Backgrounder: Romance Bookstores
There are now 133 physical romance bookstores in nine countries around the world, with largest number in the United States, Australia, and Canada.
There are now 133 physical romance bookstores in nine countries around the world, 103 (or 77%) of which are in the United States.
If we also include online and pop-up romance bookstores, the total number of stores grows to 243 (175 or 72% of which are in the United States).
Growth of Physical Stores
By the end of 2024, there were 86 physical romance bookstores worldwide—up 856% from 9 physical bookstores in 2022. So far there has been a net increase of 47 physical romance bookstores in 2025 (50 have opened, 3 have closed).
When we look specifically at the United States, the growth has been even more dramatic. Over the same two-year period from 2022 to 2024, the number of romance bookstores in the US increased 1180% from 5 to 64. So far there has been a net increase of 39 physical romance bookstores in the US this year (40 opened, 1 closed).
Canada has the third largest number of physical romance bookstores after the United States and Australia (see breakdown by country below), and will reach a total of 7 stores when Perfect Match Bookshop opens in Vancouver on Saturday, August 16.
Perfect Match Bookshop will join Forbidden Library in Calgary and Joie des livres in Montreal as the latest additions to the Canadian romance bookstore community, marking a 75% increase from four romance bookstores at the end of 2024 to seven in 2025. That total jumps to 17 bookstores if online and pop-up stores are also included.
The 133 physical romance bookstores make up 55% of all the stores, while online bookstores make up 27% (65 stores) and pop-up bookstores make up the remaining 18% (45 stores).
The table below shows a further breakdown comparing numbers in the US and outside the US. As you can see both physical and pop-up bookstores dominate in the US, while online bookstores are much more popular outside the US.
Physical Stores
Romance bookstores with a physical/bricks-and-mortar location
🌎 TOTAL WORLDWIDE: 133
To date, a total of 50 physical romance bookstores have opened in 2025.
Breakdown by Country (133):
United States: 103 (77%)
Australia: 14 (11%)
Canada: 6 (5%)
New Zealand: 3 (2%)
France: 2 (1%)
United Kingdom: 2 (1%)
Belgium: 1 (1%)
Germany: 1 (1%)
Netherlands: 1 (1%)
🇺🇸 US Stores by Region (103):
South: 36 (35%)
Midwest: 27 (26%)
West: 24 (23%)
Northeast: 14 (14%)
Territory: 2 (2%)
Online Stores
Romance bookstores that operate online
🌎 TOTAL WORLDWIDE: 65 primarily online (150 total online)
Breakdown by Country (65):
United States: 31 (48%)
Australia: 22 (34%)
Canada: 7 (11%)
New Zealand: 2 (3%)
United Kingdom: 2 (3%)
Mexico: 1 (1%)
Pop-up Stores
Romance bookstores that are mobile and appear in various locations
🌎 TOTAL WORLDWIDE: 45 primarily pop-up (73 total pop-up)
Breakdown by Country (45):
United States: 41 (91%)
Canada: 3 (7%)
United Kingdom: 1 (2%)
Coming Soon Stores
Romance bookstores that are planning to open soon (may already be operating as an online and/or pop-up bookstore)
🌎 TOTAL WORLDWIDE: 27
Breakdown by Type (27):
Physical: 25 (92%)
Online: 1 (3%)
Pop-up: 1 (3%)
Breakdown by Country (27):
United States: 18 (66%)
Australia: 5 (19%)
United Kingdom: 3 (11%)
Canada: 1 (4%)