CHESAPEAKE, Va. — If you love a good juicy romance novel, there are a lot to choose from at the Novel Grounds bookstore in Chesapeake.
"So we have our cowboys and our sports, and we’ve got the dragons and the dark romance," owner Megan Gallt said.
Gallt worked in the book-publishing business for more than 10 years. But her dream was to open a bookstore dedicated to romance. In 2023, that dream came true when she opened Novel Grounds.
"It's been phenomenal. We could not be any more embraced by the community, and we are having more fun than we already are. Chesapeake loves its romance books!" Gallt said.
Shelley McDaniel-Griffin has bought 339 books since the store opened.
"The community they’ve built and the friendships I’ve made with coworkers and staff — it’s just amazing," McDaniel-Griffin said.
Another thing that makes Novel Grounds novel is that 80 percent of its books are written by independent authors, such as Virginia Beach writer Jana Sun.
"I like to blend fantasy into romance, but I love the magic and the whimsy. I love making the reader fall in love," Sun said.
With 33 romance subgenres, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But that’s OK; the store’s literary experts will point you in the right direction.
"I want you to come into Novel Grounds. We’re going to be all up in your business, and we are going to find that book for you and introduce you to some authors you won’t find anywhere else," Gallt said.
Novel Grounds wants you to love shopping for a good book — it’s positively Hampton Roads.
