This Small Coastal Town Is Straight Out of a Can't Put Down Novel

Have you ever stepped into a place that feels like it belongs on the pages of your favorite book?

I did that recently! For our North Carolina babymoon, we decided to take a trip to Edenton, North Carolina.

Tucked along the Albemarle Sound, Edenton, NC is a magical town.

It was filled with the kind of charm you can’t manufacture—historic homes, a whitewashed lighthouse, vintage theaters, and cozy coffee shops where I can only believe the staff remembers their regulars names.

There’s a peaceful rhythm to life in this coastal town. One that makes you want to slow down, breathe deeper, and remember what really matters.

Whether you’re sipping a cocktail by the water (in my case, a not-on-the-menu mocktail) or wandering through a boutique on Main Street, Edenton feels like a love letter to simpler times.

And maybe that’s exactly what makes it feel like fiction come to life.

Real Places That Feel Like Home

I only spent a night here—but it reminded me why I write the kind of stories I do.

In my Blue Haven cozy mystery series, the town of Blue Haven may be made up—but it’s inspired by places like Edenton. Towns where the people are kind, the coffee is strong, and the past always finds a way of shaping the present.

In Blue Haven, there’s a charming local coffee shop, an ocean breeze that carries secrets to the many mysteries you'll read about, and events that bring everyone together to highlight what makes the town special.

It’s fiction—but if you’ve ever visited Edenton, you’ll understand just how real it feels.

Why You Should Escape to a Small Town (Even for a Day)

There’s something deeply healing about visiting North Carolina towns like Edenton.

It reminds you to:

• Wander without rushing

• Notice the little things—like treelined brick sidewalks and painted murals

• Feel grounded in places that hold onto their history without getting stuck in it

  
  

If you’ve been feeling stuck or overwhelmed by the pace of life, this is your gentle nudge: Find the Edenton near you.

Take the back roads. Book the last-minute room. Go be a character in your own story for a weekend.

You never know what you’ll rediscover when you give yourself permission to pause.

Escape to a town like Edenton (between the pages)

If you love the idea of seaside towns, second chances, and women learning to find their way again, my cozy mystery series is for you.

Start with Book 1 in the Blue Haven series — where the coffee is hot, the clues are tangled, and the heart always leads home.