Susannah Baird, owner of Bright Side Books & Wine, Raleigh’s only romance bookstore, recommends love stories from wholesome romance to sweeping romantasy epics.
by Ayn-Monique Klahre

As a longtime small business owner and avid romance reader, Baird opened Bright Side Books & Wine as Raleigh’s first romance bookstore. Her dream was to create a cozy space where readers could bond over good wine and happy endings. 

What kinds of books do you gravitate toward, generally?

Anything in the romance or romantasy genres!

What book are you reading right now?

I’m currently reading The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole.

What is the best light read you’ve enjoyed recently?

Out of Her League by Ava Rani. I loved the story, the fake dating genre is always so fun to read, and the characters felt like real, flawed people.

What’s the best heavier book you’ve read recently?

The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker. It is the second book in a romantasy series, and it’s absolutely stunning. The story is heartwrenching, layered, and incredibly well-written.

Visit Bright Side Books & Wine at 600 W. Cabarrus Street, Ste 107 or online at brightsidebooksandwine.com.

This article first appeared in the August 2026 issue of WALTER Magazine.