I love traveling to new places from the comfort of my giant bean bag, coziest under my blanket, and surrounded by my cats. Books help me do that easier than any passport ever could because I also get a glimpse into lives of so many characters at once.
There's something magical about opening a book and suddenly finding yourself wandering through cobblestone streets in Prague, or feeling the Mediterranean breeze on your face while reading on a rainy Tuesday in Ohio. Romance books, especially, have this incredible power to transport you not just to different places, but into different hearts and lives. (I could wax on and on about how riled up I get when people call romance books "fluff," but I'll hold all that in for another day!)
Another thing about me is that I love to meet new people and learn their stories, their life experiences, and of course, their book recommendations are absolutely fascinating to me. There's nothing quite like discovering how someone's travels have shaped their reading preferences, or how a book set in a particular place made them fall in love with somewhere they'd never been.
So when I discovered Jen's Travel & Books Substack, I knew I had to reach out. The way she weaves together her passion for exploring the world with her love of reading was exactly the kind of connection I live for. I asked her to share some of her romance book favorites with us, and she graciously agreed—but she took it one step further. She paired her book recommendations with some of her favorite places to travel, creating the perfect reading and travel combination.
And she even influenced me to buy a book she recommended! (My TBR pile thanks her... sort of.)
*Note - Head over to Substack to view this post in its entirety
Meet Jen Belcher of Books on Trains
When I was asked to write this guest post, basically combining my two loves: books and travel, I couldn't wait to get started and share my picks. I pulled together a combination of books I’ve loved for years and a couple I discovered specifically for this list.
For me, the best location-inspired books go beyond name-dropping a few landmarks and cliche foods. They have a true sense of place. This means being rich in local culture such as: food, music, history, language, and more. I want the setting to feel alive and intertwined with the love story, not just a background character. I also find myself drawn to authors who have lived in or spent meaningful time in the places they write about. There’s a level of detail and cultural nuance that can’t be faked, and it makes the story feel that much more grounded.
One pattern I’ve noticed is that stories where a character has recently moved to a new city or is traveling there for an extended period of time often do a better job of highlighting the setting compared to when the characters have always lived in a location. When a protagonist is seeing a place for the first time, you get to discover (or rediscover) it with them. That said, not every “fish out of water” story pulls it off, especially in romance where the focus can tilt toward character dynamics and relationships. However, the five books below strike the balance beautifully: they gave me swoon-worthy love stories and rich glimpses into the cities or countries I love.
Scotland
Work in Progress by Kat Mackenzie
Scotland is my absolute favorite country in the whole world. At first glance, the rainy, grey and cold climate might not scream romance compared to mediterranean countries, but for me there's something wildly enchanting about the castles, the moody pubs, the hidden bookstores…and yea, the kilts and accents. The obvious book choice for Scotland is Outlander. It does not get much more romantic than Jamie and Clare traipsing through the Highlands. However, I wanted to offer up a title you might not have heard of.
In Work in Progress, Alice, freshly single and turning thirty, books a three-week bus tour across the UK in search of a fresh start. What she expects is an Eat, Pray, Love-style journey with like-minded women; what she gets is a rundown bus full of sharp-witted elderly ladies, and one maddeningly handsome Scottish tour guide. It’s a hilarious, warm, and slightly chaotic road trip full of unexpected friendship, flirtation, and second chances.
While the main character can be a bit frustrating and even annoying at first, I found the story clever and warm. The supporting characters, especially the older women she meets on her tour, add a much appreciated depth and charm. And the setting? Spot on. The novel doesn’t just showcase Edinburgh, but also includes places like York and other locations across the UK. It reminded me so much of my first solo trip through Scotland, especially the bus tour I took through the Highlands.
This is a fun and engaging read that delivers on both emotional resonance and cultural details such as music, history, food, and plenty of Scottish appeal.
Check it out HERE. The e-book is on sale right now for only $1.99. I snagged a copy while putting this post together.
Madrid
One Year Ago in Spain by Evelyn Skye
I gladly picked this one up specifically for this post, after realizing I had never actually read a romance set in Spain. I’ve read plenty of stories about Spanish characters living in America, but never one grounded in the country itself.
In this unconventional romance with a supernatural element, Manhattan lawyer Claire rushes to Madrid after her boyfriend, Matías, a Spanish artist, is injured and ends up in a coma. When his soul appears (conscious but with no memory of their past) Claire needs to help him fall in love with her all over again in order to help him recover in the real world.
One of my favorite things Skye does is center the family as more than background noise. For example, multiple family members have their own chapters/POVs. Their voices bring so much richness to the story, showing how love and culture are shaped across generations. Skye also threads food and art throughout the novel in meaningful ways: traditional meals shared around a table, vivid references to local art, or the role language plays in self-expression. You really feel the depth of Spanish culture, where family, food, and art are centered.
As someone who’s spent time in Madrid, I found myself instantly transported. The author gets the little details right. The lit-up buildings glowing against the night sky, the buzz of music echoing through the plazas, the long, dinners that don’t even start until 9:00 p.m. Skye lets the spirit of Madrid emerge through daily life, relationships, and creativity. In many ways, the Spanish culture becomes the grounding force of the story: warm, expressive, complex, and unforgettable. And a little bonus: parts of the book take place in New York City (another favorite destination of mine).
Check it out HERE.
