This Toronto bookstore is an all-pink paradise for romance lovers

With film and TV adaptations of best-selling novels like Heated Rivalry and People We Meet on Vacation surging in popularity, the romance genre is having a major moment, and there's a Toronto bookstore dedicated entirely to all the hopeless romantics out there.

Hopeless Romantic Books, located on Queen Street West, is a self-proclaimed "romance reader's paradise," with a carefully curated selection of romance novels across all tropes and subgenres, including contemporary, hockey, queer, and romantasy (a blend of romance and fantasy).

A haven for romance literature enthusiasts, the bookstore was co-founded by sisters Kearston Bergeron and Serena Goodchild, who, at their core, are true romance novel fanatics themselves.

"Both of us have always enjoyed reading, particularly romance books, since we were kids," Kearston told blogTO. 

"Our passion for reading was something we always bonded over and enjoyed doing together. We talked about how fun it would be to open a bookstore over the course of several months. It started more as a fantasy idea than anything serious." 

The store's all-pink interior is an ode to the classic Barbie dream house and Y2K aesthetic, with sprinkles of modern-day pop culture references (think Chappell Roan and Taylor Swift album covers) and decor inspiration from Toronto-based businesses like La Cubana.

Upon entering the bookstore, it's difficult to ignore the massive "spice wall" to your left, which helps you choose what book to read depending on your threshold for steamy content.

For example, one chilli pepper rating is awarded to books with a slow-burn romance and "fade to black" love scenes, while five-chilli pepper books are practically all smut without much focus on the actual plot.

"Whether you like no-spice to our level five ratings, we want people to feel comfortable coming in and selecting whatever they want," Kearston explained.

"We believe there is a romance book for everyone. There are a lot of subgenres within romance that can be explored — for example, romantic-drama, romantic-thriller, fantasy romance, contemporary romance, sports romance, etc. Add to that a diverse range of authors from all backgrounds and writing styles, and romance becomes one of the most expansive and welcoming genres in publishing."

Inside the store, you'll also find a secret room behind an unsuspecting shelf, equipped with a popcorn machine, TV, and a "take a book, leave a book shelf." If you're not sure where to even start, the bookstore has a "blind date section," where novels are wrapped in discreet packaging, and only a brief description of the plot and spice level is provided.

When it comes to selecting books for the store, Kearston says the only general qualification is that the story ends in a "happily ever after."

"The very thing people use to belittle the genre is what makes it so beloved. Romance novels always promise a happily ever after, and that predictability offers comfort and safety in a world that often feels heavy and uncertain," she explained.

"Beyond that, romance frequently explores themes of identity, healing, power, and resilience, allowing readers not just to escape, but to see themselves, their desires, and their struggles reflected on the page." 

"Our motto is that we do not yuck anyones yum — therefore any romance book is worthy of being on the shelves of HRB. We do our best to stock as much variety as we can, and we love it when our amazing customers, followers, and romantics share their ideas and recommendations."

Apart from novels trending on #BookTok and best-seller lists, the bookstore makes an effort to highlight local and Canadian authors, as well as LGBTQ2S+, BIPOC, and independently published writers.

The bookstore also hosts a variety of events, including author meet-and-greets, book signings, Q&As, and launch parties, as well as small, community-based events such as paint nights, craft nights, book clubs, and watch parties.

Hopeless Romantic Books is located at 1080 Queen St. W.