11 individual titles and has been made into a hit Netflix series. Readers and viewers love watching as three friends - Dana Sue, Helen, and Maddie work together to manage love, work, and life in the South. Her Chesapeake Shores series has also been made into a TV show on the Hallmark Channel.

Television adaptation success: Like Carr’s Virgin River, Woods’s series have successfully transitioned to television, demonstrating their broad appeal and the universal desire for community-centered storytelling.

Female friendship focus: Woods excels at portraying deep female friendships that support characters through romantic challenges, career changes, and family crises—a key element that Carr fans particularly appreciate.

Southern charm: Her Southern settings provide the same warmth and hospitality that make Carr’s small towns so appealing, with added cultural richness and regional flavor.

“Or is this just what you do? You start to get involved, get scared when the emotions are too much, and then dream up any excuse you can to run? Or to invite the other person to dump you?” —Sherryl Woods, Moonlight Cove

4. Susan Mallery, 1970 -

With multiple New York Times bestsellers, Susan Mallery is regarded as one of the top romance authors in the industry. Mallery is known for injecting humor into her novels, finding the lighter side of the ups and downs that women deal with throughout life. Her complex characters are put through real-life situations where readers struggle with which direction protagonists should turn. Readers especially love her Fool’s Gold series, which started in 2010 with the novel Chasing Perfect. The series follows characters through the small town of Fool’s Gold, California, as they fall in love and work to make the tiny town just below the Sierra Nevada mountains their home.

Humor and heart: Mallery’s ability to balance serious emotional themes with genuine humor mirrors Carr’s skill in addressing real-life challenges while maintaining hope and lightness.

Small-town quirks: Her fictional towns have the same eccentric charm and close-knit community dynamics that make Carr’s Virgin River so appealing to readers seeking escape from urban anonymity.

Contemporary relevance: Mallery addresses modern women’s challenges—balancing career and relationships, dealing with family expectations, pursuing dreams later in life—themes that resonate with Carr’s audience.

“You’re only responsible for yourself, Jess. And that’s the only person you can control. Other people will either get it or they won’t but you can’t define yourself by their opinions.” —Susan Mallery, Sweet Trouble

5. Jill Shalvis

Jill Shalvis is a USA Today and NYT bestselling author known for quirky, realistic characters who feel like best friends to readers. Fans love following Shalvis’ characters as they evolve through a series. Some of her series (such as her Sunrise Cove books) can all be read as standalone novels, while others (such as The Wildstone Series) are meant to be read sequentially. Shalvis’ 2022 novel The Friendship Pact was named one of Apple Books top-selling romances of the year.

Character accessibility: Shalvis creates characters who feel like real people with genuine flaws and relatable problems, similar to Carr’s approach to making protagonists feel like friends rather than perfect romantic ideals.

Flexible reading: Her mix of standalone and series books appeals to both new readers and dedicated fans, offering the same versatility that makes Carr’s different series appealing to various reader preferences.

Contemporary voice: Shalvis captures modern relationship dynamics and communication styles while maintaining the emotional depth that Carr fans appreciate.

“If it’s going to be two against one, make sure you aren’t the one.” —Jill Shalvis, The Sweetest Thing

6. Linda Lael Miller, 1949 -

As a child, Linda Lael Miller was captivated by stories from an elderly neighbor who was a Western legend—they had even met Jesse James. Her first historical romance, Fletcher’s Woman, was published in 1991. While the author is known for her Western romance novels, she also branches into other romance sub-genres, including paranormal stories, time-travel novels, suspense, and contemporary romance. Miller is known for writing strong female characters, and she’s stated that she wants to show her readers that they can be independent and take care of themselves.

Strong heroines: Miller’s emphasis on independent, capable women aligns with Carr’s portrayal of female characters who can rebuild their lives and find strength through adversity.

Family legacy themes: Her multi-generational sagas and family-focused narratives mirror Carr’s interest in how families—both biological and chosen—shape individual identity and community bonds.

Western setting appeal: While different from Carr’s settings, Miller’s small Western towns provide the same sense of community, local traditions, and everyone-knows-everyone dynamics that Carr fans love.

“Being a McKettrick meant claiming a piece of ground to stand on and putting your roots down deep into it. Holding on, no matter what came at you. It meant loving with passion and taking the rough spots with the smooth. It meant fighting for what you wanted, letting go when that was the best thing to do.” —Linda Lael Miller, Sierra’s Homecoming

7. Kristan Higgins

Three-time RITA award winner Kristan Higgins is known for seeing the lighter side of romance. Readers love laughing while swooning, and Higgins can strike the delicate balance between respecting and poking fun at her characters. The author has been heralded as a bestseller by the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today. Higgins writes both novels, including the Blue Heron series, the Gideon’s Cove series, the Cambry-on-Hudson series, and standalone novels.

Humor with heart: Higgins’s talent for combining genuine emotion with laugh-out-loud moments creates the same comforting reading experience that makes Carr’s books so re-readable.

Small-town dynamics: Her fictional communities have the same interconnected relationships and local quirks that make Carr’s settings feel lived-in and authentic.

