Have you always wanted to visit a romance bookstore that was filled with rows upon rows of romance books?
Well now you can by visiting these sixteen romance bookstores (and two online) that cater to the passion only romance book readers know best. Travel across the country and be sure to stop at one of these romance bookstores for your next read!
*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Besides reading romance, one of my favorite pastimes is walking through a bookstore and just browsing the romance book aisles and seeing what title or romance book cover pops out at me.
But to be able to walk through a romance bookstore where every aisle is devoted to my favorite romance books? Well, that sounds like pure heaven.
Lucky for me (and you!), I don’t have to wait until heaven for that dream to come true. I just have to visit one of these 15 romance bookstores in the United States and let the browsing and enjoyment begin!
And if you can’t visit these in person, you can check out two additional online romance bookstores for all your romance book needs and one in Canada.
Does visiting a romance bookstore sound AMAZING to you too?
Then you’re going to want to put these stores on your travel list so you too can experience a bookstore devoted to romance.
Romance Bookstores Quick List:
In the United States:
- Belfast, Maine:Grump and Sunshine
- Brooklyn, New York:The Ripped Bodice
- Chesapeake, Virginia:Novel Grounds
- Chicago, Illinois:The Last Chapter
- Deerfield Beach, Florida:Steamy Lit Bookstore
- Fort Pierce, Florida:Wanderlust Book Boutique
- Kansas City, Missouri:Under the Cover
- Louisville, Kentucky:A Novel Romance
- Los Angeles, California:The Ripped Bodice
- Minneapolis, Minnesota:Tropes and Trifles
- Salt Lake City, Utah:Lovebound Library
- San Diego, California:Meet Cute Bookshop
- Tinley Park, Illinois:Love’s Sweet Arrow
- Vancouver, Washington:The Romance Era Bookshop
- Wichita, Kansas:Blush Bookstore
In Canada:
- Calgary,Alberta:Slow Burn Books
- Happily Ever After (online bookstore)
In the UK:
- Words & Kisses (online bookstore)
Romance Bookstores Every
Romance Reader Should Visit
The Ripped Bodice
Culver City, California and Brooklyn, New York
The Ripped Bodice was one of the first romance bookstores to open in the United States that caters exclusively to the romance reader.
Located in Culver City, California, The Ripped Bodice bookstore opened a second store in Brooklyn, New York in 2023!
Started and owned by sisters, Leah and Bea Koch, it offers a diverse selection of romance fiction and keeps a pulse on diversity in the genre with its The Ripped Bodice State of Racial Diversity in Romance Report.
Not only can you search the variety of romance books they carry, but you can also find a wide selection of gifts with a focus on supporting independent, woman-owned businesses.
The Ripped Bodice ships books domestically but international shipping is limited. They also started theRead, Romance, Repeatsubscription boxwhich is their version of the Romance Book of the Month Club.
Meet Cute Romance Bookshop
San Diego, California
I love how Meet Cute calls itself “a place for romance readers (and the romance-curious) to hang out, and generally get nerdy about kissing books.”
It already sounds like my kind of place and I can’t wait to visit this romance bookstore which opened in September 2022.
Even if you can’t make it to Meet Cute in San Diego, you can order books online or participate in their virtual events. If you are local, stop by and check out their in-person author events!
No Need to Go to a Bookstore to Grab Your Copy of the Romance Book Reading Journal
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Love’s Sweet Arrow
Tinley Park, Illinois
This mother-daughter-owned and operated romance bookstore opened in the summer of 2019 because they love happily-ever-after endings as much as the next romance book reader.
In addition to romance books, Love’s Sweet Arrow carries candles made by local women vendors and a line of handmade cards.
They also host events and a monthly book club. At times they also offer a variety of book boxes for sale.
Blush Bookstore
Wichita, Kansas
Blush Bookstore opened in March 2023 in Wichita, Kansas and offers a wide selection of romance books including contemporary, young adult, fantasy and dark romance titles, plus some cozy essentials and unique items the fill the needs of a modern romance reader.
Owner, Jaclyn Wooten created the bookstore as a means to connect with other readers in the area, so be sure to check it out!
The Last Chapter Book Shop
Chicago, IL
The Last Chapter Book Shop started off as an online store in 2021 but fully opened its doors in Chicago, IL in September 2023 in the Roscoe village area.
It offers a diverse selection of books as well as a variety of monthly trope boxes, book club boxes, and bookish merch.
The store’s mission is to continue to support the many members of romancelandia, and connecting readers with the books they love, the merch they can’t live without, and the authors that are a positive force in the community.
The Romance Era Bookshop
in Vancouver, WA
The Romance Era Bookshop first started as an e-bookshop with pop-ups around Vancouver but found a physical space in 2023. The romance bookstore is a love letter to the genre, according to the owner, whose love of books started with Scholastic Book Fairs. It is also a creative space for writers!
Tropes & Trifles
in Minneapolis, MN
Tropes & Trifles opened in November 2023 by friends Lauren and Caitlin who met at a romance book club. They wanted to open a romance bookstore “where readers and writers can find books with happy endings.” They carry a diverse list of romance books as well as shelves dedicated to Minnesota authors.
