Denise Griffitts Reviews Nicole Conn's Descending Thirds

 

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Descending Thirds
by 

Nicole Conn (Goodreads Author)

Denise Griffitts's review, 2025

Nicole Conn has long been known for her fearless storytelling, and Descending Thirds is no exception. This novel is a haunting, intimate exploration of love, loss, longing, and ultimately, rediscovery.

The story follows two women—one a concert pianist, the other a filmmaker—whose lives intertwine in a deeply emotional and, at times, painfully raw relationship. As always, Conn writes with poetic precision, offering a lens into the vulnerability and complexity of deeply human emotions. Her characters are beautifully flawed, and their journey together is one that will linger in your heart long after the final page.

What makes Descending Thirds so powerful is Conn’s refusal to offer easy resolutions. She leans into the dissonance of relationships—how people crash together, pull apart, and sometimes find their way back, not as the people they were, but as something new. The novel is both sensual and cerebral, a symphony of emotional chords that refuse to be ignored.

This isn’t a light read—but it is an unforgettable one. If you’ve ever loved too deeply, lost too much, or longed for healing, Descending Thirds will speak to you.

Inside the Creative Mind of Nicole Conn: Filmmaker, Writer, and Storyteller

 

In this inspiring interview, Nicole Conn shares insights into her creative process and her journey across filmmaking, theater, and television, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she’s experienced throughout her career. Known for her authentic storytelling and multi-faceted talents as a writer, director, and editor, Nicole offers valuable advice for aspiring creators and discusses what continues to inspire her work today. Whether you’re a filmmaker, writer, or creative enthusiast, tune in to discover how passion and perseverance shape powerful storytelling.

Listen Here!

Nicole Conn Interview: Insights into Masterful Filmmaking, Storytelling, and Creative Innovation

Nicole Conn is a visionary filmmaker, novelist, and storyteller whose emotionally charged narratives and innovative projects have resonated with audiences worldwide. With a career spanning decades, Conn has created a diverse body of critically acclaimed films, novels, and media ventures.

Her work has garnered numerous awards and widespread praise for its personal depth, artistry, and powerful storytelling. Drawing inspiration from her own life, Conn’s projects often explore themes of love, resilience, and the human spirit. She is also an accomplished author, with multiple novels and a co-authored guide for parents navigating challenging medical journeys.

Based in Los Angeles with her children, Conn continues to develop new creative projects across film and literature. Known for her fearless storytelling and unwavering dedication to authentic narratives, she remains an influential voice inspiring audiences and fellow creators alike.

Connect with Nicole Conn: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Robert L. Rivenbark, Jr. Reviews Vincent Atchity's Story Merchant Book Romeo's Beat

Available on Amazon

How delightful to discover in the #MeToo age, when trust between men and women—and romantic love itself—has reached its nadir in our dysfunctional culture, that it’s still possible for an American novelist to write a literary love story that celebrates the eternal bond between man and woman. That’s precisely what Vincent Atchity has achieved with Romeo’s Beat. His novel has a deceptively simple premise—until you let it enfold and lift you into regions rarely explored in contemporary fiction. The points of comparison I can think of in terms of Atchity’s style are Ernest Hemingway (particularly in A Farewell to Arms) and Anaïs Nin (particularly in her Ladders to Fire). But Atchity has his own distinct voice, well-suited to his subject matter, giving his book a rhythm and cadence that make it a prose poem of unsurpassed beauty.

I had the honor of hearing Atchity do a live reading from his novel. During the Q&A afterward, he mentioned that given his responsibilities running a psychological clinic and raising three children with his wife, he had only been able to devote sixteen minutes day to his novel, beginning in 2007. Thankfully, he persisted, and the result is exquisite.

Set in the early 1980s, an era when great rock anthems resounded from FM stations, Romeo’s Beat follows the journeys of Juliet, a beautiful young Kansas botanist possessed of a mystical bond with nature; and Colin, a young singer/lyricist/guitarist who’s postponed recording his first record album in L.A., despite a lucrative recording contract, in a quest to find something enduring in his own music.

