New romantasy bookshop attracts queues of customers

There were long queues in Walton Street on Saturday, as Bad Girl Books opened for the first time.

Customers came from across the UK for the launch, and the shop has been busy ever since.

READ MORE: First romantasy bookstore opening date

Founded by Starlin Marot in September 2025, Bad Girl Books began as a series of pop-up events designed to bring the online romantasy community together through indie books, special editions, and merchandise.

Customers at Bad Girl Books (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Ms Marot, originally from Palm Beach County near Miami, is now planning a series of author visits throughout the summer.

The shop is on two levels, with romantasy titles on sale alongside tote bags and gifts.

The store, a former ceramics studio, is stocking one of the UK’s largest dedicated ranges of romantasy titles – about 2,000 books – alongside special editions, gifts, merchandise and products from independent female-owned brands.

Romantasy titles at Bad Girl Books (Image: Andy Ffrench)

There are other stores in the UK which have romantasy books but this is claimed to be the first store solely dedicated to the genre, which blends fiction and romance.

Sarah J Maas, author of the famous A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series, has sold more than 75 million books worldwide.

“Last year I read about 100 romantasy books, and I’ve already read 60 this year,” Izzy, 22, told The Guardian on the opening day.

She added: “I used to hate reading when I was in school, but then I discovered romantasy, and realised that there is a whole world of books out there that I really enjoy. It’s an escape from reality.”

Tote bags at Bad Girl Books (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Ms Marot told The Guardian she had worked hard to build up a following with the Bad Girl Books pop-up events she organised.

“It was incredibly hard work. I was working 12-hour days,” she said.

“But people flew from Ireland, Norway and Italy to come to the pop-ups, bringing empty suitcases to fill with books.”

The pop-ups snowballed, and within six months she had raised £30,000 to open a permanent shop.