Romance Road Trip: Indie Bookstores Across the Country
By: Sara Shahein
Edited By: Rylee Chacon
Buckle in besties, we’re going romance book shopping! Check out a list of romance-only bookshops from the East coast to the West coast. This list features a brief meet-cute of bookstores you’ll fall in love with during our owner interviews in future Readin’ issues.
The Last Chapter in
Chicago, IL
The Last Chapter (TLC) is the first romance-only bookstore in Chicago. The store is Latina and BIPOC owned by Amanda, a lover of Why Choose romances, indie authors, and showing up for her community of book lovers. The Last Chapter hosts author events, panels, release parties to build community; all while collaborating with authors to create TLC exclusive editions of books, and collection of bookish merch for every romance reader.
Lovestruck Books & Cafe in Cambridge, MA
Lovestruck Books & Cafe is your one-stop-shop for romance reads, gifts, and sipping on a coffee while you shop. Owned and created by Rachel, Lovestruck is a combination of all her favorite pastimes: fun drinks, shopping, and celebrating romance! The cafe serves Geroge Howell coffee by day and swaps to a wine bar in the evening. Grab your book club and enjoy a drink on Lovestruck’s famous couch!
Steamy Lit in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Miami
Steamy Lit is owned by Melissa, a Latina dedicated to celebrating diversity in romance. Steamy Lit has locations in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and their newest location in Miami, FL.
You may recognize them from Steamy Lit Con, where they celebrate romance readers and authors alike, or their Steam boxes, a subscription box featuring a book alongside curated items to promote self-love. Saavedra Mel Saavedra
A Novel Romance in Louisville, KY
Meet Cute is a queer- and woman-owned bookshop created by Becca. Located in La Mesa, CA, Meet Cute is bright, bubbly, and has your next romance read waiting for you.
Becca values community building with in-person events including author Q&As, book clubs, and craft nights. The next time you visit Meet Cute be sure to check out their curated collection of historical romance!
Meet Cute in La Mesa, CA
Meet Cute is a queer- and woman-owned bookshop created by Becca. Located in La Mesa, CA, Meet Cute is bright, bubbly, and has your next romance read waiting for you. Becca values community building with in-person events including author Q&As, book clubs, and craft nights. The next time you visit Meet Cute be sure to check out their curated collection of historical romance!
All Aboard
Buckle your seatbelts because we are ready to roll! These five coast-to-coast romance bookstores will be later featured in a one-on-one interview with the bookstore owner. Keep a look out here for the bookstore nearest to you!