Underground No More: How One Bookstore Owner is Making Space for Spicy Reads and Emotional Healing in Saskatoon

www.pagesofpassion.ca

When you walk into Page of Passion, a romance-focused bookstore in Saskatoon, you don’t just step into a cozy shop filled with dark romance and fantasy tales—you enter a space where stories, spice, and self-discovery are not only welcome, but celebrated.

We sat down with the passionate owner behind this unique shop to talk about kink-friendly books, shame-free reading, and why romance fiction is about so much more than just escapism.

Opening the Doors to Underground Love

“I joke that the romance readers in Saskatoon were ‘underground’ before I opened the store,” the owner says with a smile. A lifelong reader, she fell hard for romance herself, and after following two other romance-exclusive bookstores in Canada, she realized the prairies needed one too.

“I knew there was a following here. People just needed a place to gather, connect, and talk about the books they love without feeling weird about it.”

And gather they do.

A Community That Reads (and Swoons) Together

Ask her what her favourite part of running the shop is, and she lights up. “I have the BEST community,” she says emphatically. “I love when people come in asking for recommendations, when we get talking about kinks or favourite tropes—and the look on their faces when they find exactly what they were hoping for.”

So what’s flying off the shelves right now? “Dark Romance and Fantasy Romance,” she says. “Especially by indie authors. People love them.”

Safe Spaces, Spicy Books, and Breaking Shame

More than just a bookstore, this space has become a haven for people exploring their desires, healing from trauma, or just trying to feel a little more seen. And yes, that includes the spicy stuff.

“People are still shy sometimes—especially around kink or erotic reads,” she explains. “You can tell they’ve been shamed before, even in other bookstores. I try to break that right away by being open, asking honest questions, and making it safe to talk.”

That openness has made all the difference. “Customers have literally thanked me for being so understanding. Some have had horrible experiences in chain stores just for asking about a dark romance title.”

Why Spicy Stories Matter

Why do taboo, kinky, or dark stories resonate so much—especially for women and queer readers?

“There’s so much shame built into us by society, by our families, by what we’re told is ‘appropriate,’” she says. “So naturally, we crave the forbidden.

These books give people a space to explore what they’re curious about—without judgment, and often, with a lot of healing.” And for anyone new to kink-positive romance? She recommends The Salacious Players Club series by Sara Cate. “It’s a great starting point. There’s daddy kink, threesomes, Dom/sub themes—it’s all there, but it feels completely normal and approachable.”

From Escapism to Empowerment

Romance, she believes, is about more than just love stories. It’s about connection—especially for readers grappling with identity, sexuality, or trauma.

“I see it all the time. Women come to our book clubs not knowing a soul and leave feeling supported and seen. A paramedic told me recently that these stories help her deal with work-related trauma. She sees herself in the characters, in their pain and healing. It gives her hope.”

So no, it’s not just about the spice. It’s about liberation.

“Reading about a ‘tortured hero’ or trauma survivors in fiction can make people feel less alone. It’s a way of saying, ‘You’re not broken. You’re allowed to want this. You’re allowed to heal.’”

Final Word for the Smut-Curious

If there’s one thing she wants readers to remember, it’s this:

“You absolutely do NOT deserve to feel shame for what you love reading. Be proud of you.” 

Whether you're curious, cautious, or confident in your journey, this isn’t just a place to buy books—it’s a space to be yourself.

Come visit the bookstore, explore without judgment, and find the stories that speak to you. Your next favourite (and maybe a little spicy) read is waiting.

Find them on Instagram: @pagesofpassionyxe

614 Duchess Street, Saskatoon

or shop online at www.pagesofpassion.ca

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