I've been visiting Los Altos pretty often lately for site visits (wedding planner) and this spot is always a must when I'm in the area! Everyone I've met has been super sweet, Yung always remembers me by name which really speaks to how much they truly appreciate their customer base. I've never gotten a bad recommendation here either, everything is always spot on (especially if you know your favorite tropes). There's a pretty good selection considering the space - it's not as big as B&N, you know - and I truly believe there's something for everyone there. Clean, smutty, romantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, all of it! read more

The Bay Area needed this! There's finally a romance bookshop in the Bay Area everyone! They have a great selection of books in every subgenre possible and cute merchandise from small businesses. They do amazing pop-up events with authors and other vendors. Staff are helpful when it comes to recommendations and can order books for you! I love their loyalty program where you can earn stars for every dollar you spend. With the price of books now, it's pretty easy to get there. Knowing that I can get $5 off a purchase after collecting 100 stars makes me feel like I'm slowly building my home library book by book. read more

Starting off, let's talk about the vibes. This place is a readers dream and also a small business supporters dream. I've been the only person in the bookstore and also one of 15 people trying to checkout and one of 30 people just browsing. The customer service when it's just party of 1 or party of 50, is top notch. Part of me wishes I found this store during the rain season because it just feels like the perfect place to buy a book, cozy up in their reading corner and let the rain fall outside while you're toasty and falling deep into a fantasy. If you don't know what you're looking for and looking for a surprise, they have great Blind Date Books that come with extra surprises for an added value. I've bought two and found them to be great reads and I loved the extras included. My biggest rave about this store is that it is a truly inclusive space, welcoming to everyone and wanting to celebrate everyone. I've loved their special events around women, AAPI, Pride and overall just the love of different genres, series and popular and even new to the scene authors. Their activities, watch parties and book clubs are a blast and they have had some of the best vendor partnerships that have introduced me to new cool stuff. Engraved bookmarks, fashionable earrings, desserts a plenty and my favorite matcha makers, their pop up partnerships have been some of the best gifts I have given so far this year. They are cultivating something so amazingly unique that is needed in the Bay Area and I am here for it. I highly recommend that when you come in, make time for yourself to really enjoy it, you'll instantly become a fan and want to just browse, find the right book and fall deep into their accessories related to books. Also, don't be afraid to be a party of 1 to any of their events. You'll instantly make a new friend at a tea party, book bedazzling, author signing event, or any of their other cool art and crafts or watch parties. read more

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Smallish shop but they have everything a romance-fantasy-romcom-dark-ya reader needs. Owners are super nice and events are pretty cool. read more

Finally an all romance bookstore in the Bay Area! I have been here several times since it's opened and it's so cute and fun inside! The decor is beautiful and the windows are open and welcoming to come inside. There's a a great selection of romance books for every reader. There's a lot of different merch too from sweaters, shirts, socks, and totes to highlights, bookmarks, and stickers. There's also a selection of blind date with a book! The staff is so friendly and if you want to sit and read, there's plenty of seating too. It's such a fun store and hope we can keep it here forever! read more

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Such a cute store!! It's interesting because their selection is fairly limited, but they had The Ascended which is super hard to find now that it's been discontinued. I had to snatch it up just because I was so excited to find it in the wild! Yes, you can just buy books from Amazon, but there's so much more love and thought that gets put into a physical store like this. This was my first time visiting the store and I wish it just had a tad more options. The store was clean, employees were friendly and I'd definitely come back -- support your local bookstores!! read more

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Back in the fall of 2025 a newsletter connected with the high school district where I work announced that two graduates had opened a pop-up bookstore dedicated to romance. In July I finally got myself over to check it out. The selection and "index card on shelf" recommendations are varied, even within the romance genre. And there's a very fun gifty section at the back of the store. On my first visit I got myself a Book Girl Summer reading card. Since you can only get two stickers a visit I have been back many times. Working my way to 10 stickers. The staff is always friendly and great help when asking for a recommendation. If you haven't visited yet, get to A Novel Affair...let's make sure it's a permanent fixture for the reading community!!! read more

