Seven Date Ideas Inspired by Contemporary Romance Books

Claire and Delilah want an excuse to prolong their time together and have an oracle deck with thirty cards featuring female writers and forty cards depicting “witch’s materials” within reach. This results in an evening of pulling random cards for interpretation, most of which reference sex or lust, until they take things to the bedroom.

So, how can readers capture the magic from Delilah Green Doesn’t Care for themselves? Those new to tarot can start by finding their first deck—if possible, shop locally to add to the fun—and try drawing individual cards to discover their meaning. And if a new hobby isn’t in the cards, consider booking a professional reading.

Those already comfortable with tarot can make a date out of doing readings for friends/partners or teaching someone the basics!

January and Gus swap writing genres for the summer and spend their weekends interviewing survivors of a death cult and taking field trips worthy of any romantic comedy—including one to Big Boy Bobby’s Drive-In. It takes them a little over an hour to get to Big Boy Bobby’s, but drive-in theaters have been dying out for decades. My local-ish establishment closed permanently in 2024, and now the closest drive-in is two hours and a border crossing away, with the second closest (sans border crossing) a four-hour commute. For the right billing, either trip would be worth it because there’s a magic that makes a night at the drive-in unforgettable.

To recreate the magic from Beach Read, try to find the nearest theater—especially if someone has a truck to create a cozy nest of blankets and pillows in the bed. If a drive-in theater isn’t possible, an at-home edition can be recreated by putting a bedsheet/screen up and using a projector. Push lounge chairs together, or fill an inflatable pool with pillows and blankets, and get some snacks for a cute experience.

Do remember: Drive-in theaters are family establishments, so keep your behavior rated PG (unlike January and Gus)!

When I was a kid, my mom spent months working on a massive jigsaw puzzle with her friends—it was a time of drinking, laughter, and music—and once she was done, she framed it. During the pandemic, I was drawn to doing puzzles with my partner (they were in my bubble), and it provided us with an opportunity to work as a team and kept us busy during a scary time.

Doing a puzzle, or puzzing to use the term coined by Dev inThe Charm Offensive, is a great solo or group activity—and could result in some new home decor if you’re inclined. To add a personal touch, there are companies that turn your photos into a puzzle—how cute!

Before we talk about the concept of dessert dinner, I’d like to give some advice: order dessert first. This way, you won’t be too full to enjoy a sweet treat, and your unfinished entrée (which should travel better) can easily become your lunch for tomorrow.

Dessert dinner is exactly what it sounds like: a dinner consisting of only desserts. In Party of Two,Olivia and Max end up trying a variety of pie flavors, but be prepared to do a little research to find a restaurant with a similar dessert selection. Try looking up the dessert menus ahead of time or calling to see what’s available on special—a bakery would work in a pinch!

This date is best for those with a sweet tooth—but since no one expects you to eat six pieces of pie in one sitting, consider which desserts will travel well as leftovers for a dessert breakfast.

How is a cozy reading afternoon different from a Tuesday or Saturday for the avid reader? It comes down to intention. While I’m a read-anywhere-girly, some readers might light candles and get their preferred beverage ready before settling into a lush chair with soft blankets and pillows that are simultaneously fluffy and supportive.

If that’s the case, some creativity might be necessary to achieve a cozy reading afternoon—maybe move the usual accoutrements (sans candle) to a spatial closet for an authentic Love and Other Wordsexperience.

For me, I’ll unplug from my devices and try to do at least one of the things mentioned above.

The main characters in a hockey romance will likely hit the ice together, and I can see the appeal: the warmth radiating from a hand wrapped in yours, the implied trust that they’re steady enough to keep you on your feet. It’s cute, but ice skating isn’t practical for everyone—including me—for a variety of reasons.

As an alternative to this Body Checkdate, why not check out a (professional or community league) hockey game? If the noise of live sports events is a challenge, there’s no shame in using headphones or noise-reduction earplugs!

While we may never get on the ice, we can enjoy the cozy vibes from the stands with our hot beverages.

Once a year, I book a hotel (with room service) for the weekend as a self-care activity. In the past, I used these weekends as an opportunity to unplug and engage in cozy reading time, and now I spend them with my partner exploring parts of the city we don’t typically see (this almost always results in a visit to the bookstore).

This Daydream date may require some budgeting, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Some hotels offer discount packages encouraging locals to book with them, and there are also promotions geared at relaxation (which include spa amenities) or shopping locally.

Through my work, I have access to discount programs that include deals with hotels, and my partner’s insurance company offers something similar. If a hotel has on-site spa facilities that support gift cards, consider adding one to your wishlist for gift-giving occasions.