Update on first ‘romantasy-only’ 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.

Ms Marot, originally from Palm Beach County near Miami, will open the new store in Walton Street on Saturday, followed by a series of author visits throughout the summer.

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The store, a former ceramics studio, will stock 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.

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.

Romantasy fiction fans queue up outside an event (Image: Starlin Marot)

Ms Marot said she was inspired to start reading romantasy fiction, a fantasy romance crossover genre, three year ago after trying a novel by Sarah J Maas, one of the leading authors in the genre.

She added: “The reason I like the romantasy genre so much is because it is so inclusive and empowering.

“It can be empowering to celebrate stories written by women, which feature women’s voices and desires.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting lots of new customers.”

Bad Girl Books in Oxford (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Bad Girl Books’ first pop-up event in London tempted more than 1,000 people to sign up within three days, while more than 8,000 readers have attended its last four pop-up events across the UK.

The launch in Jericho will be marked by a “mini-summer romantasy festival” every Saturday and Sunday in July and August, when more than 50 authors will host signing tables in the shop, which has been painted pink and looks ready to open.

Starlin Marot outside a Bad Girl Books pop-up event (Image: Starlin Marot)

Ms Marot, a former marketing student, said the store is intended to fill a gap in both the local community and the wider UK book market.

She said earlier: “I started Bad Girl Books as a way to meet the romantasy community in real life and create a genuinely fun, unique shopping experience.

“The response has honestly been unbelievable. So many people showed up to the pop-ups that I was able to scale incredibly quickly, and within six months I’d raised enough money to open a permanent shop.”

Starlin Marot who is opening a new bookstore (Image: Starlin Marot)

Sarah J Maas is thought to have sold more than 75 million books worldwide. Her fantasy series, including A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City, have been translated into 40 languages.

Her readership is heavily driven by the BookTok community on social media, and she frequently tops the charts as one of the bestselling living fantasy authors.