Romance Reads & Buckeye Dreams: Your Guide to Ohio Love Stories

Devin Joubert
Jul 6
3 min read

Updated: Jul 31

Our first stop on the Romance Reading Roadtrip through the midwest is Ohio. Welcome to your first stop on the Romance Reading Road Trip! Pack your heart-shaped sunglasses, grab your book tote, an iced latte, and let’s fall in love—Ohio style.

Welcome to Ohio!

Where Buckeyes aren’t just chocolatey treats—they’re also secretly sweet heroes waiting to fall in love.

In the heart of the Midwest, Ohio is where Friday night lights meet soft Sunday mornings. Picture a small-town diner with cinnamon rolls the size of your face, a library with a hidden reading nook, and a fall festival that just so happens to be the perfect place for accidental hand-holding.

Whether it’s a stolen kiss at the county fair or a love confession in a corn maze, romance in Ohio unfolds like a cozy blanket—unexpectedly warm, full of charm, and a little bit magical.

Every state has its love stories—but there’s something about Ohio that makes certain tropes feel extra cozy, nostalgic, or just plain swoony. Maybe it’s the small-town charm, the rustling cornfields, or the porch swings with just enough room for two. Whatever the reason, these tropes feel right at home here—

Tropes that could fit perfectly in Ohio:

Secret pen pals
High school rivals, now teachers at the same school
Love blossoms in a bookshop
Unexpected road trip romance
Widower dad + nanny (with a heart of gold)

Let's Meet Our Authors From Ohio!

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

Elaine Evans -

His Last Shot is for readers who love a good sports romance that has a sprinkling of danger and the ultimate book boyfriend! Throw in some chronic illness representation and a controlling uncle, and you have yourself quite the story that will leave you staying up late wanting to read, 'just one more chapter.' This is between a bell pepper romance and between one chili pepper romance. See the spice guide here.

Allison Kennedy -

Allison is the author of The Way Home, which is the first book in The Hearts of Holt Saga. It's a romantic suspense with spice. It's 3 chili peppers and open door romance, but it isn't kinky.

Sarah Forester Davis -

Sarah is the author of Her Name is Hazel, which was originally categorized as a YA romance on the roadtrip.

UPDATE: After starting to read it in late July, I no longer feel comfortable labeling it as YA. In good conscience, I need to clarify that this book is more accurately categorized as New Adult (NA). There’s quite a bit of swearing, and while I haven’t personally reached any explicit scenes, I’ve seen several reviews mention spice.

If you were considering this book for a teen, please keep that in mind. I’m serious about protecting young minds—and I don’t believe explicit spice belongs on the page in YA. Give me all the flirtation, swoony moments, and cutesy crushes—but full-on steam? That crosses a line.

E.S. Christison -

She's the author of The Blameless, which is a MG Fantasy.

Click here for her Interview!!

The Covers

I absolutely love these covers! They are so much fun and make you want to flip to the first page and begin reading, which I have already started doing with multiple of them.

Fun Things to See in Ohio

Charming Small Towns -

Granville, OH – Like a little slice of New England in the Midwest; perfect for strolls, cafés, and antique shopping.
Yellow Springs – Quirky, artsy, full of local flair and unique shops. Think: main street magic meets crunchy cozy vibes.
Geneva-on-the-Lake – Lake Erie views, old-school boardwalk charm, and dreamy sunset walks by the water.

Nature & Scenic Romance -

Hocking Hills State Park – Waterfalls, caves, and epic hikes for nature-loving couples. Great for a book picnic!
Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Lush green trails, scenic train rides, and wildlife watching.
Mill Creek Park (Youngstown) – Rose gardens, stone bridges, and Instagrammable romance vibes.

Unique Attractions

Cedar Point (Sandusky) – Roller coasters + adrenaline + hand-holding = romance?
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – One of the best in the nation—plus Fiona the hippo is kind of a local celeb.
Ohio Amish Country (Holmes County) – Scenic drives, delicious baked goods, and peaceful countryside feels.

💌 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! :)