Take a look inside Leamington's brand new independent romance bookshop

By Nadia Sayed 14th Feb 2026

Local News by Nadia Sayed 14th Feb 2026

The wait for the opening of 'Europe's largest independent romance bookshop,' is now over.

Appropriately themed for its romantasy fiction genre, The Spicy Librarian bookstore officially opened its doors today, on Valentine's Day (14 February).

Special guests were invited for a preview of the store on Friday evening (13) prior to its opening to the public.

The store has replaced the former Altoria nightclub located on Warwick Street.

Inside, the store hosts curated shelves of romance in all its forms, from swoony contemporary love stories and spicy romantasy to darker romance, alongside a welcoming space to linger.

The Spicy Librarian is a genre-dedicated, adult-only and community-led (image via Nub News)

There is also be a coffee bar by day and a wine and cocktail bar by night, making it a place to meet friends, attend events, or simply enjoy a great book with a drink.

Unlike other bookshops in the area, The Spicy Librarian is a genre-dedicated, adult-only and community-led, setting it apart from traditional bookshops or libraries.

There is also be a coffee bar by day and a wine and cocktail bar by night, making it a place to meet friends, attend events, or simply enjoy a great book with a drink (image via Nub News)

Speaking about the inspiration behind it, founder of The Spicy Librarian, D shared: "The idea came from a lifelong love of books, and a growing frustration that romance readers don't really have a space of their own in the UK.

"While travelling in the US, I discovered romance-only bookshops that were buzzing with energy, community and pride. They weren't hiding romance away on a single shelf — they were celebrating it. Coming home, it became clear there was nothing like that here in the Midlands, despite romance being one of the UK's most popular and fastest-growing genres.

Special guests were invited for a preview of the store on Friday evening (13) prior to its opening to the public (image via Nub News)

"The Spicy Librarian was born from that gap: a desire to create a space where romance readers are visible, valued and celebrated, and where reading becomes something shared, not secret."