Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<p>Online dating not quite hitting the spot? You&#8217;re not alone. Between ghosting sagas, apps gathering dust, and enough unanswered likes to bruise even the most robust ego, modern romance can feel less meet-cute, more meh. Turns out it&#8217;s not you &#8211; it&#8217;s the infinite scroll era. So if you&#8217;re craving a swoon-worthy one-liner instead of another lukewarm prompt reply, we&#8217;re taking matters into our own hands and diving headfirst into romance novels instead. Because in fiction, the men brood beautifully, communicate properly, and the drama never costs you your beauty sleep.</p>



<p>Enter, <a href="https://thespicylibrarian.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Spicy Librarian</a>, Europe&#8217;s biggest Romance bookstore, freshly opened in the heart of Leamington Spa and serving up everything from heart-melting classics to gloriously spicy-rom coms and dark academia slow burns. There&#8217;s even a bar for long-suffering other halves while you browse your next fictional fixation. Naturally Muddy caught up with founder D to get the lowdown on this love-story haven. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-5.jpg" alt="The Spicy Librarian interior" class="wp-image-69187" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-5.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-5-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-5-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-d-why-open-up-a-romance-only-bookshop">So, D, why open up a romance-only bookshop?</h2>



<p>Romance is the biggest-selling genre, yet in most bookstores it&#8217;s crammed onto a couple of shelves in the corner. I&#8217;ll admit, I used to think &#8220;romance&#8221; meant fluffy airport reads for the beach. But after spending time in the States and seeing thriving independent bookstores give it real space, I kept wondering: why isn&#8217;t the UK doing the same? And I knew I could definitely give it a go. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-leamington-spa">Why Leamington spa?</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s a town that has a lot of heart. There&#8217;s a lot of independent stores here, a lot of artistic people, and it’s incredibly commutable too. It just felt like a natural hub &#8211; the right place to set up shop and build something special. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-gateway-romance-for-people-who-think-they-re-too-cool-for-love-stories">What&#8217;s the gateway romance for people who think they&#8217;re too cool for love stories?</h2>



<p>Romance is so broad there’s a perfect entry point for everyone – even the self-confessed “too cool” crowd. Love epic fantasy like <em>Game of Thrones</em> or dystopian drama like <em>The Hunger Games</em>? Start off with <em>A Court of Thorns and Roses</em> by Sarah J. Maas and thank me later. More into crime and thrillers? Dark romance is your lane. There are thousands of sub-genres &#8211; which means there’s a gateway love story for absolutely anyone, especially those who swear blind romance &#8220;isn’t for them&#8221;.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-7.jpg" alt="The Spicy Librarian interior books" class="wp-image-69185" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-7-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-s-your-all-time-fave-fictional-man-or-woman">Who&#8217;s your all-time fave fictional man or woman? </h2>



<p>I&#8217;ve fallen head over heels for a gargoyle called Bartholomew and cried actual tears for a fire sprite named <em>LA Harbour</em> – so for me, it&#8217;s always the unexpected ones. The side characters with the biggest hearts tend to get me every time. As long as I am completely immersed &#8211; I want to know how the world works, it&#8217;s rules, it&#8217;s rhythms &#8211; I&#8217;m very easily swooned. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-book-has-caused-the-most-blushing-at-the-till-so-far">Which book has caused the most blushing at the till so far?</h2>



<p>Giggles? Absolutely. Blushing? Surprisingly, not so much. Lots of fun? <em>Definitely.</em> The bookish community is wonderfully unashamed about what they love. Yes, the titles can be a little tongue-in-cheek titles, but people come in, pick them up proudly &#8211; buying them with their chest, exactly as it should be. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-hotter-right-now-cozy-cottage-core-romance-or-full-on-enemies-to-lovers-chaos">What’s hotter right now, cozy cottage core romance, or full on enemies-to-lovers chaos?</h2>