Juliet meets Colin while she’s on a solo pilgrimage to Salamanca, Spain, the city of her philosophical hero, Miguel de Unamuno. In her strolls through Salamanca’s cobblestone streets, she returns often to the Calle de Bordodores to see Pablo Serrano’s monumental statue of Unamuno. Yards away is one of her favorite shrines to Mary. Juliet considers her own personal religions to lie “suspended in a continuum between Unamuno and the Virgin Mary.” Unamuno scribed these words: “My religion is to seek for truth in life and life in truth.” Juliet believes this, too. “Even knowing that I shall not find them while I live,” she sadly concludes.

She’s at a crossroads. Having won a scholarship to begin her doctoral studies in botany in a month, she’s also engaged to Brad, a pleasant enough young man who brings solid financial prospects, given his upscale family roots. But Brad operates on a plain of consciousness that can’t begin to approach Juliet’s capacity to blend romantic and sexual passion with mystical intimations that take her into realms of awareness lightyears beyond Brad’s conventionality. She tells herself that she loves Brad, but that affirmation has started to ring hollow. Then she meets Colin in Salamanca, during his stopover on a peripatetic journey through Europe in search of his musical voice. The thunderbolt strikes them both. Juliet is powerfully drawn to this stranger in a way wholly unacceptable to her trajectory in life, so soon to be devoted to study, teaching, and a conventional marriage.

Colin, for his part, is strongly attracted to Juliet as well, but he’s obsessed with his own search, expressed in this reflection while he samples garlic-fried Champiñones mushrooms in a Salamanca tavern: “Colin had learned to cook from his father, and had a deep appreciation for dishes that brought together fundamental elements. The smell of olive oil and garlic had won him over before he’d even realized its source. It had grabbed something inside him that was older than he was, something that was inside everyone, and that would outlast any individual. For lyrics to last, Colin thought, they had to incorporate something as fundamental as olive oil and garlic.”

What follows is an elegantly articulated dance of love that focuses on the internal journeys of the two lovers, as they gradually come to accept that their meeting is going to disrupt their lives and change them both profoundly. The pace of this change unfolds slowly—perhaps too slowly for modern readers (though the novel is a quick read at 144 pages). But despite this minor pacing issue, Atchity does a magnificent job of dramatizing how, as their relationship becomes more intimate, Juliet’s and Colin’s hearts and souls are embroidered together, giving special significance to the Calle de Bordodores (which means “embroiderers”) that Juliet visits so often. From their love grows intimacy, the birth of a daughter, and a tragedy that raises the tale to classical stature.

It’s remarkable how Atchity occupies the minds, hearts, and souls of Juliet and Colin, particularly since we live in an age where writing from the point of view of the “other”—men writing from a feminine point of view, or women writing from a male point of view—is a taboo that often reduces our literature in a way that great writers of previous ages didn’t have to contend with (imagine Shakespeare hesitating to write Romeo and Juliet because he wasn’t a woman). Atchity’s insights are those of a mature artist who’s achieved a measure of wisdom about the eternal truths of life and love. At the end of the novel, I found myself hungering for more of this gifted writer’s work. Highly recommended reading.

Story Merchant E-Book Deal: Romeo's Beat by Vincent Atchity

FREE JUNE 1 - JUNE 6!

 Available on Amazon

How do you make a garden grow?
How do you find a beat that will just go on and on?
How do you find a love that lasts forever?

Juliet Sawyer, renowned botanist, tends a garden that is like none other in the Midwestern suburb where she lives. The envy of her neighbors and of landscape architects all over the world, Juliet hasn’t gotten there without learning some hard lessons—about soil and sunlight, about desire and letting go.

Colin Hogan is a musician on the verge of greatness, and a solo traveler with an imaginary companion. If only he can find the sound that will set him apart from the teeming masses who record songs without ever getting a hit. If only he can find the special someone who can make his world and work come to life.

When Juliet meets Colin, in a quiet cafe on a side street in a faraway city, neither one of them suspects how wide their worlds will become.

Romeo’s Beat is a timeless love story about a woman who is true to herself and to her beliefs about truth, about a man who is a seeker and a listener, and about the unexpected shape of the love that conquers all. It’s a story about the power of love to lead us into an unfamiliar territory of soundscapes and landscapes, the sorrows that come, the joy that endures and permeates all, love that turns the world upside down and sets it straight, love that carries us away from wrong ideas we had about ourselves and puts us in touch with the reality that makes our hearts come alive.

