The shelves at Lovestruck Books are spicy. | Photo via Reagan Byrne
Love is in the air at Harvard Square. Well, actually, it’s inside Lovestruck Books, a new bookstore entirely dedicated to the romance genre. Let’s start at the beginning.
Chapter 1
Lovestruck — located at 44 Brattle St. — was founded by Cambridge resident and Harvard grad Rachel Kanter, who wanted to bring love + literature together under one roof.
Chapter 2
On the shelves, bookworms will find curated titles galore ranging from rom-coms and “romantasy” to paranormal, historical, and sports romance. The bookstore also hosts author signings and community events including the upcoming Rainbow Romance workshop on Friday, Feb. 21.
Chapter 3
For a truly perfect match, the bookstore also houses a cute cafe operated by George Howell Coffee. The roaster offers single-origin coffee, espresso, seasonal craft beverages, sandwiches, and pastries.
Chapter 4 (...to be continued)
Coming soon, Lovestruck says the cafe will also transform into a wine bar in the evenings with a curated menu of sips.
In love yet? We thought so. Check out Lovestruck Books daily, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. The cafe is open daily until 4 p.m.
Events
Events
Thursday, Feb. 13
“Parks & Rec” Trivia on Galentine’s Day | 7-9 p.m. | Dorchester Brewing Company | $13 | Test your knowledge of all things Pawnee (just don’t invite Jerry) — come on, treat yo’self.
Friday, Feb. 14
Century Cinema Series: Lights, Camera, Boston! | Friday, Feb. 14-Monday, Feb. 17 | Times vary | Boch Center | Free | Celebrate the venue’s 100th anniversary with special screenings that highlight Boston’s role in movie history — we spy “Good Will Hunting” and “Legally Blonde” in the lineup.
An Evening with Nydia Caro | 7-9 p.m. | Boston Museum of Fine Arts | $30 | The internationally acclaimed singer will perform a heartfelt repertoire of soulful Spanish melodies perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Tom Segura | 8 p.m. | TD Garden | $41+ | The comic, actor, and host of the “Your Mom’s House” podcast performs his “Come Together” stand-up tour.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Frost Fit: Saturday Runs on the Esplanade | 8-9 a.m. | Flour Bakery | Free | Bundle up and elevate your heart rate at this group run presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
LEGO Maritime Festival & Competition | Saturday, Feb. 15-Sunday, Feb. 23 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown | $5+ | Check out special-edition LEGO kits of USS Constitution, USS Cassin Young, and USS Nantucket and enter your model into the Ship Shape Challenge to win a prize.
The Bugs Bunny Film Festival | Saturday, Feb. 15-Sunday, Feb. 23 | 11 a.m. | The Brattle Theatre, Cambridge | $13 | Eh... what’s up, Doc? Watch a round of classic cartoon comedies on the big screen in 35mm.
Monday, Feb. 17
4 Nations Face-Off: Canada vs. Finland | 1 p.m. | TD Garden | $86+ | The international ice hockey tournament is getting real hot — who will be crowned champion?
Jack White | Monday, Feb. 17-Tuesday, Feb. 18 | 8 p.m. | Roadrunner | $112+ | The musician headlines Boston before embarking on tour dates abroad.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
Free Bike Repair | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | BPL East Boston | Fix your flat tire or adjust your gears at this hand-on workshop.
Due to financial shortfalls, Mass General Brigham (MGB) plans to lay off hundreds of administrative and management-level employees this week and in March. MGB employs 82,000 people across its health care system. This will be its largest restructuring ever, but layoffs won’t impact frontline clinical workers or patient-facing staff. (The Boston Globe)
Weather
And the snow continues. A “kitchen sink” storm is expected to hit the Boston area today, starting as snow and then a wintry mix of ice and rain. A third storm is in the forecast for late Saturday, Feb. 15 through Monday, Feb. 17, so keep your coat and winter gear handy. (CBS News)
Today Is
Speaking of snow, it’s been 10 years since “Snowmageddon,” New England’s epic winter of late January and February 2015. To jog your memory, by the end of March, Boston had gotten 110.6 inches of snow (three times as much as the Great Blizzard of 1978), making it the snowiest winter on record. (The Boston Globe)
Open
We are loving this cafe-by-day, wine-bar-by-night trend. Cafe and wine bar Tilde has debuted on Massachusetts Avenue in North Cambridge. The spot serves specialty coffee drinks and pastries from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Bar hours begin at 5 p.m., with a list of natural wines from small producers. (Boston Magazine)
Legacy
Longtime Boston lawyer and civic leader Fletcher “Flash” Wiley died on Friday, Feb. 7. Wiley, 82, co-founded one of New England’s then-largest minority-owned law firms and served as the first Black chairman of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Gov. Maura Healey called him a “mentor to so many.” (The Boston Globe)
Try This
Looking for sweets for your Valentine? Visit Madeleine’s Candy Shop, a new small business that recently opened on Clarendon Street in Southie. The “caviar of candy stores” offers global + domestic chocolates and gummies, bulk and pre-packaged treats, and gluten-friendly and low-glycemic goodies. It’s open Tuesday-Sunday starting at 11 a.m.