<p>Personally? Chaos. We opened with the full Austen-to-Brontë lineup, and right now there isn&#8217;t a single book on these shelves that was here on opening day. Everything&#8217;s gone and everything&#8217;s been restocked. It&#8217;s the titles you can&#8217;t easily buy elsewhere &#8211; independently published authors, darker romance, brilliant queer representation (which is flying out faster than I can get it in). So, yes, I think it&#8217;s fair to say the whole romance genre is having a moment and it&#8217;s seriously hot.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-1.jpg" alt="The Spicy Librarian interior chair " class="wp-image-69191" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-personal-kryptonite-trope-fake-dating-second-chances-broody-heroes">What&#8217;s your personal kryptonite trope, fake dating, second chances, broody heroes?</h2>



<p>Being married to someone who is essentially the human form of a golden retriever means you naturally crave the opposite in a novel. I’m used to a man who will support absolutely everything I do &#8211; even if I announced I was going to build a car out of jello. My book boyfriends, though? They have to hurt a little bit, think plot twist with a dark and broody man at the front of it all – in other words, a walking red flag.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-has-this-turned-you-into-leamington-s-unofficial-love-guru">Has this turned you into Leamington’s unofficial Love Guru?</h2>



<p>We opened up on Valentine’s Day, which must give us some credentials, right? Our team love books, so they really know their stuff – and with that comes great recommendations, honest advice on what to buy next, and genuine passion for the genre. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-if-someone-s-ditching-date-night-plans-for-a-night-in-what-three-books-snacks-and-vibes-are-you-prescribing">If someone&#8217;s ditching date night plans for a night in, what three books, snacks and vibes are you prescribing?</h2>



<p>Snacks? Nab a couple of our cakes from local company <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coffeearchitects/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coffee Architects</a> – they’re elite. As for books, make a beeline for the comfort reread that wraps around you like a warm cardigan. Something high stakes, whether that’s a romance book with war and fighting or a high-speed car chase &#8211; something to keep the action going. And if you&#8217;re feeling brave? Go for a blind date with a book. Read the blurb, scan the tropes, and let fate decide if you want to read the book or not.  </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-2.jpg" alt="The Spicy Librarian interior" class="wp-image-69190" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/03/The-Spicy-Librarian-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-top-romances-of-all-time">Your top romances of all time?</h2>



<p>Top romances? That&#8217;s like asking someone to pick a favourite child &#8211; frankly impossible. I&#8217;m forever swooned by dark academia and gothic-leaning love stories, and I do like an epic. <em>The Throne of Glass</em> series by Sarah J Maas is immaculate if you want something sweeping with a darker edge. If you&#8217;re teetering on the cusp of creepy, Karina Halle can do no wrong – if she’s written a shopping list, I&#8217;ll read it. <em>Grave Matter</em> by Halle is a must, it’s the perfect blend of futurism and science with a haunting twist. And to round it all off? <em>Wuthering Heights</em>. Obviously.</p>



<p><strong>Can&#8217;t get enough?</strong> Read D&#8217;s <a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/turn-up-the-heat-this-v-day-5-book-recs-from-the-spicy-librarian/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5 book recs here. </a></p>



<ul>
<li><em>On Mon 30 Mar, The Spicy Librarian is one of three shops in the UK hosting the midnight release of Game On (Into Darkness) by Navessa Allen. Make sure to check out their <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thespicylibrarianuk/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a> for other upcoming events &#8211; and watch this space. </em></li>
</ul>



<p><em><a href="https://thespicylibrarian.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Spicy Librarian</a>, 45 Warwick St, Leamington Spa CV32 5JX.</em></p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yearning-for-more">YEARNING FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on-march-midlands/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marvellous March! 28+ things to do this month in Warks &amp; West Mids</a></li>



<li><a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/property/gorgeous-garden-rooms-everything-you-need-to-know-about-building-one/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gorgeous garden rooms (everything you need to know about building one)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/the-5-best-restaurants-in-warwick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 5 best restaurants in Warwick (and just beyond)</a></li>
</ul>


Love at First Page: Inside Leamington’s Romance-Only Bookshop

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