A Novel Affair - My favorite part of independent bookstores are the staff recommendations. - Bookstores Near Me - Los Altos, California

The only thing I love more than a library or a bookstore is a romance bookstore. Given all the readers in the Bay Area, one would think there would've been a romance bookstore already. Romance books and bookstores are leading book sales and top book lists. Romance bookstores have increased around the world. They're diverse, inclusive, and welcoming. A Novel Affair is currently a popup. They're looking for a forever space that can house a cafe as well. The current popup iteration is beautiful and thoughtfully curated and decorated. It's cozy, warm, welcoming, and fun. There's so many nods to historical romance books and popular romance books like ACOTAR and Fourth Wing, as well as ones like Jane Austen and LGBTQ. The owner is so nice! She's a local Bay Area teacher. She gave a teacher discount to my friend who asked, and discounted the book I purchased because it was the display one (last copy) and the cover was slightly bent. My friend and I made the over 40-minute trek to Los Altos just to visit A Novel Affair and it was worth it! We both got at least 1 book and a sticker or two. The bookmarks are also very cute. It's a great community space and bookstore and they have a book club! The sofa and decor is so cute. There's a spice level wall and lots of cute gifts. I will be back! Must support. So nice! It's a must-visit and the service is so personable and helpful and thoughtful and kind. It's intimate and a delight to visit. read more

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I've been wanting to visit this book store since it opened! It is so cute inside. There is a good selection of books. I really enjoyed looking all around. Their holiday items are now 50% off. I'm a big fan of blind date with a book, and was super happy to have seen it there! I didn't end up getting anything since I already have a stack of books that I still have to read! definitely give this place a visit!! read more

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A lovely bookstore! I'd highly recommend visiting A Novel Affair if you haven't already. The storefront is super inviting and whimsical. I enjoyed every second of my visit! They also have limited editions/ special cover artwork as well, which I really appreciate. The staff recommendations are also thoughtful and intentionally curated. This is such a wonderful place for book lovers. I also wanted to highlight the event offerings at the store as well. It is such a great way to gather together as a community and support authors, writers, and book lovers alike. I have immense gratitude for spaces like these and the fostering of building relationships. read more

Calling all bibliophiles.. This is the place to visit!! I was walking around downtown Los altos heading to my usual places for some quick errands and lo and behold I come across this lovely store!!! You walk in and are automatically greeted by warm people. The two gals who work there are super friendly and helpful. There's a variety of selection of books to choose from - romance being their staple item- as well as so many cute bibliophile gifts and trinkets!!! I found some neat things for gifts here, that are also good to travel well with. I definitely need one of those comfy bookworm sweaters too! They are currently having a bingo activity going on where each time you can get a square colored and then you can win some cool prizes! They also have fun themed events too like recently it's the Bridgeton theme where they have such cute items and even a backdrop to take photos!!! The books are a bit more pricier then let say you get them from Amazon but you are supporting a local business which I love. I picked one up on my last visit. They not only have romance but also Reece Witherspoon book club books too which I really appreciated! Some other great events they have going on: -monthly book club. It's $5 to attend plus that goes to any purchase as well. -author visits -poetry reading They post a lot on their instagram so I would definitely give them a look and follow!! I hope to attend one of their events soon and I can add to my review so until the. 4.5/5! So overall I'd highly recommend paying a visit here if you are in need of a new book or are a bibliophile like me and will be dazzled by all the great things inside!!! read more

I can't tell you enough about how much I love this bookstore. The staff and team are so nice and the bookstore vibes are just amazing. I love visiting here and talking to other customers and the staff about their newest reads and recs. I've never left empty-handed! read more

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I went when they just opened back in November. Since I went after the big crowded the selection wasn't much but goodness the vibes of the place was amazing. I loved the decor. The service was welcoming. The overall vibes were top tier. read more

