Romance Bookshops in London: Where to Shop Your Favourite Love Stories
If you’ve been following me for a while now, you’ll know that romance is one of my all-time favourite genres.
Give me yearning, witty banter, and a satisfying happily-ever-after, and I’m content.
For years, romance readers in London had to make do with small sections tucked away in larger bookshops.
But in the last year or so, there’s been a sudden influx of romance bookshops in London, and, indeed, all over the UK.
We now have dedicated romance bookshops in London – spaces that celebrate love stories in all their forms, from soft contemporary to full-blown romantasy.
Here’s your guide to the romance bookshops in London that you need on your radar (including a new bookshop opening soon)!
Saucy Books – London’s First Romance-Only Bookshop
Saucy Books made history as London’s very first bookshop devoted entirely to romance and was a hugely welcome addition to London’s thriving bookshop scene.
Found in Notting Hill, just off the Portobello Road, this is a bright space where pink shelving, playful (sometimes naughty!) displays, and carefully curated tables make it nigh on impossible to leave empty-handed.
If you love authors like Emily Henry, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Talia Hibbert, Ali Hazelwood, Sarah J. Maas or Rebecca Yarros, you’ll feel very seen here.
The shelves span contemporary romance, romantasy, sports romance, historical, and everything in between.
One of the funnest features here is the “Smut Hut”, a mini in-store shack dedicated to the steamier end of the spectrum.
It’s playful, complete with themed décor and cheeky bookmarks you can add to your haul (cockmark, anyone?).
It perfectly captures the shop’s ethos: romance should be fun, celebratory and unapologetic.
The concept behind Saucy Books is especially clever. Instead of keeping the same aesthetic year-round, the shop operates in rotating “chapters” (essentially seasonal themes).
The launch theme was beach reads, which explains the colourful, summery feel when I first visited. I love the idea that the shop itself evolves every few months – it gives you a reason to keep coming back (and I have done several times since).
The winter theme was ice skating and ice hockey, no doubt inspired by everyone’s newfound obsession with Heated Rivalry and the Winter Olympics.
They also regularly host events and stock special and signed editions.
On one of my trips here, I picked up a signed special edition of Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, who is one of my favourite authors.
Plan your visit
Address: 236 Westbourne Park Rd, London W11 1EL
Opening hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12pm–7pm (closed Monday and Tuesday)
Website: https://www.saucybooks.com/
Of Books and Love – A Cosy Romance Haven in Islington
Not long after Saucy Books opened, London gained a second romance-dedicated space: Of Books and Love in Islington.
We Londoners are spoiled!
Where Saucy Books is bold and playful, Of Books and Love feels a bit more intimate and cosy.
The shop is small, very pink, and thoughtfully laid out, with shelves organised by sub-genre and trope.
If you’re currently in your cowboy romance era, on a sports romance kick, or searching for your next romantasy obsession, you can head straight to the right section.
You’ll find contemporary romance, historical, YA, fantasy-leaning love stories and more.
There are also signed copies and special editions dotted throughout the shop, many of which I’d not seen before.
One of the best things about this shop is the fandom merchandise on offer.
The shop stocks beautiful, often hard-to-find bookish items, including fan-designed dust jackets for popular fantasy series like A Court of Thorns and Roses, Fourth Wing, and A Curse of True Love.
You’ll also spot familiar fictional heartthrobs around the space – from cardboard cut-outs of Jonathan Bailey and Pedro Pascal to framed nods to characters like Conrad Fisher and the Bridgerton men.
It’s very much designed for readers who fully embrace their fictional crushes (aka me).
The owner, Sabrina, is genuinely lovely and always happy to recommend a book if you’re undecided.
She’s French, and that influence shows in some of the merchandise, which includes pieces from French artists and creators you won’t typically see in UK bookshops.
Of Books and Love also hosts regular events, offering romance readers a way to meet other book lovers in London.
If you’re keen to turn your solo reading hobby into something more social, it’s worth keeping an eye on their Instagram for updates.
