Searching for romance? Check out this new Canton bookstore
Like its name suggests, Mon Coeur A Romance Bookstore is stocked with all kinds of romance-focused books and merchandise.
The second you walk into Canton’s Mon Coeur – A Romance Bookstore, you are enthusiastically greeted by owner Carolyn Haering, Hollywood heartthrob Pedro Pascal and an airy, tastefully-decorated space stocked with books that were written to satisfy your life’s literature romance cravings.
OK, the four-month-old business’s version of Pascal is actually a life-sized cardboard cut-out of the actor, but Haering’s enthusiasm is 100% genuine.
The Canton resident has managed to do the near-impossible: turn a former cigar lounge into a popular place where romance-lovers can easily find their next can’t-put-down page-turner.
“It took three days of scrubbing the walls with ammonia, multiple layers of paint, and candles to get the tobacco smell out,” Haering explained, smiling. “Just about everyone who walks in for the first time tells me, ‘It smells so good in here’, which makes me happy.
“We’ve had husbands and wives come in and the husband will say, ‘This was my cigar shop’; and the wife will say, ‘Well, this is my bookstore now.”
A refreshing space
Mon Coeur’s opening is refreshing considering the brick-and-mortar bookstore industry has been crushed over the past decade by online sales.
When asked how Mon Coeur is faring, Haering responded with positive news.
“We’re doing really well,” she shared. “I get around 500 new books in every other day and as soon as they come in, they go out.
“We have people who drive in from other states — Ohio and Illinois, to name two. We have a lot of complete series by independent authors here that other stores don’t carry. Customers will come in and buy the whole series in one stop.”
All romance, all the time
Mon Coeur’s concept is simple.
“We only sell romance books — only books where two or more idiots fall in love,” Haering said with a chuckle. “I love reading romance books (she said she reads approximately 300 books per year) and my friends read romance books. We wanted to create a space that harnessed that love for romance books.
“Eighty percent of our books are written by indie authors, so you’ll find a lot of books in here that you won’t find at the bigger box stores. We have a lot of dark romance, fantasy romance, contemporary romance, and we have an LGBTQ section, so there’s something for everyone.
“We have a lot of girls come in who are in high school, so we offer a young adult section that is stocked with books that are appropriate for younger readers.”
‘Location is perfect’
Mon Coeur is located on the west end of the sprawling shopping complex near the southwest intersection of Ford and Lilley roads.
“I love the location,” Haering said. “We’re right between a UPS Store and an Outback, and close to a Hobby Lobby, Home Goods and two hair salons. It’s a very female-centric shopping complex and a large percentage of our customers are females.
“You wouldn’t believe how many people walk in, browse the shelves and start talking to other customers about what books they’ve read, what they like and don’t like. Some even end up becoming fast friends and meet up for coffee.”
The name of the business came easy to Haering.
“I come from a French family and Mon Coeur translates to my heart, my love — kind of a term of endearment,” she explained. “Usually, when you’re dating someone who is French, they’ll give you a nickname like ‘Honey’ or ‘Kitten’ — a term of endearment.”
Plenty to offer
While there are other romance-only bookstores in metro-Detroit, Haering believes Mon Coeur is the only one in western Wayne County.
The business offers book clubs — contemporary, fantasy and dark romance — that are currently filled up, “but we will have openings at the beginning of 2026,” Haering assured.
“My family and friends love that I opened this place,” Haering added. “Every time they walk in, I’m engaging with a customer. Like my husband often says, I’ve never met a stranger in my life.
“Mon Coeur isn’t just about the books, it’s about romance book lovers having a place where they can feel comfortable and not be judged. So many friendships have started in this space in the four months we’ve been open.”
Opportunities to meet your favorite authors
The business has a loyalty points program and hosts indie romance authors so they can meet their fans.
And don’t forget about Pascal — the business’s strong, silent greeter who is a perfect prop for selfies.
To learn more about the business, visit moncoeurbooks.com.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
