I’ll be honest: I don’t often find a new romance novel that makes me want to text the group chat after just three chapters. But ‘This Kind of Love’ by Ashley Detweiler stopped me in my reading tracks—and not just because it’s being hyped alongside Emily Henry and Taylor Jenkins Reid. Maybe it’s the way small-town Sloane, Tennessee, feels both claustrophobic and cozy. Or maybe it’s because Kate and Jase’s love story (fireflies included) reminded me of my teenage summers. Spoiler: I cried more than once. Let’s unravel what makes this book a must-add to your 2025 reading list.
Second Chances, Sloane Style: Why Small Town Romance Still Works
If you’re craving a story that feels like coming home, This Kind of Love by Ashley Detweiler is the small town romance novel you’ll want to keep on your nightstand in 2025. This isn’t just another love story—it’s a heartfelt journey through nostalgia, heartbreak, and the irresistible pull of second chance romance themes. Set in the charming, sometimes claustrophobic town of Sloane, Tennessee, Detweiler’s debut delivers all the feels, from awkward run-ins at the grocery store to the slow burn of old flames reigniting under the magnolia trees.
At the heart of This Kind of Love are Kate Dailey and Jason Cole—childhood friends, first loves, and now, two people carrying the weight of messy history. Their story is steeped in the kind of complicated magic that only second chances can bring. When Kate is called back to Sloane after years in New York, she’s forced to face not just her past with Jase, but the family ties and secrets she thought she’d left behind. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to see your ex at the local diner or felt the sting of unfinished business, this book will hit you right in the heart.
But Sloane, Tennessee, isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing character. Detweiler paints the town with vivid Americana details: fireflies flickering in the dusk, the scent of magnolia blossoms, and the ever-present hum of everyone knowing everyone’s business. The setting provides both comfort and constraint, echoing the nostalgia and inevitability that define so many small town romance novels. As one reviewer gushed,
“If she was going for a Sweet Home Alabama feel, she hit the nail on the head with this one.” – Gabby
What really sets This Kind of Love apart is how Ashley Detweiler conjures small town life with both humor and warmth. Sometimes it’s painfully authentic—think awkward family dinners and old wounds that never quite healed. Other times, it’s the kind of comforting, familiar embrace you only get from home. The recurring motif of fireflies isn’t just pretty imagery; it’s a symbol of hope and memory, lighting the way through Kate and Jase’s journey of healing.
Research shows that second chance romance themes are trending, and Detweiler’s novel fits perfectly alongside favorites from Emily Henry, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Abby Jimenez. Readers have praised the book’s layered storytelling and emotional depth, noting how the characters’ struggles with family and addiction add real stakes to the romance. If you love stories where heartbreak and hope collide, and where the setting feels as important as the characters themselves, you’ll find yourself completely absorbed in Sloane’s world.
- Setting: Sloane, Tennessee
- Release date: June 3, 2025
- Print length: 320 pages
So, if you’re searching for a contemporary romance that captures the messy, beautiful reality of coming home and falling in love all over again, This Kind of Love is the book you’ll want to reread—and recommend to every friend who swoons for small town romance novels and second chance love stories.
Family Isn’t Just a Subplot: Honest Hearts, Hard Lessons
When you pick up This Kind of Love by Ashley Detweiler, you might expect a sweet small-town romance, but what you’ll find is so much more. This is a Family Dynamics Romance that doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff—especially when it comes to the realities of Alcohol Use Disorder and the tangled web of family ties. If you crave a Contemporary Romance that feels authentic and layered, you’re in for a treat.
At the heart of this story is Kate Dailey’s return to Sloane, Tennessee—a homecoming that’s less about rekindling an old flame and more about facing the ghosts she left behind. Her father’s struggle with alcoholism isn’t just a background detail; it’s a living, breathing part of her journey. The Dailey family—Kate, her mama, Pop, and nana—are the emotional backbone of the novel. Every family dinner, every awkward silence, every attempt at forgiveness pulses with the kind of raw honesty that’s rare in romance fiction.
What sets This Kind of Love apart is how it weaves these family themes directly into the plot. You’ll see Kate navigating not just her feelings for Jason, but also the pain and hope that come from loving a family that’s been through the wringer. The story doesn’t sugarcoat the effects of addiction or the messiness of healing. Instead, it leans in, showing you that forgiveness isn’t a given—it’s something you fight for, day after day.
Detweiler’s writing shines in the way she captures the awkward, sometimes painful, always real moments between Kate and her family. There are no easy answers here. The Daileys support each other, disappoint each other, and—most importantly—give each other second chances. It’s these second chances that echo throughout the book, reminding you that love, whether romantic or familial, is never simple.
Readers have praised the book’s authenticity, with one reviewer noting,
‘The self-discovery that Detweiler writes about is delivered authentically. I appreciated that so much.’ – Kelly J. Pramberger
That sense of authenticity comes through in every scene, whether it’s a tense conversation with Pop or a quiet moment with nana. The book doesn’t just tell you about healing—it lets you feel it, with all the setbacks and small victories along the way.
Content note: While the story does touch on alcohol addiction and verbal domestic struggles, these moments are handled with care—never graphic, always honest. This approach makes the book accessible, even for readers who might shy away from heavier topics, while still honoring the reality of these experiences.
In a genre where family is often a convenient backdrop, This Kind of Love makes it the heart of the story. If you’re looking for a Contemporary Romance that’s as much about finding yourself as it is about finding love, this is the book you’ll want to read—and reread—well into 2025.
