Hoosier Heartbeats: Your Guide to Indiana Romance

Devin Joubert
Aug 4, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Aug 6, 2025

Where love stories bloom like cornfields in July—golden, grounded, and full of heart. 🌽💕

From charming small towns to porch swings and summer fairs, Indiana is a slow-burn romance just waiting to be read. Picture sunset strolls past covered bridges, warm pie at the county diner, and sparks flying under Friday night lights.

In Indiana, the air smells like nostalgia and new beginnings. So grab a glass of sweet tea, your favorite romance novel, and let the Hoosier heartland sweep you off your feet.

Welcome to Indiana!

If you know me, you know I’ve got a soft spot for the Midwest—and Indiana’s got that wholesome, heartfelt vibe that feels like home. You’ll find plenty of heartthrobs, heartaches, and happily-ever-afters in the pages of these Indiana reads. Let’s meet the authors putting the heart in heartland romance. ❤️

Every state has its love stories—but there’s something about Indiana that makes certain tropes feel extra grounded, golden, and full of heart. Where love is slow-cooked—right alongside the best homemade pie at the county fair.

Indiana isn’t just the Crossroads of America—it’s the crossroads of second chances, small-town sparks, and front porch confessions. Think long drives through cornfields that shift into meaningful silences, surprise kisses under the Friday night lights, and fall festivals where hearts race faster than the hayrides.

Where hearts race faster than the Indy 500—and love takes the scenic route.

In Indiana, romance is a slow burn with a fast heartbeat. Bonfire nights, cozy porches, second chances. The kind of love that sneaks up on you between harvests and hometown parades.

So whether it starts in a college town or a sleepy village, Indiana has a way of turning "just friends" into forever.

Tropes:

Best friends to lovers
Athlete + bookish heroine
Meet-cute at the farmers market
Accidental roommates (thanks to a mix-up at a fall festival)
Blue-collar hero / girl-next-door

Let's Meet Our Authors From Indiana!

This page will be updated with videos when they publish on YouTube.

Renee Dugan

When I asked Renee about the spice level in her book, A Story Spun in Scarlet, she said, "I'd say either green or one pepper 🤣 in A STORY SPUN in SCARLET there's one closed door, but it's not detailed at all, and that tends to be how I allude to anything beyond kissing!"

E.A. Hendryx

When I chatted with E.A. Hendryx, I asked her about spice level and she said, "I usually say green pepper, but I do have kissing, but no talk of intimacy or touching in what I've heard called “swimsuit areas” haha!"

Candice Sue Patterson

When asked about the spice rating, Candice shared that it's a green pepper.

Annie Sullivan

💕 Fun Things to See in Indiana

(for lovers of romance, cozy reads, and Hoosier charm)

Charming Small Towns

🏘 Nashville, IN – Tucked in the rolling hills of Brown County, this artsy village is pure storybook. Stroll the boutiques, grab warm apple cider, and hold hands in front of the fireplace at a cozy inn.

🏛 Madison, IN – A riverfront gem with cobblestone streets, historic mansions, and the kind of charm that practically begs for a “strangers-to-lovers” plot twist.

🛍 Zionsville, IN – Brick roads, indie bookshops, and tree-lined streets that feel like a romcom just waiting to happen. Bonus: horse-drawn carriage rides during the holidays.

🎡 Shipshewana, IN – Amish quilts, handmade pies, and antique shops galore. It’s got “opposites attract in a quiet town” written all over it.

🎨 New Harmony, IN – An artistic utopia filled with gardens, labyrinths, and historical charm. Think “healing heart” vibes and long, soul-searching walks.

Nature & Scenic Romance

🌲 Brown County State Park – Indiana’s own slice of Smoky Mountain magic. Fall foliage, sweeping overlooks, and horseback rides for two.

🌄 Clifty Falls State Park – Waterfalls, rugged trails, and secret nooks perfect for first kisses and whispered dreams.

🚣 Turkey Run State Park – Covered bridges, sandstone canyons, and paddle trips on Sugar Creek. It’s the backdrop for an adventurous love story waiting to unfold.

🚵 Indiana Dunes National Park – From sandy hikes to lakefront sunsets on Lake Michigan—pack a picnic and fall in love barefoot in the dunes.

🌸 Spring Mill State Park – Pioneer villages, wildflowers, and stargazing near the Grissom Memorial. It’s history-meets-heartstrings.

Unique Attractions

🎡 The Indiana State Fair (Indianapolis) – Fried food, Ferris wheels, and summer love under the glow of string lights.

🚂 French Lick Scenic Railway – A vintage train ride through rolling hills and limestone tunnels. Think: cozy sweaters, cocoa, and a “second chance romance” in motion.

🛶 Patoka Lake Sunset Cruise – Charter a pontoon or hop on a wine cruise. Bonus points for cuddling up under a blanket as the sky turns peach and gold.

🍷 Oliver Winery (Bloomington) – Lush vineyards, romantic tastings, and picnic-perfect lawns. Add in acoustic music and it’s practically a proposal waiting to happen.

🍦 The Chief Ice Cream (Goshen) – An iconic stop for giant scoops, old-school charm, and sharing a cone with your crush.

🦢 Celery Bog Nature Area (West Lafayette) – Scenic wetlands, birdwatching, and peaceful trails. A quiet backdrop for deep talks and falling gently in love.

💌 Don't Forget Your Romance Reading Passport!

You can get it here for free. Follow along on the journey as we travel through the midwest on the Romance Reading Roadtrip! You'll also find ways to win some pretty flirty and fun books and bookish items in the Passport, so make sure to download it! :)