Welcome back to Bookstore Pix, where we celebrate independent bookstores and share their booksellers’ best reads.

This week’s newsletter is courtesy of our reader Ruth, who suggested we feature Good Girl Books—and I’m so happy she did. Read on to discover your next romance love-affair (and to meet the pup!).

Happily, this week’s feature coincides beautifully with Bookshop.org’s read-a-romance sale! With code “RAR26”, you can get 15% off some of Good Girl Book’s recommendations until August 31st. Look out for which ones are on sale below!

Photo provided by Good Girl Books

Tucked into the small neighborhood of Rocky Hill, Good Girl Books is Tennessee’s first Romance Bookstore and Truck! Good Girl Books was founded to create a safe space for romance readers in the Knoxville area to build community with other readers and fight the stigmas surrounding romance books. The storefront shares its space with a floral shop and is next door to a doughnut shop, so it truly has it all! And not wanting to forget its roots as a mobile book truck first, their iconic pink truck lives INSIDE the store. All Good Girls, Boys, and Pals are welcome even though the store is VERY pink!

Rayanne Streeter, founder of Good Girl Books, originally moved to Knoxville to teach at the college level. After 8 years in academia, she left to pursue Good Girl Books full time, encouraged by romance writer Lauren Morrill, who gave her the confidence and push to move Good Girl Books from a mobile-only business to a brick & mortar. Through this career change, Rayanne has been able to create a welcoming community of Good Girls, Boys and Pals. 

Follow Good Girl Books on Instagram here.

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Recommended by Lauren:

Lauren Morrill is the author of spicy adult and sweet YA romance. Her books include More Than a Feeling, the first in an adult small-town romance series, Meant to Be, and Better Than the Best Plan. She loves all things romantic comedy and specializes in kissing books. Lauren lives in Knoxville, TN, with her husband, Adam Ragusea, their two children, and Poptart the Pup.

Recommended by Rayanne:

Rayanne is the founder and owner of Good Girl Books. When she’s not recommending books in the store, she can be found kicking ass in an arcade, reading, or relaxing with her fur babies Poppy, Violet, and Dewey.

Together with Inside Hotels

The Vibe: Southern soul

The Location: Nashville, TN

Instaworthy Accommodations:

Connected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and steps from Broadway’s honky-tonks, Omni Nashville strikes the perfect chord between upscale comfort and Music City energy. Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, custom furnishings, and warm wood tones inspired by the city’s musical roots. Unwind at the rooftop pool with skyline views, catch live music in the lounge, or indulge in Southern cuisine at on-site restaurants like Bob’s Steak & Chop House. Whether you’re here for business, country music, or hot chicken, let Omni Nashville be your front row seat to everything Nashville has to offer.

Recommended by Forrest:

Forrest is a fiend for romantasy and paranormal fiction. She firmly believes Mistborn is romantasy and will not waste a breath recommending The Everlasting to people who didn't ask. She loves the one-bed trope but hates the accidental pregnancy trope (have fun, but be careful—for the love of God). She loves dogs, stalking Zillow, and martinis you could practically skate on. She also believes in Oxford commas (see above).

Recommended by Ali:

Ali is a basically a Muppet (think Animal mixed with Kermit the frog—chaos but kind). Just like her Muppet energy her reading is vast with her favorite books being Dungeon Crawler Carl and The Seven Year Slip. While she’s listening to audiobooks you can find Ali teaching Plant & Animal Science and Floral Design, playing D&D as a Druid, and watching movies with her husband and Good Boy Danny.

Together with Inside Hotels

The Vibe: Moving to the beat of Broadway

The Location: Nashville, TN

Instaworthy Accommodations:

Just two blocks from the heart of Broadway, Holiday Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown is your all-access pass to Music City. Guest rooms and suites are modern, spacious, and designed with comfort in mind—perfect for resting up between honky-tonk hopping and hot chicken runs. Fuel up at the on-site bar and restaurant, cool off by the pool, or stroll to nearby attractions like Bridgestone Arena and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Whether you’re here for the sports, the music, or just the good vibes, Holiday Inn Nashville Downtown keeps you close to the action.

Obviously, they had me at “sapphic Fleetwood Mac,”  but there are so many of these I’m dying to check out. Thank you to Good Girl Books for these amazing recommendations. Looking for more romance recs to use your 15% off on? Check out another of our favorite romance bookstores.

We’ll see you in two weeks for more from independent bookstores. Coming up soon: the largest independent bookstore in Texas.

Until then, thank you for supporting indie bookstores & happy reading!

See you then, 

Francesca

P.S. Found your next read? Please forward this email to anyone who you think might enjoy a little more bookish content in their inbox.

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