A Novel Affair - Bookstores Near Me - Los Altos, California

A Novel Affair is my favorite bookstore. It is so worth the drive for so many reasons. The staff put so much care and thought not only to the selection of books but the merch they have to offer(rotates FREQUENTLY), the decor of the store, and events to bring the community together. I have been to almost every monthly book club meeting and I genuinely look forward to seeing the whole group and the staff members every time I come! I've been to a handful of events and have enjoyed every single one! From watch parties to craft nights to just exploring what they have to offer. They also have a really great rewards program for frequent fliers! Please please please make this your next destination if you're in the area :) read more

I feel so lucky to have this bookstore locally! It's become one of the places I always have to visit when I'm in downtown Los Altos. I say I'm just going to pop in, but then inevitably end up staying for at least half an hour, sometimes more because there's so much to browse. The book selection is fantastic (almost all romance, of course), and I've gotten several great recommendations from the staff. You can tell them what you're looking for, what spiciness, books you've previously enjoyed, and they'll find you a good match. The staff is so nice, whether it's helping you find your next read or just gushing with you about the last book you finished. In addition to the books, they also have a curated collection of bookish merchandise -- everything from shirts to coasters to gift cards to Kindle covers to planters to puzzles. Perfect for gifts or if you want to splurge on yourself. And they've also been really upping their game in terms of events, bringing in authors (even some that I saw at SDCC but with less lines!) and creating inclusive opportunities to meet people. I could totally see this becoming a wonderful third space for the community as it grows! read more

Bring a cold cup of something refreshing, grab a book, cross your legs, and dive into a world of romance like no other. This bookshop is filled with a books that might boggle your mind, but take the time to browse, read the reviews shared on their sticker wall of reviews, and ask the staff for their recommendations. You'll find them to be very versed in every book. This place is full of gifts for the holiday season, or just a gift for that reader friend of yours. I grabbed my son a pillow and excited for him to see it. The warm space, the cozy decor, and the plethora of options will keep you coming back for more reads. For a quick easy read, I picked up The Wolf King and finished it in 2 days. Great recommendation from the staff! read more

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My fav book store . The staff are so kind and they recommended me a new fav author (Katherine Center)

So excited that the Bay Area now has their very own romance bookstore! Visited during their grand opening and there was a huge line wrapped around the building! It was an amazing turnout and so wonderful to see all the book lovers coming out to show their support. Yung and Julie did an amazing job designing the place. They thoughtfully picked out the right pieces of furniture and the shop has all the cozy, romantic bookstore vibes. My favorite feature has to be the black arched bookshelves! I'm definitely looking forward to all of their upcoming events, especially the Sip & Shop! Who doesn't want to drink while perusing through steamy books?? read more

A Novel Affair - Ribbon cutting! - Bookstores Near Me - Los Altos, California

What a perfect addition to the bay area! I went to the grand opening, and with lines wrapped around the corners of the building, you could tell A Novel Affair isn't just setting up a regular bookshop -- it's creating a community and third space for romance book lovers. The shop was stocked with books and unique bookish gifts! Great place to shop local. I'll definitely be back. read more

A Novel Affair - Bookstores Near Me - Los Altos, California

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My friends and I love going to this bookstore! Every month, there is always an event to look forward to. Whether it's a book club meeting or author event, it's fun to check it out. As romance reader, I am happy to be able to enjoy it. I particularly love their Bridgerton season event. read more

Always love coming here. The music is always a vibe in the store and the staff are all friendly, nice, and super helpful!

Their pop up location is so cute! I can't wait for them to open their full concept with their cafe. In the meantime, this bookstore is worth the visit for the romance readers out there. I love supporting small and/or POC and/or woman-owned businesses especially that clearly have passion and love poured into them. They were so knowledgeable and had great recommendations. They organized their bookshelves so you can easily find something that works for you. There's something for every romance reader. I also love that they try to source their merchandise from women-owned businesses too. I admire them supporting other small businesses in that way. Make sure to follow them on social. They offer cool events and programs. Wish I was local so I could participate more often but I'll just have to settle for visiting again when I'm in the area. read more

I had a wonderful experience at this bookstore. I love romance books so when I heard about A Novel Affair, I knew I had to make a trip. The selection was amazing. There were also a lot of book related merch that was so cute. The staff is also so friendly and knowledgeable. I will for sure be back! read more

