Ya Betcha: Your Guide to Minnesota Romance

Devin Joubert
Jul 28
4 min read

Updated: Aug 6

Where love stories roll in like waves—unexpected, refreshing, and impossible to ignore. 🌊🍂

From lakeside cabins to cozy harbor towns, Minnesota is a romcom waiting to happen. Think fall foliage hikes along the North Shore, hot cocoa by the fireplace, and flirty glances over wild rice soup in a local café.

In Minnesota, the air smells like pine and possibility. So pull on your coziest sweater, grab your favorite romance read, and let Lake Superior set the scene.

Welcome to Minnesota!

If you know me, you know that I am from Minnesota originally so I have a special place in my heart that's Minnesota shaped. I live in North Dakota, so you will see me later there. But I am pumped for you to visit Minnesota and visit the author line up we have here.

Every state has its love stories—but there’s something about Minnesota that makes certain tropes feel extra cozy, windswept, and full of soul. Where love is served hot—right alongside the tater tot hotdish.

Minnesota isn’t just the land of 10,000 lakes—it’s the land of 10,000 chances to fall in love. Think cabin weekends that start with friendly rivalry and end with someone whispering "you betcha" under the stars. Cozy flannel layers. A shared thermos of cocoa at the winter carnival. Ice skating hand-in-hand before the Zamboni rolls out.

Here, romance comes with snowflakes in your lashes and slow-burn tension at the summer county fair.

Tropes:

Snowed-in together
Grumpy/sunshine (he’s broody, she bakes banana bread)
Cabin getaway romance
Slow burn + cinnamon roll hero
Enemies to lovers (at the annual hockey fundraiser)

Let's Meet Our Authors From Minnesota!

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

Megan Reinking

With our spice guide, this is a one pepper. For more on our spice guide, you can see our spice guide here. Megan mentioned, "I would say maybe the one red pepper? My books fade to black. There’s build up to intimacy and it’s implied, but nothing graphic is actually on-page."

Courtney Denelsbeck

Courtney's book is YA! :)

Ellie Palmer

When I chatted with Ellie, she mentioned that Four Weekends and a Funeral would be one chili pepper on our spice rating!

Emily Schneider

Emily's Interview on the Blog!

S.L. Klein

Verity Sandahl

The Books

Aren't they pretty?

💕 Fun Things to See in Minnesota

(for lovers of romance, cozy reads, and North Shore magic)

Charming Small Towns

🏘 Stillwater, MN – Historic river town charm, antique shops, and strolls across the Lift Bridge. Add in a paddlewheel cruise and you’ve got yourself a slow-burn setup.

🌲 Grand Marais, MN – Artsy, scenic, and perched right on Lake Superior. Think cozy cafés, creative date nights, and bonfires on the beach under the northern stars.

🛍 Excelsior, MN – Lakeside boutiques, dockside dining, and vintage charm. It’s giving small-town meet-cute on the shores of Lake Minnetonka.

🍁 Lanesboro, MN – The “Bed & Breakfast Capital of Minnesota.” Bike the Root River Trail, sip local wine, and fall in love with bluff country views.

🎨 Red Wing, MN – Iconic pottery, riverfront strolls, and Victorian architecture. Perfect for antique hunting and hand-holding along the Mississippi.

Nature & Scenic Romance

🌅 North Shore Scenic Drive (Hwy 61) – A must-do. Crashing waves, lighthouse overlooks, and scenic stops from Duluth to Canada. Perfect for a love story set to the soundtrack of Superior’s waves.

🏞 Gooseberry Falls State Park – Waterfalls, wooded trails, and picnic spots made for poetry and stolen kisses.

🛶 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness – Paddle into the wild with someone adventurous. No signal, just starry skies, loon calls, and whispered confessions.

🌸 Itasca State Park – Walk across the headwaters of the Mississippi hand-in-hand, or bike beneath a canopy of pines. First date or fiftieth anniversary, it’s magic.

🍂 Minnehaha Falls (Minneapolis) – Urban romance meets natural wonder. A cascading waterfall, winding paths, and nearby eateries for a post-adventure brunch date.

Unique Attractions

🛷 Lutsen Mountains Gondola Ride – Take in fall colors or snow-covered treetops from a mountaintop gondola. Bonus: mountaintop kisses with Superior in the background.

🚂 North Shore Scenic Railroad (Duluth) – All aboard for a nostalgic ride through pine forests and rocky cliffs. Cozy up in a vintage car and imagine your own historical romance.

🍷 Wine Tasting on the Great River Road – Discover local vineyards like Cannon River or Alexis Bailly while slow dancing to live music on the lawn.

🌟 The SPAM Museum (Austin, MN) – Quirky? Yes. Unexpectedly fun? Absolutely. Because every great romance includes laughter.

🍨 Nelson’s Ice Cream (Stillwater) – Massive scoops, colorful cones, and sweet photo ops. Bring your appetite and your sweetheart.

🦢 Swan Watching in Monticello – Winter lovebirds, unite! Thousands of trumpeter swans gather on the Mississippi—bundle up, bring cocoa, and marvel together.

💌 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! :)