Inside Newcastle's First Romance-Only Bookshop
Living North take a peek inside Newcastle's first romance-only bookshop
Books have always been a huge part of Ezibela’s life, but it wasn’t until a few years ago, when she was going through a difficult time, that she truly fell back in love with reading. ‘It was actually my little sister who handed me a copy of A Court of Thorns and Roses,’ she recalls. ‘For any readers out there, she’ll never let me forget that they were signed first editions. I broke the spines and lost them. Only now do I realise what she actually gave me.’
What started as a hobby quickly became a passion, and somewhere along the way, it became much more than that. ‘I created a romance book club in Newcastle, which grew into an incredible community of readers,’ says Ezibela. ‘Through that community, I realised there were so many people looking for the same thing I was: a place where they could talk about books, make genuine friendships, feel accepted, never feel judged, and most importantly feel safe for what they love reading.’ And so The Sinful Spine was born.
Ezibela argues that romance readers are one of the most passionate communities in publishing, yet the genre is still often dismissed as being ‘just romance’. ‘For me, romance books are about so much more than love stories,’ she says. ‘They’re about resilience, hope, friendship, grief, healing, and finding your way through difficult times. They remind us that no matter how hard the journey gets, there’s still light at the end of it.
‘I wanted to create a space that unapologetically celebrates romance in all its forms, whether that’s contemporary romance, romantasy, indie favourites, dark romance, young adult romance, or other niche corners of the genre. More than anything, I wanted to create a space that celebrated readers and gave them somewhere they could completely immerse themselves in the stories they love.’
It’s no secret that Newcastle has a great literary offering, but until now there hasn’t been a dedicated romance bookshop in the city. ‘The North East has a huge community of romance readers, bloggers, creators, and book club members, yet many people still travel across the country to attend romance events or visit specialist romance bookshops,’ says Ezibela. ‘I wanted to create something closer to home. A place where readers could discover new books, meet like-minded people, and attend events centred around the genre they love. The response we’ve had already has shown just how passionate the romance community is in the North East.’
When The Sinful Spine opens on 1st August, visitors can expect to find a carefully-curated collection of romance books across multiple sub-genres, alongside exclusive special editions, merchandise, gifts, and recommendations from fellow readers. ‘But more than that, they’ll find a space built for readers,’ Ezibela adds. ‘We’ll be hosting book clubs, themed events, quizzes, author signings, and social gatherings throughout the year. We also have coffee, cocktails, and cosy corners where people can sit, relax, and spend hours talking about books.’
The goal is to create somewhere people want to stay, not just somewhere they visit, and Ezibela is sure it will be a success because of the popularity of the genre. ‘I think romance gives people something we all need: hope,’ she says. ‘The best romance novels aren’t simply about two people falling in love. They’re stories about overcoming obstacles, surviving heartbreak, finding family, healing from trauma, and becoming the person you’re meant to be. Readers see pieces of themselves in those journeys. At a time when the world can feel quite heavy, romance offers something powerful: the promise that things can get better and that happiness is worth fighting for.
‘I also think readers are tired of apologising for what they enjoy. Romance has always been popular, but now people are embracing it openly and proudly, building communities around it and finding friendships through it. I think that’s wonderful to see.’
Ezibela hopes The Sinful Spine becomes a community hub for readers across the North East. ‘Of course I want the business to grow, but more than anything, I want people to walk through our doors and feel like they’ve found their people,’ she says. ‘If, in a few years’ time, someone tells me they met their best friend through one of our book clubs, discovered their favourite author through the shop, or found a place where they finally felt they belonged, I’ll consider that a success. For me, The Sinful Spine was never just about selling books. It was about creating a home for readers who never quite felt they belonged anywhere else.’
Quick-Fire Questions
Who is your favourite author?
Leigh Rivers.
What are your reading right now?
Leave Me Behind by K.M. Moronova.
Name a character who inspires you.
Feyre Archeron (A Court of Thorns and Roses).
