Love Netflix's Ransom Canyon? Your Guide To The Book Series That Inspired The Show

Binge-watching something on Netflix can be so much fun, especially when you have the perfect show to watch. For those who have already consumed "Sweet Magnolias" and "Virgin River," now "Ransom Canyon" is taking over that sweet spot for fans of comfort dramas. It's got family rivalries, breath-of-fresh-air scenery, glimpses of the complex relationship between mothers and daughters, and the small town secrets that are sure to keep you watching nonstop. 

But if you're a reader as much as you are a watcher, we have good news: the Netflix series was actually based on the "Ransom Canyon" book series, written by Jodi Thomas. And we promise, it's one of those romance book series that'll make you feel like you should've read it before its adaptation. 

Set in Crossroads, Texas, the first book follows Staten Kirkland, a grieving and stoic rancher who will do anything to preserve his family's ranch, and Quinn O'Grady, a gifted pianist who has returned to her dusty hometown for a new life chapter. While their goals seem simple, considering how long everyone's lived in town, there are deep-rooted grudges and long-buried secrets that might upend the community. Staten is uneasy, but Quinn just may be the anchor he needs to keep him grounded throughout the storm brewing in town.

Perhaps the best part about Netflix's "Ransom Canyon" being based on a book series is that there are  11 books total, and reading all of them will easily help you read more books this year. Not only will they drop you right back into Crossroads, Texas, where it's just as dramatic and romantic as it is dusty, but there's so much more detail that a TV series simply can't capture.

The book series also offers fans a much deeper dive into each character, as well as the ranching rivalries, love stories, and history that make the show so addicting. Also, TV series have the tendency to end seasons with a cliffhanger, which leaves viewers searching for answers until the next season drops. The good thing about "Ransom Canyon" is that you can turn to Jodi Thomas and her books, one after the other. 

There are various age-group love stories, but they aren't the only things that make Thomas' series so refreshing. She did such an amazing job telling the story through individual journeys, traveling as far back as the 1800s with prequel novellas like "Winter's Camp," which introduces the founding fathers and history of the region. So, if you've finished binge-watching the second season and you can't wait to see what happens next, add the "Ransom Canyon" book series by Jodi Thomas to your TBR.