Love in Hermosa Beach: A Local Romance Author Panel & Booktruck Pop-Up

Fall in love with your next favorite read while supporting a great cause! Join us for an enchanting evening celebrating local romance authors, hosted at the historic Clark Building.

Whether you’re a die-hard romance fan or just looking for your next perfect beach read, this event is the ultimate summer night out. Meet three incredible local authors, ask your burning questions during our Q&A, get your books signed, and shop the gorgeous Fleuria Booktruck before and after the panel!

Best of all? Admission is completely free! While the event is free to attend, any proceeds raised throughout the night will directly support our local library.

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Location: The Clark Building, Hermosa Beach, CA
• Cost: FREE (RSVP required as space is limited!)

Featured Authors

We are thrilled to highlight three amazing local talents who know exactly how to write a perfect love story:

• Lauren Okie Lauren is a Los Angeles-based contemporary romance author known for her sharp wit and emotionally resonant storytelling. Following her hit debut The Best Worst Thing, her newest novel Tropesick is a lush, slow-burning romance that explores what happens when classic romance tropes start playing out in real life. When she isn’t writing, Lauren works as a copywriter and spends her time blocking out high-stakes love scenes on the backs of grocery lists.
• Sophia Benoit Sophia is an author, comedian, and advice columnist whose work has appeared in GQ, Bustle, The Guardian, and The Cut. Bringing her signature humor and sharp observations on modern dating to fiction, she is the author of The Very Definition of Love—a witty, sexy Regency romance described as "Bridgerton meets Emily Henry." She lives in LA with her dog and her boyfriend.
• Natalie Messier Natalie is a Mexican-American romance novelist and Hollywood screenwriter originally from South Texas. A prestigious Reese’s Book Club LitUp Fellow, Natalie has worked on acclaimed television series like Severance and Chicago Fire. Her highly anticipated debut romance novel, Every Version of You, releases this summer. When she's not writing, she's hunting for LA’s best matcha lattes or cuddling her two cats.

Why You Can't Miss This:

• Shop the Fleuria Booktruck: Grab the latest romance releases, custom bookish merch, and exclusive finds from everyone's favorite mobile bookstore.
• Go Behind the Pages: Hear our featured authors discuss their writing processes, how they craft the perfect tension, and what it’s like writing romance in Southern California.
• Support the Library: Enjoy a fantastic night out while giving back to the community. Proceeds from the evening go toward funding programs and resources at our local library.

Space is limited, so make sure to claim your free ticket today! Grab your book besties, bring your favorite tote bag, and get ready for a night full of swoon-worthy conversation.