London
From Notting Hill with Love… Actually by Ali McNamara
England has long been the home of iconic romance, giving us Jane Austen, the Brontës, Thomas Hardy, and now Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series. I’ve read more romances set in England than I can count. In addition to the classics, there’s something uniquely satisfying about a light, British rom-com.
In From Notting Hill with Love… Actually, Scarlett is a movie-obsessed romantic who isn’t entirely sure about marrying her perfectly sensible fiancé, David (he's no Hugh Grant). When she gets the chance to house-sit in London’s idyllic Notting Hill, she jumps at the opportunity to live out her film fantasies. However, things get complicated when she meets her frustratingly handsome neighbor, Sean. Scarlett begins to question what, and who, she really wants.
As Scarlett wanders through London’s neighborhoods, markets, and quiet corners, the city becomes part of her story in the most charming and romantic way. McNamara sprinkles in plenty of nods to classic romantic comedies (think Love Actually, Notting Hill, and Bridget Jones), blending movie magic with the pulse of everyday London life. It's a delightful mix of fantasy and reality, with just the right touch of cultural detail to ground the romance in something real and resonant.
If you've ever been to London, you'll know just how easy it is to get swept up in the romance of the city when so many beloved books and movies are set there—I know I did. Reading this, I could easily picture myself back in the city, walking past flower stalls, peeking into corner bookstores, and lingering at crosswalks where you half-expect something cinematic to happen.
Check it out HERE.
Amsterdam
What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
What Happens in Amsterdam was a lucky find. I had originally planned to include a different city, but when I spotted this in the “New Fiction” section at the library last weekend, it felt like kismet. I adore Amsterdam, but, like Spain, I realized I had never actually read a fiction book set there.
In this modern romance, Dani’s life implodes after a failed office romance gets her fired. On a whim, she takes a job in Amsterdam and soon crashes her bike into Wouter (her high school ex and the Dutch exchange student her family once hosted). When Dani’s new job in Amsterdam falls through and Wouter needs a marriage to inherit his family home, they strike a deal: a visa marriage to solve both their problems, reigniting a spark that never really went out.
Like the other titles I’ve highlighted, this book checked all my boxes: family, food, art, language, and local references that go far beyond cliché canals and tulips. Solomon, who lived in the Netherlands herself, captures expat life with honesty and humor, including the less glamorous realities like housing struggles, feeling isolated, and the pressure to adapt quickly. But she also captures the magic–the moments that make it all worth it. For example, her vivid description of the Van Gogh Museum instantly brought me back. I could picture the same sunlit rooms and swirling brushstrokes I remembered so clearly.
While some parts felt a bit romanticized (finding the perfect apartment and a built-in community a little too easily), the early chapters acknowledge the bumps that come with starting over in a foreign city. It wasn’t a perfect read. For example, I found the parents grating and some of the spicy scenes a bit too cringy. However, it’s an original concept I hadn't read in other modern romances; an uplifting second-chance romance that paints Amsterdam with sincerity, not just sentimentality.
Check it out HERE.
Italy
From Scratch by Tembi Locke
This one was the hardest to choose. Not because there’s a shortage of options (almost too many), but because I lived in Italy, and that has set me up to be a tough critic. I've read so many romances set there, and while plenty are charming, few truly capture the depth of Italian culture in a way that feels honest and lived-in. While From Scratch isn’t technically a romance novel (it’s a memoir), it’s one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever read.
When Tembi Locke met Saro, a Sicilian chef, on a street in Florence, it was love at first sight (for him) and love at first bite for her. Despite his family’s initial disapproval, they build a life together in Los Angeles, raising their adopted daughter and eventually reconciling with his family, just as Saro faced a devastating cancer diagnosis. The memoir follows Tembi through three summers in Sicily as she returns with their daughter, gradually finding her place in the daily rituals and close-knit community he once called home.
Because Locke lived this story…and lived in Italy, her writing captures the country with exquisite detail and emotional truth. As I read, I was instantly brought back to my own time in Italy: the sun warming my face as I walked cobbled streets, the smell of espresso wafting from cafés, the laughter of men lingering at local bars, the quiet strength of nonnas seated outside watching the world go by. The way she writes about food, family, art, and love felt deeply familiar, as though I were right back there again.
This book is a love story that transcends genre. One that is rooted in identity, loss, and the healing power of place. From Scratch is unforgettable. Also, the Netflix series is beautifully acted and full of heart, and I recommend that as well.
Check it out HERE.
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Books have a way of extending our trips to places we've loved, or even better- inspiring new ones. Each of these titles brought me back to cities I’ve walked through, meals I’ve tasted, and conversations I’ve listened to at nearby tables. Whether you're planning a trip or just want to travel through the page, these stories bring both heart and setting to life.
About the Author
Jen Belcher is the writer behind Books on Trains, a Substack that blends book reviews, travel guides, and slice-of-life musings from train stations and solo trips around the world. She believes in finding joy off the beaten path and never travels without a paperback (or two).
Did Jen influence you to grab any new reads? Do you have a favorite book/travel pairing? Let me know!
Don’t forget to shop Harney & Sons to enjoy while you are traveling from the comfort of home. Click HERE to check out their shop.☕🫖
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Thank you so much for asking me to do this! I had such a great time pairing books with locations, and revisiting my travel journeys from over the years!
Oh I am soooo ready for these 😍 Thanks for sharing Jen!