In a Sydney warehouse, a room is packed with bookish enthusiasts, rummaging through stickers and bookmarks to claim their favorite tropes. A sign invites visitors to take what they want – a love triangle, a brooding hero, or a dashing cowboy. Amid this vibrant scene, I've found myself among a devoted community of romance readers.
The gathering is the brainchild of Books With Jess, an Australian small business creating handmade book-themed merchandise. The event has drawn in a crowd of 23,000 social media followers who have flocked to the warehouse in Chippendale for the pop-up shop. The queue stretches down the block, testament to the enthusiasm surrounding romance novels.
Women in their 20s and 30s form the core of this community, many having grown up with online fan cultures. They've created their own platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok's Booktok and Bookstagram, where they share their passion for romance novels. These women have not only found solace in these stories but also built connections with like-minded readers worldwide.
Jess*, a 25-year-old secondary school teacher from Brisbane, has been reviewing romance novels on her Instagram account since 2020. She attributes her love affair with the genre to the Wattpad era of fan fiction. As she now reads between 200 and 400 books annually, Jess credits these online communities for connecting her with fellow readers.
Aleyna* and Leyla*, cousins who started an online store called Trilogy of Romance, also speak of the power of these platforms. Their shop celebrates their love for romance novels and has become a safe space for fans to share their passion.
Australia's rapidly growing online book community is driving a surge in demand for romance and romantasy novels – genres that blend romance with fantasy elements. Darker tropes are particularly popular, according to Aleyna and Leyla.
Despite this popularity, Australian bookstores often struggle to cater to the needs of these readers. Most stores do not have dedicated sections for romance novels, forcing fans to rely on ebooks or make special trips to specialty bookshops like Romancing the Novel in Sydney.
The owner, Scarlett Hopper, has witnessed a significant increase in foot traffic since her store's launch. Customers often plan their day around visits, and she takes pride in introducing newcomers to the world of romance novels – even those who don't typically read the genre.
As I explore this vibrant community, it becomes clear that online spaces have not only fueled the growth of romance readers but also created lasting connections among women from diverse backgrounds. These individuals have formed a network where they can freely discuss and share their love for romance novels without judgment.
The gathering is the brainchild of Books With Jess, an Australian small business creating handmade book-themed merchandise. The event has drawn in a crowd of 23,000 social media followers who have flocked to the warehouse in Chippendale for the pop-up shop. The queue stretches down the block, testament to the enthusiasm surrounding romance novels.
Women in their 20s and 30s form the core of this community, many having grown up with online fan cultures. They've created their own platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok's Booktok and Bookstagram, where they share their passion for romance novels. These women have not only found solace in these stories but also built connections with like-minded readers worldwide.
Jess*, a 25-year-old secondary school teacher from Brisbane, has been reviewing romance novels on her Instagram account since 2020. She attributes her love affair with the genre to the Wattpad era of fan fiction. As she now reads between 200 and 400 books annually, Jess credits these online communities for connecting her with fellow readers.
Aleyna* and Leyla*, cousins who started an online store called Trilogy of Romance, also speak of the power of these platforms. Their shop celebrates their love for romance novels and has become a safe space for fans to share their passion.
Australia's rapidly growing online book community is driving a surge in demand for romance and romantasy novels – genres that blend romance with fantasy elements. Darker tropes are particularly popular, according to Aleyna and Leyla.
Despite this popularity, Australian bookstores often struggle to cater to the needs of these readers. Most stores do not have dedicated sections for romance novels, forcing fans to rely on ebooks or make special trips to specialty bookshops like Romancing the Novel in Sydney.
The owner, Scarlett Hopper, has witnessed a significant increase in foot traffic since her store's launch. Customers often plan their day around visits, and she takes pride in introducing newcomers to the world of romance novels – even those who don't typically read the genre.
As I explore this vibrant community, it becomes clear that online spaces have not only fueled the growth of romance readers but also created lasting connections among women from diverse backgrounds. These individuals have formed a network where they can freely discuss and share their love for romance novels without judgment.
, why can't mainstream bookstores get on board? 
They're killing it in the online world, let's support them IRL 
And the fact that these women have created their own platforms on Instagram and TikTok is just amazing 
. It's like, they've taken the whole bookish community by storm and are killing it 
. I'm not surprised they're getting 23k followers on social media tho, this stuff is fire 
. The only thing that's kinda bumming me out is how hard it is for them to find a bookstore in Australia that caters to their tastes 
. But hey, at least we've got Jess and her crew leading the charge 
They need dedicated sections or at least a decent selection of ebooks. I mean, what's the point of having 23k followers if you can't get your hands on some good romances? 
. Let's get some bookstores with some romance options already! 
It makes sense though, online communities like Booktok and Bookstagram have been around for a while now and they're still super active. The fact that these women can find solace and connect with each other over their love of romance novels is really beautiful. 
guys are there too!
it's amazing to see how social media has brought people together over a shared interest.
. its awesome that stores like Romancing the Novel in Sydney are feeling the love and getting more foot traffic 
keep on reading, book lovers! 
... I mean, don't get me wrong, it's awesome that people are passionate about romance novels, but the whole setup feels like an Instagrammable event 
rather than a genuine community gathering. Like, 23,000 followers showing up to a warehouse? Isn't that just going to be a logistical nightmare? And what's with all the merchandise? Can't they just buy the books like normal people? 
. are these people just reading a lot of romances or is there more to it? like, what's the appeal? and how much do they actually read in real life?
What's also interesting is how the demand for romance novels has led to a growth in bookstores that specialize in these genres, like Romancing the Novel. It's all about finding what you love and sharing it with others, right? 
. And I can totally understand why Australian bookstores struggle to keep up with this demand - they often don't have dedicated sections for romance novels, so fans have to seek them out elsewhere 
. And online spaces are definitely playing a huge role in connecting romance readers from all over the world 
and btw, wattpad era fan fiction is where it's at 
They're making their own reality by being part of this amazing book-loving community! It's awesome to see how social media has brought people together, creating a space where they can express themselves and connect with like-minded individuals. 
.
. But hey, at least there are cool indie shops like Romancing the Novel that cater to these readers