About Vincent Atchity

Vincent Atchity has lived in Spain, Scotland, California, New York, Kansas, and the District of Columbia. He now lives in Colorado with his wife and their three sons

Authority Magazine Interviews Nicole Conn

Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Filmmaker Nicole Conn Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry

An Interview With Eden Gold

Write the book you want to read. Make the Movie you want to see.

Asa part of our series about Inspirational Women In Hollywood, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Nicole Conn.

Nicole Conn is a visionary filmmaker, novelist, and storyteller whose work has redefined LGBTQ+ cinema and resonated with audiences worldwide. Known for her emotionally charged narratives and groundbreaking projects, Conn’s career spans decades of critically acclaimed films, novels, and innovative media ventures.

She is also an accomplished author with eight novels to her name, including Passion’s Shadow and Angel Wings (Simon Schuster) She Walks In Beauty, as well as co-authoring The Preemie Parent’s NICU Survival Guide.


Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

I was born right outside the Indian Reservation at Mesa, Arizona. My Mother, who was a classical pianist, tells the story that the day she brought me home my father had purchased her a piano. She tossed me in the crib, dashed to the piano and played until I cried from hunger. I believe this is how my love for classical music became part of my DNA. My mother has moved 39 times in her lifetime, and I’ve got her beat. Lots of Life lived in my years on earth. I’m a total Auto-didact and have learned everything through the act of “doing it.” Much like my main character, Alexandra, I lead with my heart, use passion as my beacon. Gratitude is my Religion…I’ve been blessed beyond blessed.

Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?

I was passionate about story telling from the time I was in 3rd grade. I would cut out all the heroes and heroines from comic book strips and I would create new speech bubbles for them so I could tell the story I wanted to see! From the very beginning I wrote pretty much daily…stories, dear diary diatribes and lots of agonized journal entries in my teens all the way until now!! I wrote my first novel after I quit drinking at 24. But I also had a love affair with B&W film from the time I was old enough to watch TV which indirectly led to my career as a filmmaker.

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

One of the most “Hollywood” things that ever happened to me was the first time I tried to get “Descending Thirds” published nearly 25 years ago. Suddenly, I’m thrust into a whirlwind of Hollywood excitement. Every major agency is clamoring for my book — ICM, CAA, William Morris — you name it. I sign with William Morris, feeling like I’ve hit the jackpot.

Then, one Friday night, I get this surreal call from my agent’s assistant, who’s at a NY industry party. She’s telling me that my manuscript is the talk of the town. I’m over the moon, thinking, “This is it. I’ve made it.” What follows is a masterclass in this industry of what I refer to as the “fast track to the slow no” and “hurry up and wait.” It’s a rollercoaster of high hopes and dashed expectations. You’re always on the verge of something big, but somehow it keeps slipping through your fingers.

In the end, I learned a profound lesson: in this business, timing is everything. Projects don’t come to fruition just because you want them to, or even because they’re good. They happen when the universe decides it’s ready for them. It’s a humbling experience that taught me patience and perseverance in equal measure.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Hmmm — not sure I have a funny mistake, but I have experienced happy mistakes along the way. The one that feels most powerful happened when I was super-tired editing my film “A Perfect Ending”. I was so exhausted that I accidentally used two separate shots on top of each other, one of which I literally slipped and reduced its opacity. The next morning, when I began work again, I realized that I was able to see two separate pieces of information — both equally interesting — which began my love-affair with double and triple dissolves. It’s become part of my “style” and another gift in my toolbox to help create the most visually compelling aspect of any scene I’m shooting and to consider ALL the variables. Yes, it ends up being more time consuming, but the payoff is well worth it.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I have been extraordinarily blessed by the people that I have found along my journey, starting with Pamela S. Kuri. She produced my first film, “Claire of the Moon” and pretty much held my hand and taught me as we went along. She has been there for me my entire career. Along those same lines my ex-life and film partner, Marina Rice Bader created Soul Kiss Films so we could make “Elena Undone” & “A Perfect Ending” together. And when I went to make the first ever LGBTQ+ Dating Competition Show (ala The Bachelor) JoAnne Millar came in and Executive Produced and financed the entire first Season (16 1-hr Episodes). I truly love collaborating and because all my films are passion projects the folks who get involved are in for the love of the material. Finally, last but not least, are the fans who have helped crowd-source my last four projects and who watch my films over and over and over again…which is the absolute best pay-off I can think of.

