Sloth Goes Places is a feature where I share books I have tracked from the Literary Escapes and Read Around the USA reading challenges.
Today we are looking at books set in ....
Vermont
I have gushed about Vermont before. It's beautiful up there, and I definitely hope to revisit the area and see more of the state. Whenever I think of Vermont and books, the first author that comes to mind is Sarina Bowen. She has set several series up there including the True North and the Giltmaker series. For some reason, I tend to find many autumnal books set in Vermont and other New England states. I guess they are considered text-book fall places?? Regardless, I love getting a chance to revisit Vermont via a great story.
The Cozy Nook Bookshop by Jeannie Chin
Published by Forever on August 25, 2026
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
A small-town bookseller finds that fate has taken to writing romance in this delightfully cozy love story about making your own happy ending—perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore and grumpy/sunshine love stories!
Emma Rogers-Li is having her worst chapter yet. She’s lost her friends, her apartment in Manhattan, and a jerk of an ex. When a job opens to run a bookshop in the quirky small town of Heart’s Hope Crossing, Vermont, Emma jumps at the chance to start over. For the first time in years, she feels like she’s finally calling the shots in her own life . . . until she runs smack into Hunter Hall.
According to town legend, it’s fate—couples who meet (or collide) at that corner are meant to be. And while Emma doesn’t believe the town gossips now convinced she and Hunter are meant for each other, something about the tall, gruff forest ranger sends her completely off-balance. Falling in love with Heart's Hope Crossing might be the best thing to happen to Emma. But Hunter has a complicated past of his own when it comes to love. Can they both take one last chance on a perfect happily-ever-after?
This was a cozy as the name infers and had a fun town legend to drive the romance. Most notably, this was a cute grumpy-sunshine romance small town romance that also celebrated fall. And good news, the bookshop did NOT need saving in this one.
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on September 8, 2026
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
Kristyn J. Miller's cozy autumn romance will have you falling for its changing leaves, hot apple cider, and unforgettable characters.
Lenore’s life is falling apart. Propelled home from Manhattan to rural Vermont to spend one final autumn at her family’s historic apple orchard before it’s sold, Lenore struggles to say goodbye. Not only to French Hill Farm, but to everything that once inspired her art. Soon enough, entries in her late grandmother’s journal reignite memories of Lenore’s childhood—and the crush on the groundskeeper's son she's since tried to forget.
Callan’s path has been laid out for him for as long as he can remember: live, work, and die in Whitbury, Vermont. He’s taken over for his father as the groundskeeper at French Hill Farm, but now that it’s soon to be sold, his future has turned abruptly uncertain. The last thing he needs is a distraction—like Lenore French showing up out of the blue, looking even better than he remembered. As his best friend’s little sister, she’s always been off limits, and the last time they saw each other, he blew his chance anyway.
Lenore has long believed that her dreams are too big for the small town she grew up in—the same town Callan believes he can never outrun. But one last autumn together could paint their hometown—and each other—in a brand new light.
Another fall book set in a small Vermont town on a historic apple orchard. Tell me, what is more synonymous with fall than apples! This book had strong fall vibes while also being about this woman's grief and loss. It was supposed to be her goodbye to a place that was an important part of her life, but it serves as a place that reminds her of who she was and helps her reconnect with some lost parts of herself.
[review]
Published by Lake Union Publishing on September 15, 2026
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fiction
Rating:
Goodreads
At a high school reunion, old secrets and heartbreaking truths come to light for four estranged friends in a poignant, humorous and bittersweet novel by a New York Times bestselling author.
Audrey, Micah, Jasmine and Beck—the lucky one, the beautiful one, the smart one, the sporty one—are called the Core Four. Full of promise, laughter and loyalty, they promise to be best friends forever. But the night after graduation, they’re in a devastating accident, and the friendship that seemed unbreakable is shattered.
Twenty-five years later, the four women agree to reunite for their high school reunion. None of them is where they hoped to be way back when, and all have scars and secrets. But for one, the diagnosis of early-onset dementia means this is the last chance to revisit their once-golden friendship.
Over the weekend, they’ll come to terms with that tragic accident, as well as the dreams and realities of their lives. Can they forgive each other and peel away those secrets? Is there anything left of that old friendship? After all these years, it’s time to see if the Core Four can come together once more.
I once again found myself in another Vermont small town in the fall while reading this book. At its heart, it is a story of friendship and forgiveness, but each woman was also fighting their own personal battle separately. I was engrossed in each woman's story while rooting for them to reconnect and forgive each other for what happened in the past. Just be aware, this one is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking.
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