Fans say new romance bookstores and online groups are giving the genre some overdue respect
July 16, 2025
Romance novels aren’t just guilty pleasures anymore. Fans are connecting through social media, book clubs and at a growing number of romance-only bookstores. Stores like Lovestruck Books in Cambridge and The Ripped Bodice in LA and Brooklyn host events where readers mingle, share recommendations and celebrate the genre together. Romance has long been a popular genre for publishing. But fans say it’s only now getting some overdue respect. They say they’re often drawn to the genre’s hopeful, feel-good storylines. The American Booksellers Association says there are nearly 160 romance-dedicated bookstores in the U.S. and more than half opened within the last two years.