Novel Grounds
in Chesapeake, VA
Novel Grounds opened its doors to a brick and mortar book store in 2023 but has been an online romance bookstore and fictionally inspired merchandise company for 10 years that offers clothing, bags, stickers, keychains, patches, coffee, art prints and various other book-themed merchandise.
Visit the store for fun purchases or check out their merchandise online and save 10%.
Related: Best Bookish Shops Online
Grump and Sunshine
Belfast, Maine
Visit Grump and Sunshine for books, bookish merchandise and adult toys. The store offers two in-person book clubs as well as the Grump & Sunshine’s Naughty and Nice Monthly Subscription Boxes.
A Novel Romance
Louisville, Kentucky
A Novel Romance opened in July 2023 as a place for romance enthusiasts to find books, bookish items and novelty gifts and participate in a local book club which has four different themed books to read each month. They also have co-working spaces and events so check out A Novel Romance.
Under the Cover
Kansas City, Missouri
Check out Under the Cover, a romance bookstore in Kansas City, which opened in November 2023 and serves up romance books and author events!
Wanderlust Book Boutique
Fort Pierce, Florida
The Wanderlust Book Boutique opened in January 2024 and sells romance books as well as bookish merchandise.
Lovebound Library
Salt Lake City Utah
Located in Salt Lake City’s Maven District, Lovebound Library opened its doors in February 2024 and offers a variety of romance books as well as bookish merchandise from women-owned businesses.
Steamy Lit Bookstore
Deerfield Beach, Florida
The Steamy Lit Bookstore opened in February 2024 though it has been offering The Steam Box book subscriptions for longer. Check out their brick-and-mortar store for books, merch and events!
Related: Best Romance Book Subscription Boxes
Romance Bookstore In Canada:
Slow Burn Books
Calgary, Canada
Just over the border you can travel to Slow Burn Books, a specialty romance bookstore that offers a wide range of romance books, book signings, author talks, book clubs, wine and cheese nights, writing workshops, and other community events that help build connections within the romance reader and indie-author community.
Online Romance Bookstores
If you can’t visit one of the above romance bookstores in person, then you can surely visit one of these online romance bookstores devoted to the romance reader.
Check them out for your next book purchase or to subscribe to one of their romance book subscription boxes!
Happily Ever After Books
Based in Toronto, Canada
Happily Ever After Books is an online bookstore for romantics. Happily Ever After Books believes everyone deserves a happy ever after so they are committed to making sure all their customers find themselves in the pages of the books they carry.
I love that Jenny started this bookstore from her own love of reading romance and because she sees the importance in reading romance.
As an online bookstore, Happily Ever After Books not only ships books but also holds virtual events and offers a monthly romance book subscription box (for readers in Canada or the United States) that includes one new release from that month, bookmarks, stickers, and 2-4 additional items.
Words & Kisses
Based in the United Kingdom
Words& Kisses is an online bookshop for people who like their books with happy endings.
I love that Amy, the founder of Words & Kisses, considers herself a romance novel evangelist helping get the best romance books in the hands of readers. I completely agree with her that there’s nothing more fun than books with kissing!
In addition to selling books, Words & Kisses offers a romance book subscription box that includes a recent release and 3-4 gift items. They also sell specialty gifts and book bundles.
Extra Bookstore Highlight:
Turn the Page Bookstore
Boonsboro, Maryland
Why not visit a bookstore associated with a queen of romance, Nora Roberts?!
Turn the Page Bookstore is owned and operated by Nora Roberts’ husband, Bruce Wilder. While it is not a bookstore devoted exclusively to romance books, they do carry a complete line of Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb titles that are in print.
Want a signed book by Nora Roberts? Then you’re in luck!
Ms. Roberts signs books three nights a week at Turn the Page Bookstore so if you’re looking for a personalized message, just contact the store. Signed books are available for in-store patrons and online orders. You can also purchase a variety of Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb promotional items.
This bookstore also organizes book clubs, Girls’ Night Out and up to seven book signing events a year with Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb and other authors.
Take a visit to this romance bookstore and stay at the Inn of Boonsboro On the Square, a boutique bed and breakfast where each room bears the names of literary lovers who found their happy endings. It would make the perfect place to read Roberts’ The Inn Boonsboro trilogy!
Tune in for Bookstore Romance Day
Bookstore Romance Day is a “day designed to give independent bookstores an opportunity to celebrate Romance fiction – its books, readers, and writers – and to strengthen the relationships between bookstores and the Romance community.“
The upcoming Bookstore Romance Day will be August 17, 2024.
Visit the Bookstore Romance Day organization for the complete list of participating, independent bookstores who you can support on this day and after!
Which of these romance bookstores are you going to visit first? Share in the comments below.
Have you already been to one of these romance bookstores? Tell us about your experience!
You May Also Enjoy:
- The Best Romance Book Subscription Boxes
- The Best Reading Resources for Readers
- The Best Gifts for Bookworms and Romance Book Lovers
- The Best Reading Journals for Book Lovers of Every Type
- The Romance Book Reading Journal
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