Plan your visit
Address: 50 Cross St, London N1 2BA
Opening hours: Wednesday–Saturday 10:30am–6:30pm; Sunday 10am–5pm
Website: https://www.ofbooksandlove.co.uk/
Main Character Books
Romance readers, we’re not done yet.
A third romance-focused bookshop, Main Character Books, has now opened its doors in London – and it already feels like a space that understands exactly what modern romance readers want.
Even the name feels perfectly in tune with the bookish internet, where everyone is embracing their “main character energy”. And the shop itself really leans into that idea: it’s bright, colourful and designed to be somewhere you don’t just browse, but actually spend time in.
Inside, you’ll find all the core romance categories clearly signposted, making it easy to head straight for your current mood. Whether you’re in the mood for contemporary, historical, classics or romantasy, everything is clearly laid out so you can find what you’re looking for.
What stood out to me straight away was how thoughtfully curated the shelves are. Many displays include a small staff note highlighting a particular book, complete with why they recommend it, the spice level, key tropes, and even who on the team suggested it. It’s such a simple idea, but incredibly helpful when you’re trying to decide what to pick up next.
There’s also a great mix of editions available. Alongside standard paperbacks, you’ll find special editions across multiple genres, from classics to modern favourites like Bridgerton and Twilight.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see a small selection of books for younger readers, including board book versions of Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice, which feels like a lovely way to introduce the next generation to classic romance.
Beyond the books, there are plenty of small touches that make the space feel fun. The caps embroidered with slogans like “enemies-to-lovers” and “romance reader” are a highlight, and if you happen to spend over £60 (easily done), you’ll receive a free “read for pleasure” tote to take your spoils away in.
One of the biggest draws, though, is the café element. This isn’t just a bookshop with a coffee machine tucked in the corner – it’s a proper bookshop café with plenty of seating.
There are long communal tables, smaller tables for quieter reading sessions, and even a few armchairs if you want to properly settle in.
You could easily come here solo with a book, or meet friends for a low-key book club. The bookshop itself will also be hosting community events, book clubs and more.
There’s cake as well as coffee, really does complete the experience. A new romance novel, a coffee, and a slice of cake? That’s pretty much the ideal setup.
The interiors match the mood perfectly: bright yellow chairs, pops of pink shelving, and an overall light, welcoming feel. I was really surprised by how many people it can accommodate, as lots of bookshop cafés in London have relatively limited seating.
Location-wise, it couldn’t be better. Sitting right by Spitalfields Market, it’s perfectly placed for a weekend wander. Some of my friends work within a few minutes of this bookshop and I’m envious.
With Saucy Books and Of Books and Love already proving how much London readers love a dedicated romance space, Main Character Books feels like a natural (and very welcome) addition – and one I can see becoming a firm favourite for romance readers.
Plan your visit
Address: 30 Spital Square, Spitalfields Market, 30 Spital Square, London, E1 6DX, UK
Opening hours: Mondays: 11am – 6pm; Tuesdays to Saturdays: 11am to 7pm; Sundays: 12pm to 5pm
Website: https://www.maincharacterbooks.co.uk/
Why Romance Bookshops Matter
Seeing multiple romance-only bookshops open in London feels significant.
For a long time, romance was dismissed as frivolous or niche. Now, it’s one of the most commercially powerful genres in publishing – and these shops reflect that shift.
They centre love stories, celebrate female readership, and create welcoming spaces for communities that have largely flourished online.
In a recent interview, romance author Emily Henry lamented that romance stories that are tragic tend to be seen as more meaningful than those with happy endings, and the irony here given most people in life place a great deal of value on finding their ‘person’.
I had never thought of this before but, of course, she’s totally right, and I hope that the abundance of romance bookshops in London signals a shift away from that mindset.
Have you visited any of these romance bookshops in London yet? And which trope are you currently obsessed with?
If you’re planning a bookish day out in London, you may also enjoy these London bookshops:
