Postcard from Bucks County: Heading Back to my Hometown

In my book, Quintessential Christmas, when the main character’s life starts falling apart, she agrees to follow some stereotypical “holiday romcom rules” in the hopes of getting back on track. It seems to always work out for the people on screen, and at this point she’s willing to try anything.

First up: heading back to her hometown. Many holiday movies are set in quaint locations that feature cozy B&Bs, independent bookstores, and non-chain coffee shops/bakeries. The charm of these villages even rubs off on some of the locals, making for swoony meet-cutes and warm, fuzzy feelings.

My Bucks County hometown is in the middle of several sweet boroughs. Each has their own endearing establishments along walkable tree-lined streets dotted with historic buildings. While these areas draw daily crowds to the cafes and shops, they come alive during the holidays with community festivals.

As Seen on the Screen

Some of the most popular Bucks County boroughs include Newtown, Yardley, and Langhorne. The center of these towns fit the romcom checklist with their selection of indie shops and eateries. Some are so alluring that they inspired film crews to start rolling.

Langhorne Coffee House

While location scouting for my independent film, Long Lost Life, it was a thrill to secure the Langhorne Coffee House and Newtown Bookshop for some of the pivotal scenes. Not only did I want to capture the down-home feel to enhance the tone of the film, but I also wanted to highlight and support small businesses in the area.

Bringing it Home

While the main character in my book isn’t necessarily thrilled to be heading back to her hometown at first, her opinion starts to change as she notices the community coming together in a crisis. Some small towns may come with a small-minded stigma, but they’re also the setting of many stories about supportive neighbors—whether during the holidays, times of struggle, or the everyday. It’s reassuring to know any small town can feel like home when you meet kind people willing to help others in need.