Novel Grounds - A Romance Bookstore

10/10 would recommend! Absolutely adorable bookstore. I ended up buying a book and some accessories and my sister did as well. If you're a romance reader, this place is definitely for you. They also offer a book club and crafting classes once a month I believe, it's all on their website. You can also order their merch and books online as well so makes it super convenient. Def check this place out!

I’m so glad I finally made the journey out to Novel Grounds! The store is cute, cozy and deliciously bookish. Everything is beautifully displayed and organized by trope so if you’re someone who shops by preferred tropes, they make it easy. I love the focus on indie and lesser known authors and try to buy locally if I can. They do carry some popular titles as well as special and signed editions but the focus really is on wonderful indie authors. They also have so many bookish goodies! Blankets, bookmarks, stickers, apparel and more that escapes my brain as I was so blown away that it didn’t all register. I exclusively read sapphic/LGBTQ romance and was so happy to find not one, but four new books I hadn’t heard of by indie authors. In true inclusive fashion, LGBTQ books are mixed in throughout the tropes and genres and the lovely women running the store gave me recommendations and helped me hunt down titles I didn’t own, which is no easy feat as I own over 1,500 books, follow new release indexes religiously, and own most sapphic/LGBTQ romances published by the traditional "big 5" publishers. Truly a wonderful experience and so worth the drive from VB. I can’t wait for my next visit and who knows, maybe one day they’ll need a volunteer/LGBTQ romance expert they can pay in books.

Novel Grounds isn’t just a bookstore for my family—it’s become a really special part of my wife’s life. They even hosted her birthday party, and the way they went out of their way to make her feel seen and celebrated is something I’ll never forget. It didn’t feel like we were "using a venue"; it felt like we were among friends who were genuinely happy to be part of her day. What I love about Novel Grounds is that it goes way beyond just selling books. The shop has this warm, cozy atmosphere that makes you want to slow down, browse, and stay awhile. They’re always doing fun things for the community—author signings, craft nights, and unique themed events that bring readers together and make the store feel like a real gathering place for book lovers, especially romance fans. Megan, the owner, is the best. You can tell how much heart she puts into everything, from the way the store is set up to the kinds of events they host. The rest of the staff is just as amazing—kind, welcoming, and genuinely helpful, never pushy or salesy. They’re happy to recommend a book, help you find something new, or just chat for a minute. I really appreciate everything they do. Novel Grounds is a bookstore that truly goes above and beyond, and we’re fortunate to have them in our community.

I've been shopping at Novel Grounds since they opened brick and mortar. The owner Megan is amazing, funny and has built a great community. Earlier this year I lost my eldest son and the community wrapped their arms around me with love, laughter and lots of activities to keep me busy. I have made more friends this year than ever before. The Book selection is out of this world. The special novel editions and coffee are superb. And, the author events have been sensational. I do a lot of online ordering and pre orders and love that I can come in, they know my name and I can just be me. Local book babes and dudes or out of towners, this place is a treat!

The absolute cutest bookstore ever. I’ve been following their socials for a while, but I finally stopped in this weekend-it exceeded all expectations. Erin was working when I stopped in. She was super helpful and a joy to talk to. I’m excited to make many more trips and hopefully participate in a book club or craft night that they organize!

The thing I love the most about Novel Grounds is the experiences I can’t find anywhere else. The owner works hard to bring in authors for signings I would never be able to meet otherwise. In addition, there’s magic in stumbling on a signed indie book with artwork or stickers included at no extra cost just sitting on the shelves waiting for a good home. The owner continually strives to include more diverse authors and stories and carefully listens to feedback and takes it to heart. I am often in awe of her strength. As a former business owner, I know how draining running retail can be, especially for a small business with major box stores as competition. Megan does it all with a level of confidence and expertise that manifests itself in a beautiful and welcoming store full of the fruits of her labor. She has surrounded herself with staff who also exude this same pride in what they do. Hats off to you ladies. You all show how powerful women entrepreneurs can be. Keep up the good work and thank you for providing a unique bookstore experience to our corner of Virginia.

My new go-to for romance novels!! The place was ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!! So many different types of romance novels available as well as signed copies, special editions, and sprayed edges. Loved the merch and stickers… just everything! I am now a regular!