You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

Making any film — even my super small independent films — is truly one of the most challenging efforts you can undertake. These projects require 1000% involvement and commitment. The best advice I can give is to “go for it” and believe in yourself and your creative vision.

Take notes, advice, feedback, but know you are where the buck stops. You must always be asking yourself not what you like or what you want to do, but what is best for the project. It’s your vision. That’s both the challenge and the beauty of filmmaking.

Surround yourself with people you like and trust. This business is too intense for anything less. You’ll encounter many who don’t understand the creative process, so you must be able to share your vision while also protecting it.

Trust your gut! And never be afraid to ask for favors. There used to be an oft-repeated quote “you only get to ask for one favor.” Who says!?!!

Every industry iterates and seeks improvement. What changes would you like to see in the industry going forward?

The most critical component of what I do is finding the money. That’s the hardest, most grueling, soul-sucking endeavor. It’s hard to stay positive when you feel like you’re pimping yourself out. I wish there was a way for the industry to have more funding for the small personal film. If the powers that be stopped to think about it, instead of spending 50–100 million dollars making movies that are often destroyed by packaging and never see a return — they would realize there was a lot more money in funding a 500K film. But don’t get me started on value issues because I believe the people that should be getting actor’s and football player’s salaries are teachers and nurses.

You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?

I’m thrilled about the upcoming release of “Descending Thirds” on March 15th, but that’s just the beginning. We’ve adapted it into a nine-part limited series, which I believe is the perfect format to fully immerse in this story. It’s Emmy-worthy material across the board — from the lead performances to the score and art design.

I’m also finishing “Blue Love Dance — A CineRomance,” inspired by what I consider the pinnacle of my career — the love scene dance in “More Beautiful for Having Been Broken.” It’s a groundbreaking concept, and the telling of it is about my love affair with all things celluloid!

My ninth feature, “do we not grieve,” is in development. It’s a powerful drama delving into the mind-altering effects of profound loss and the unexpected paths to healing. Each project pushes boundaries in its own way, reflecting my commitment to storytelling that resonates deeply and challenges conventions.

We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture and our youth growing up today?

Absolutely. One, Two & Three is that our stories matter. They teach and they heal. One of the things I love about “Coming Out For Love” is that between the Contestants and the Guest Judges and our phenomenal Hostess, Jessica Clark, the viewer experiences a tapestry of unique and very talented women. I’m so proud of this snapshot of our community “Coming Out For Love” provides along with a universe most straight folks are simply not familiar with. And our stories matter the most to those facing their own sexual identity, many of whom are finding their way to coming out. The films and shows with prominent gay characters are often the only identification available to those living in communities that are still very closed off to the LGBTQ+ community.




What are your “Five things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?

Nothing is more important than spending time with your children — I’m not telling parents anything new when I say, it really goes fast.Write the book you want to read. Make the Movie you want to see.
Doing Lunch & taking meetings are two of the hugest wastes of time.
“You can’t do that” is merely a coward’s excuse.
Never fear failure.
Stay present or you’ll miss it!

Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.

I used to run in the mornings and as I got older began to power walk 4–5 miles 4–5 times a week. Walking in the morning sets my mind up for the day, but it also gives me a ton of energy to attack all the daily To-Do’s. And it keeps my body healthy and makes me feel so dang good!

I spend as much time as I can with my kids…Seriously, they are my refuel. As I say about my adorable grand-daughter Ocean, “She delights the heart and the spirit.” Being with my son always makes me feel such incredible joy. My daughter, Gabrielle, is the person I trust most in the world. My step-kids are equally loved and adored, Alexandra, Lauren, Buddy & Daisha.

For my mind, I do as many brain activities as possible. I’m obsessed by Puzzles — up to 6000 pieces now. I’m an avid poker player. I crossword daily, engage in game apps and challenge myself to learn new things — like all the special effects in “Blue Love Dance — A CineRomance” I taught myself how to use. Always be creating new neuro-pathways!

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Life can be ordinary, or it can be great” — This is step from Women for Sobriety, which is the program I used to get sober at 24. It’s all about our attitude…and for me that’s all about gratitude!