Realistic romance: Both authors excel at creating romantic relationships that develop naturally from friendship and shared experiences rather than instant attraction.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are, what level of schooling you’ve had or where you live—stalking is innate to the female psyche. We’ve all been there.” —Kristan Higgins, Fools Rush in

8. Catherine Anderson

Catherine Anderson is the queen of cowboy romance novels, including Indigo Blue, Simply Love, Phantom Waltz, Sweet Nothings, and Blue Skies. For much of her career, the author bounced back and forth between historical and contemporary fiction. Readers love how Anderson transports them back in time, allowing them to imagine the steps they would take if they were in the protagonist’s shoes. The author writes both series (including the Kendrick/Coulter/Harrigan series that kicked off in 2009) and standalone novels.

Rural settings: Anderson’s ranch and small-town settings provide the same close-knit community feel and connection to nature that makes Carr’s Virgin River so appealing.

Healing relationships: Both authors excel at portraying how love and community support can help characters heal from past trauma and build new, healthier lives.

Family dynamics: Anderson’s multi-generational family stories mirror Carr’s interest in how family relationships—both challenging and supportive—shape character development.

“When your head tells you one thing and your heart another, listen to your heart. It tells no lies.” —Catherine Anderson, Comanche Magic

9. Fern Michaels, 1933 -

Fern Michaels is known for her unique ability to bring her characters to life, one page at a time. Many of Michaels’ novels feature female protagonists who find their way out of difficult circumstances - Michaels has stated that writing these types of characters reminds her of herself at the start of her career when she struggled to sell her first novel. Her second novel, Pride and Passion, sold well, and her career took off quickly.

She writes both series and standalone novels, including the Captives, Texas, and 33-book Sisterhood series. When Michaels began writing, she was a single mom of five children, making a point to give back to others in the same position. She’s developed preschool and daycare programs that charge a fee that makes sense for single mothers.

Female empowerment: Michaels’s focus on women supporting women and finding strength through adversity aligns with Carr’s themes of community support and personal growth.

Second chances: Both authors specialize in characters who get opportunities to start over and rebuild their lives, often finding love and purpose in unexpected places.

Series dedication: Michaels’s commitment to long-running series with interconnected characters mirrors Carr’s approach to building literary communities that readers can revisit and expand.

“She blinked once, then twice, and yet again, sure what she viewed was just another part of this fantasy world that she had stepped into when her feet touched the green grass of Ireland.” —Fern Michaels, Secret Santa

10. Joann Ross

Joann Ross is a New York Times bestselling author who has written over 100 novels. Many fans of Ross get their start with the Honeymoon Harbor series, which follows Jon and Sarah as they fall in love, despite their families having a century-long feud. Readers also love Ross’ standalone novel The Inheritance, which follows sisters Tess, Charlotte, and Natalie as they uncover family secrets and struggle to make sense of their father’s death. Ross is known for writing stories with a theme of redemption, creating flawed characters that readers cannot help but root for.

Pacific Northwest setting: Ross’s coastal settings provide the same natural beauty and small-town charm that make Carr’s California locations so appealing to readers seeking scenic escapes.

Family secrets: Her exploration of how family history affects present relationships mirrors Carr’s interest in how past experiences shape character choices and community dynamics.

Redemption themes: Both authors excel at creating characters who’ve made mistakes but deserve second chances, appealing to readers who appreciate stories of personal growth and forgiveness.

“The Hawaiians have gifted us with the lovely knowledge that when the breeze stirs in a wedding, as it’s doing lightly at this very moment in this garden, it’s the presence of their ohana, or family, who are physically absent but are surrounding the brides at this moment with their love, support and blessing.” —JoAnn Ross, Once Upon a Wedding

The Enduring Appeal of Small-Town Romance

These authors represent the best of contemporary small-town romance, sharing Robyn Carr’s understanding of what makes this subgenre so compelling for 2025 readers:

Authentic Community Bonds: They create fictional towns where neighbors genuinely care about each other, providing the social connection that many readers feel is missing from modern life.

Healing Through Relationships: Their stories demonstrate how meaningful relationships—romantic, familial, and friendship—can help people overcome trauma and build better lives.

Chosen Family Narratives: They understand that family isn’t just about blood relations but about the people who choose to support and love each other through life’s challenges.

Economic Authenticity: Their characters face real financial pressures and work challenges, making their romantic journeys feel grounded in contemporary reality.

Intergenerational Wisdom: They show how different age groups support each other, reflecting the value of community wisdom and mentorship.

Second Chance Optimism: They consistently offer hope that people can start over, change their circumstances, and find happiness regardless of past mistakes or current challenges.

Slow-Burn Romance: They take time to develop relationships organically, showing how genuine love grows from friendship, shared experiences, and mutual support.

Robyn Carr’s influence on small-town romance extends beyond her own impressive catalog to help establish reader expectations for authentic community storytelling, meaningful character development, and the healing power of belonging. These recommended authors continue that tradition, offering readers the same blend of romantic satisfaction, emotional depth, and community warmth that makes Carr’s work so enduringly popular and culturally significant.