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Shelves of books at Shelf Love in Des Moines. The romance-only indie bookstore opened in 2025.
Madeleine Charis King
/
Iowa Public Radio
Arts & Life
In Iowa, demand for romance literature continues to grow and evolve
Josie Fischels
Across the U.S., demand for romance books continues to boom, including locally. This Valentine’s season, the genre has reached a fever pitch thanks to the success of media based on romance books, including LGBTQ hockey romance Heated Rivalry and Netflix's Bridgerton.

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