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

Honestly it would be to deal with the deep divide in our nation. It isn’t just about politics anymore — it’s about two fundamentally different realities. If I had the means, I’d propose a peaceful separation: the United States of Blue and the United States of Red. Not out of anger or hate, but from a place of acceptance that we’ve grown too far apart to reconcile. Let each side live according to their values and vision. It breaks my heart to say this, but I can’t bear to watch what’s happening to our country. I’ve literally not seen a second of news since the election. My heart can’t take it. Sometimes, loving something means knowing when to let go.

Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!

That probably would be Kamala Harris…She would have been one of our greatest leaders.

Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleconnfilmsglobal

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleconnfilmsglobal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.conn99

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleConnFilmsGlobal

IMDB: https://bit.ly/NicoleConnIMDB

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleconn

Website: https://nicoleconnfilmsglobal.com

Website: https://comingoutforlove.com

This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!

via Authority Magazine

KUDOS TO NICOLE CONN'S WINNING DESCENDING THIRDS!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

In the high-stakes world of classical music, Alexandra von Triessen, a gifted but insecure pianist, navigates the cutthroat International Ketterling Piano Competition. Dazzled by the charming Sebastian D'Antonio, she finds herself drawn into a web of intrigue surrounding his enigmatic and estranged brother, Conrad. Just as Alexandra's star begins to rise, a shocking discovery sends her world crashing down, exposing secrets and lies that threaten to destroy everything she's worked for.

Descending Thirds is a gripping story of ambition, betrayal, and the blurred lines between artistry and integrity. This page-turner explores the sacrifices we make in pursuit of our dreams and the devastating consequences of hidden truths. With two shocking twists that will leave you reeling, this unforgettable novel will resonate with anyone who has ever dared to reach for greatness.

Nicole Conn Chats with Dr. Mother Love!

Inspired by her mother, a classical-trained pianist who lived, recorded and worked in Morristown, NJ and Randolph, NY, LA filmmaker and author Nicole Conn decided to turn her attention from the big screen to pen Descending Thirds,

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

In the high-stakes world of classical music, Alexandra von Triessen, a gifted but insecure pianist, navigates the cutthroat International Ketterling Piano Competition. Dazzled by the charming Sebastian D'Antonio, she finds herself drawn into a web of intrigue surrounding his enigmatic and estranged brother, Conrad. Just as Alexandra's star begins to rise, a shocking discovery sends her world crashing down, exposing secrets and lies that threaten to destroy everything she's worked for.

Descending Thirds is a gripping story of ambition, betrayal, and the blurred lines between artistry and integrity. This page-turner explores the sacrifices we make in pursuit of our dreams and the devastating consequences of hidden truths. With two shocking twists that will leave you reeling, this unforgettable novel will resonate with anyone who has ever dared to reach for greatness.

The Great Midwest Book Festival Honor Nicole Conn's Novel Descending Thirds.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

In the high-stakes world of classical music, Alexandra von Triessen, a gifted but insecure pianist, navigates the cutthroat International Ketterling Piano Competition. Dazzled by the charming Sebastian D'Antonio, she finds herself drawn into a web of intrigue surrounding his enigmatic and estranged brother, Conrad. Just as Alexandra's star begins to rise, a shocking discovery sends her world crashing down, exposing secrets and lies that threaten to destroy everything she's worked for.

Descending Thirds is a gripping story of ambition, betrayal, and the blurred lines between artistry and integrity. This page-turner explores the sacrifices we make in pursuit of our dreams and the devastating consequences of hidden truths. With two shocking twists that will leave you reeling, this unforgettable novel will resonate with anyone who has ever dared to reach for greatness.
 

NEW FROM STORY MERCHANT BOOKS

 From Filmmaker Nicole Conn

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

In the high-stakes world of classical music, Alexandra von Triessen, a gifted but insecure pianist, navigates the cutthroat International Ketterling Piano Competition. Dazzled by the charming Sebastian D'Antonio, she finds herself drawn into a web of intrigue surrounding his enigmatic and estranged brother, Conrad. Just as Alexandra's star begins to rise, a shocking discovery sends her world crashing down, exposing secrets and lies that threaten to destroy everything she's worked for.

Descending Thirds is a gripping story of ambition, betrayal, and the blurred lines between artistry and integrity. This page-turner explores the sacrifices we make in pursuit of our dreams and the devastating consequences of hidden truths. With two shocking twists that will leave you reeling, this unforgettable novel will resonate with anyone who has ever dared to reach for greatness.

