Swoon, Sip, Repeat

Our It’s Getting Plot in Here: Romance Festival is back and better than ever! This year we are introducing a 2 day event, with a reading from our headlining authors on Friday night, followed by our festival Saturday evening!

🗓️ Friday, October 9, 2026
⏰ 7–9 PM (Doors open at: 6:30)
📍 Sidekick Coffee & Books, Iowa City
🎟️ $ 20.99 - 28.99

Night one of the Romance Festival features a headling conversation between Jennifer K. Lambert and Mariko Turk. Your ticket to this event is the purchases of one (or both) of their newest releases. Lambert’s Among the Thorns, follows two sorceresses as they fight to win the heart of a prince. Turk’s The Museum of Modern Love, follows two teenagers destined to fall in love while trapped in the MET overnight. While you only have to purchase one book to attend, we hope after hearing these lovely authors speak you’ll pick up a second copy!

🗓️ Saturday, October 10, 2026
⏰ 6–9 PM (Author Meet & Greet: 6:00–8:00 PM)
📍 Sidekick Coffee & Books, Iowa City
🎟️ $40

Romance deserves a night out—and so do you. On October 10th, Sidekick Coffee & Books is serving up It’s Getting Plot in Here, a Romance festival dedicated to everything we love about love stories. Think swoony slow burns, laugh-out-loud banter, and spicy page-turners, all enjoyed with a latte, cocktail, or maybe even a chocolate croissant in hand. It’s the perfect blend of books, beverages, and butterflies.

Meet the Authors

This festival brings together a lovely group of romance authors ready to sweep you off your feet. From laugh-out-loud rom-coms to heart-racing contemporary love stories, these writers dive into different corners of the genre and remind us why romance is the ultimate comfort read. Each one brings their own spin on love, heartbreak, and happily-ever-afters—and together they’ll leave you with plenty of new favorites to add to your TBR pile.

Author Line Up: TO BE REVEALED

Jennifer K. Lambert - Among the Thorns, Never the Roses

Mariko Turk - The Museum of Modern Love, I’ll Be Waiting for You

What Your Ticket Gets You

Your ticket is your all-access pass to a night full of romance and community. With your ticket, you’ll enjoy:

• Meet & Greets with incredible romance authors

• Book Speed Dating (1 book included in ticket price!)

• Themed cocktail and mocktail menu

• Book embellishment station & hands-on fun

• Flirty photo ops & cozy fall vibes

Save Your Spot

Trust us, you’ll want a front-row seat to the meet-cute between authors, books, and readers. Mark your calendar for October 9-10 and get ready to spend the night falling in love with stories, characters, and community.