Lovestruck Books Review
The women owned business and her employees curated the perfect place for booklovers.
Amulet Giberti ‘28 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
As an avid romance reader, I have been excited to check out the new Lovestruck Books in Harvard Square since their opening in late December, and it exceeded all of my expectations. Romance books got me back into reading, and while I am now a consumer of many genres, they still hold a special place in my heart. And clearly the women owned business and her employees agree, because they curated the perfect place for booklovers. Romance as a genre has while growing in popularity in the past few years, has not grown in respect. Viewed as a frivolous and silly genre it is a huge achievement to have a non judgemental women-owned business to support it.
The setup and design outside immediately surprised me, the gorgeous decor and flower arrangements on the building and window display was eye-catching and created an aesthetic that draws people inside. Inside the space is set up with multiple tables of bookish gifts and accessories like kindle cases, book merch, and bookmarks, as well as many Valentine’s Day themed gifts. Tucked in a corner lies a comfy couch as well as seating options, creating a space to read and chat.
On my T ride over, I created a list of less popular romance books and authors I rarely find in bookstores to test the selection. This list included independently published books, different cover editions, and backlist picks of popular authors. I looked for authors like Rina Kent, Stephanie Archer and Liz Tomford that normally sell through amazon and kindle unlimited (a library that typically houses indie authors), they had every single one. The wide selection included special editions and UK covers on every shelf. The shelves themselves were clearly organized by micro-tropes in romance—sports, cowboy, romantasy, monster etc. Lovestruck is also the only bookstore I’ve seen that had a full shelf of Queer romances, something big bookstores like Barnes and Noble have failed to showcase.
Another aspect of the store that sets it apart from most Boston bookstores is their fun coffee bar and seating area that turns into a wine bar after 4pm. This bookstore wants you to linger and has made itself accessible for students. A cultivated study spot rests in the corner along with a couch and cushioned seating.
Even though they only opened in December, they have hosted and continue to host author events,some being free to the public and others requiring tickets for book signing. Notable authors this month are Ashley Poston, Tia Williams, and Meghan Quinn.
This store is definitely filling a gap in Boston’s book market I am happy to see. During my visit, I picked up Ali Hazelwood’s new release Deep End, and decided to read it immediately. Admittedly I am not loving it, but I am excited to use that as an excuse to go back to Lovestruck and pick up another romance. Please treat yourself and check out Lovestruck to continue supporting smaller booksellers and indie authors!