Renowned for her romantic lesbian-themed films, Conn's work includes the groundbreaking Claire of the Moon (1992), Elena Undone (2010), and "A Perfect Ending" (2012). She also earned critical acclaim for the award-winning documentary Little Man (2005) and the heartfelt drama More Beautiful for Having Been Broken (Nesting Doll) (2019).

Now, Conn brings her signature storytelling talent to the world of mainstream romance with Descending Thirds—a novel that transcends labels. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to her work, this story is for everyone to experience. Rich in drama, Descending Thirds also immerses readers in the competitive world of classical music and features original musical compositions.

Born to Talk Radio with Marsha Wietecha Interviews Nicole Conn

Tune in now for an inspiring conversation that explores the power of authenticity, passion, and artistic expression!

LISTEN NOW!

Enter the world where art, ambition, and betrayal collide.

Now on Amazon

 

Love is blooming

By Alexandra Alter I cover the literary world and the publishing business. There’s a boom in romance bookstores. More than 20 of them have sprung up around the United States in the past few years — up from just two in 2020 — and more are on the way. They have quirky names like the Ripped Bodice, Tropes & Trifles, Love’s Sweet Arrow, and Kiss & Tale. They’re sprinkled across the country, from Alaska to Maine. They’re largely owned and operated by women, and have become vibrant community hubs for romance fans. As a reporter who covers publishing, I’ve been following the soaring sales for romance, which is by far the top-selling fiction genre. But the arrival of brick-and-mortar romance stores struck me as something new, and surprising. For a story in The Times, I visited romance stores in South Florida and Brooklyn, and talked to booksellers, publishers and fans of the genre, to find out why romance bookstores are suddenly thriving. How readers fell for romance Romance writers and their fans point out that, about a decade ago, there wasn’t much enthusiasm for the genre in independent bookstores. Even though romance has long been a major moneymaker for publishers, the literary world tended to look down on it as frothy and unserious, or worse, as smut. Rebecca Zanetti told me that after she started publishing paranormal romance in 2011, it was hard for her to book a signing at a store, even though her novels were best sellers. “Back when I started out, you’d go into a small local bookstore and they might not even have a romance section, and if I said I wrote romance, they weren’t interested,” Zanetti said. The current romance craze traces to the early days of the pandemic, when millions of people were stuck at home, bored and anxious, and rediscovered their love of reading. Book sales spiked in 2020 and 2021, and romance in particular saw a steep and sustained rise. Its appeal during times of turmoil and uncertainty is obvious: Romance novels offer comfort and escape, and the stories often land on what fans call an “H.E.A.” — a Happily Ever After. Many who turned to romance during the pandemic seem to have kept up the habit. Print sales of romance books more than doubled in the last few years, from 18 million copies in 2020 to 39 million in 2023. On her most recent tour, Zanetti had events at three different romance bookstores in Southern California. And she said a new one — called It’s A Love Story — had just opened in her hometown, Hayden, Idaho. Looking for love stories. Natalie Keyssar for The New York Times Judgment-free zones The new crop of romance bookstores look and feel different from your typical local independent shop. They carry thousands of books in every conceivable romantic subgenre — historical, L.G.B.T.Q., young adult, romantic suspense, supernatural, romantasy, sports-themed romance — and many carry a wide selection of self-published novels that mainstream booksellers don’t stock. Some customers I spoke to said that they loved being able to shop without feeling judged for their tastes, and that booksellers were happy to steer them toward whatever they fancy: secret billionaire romance, B.D.S.M. erotica, Sapphic vampire romance, polyamorous hockey romance. A lot of the stores have an unabashedly feminine aesthetic. They are heavy on pink and floral motifs, with bright signs and merchandise that riff on familiar romance tropes — enemies to lovers, forced proximity, forbidden love, secret identity, fake relationships. They’ve become hubs for romance fans, not just to buy books but also to gather for book clubs, writing workshops, trivia contests and cheekily themed craft nights. Melissa Saavedra, owner of Steamy Lit in Deerfield Beach, Fla., said that even though romance sales were soaring, fans and writers still needed dedicated spaces and more recognition from the publishing world. “Even though it is the best-selling genre in fiction,” Saavedra told me, “we still have to fight tooth and nail for people to respect the genre.” via The New York Times