Sports
Single-game tickets to all of the Red Sox’s April + May games are available now, including the home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, April 4. June and July game tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m. See you at Fenway, friends.
Holiday
Feelin’ the love?South Street Diner has Valentine’s Day-themed items on its menu today through Saturday, Feb. 15, including heart-shaped pancakes and the Stupid Cupid Cocktail. Meanwhile, Back Bay steakhouse Abe & Louie’s is offering a three-course, prix fixe ($95), Valentine’s Day menu today through Sunday, Feb. 16, plus special cocktails.
Ranked
“Time Out” named Boston is one of the best cities in America to visit in 2025 because while some cities hibernate during winter, “Boston embraces it.” Our city was touted for its museums, restaurants, historic spots, and outdoor spaces. Check out our City Guides for everything we love about Beantown.
Community
Registration is now open for the 26th annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. The event will bring together 3,500+ volunteers to beautify the parks, forests, playgrounds, and paths surrounding the Charles River’s 80-mile stretch. Get involved.
Fun Fact
Wildgrain — the Boston-based membership service that delivers fresh-based sourdough, pastries, and pastas to your doorstep — donates four meals to the Greater Boston Food Bank for every new member. The business is run by husband-wife duo Ismail Salhi and Johanna Hartzheim, who relocated to Boston from Paris.
Finance
Out for 2025: High-interest debt. In for 2025: This balance transfer card, featuring cash back on purchases, zero annual fee, and 0% intro APR into 2026.*
Community
Thousands of engaged subscribers are reading this right now — just like you. So why not make it about your business? With our easy-to-use self-service ad portal, promoting your business, event, or brand has never been simpler. Get premium visibility in our trusted local newsletter.
Home
How much did you spend on home repairs last year? The average homeowner shells out nearly $6,000 annually on upkeep — but some of these costs can be offset by a home warranty. American Home Shield is now offering $150 off their plans. See important disclaimers on web.*
City Guide
City Guide
🌹 Will you accept these date ideas?
Make a date to sail away on a harbor cruise. | Photo by BOStoday
Looking for love in Boston? BOStoday makes the perfect sidekick, and we’ve found date ideas that will help you write your love story — whether this is the first page or a later chapter.
For the ones who want a night out on the town
Take in the views at the View Boston observation deck and grab drinks at the Stratus rooftop bar.
If the way to their heart is through their stomach
Make reservations at a North End restaurant and grab drinks at the Modern underground bar.
Speaking of the North End — make your own cannoli tour with a stop at Mike’s, Modern, and Bova’s. Check out how our dessert hot takes compare to yours.
For the ones who like to play games (just not with your heart)
Order a gourmet grilled cheese from Roxy’s and walk through the cooler door to the speakeasy-style arcade bar.
Le Creuset’s Signature Round Dutch Oven in the color Berry. In case you haven’t heard the news, this popular hue is back after being discontinued in 2019 — and the internet is freaking out. It’s also available in the Signature Oval Dutch Oven. Grab it before it’s gone again.
We also hear the Concord Museum — home to the original lantern from Paul Revere’s ride — will offer free admission Saturday, Feb. 15-Sunday, Feb. 23.
One more idea:The Blue Man Group is performing at the Charles Playhouse Friday, Feb. 14-Sunday, Feb. 23, offering 25% off a family four-pack of tickets for a Vacation Week outing.
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