Fictional Towns We Want to Live In
There are books you read, and then there are books that make you want to pack a bag and move to the town it takes place in. Unfortunately for me, many of those towns happen to be fictional. As the leaves turn and the air gets that particular autumn crispness, I find myself reaching for books set in the kinds of towns that emulate fall. Whether you want cozy New England charm, paranormal happenings just beyond the tree line, or a kingdom that has finally made it to the other side of war, this list is for you. Grab your library card and your best pair of cozy socks, here are the fictional towns I’d move to in a heartbeat this fall.
Dream Harbor — The Dream Harbor Series
The Pumpkin Spice Café
by Laurie Gilmore
I just returned from a fall New England road trip and while I visited many incredible real towns, there are quite a few fictional towns I wish I could have stopped in, especially Dream Harbor. This fictional coastal New England town is essentially everything cozy romance readers dream about: a pumpkin spice café where everyone gathers, a bookstore with cinnamon buns on Sundays, a Christmas tree farm on the outskirts of town, and a close-knit community. Every book in the series follows a different couple finding their HEA (happily-ever-after), and the town only gets cozier with each installment.
Maple Hollow — The Maple Hollow Series
Big Bad Wolf
by Laurie Gilmore
If Dream Harbor is too idyllic and you want your small town with a little more mystery lurking in the woods, Maple Hollow is calling your name. Also by Laurie Gilmore, this brand-new paranormal romance series trades the pumpkin spice café for something darker and more atmospheric including secrets in the forest, fairy tale energy, and a Little Red Riding Hood-inspired romance.
Knott’s Harbor, Maine — Happy Place
Happy Place
by Emily Henry
Look, I’d actually take any town from any Emily Henry book, but I just got back from Maine and I’m already planning my next visit, so Knott’s Harbor wins this round! Happy Place follows Harriet and Wyn, an exes-to-lovers pair who reunite one last summer at their friend’s beloved family cottage on the coast of Maine. The setting is stunning and who wouldn’t want to live somewhere with lobster rolls on every menu?
Copper Run, Vermont — If It Makes You Happy
If It Makes You Happy
by Julie Olivia
Copper Run, Vermont, set against the golden haze of a 1997 autumn, might be the most perfect fall town on this entire list. A charming, close-knit community with a cozy bed and breakfast, a single-dad baker next door with flannel and great forearms, and 90s nostalgia woven through every page, this book is basically a fall scented candle in novel form.
Terrasen — The Throne of Glass Series
Throne of Glass
by Sarah J. Maas
I’m adding one condition to my Terrasen residency: I’d like to move there after all the events of the series have concluded, please and thank you. Once the dust has settled, Terrasen sounds like an extraordinary place to call home. A land of ancient magic and some of my personal favorite fictional characters of all time, what’s not to love? If you haven’t started the Throne of Glass series yet, fall is the perfect season to dive in.
Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy seaside romance, a paranormal mystery in the woods, or an epic fantasy kingdom, your next favorite fictional town is waiting! You can borrow these books and more for free from your local library through the Libby app. All you need is your library card.
Title availability may vary by library & region.
Published Oct 29, 2026
Madison Stoneburner Simon
Madison Stoneburner Simon is a marketing & communications specialist for Libby. When she’s not working, you can find her reading or creating content for her Bookstagram, teaching Pilates, or spending time with her husband and their three perfect pups. She is a proud member of The Junior League of Cleveland and loves volunteering in her community.