Swift Influences and Sweet Soundtracks: The Unexpected Taylor Connection
If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift Music and you love contemporary romance books that feel like they were written just for you, This Kind of Love by Ashley Detweiler is about to hit all the right notes. From the very first page, Taylor Swift’s influence is unmistakable—her lyrics and melodies echo through Kate Dailey’s journey, acting as both a comfort and a compass as she navigates heartbreak, hope, and the messy magic of second chances.
Let’s be honest: is there anything more relatable than turning to your favorite Taylor Swift song when life gets complicated? For Kate, Taylor’s music isn’t just background noise—it’s her emotional lifeline. Whether she’s facing the ghosts of her small-town past or the bright lights of her NYC career at Q Magazine, Kate’s playlist is packed with Swift’s greatest hits, each one marking a pivotal moment in her story. It’s not just a clever pop culture reference; it’s a way for you, the reader, to feel every high and low right alongside her.
Detweiler doesn’t just sprinkle in a few song titles for flavor. Instead, she uses Taylor Swift Influence to frame Kate’s entire emotional arc. Every heartbreak, every glimmer of hope, and every moment of self-discovery is underscored by a lyric or a melody that feels instantly familiar. The result? You get a story that’s not only deeply personal but also universally resonant—especially if you grew up with Taylor’s music as the soundtrack to your own love stories.
Music in This Kind of Love is more than a theme; it’s a thread that weaves Kate’s past and present together. When she returns to her hometown of Sloane, Tennessee, she’s not just facing her first love, Jason Cole—she’s also confronting the songs and memories that shaped her. The fireflies, the family dinners, the bittersweet nostalgia of Magnolia trees… all of it feels like it should come with its own playlist. (Seriously, how long until someone makes a This Kind of Love Spotify playlist?)
This connection to Taylor Swift Music gives the novel a unique generational fingerprint. It’s a cultural anchor for millennial and Gen Z romance readers, and it’s exactly the kind of detail that makes a book go viral on BookTok or show up in your favorite literary playlist. If you’re someone who loves to see pop culture woven seamlessly into your fiction, you’ll find yourself nodding along to every reference—maybe even pausing to queue up a song or two as you read.
‘Can the melodies of Taylor Swift guide her towards her own Happily Ever After?’ – Book Description
Research shows that music, especially from artists like Taylor Swift, can act as a powerful emotional anchor in storytelling. In This Kind of Love, these references aren’t just for fun—they add depth, relatability, and a modern twist that sets the book apart from other contemporary romance books. It’s a fresh, fun, and heartfelt approach that makes Ashley Detweiler’s debut a must-read for anyone who believes that every great love story deserves its own soundtrack.
Wild Card: Book Pricing Lore, Amazon Hopping & Unlikely Audiobook Addicts
If you’re a savvy reader who loves Contemporary Romance Books, you know that the thrill of the hunt isn’t just in the story—it’s in the shopping. This Kind of Love by Ashley Detweiler is a fresh face on the scene, and its Book Pricing Availability is already a topic for bargain hunters and book club regulars alike. The paperback lists at $16.99 as of June 2025, but let’s be honest: who actually pays sticker price on Amazon? With daily price fluctuations, coupons, and the occasional lightning deal, there’s always a chance to snag your next favorite read for less. And if you’re a Prime member, that sweet, free two-day shipping is just the cherry on top.
What’s even better? You’re not limited to just one format. This Kind of Love is available in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook editions, making it easy to fit your reading habits—whether you’re a page-flipper, a screen-tapper, or an audiobook addict who can’t get enough of heartfelt narration on your morning commute. In fact, some fans are so hooked, they’ve double-dipped. As Georgina F raves,
‘Favourite book of the year so far and the characters had me hooked from the first page! So much so that I ordered the audiobook as well!’
That’s the kind of enthusiasm you can expect from a debut that’s already making waves. While it hasn’t cracked the Top 100 yet (Amazon sales rank: #793,333 in Books, #11,223 in New Adult & College Romance, and #39,092 in Contemporary Romance), research shows that sleeper hits often start with strong word-of-mouth. With BookTok and Bookstagram buzzing, and the backing of publisher Rising Action (distributed by Simon & Schuster), it’s only a matter of time before this title climbs higher up the charts.
Shopping for This Kind of Love is refreshingly simple. Amazon handles most purchasing details, and you’ll find the book in stock with up-to-date pricing and delivery estimates. Prefer to support other retailers? No problem—Barnes & Noble and other major platforms also carry the title, so you can compare deals and formats with ease. And if you’re the type who likes to check reviews before clicking “Buy Now,” you’ll find plenty of glowing feedback from readers who fell for Kate and Jase’s second-chance love story and the emotional family dynamics that make this novel stand out.
In a world where Book Pricing Availability can make or break your next read, This Kind of Love delivers on every front: accessible formats, competitive Amazon Book Deals, and a story that’s already inspiring readers to revisit it in every medium. Whether you’re new to Ashley Detweiler or a longtime fan of Contemporary Romance Books, this is one debut you’ll want on your shelf—and maybe in your earbuds, too. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself recommending it, gifting it, and, yes, rereading it well into 2025 and beyond.
TL;DR: Don’t sleep on ‘This Kind of Love’—it blends small-town nostalgia, family heartache, and romance that feels epically personal. Whether you’re into BookTok trends or searching for your next can’t-put-down read, give Ashley Detweiler’s debut a shot. The Taylor Swift references are just a bonus.
