The staff at Read My Lips bookstore in downtown Marquette are pictured outside the store, which officially opened for business last weekend. (Courtesy photo)

MARFQUETTE — According to a recent article in The New York Times, romance bookstores are booming, from just two in 2020 to more than 20 now.

Add one more. In Marquette.

Read My Lips at 131 Washington St. opened last weekend. Owner Nicole “Nikki” Odom was overwhelmed by the response. Customers lined up from mid-block all the way to Third Street to get in.

“It was amazing,” Odom said. “We had to close on Monday to restock. They wiped us out. Not that I’m complaining.”

The Times article says the current romance craze can be traced to the early days of the pandemic. Millions of people were stuck at home. Some started baking. Others exercised. And many immersed themselves in reading.

Romance novels offer escape and comfort, often ending with an “H.E.A.” –a Happy Ever After. These can be addictive.

Whatever direction your reading preferences pull you, it’s available at Read My Lips; bodice rippers, dark romance, historical, vampire, beach reads and romantasy — which combines romance and fantasy.

Odom says hockey romances are quite popular now. And Read My Lips offers are significant selection of LBGTQ+ romances. After conducting a survey on her website, she found the majority of readers preferred to have LBGQ+ novels mixed in among other novels, but identified by a red stripe attached to the cover.

“This allows people who prefer to be discreet abut their preferences if they choose,” Odom said.

Odom and her physician husband have four kids, ages 1 year to 8 years old. The couple hails from metro Detroit. But, their first vacation was to the Marquette area and the decided they wanted to live here at some point.

He works at the Marquette Hospital. Odom is a neo-natal nurse, who was on maternity leave when they moved her. Then she decided to just go for it with the bookstore idea.

“It’s going great so far,” she said. “The level of interest has surprised me, happily surprised me.”

A steady stream of shoppers came in the shop, and many called Nikki by name. She’d only met most of them over the weekend. But, her friendly, helpful manner is a winner for a store owner.

She estimates her clientele so far as about 75% locals and 25% tourists.

In addition to novels, the shop sells journals and Post-It notes and pens. She also has a fridge stocked with plain water, sparkling water, flavored waters, coffees, teas and chocolates. The store features a couple of sofas, tables and chairs.

“I want people to feel like this is a safe space where they can meet up with friends and hang out,” Odom said.

Popular romance author Emily Henry, whose most recent book is set in Traverse City, will be doing a signing at the store in the future.

The bookshop has a Smitten in the Mitten section, featuring books set in Michigan and/or set in the state.

Amanda Chaperone, who lives in Munising, attended the grand opening. In January, Read My Lips will hold a special event for the release of Onyx Storm, a fantasy romance series. She plans to also hold some midnight release parties for some big book releases and there will be book clubs.

“We already loved Marquette. We’ve had nothing but good experiences here. My kids all love their school. And now I have a new business and all these new friends,” Odom said.

Check out the website at readmylipsbookshop.com and on instagram at instagram.com/readmylipsbookshop, and on Facebook at facebookcom/ReadMyLipsBookshop.