A Super Cute Romance Bookstore in the Bay Area! This bookstore is absolutely adorable! The space is cozy, inviting, and clearly well-curated and thoughtfully designed for romance readers to relax and enjoy browsing. The selections includes contemporary romance, romantasy, and YA romance. From a sweet meet-cute to five-chili-pepper spice, there's truly something for every romance reader here. The store also carries really cute book-related merch--like totes, shirts, throws, etc. I saw a lot of cute Holiday items during Grand Opening. The staff is friendly and helpful, and during the grand opening, they even hosted local author signings--a great way to show their community focus. Located in downtown Los Altos, the area is charming, and parking is easy with street spots and nearby lots. If you love romance novels, this is definitely worth a visit. read more

A Novel Affair has become my happy place. The staff are so friendly and I somehow end up leaving with a new book every time I stop by. They are a book lover's dream come true when it comes to events. I loved their Bridgerton themed tea party and their book club has been amazing. I've had so much fun reading books I don't normally read and talking about books with other book lovers. read more

i LOVE the staff here so much!!! everyone is always so nice and ive had staff recommend me multiple books whenever i go to browse because me personally, i like new recs to feed my tbr at any time :) the selection is also amazing, with deluxe sprayed editions, hardback, and regular paperback. They also have a whole section of merch with candles, t-shirts, tote bags, necklaces, bracelets--basically any book merch you want, they'll probably have the price is also so affordable with stickers being a dollar or two depending on the size, and the bookmarks are 3-4 dollars also depending on what design you get. The books, even the deluxe ones are not more than 20-22 dollars with tax so it's a great place to support an indie bookstore and get cheap book/merch!! read more

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What an amazing place. Both my daughter and I are so happy we found this place. The owner is amazing. A great addition to Los Altos.

We went to the opening day for A Novel Affair and we were so impressed! Opening a romance bookstore is such a niche idea, and everyone that showed up (lines out the door) was so excited. They had great recommendations, fun merchandise, and a cute coffee bar inside. Everyone that worked there was so sweet and helpful and the environment was so fun. read more

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I love this place! Downtown Los Altos is full of gems and this is the latest in its lineup of retail businesses with unique offerings. I love me all books, but especially romance novels, and this place has so much to offer on that front because romance is what they specialize in. As in, all romance novels, all the time! And they also place an emphasis on highlighting local authors, which I think is such a smart thing for a local, small business to do. And I enjoy that they are putting on unique events such as book clubs and their Valentine's Day "bookish" faire that features local vendors and other small businesses. Service has always been friendly and helpful. And I would much rather buy from them and get personalized recommendations than give my money to a soulless and greedy corporation like Amazon any day. There is something to be said about actually interacting with a person instead of just having a box appear on my doorstep. read more

Adorable shop, and everyone was so kind! I was really looking for a sweater I had seen online but they didn't have my size, but I ended up getting a t shirt for my husband instead and a few books. read more

How cute is the name of this romance bookstore?? Ok it's not just Barnes and Noble or Amazon books... THIS bookstore is unique and interesting because its shelves are full of everything from spicy bestsellers to sweet comfort reads. It's a great spot to meet up with gal pals, scope out the shelves for the latest pick for the book club, pick up some holiday gifts, and then go grab dinner and drinks after! I came here for the grand opening during Thanksgiving weekend and the staff was so sweet to hand out hot chocolate while we all waited eagerly to enter the store. Inside, there was book signings with local authors, a coffee corner and charcuterie board cart, and just some of the cutest merch I've seen for gifting! If you're looking for thoughtful gifts, a cozy place to browse, or a charming local business to support, this is a lovely shop to check out this holiday season! read more

I was so excited when this bookshop first opened up! We visited on Independent Bookshop Day and again when I was grabbing a copy of a new book release. I haven't been to an event there yet since many seem to be ticketed events BUT I did pre-order my ACOTAR books from here and am looking forward to not only being able to grab my books when they release, but also to attend their ACOTAR release events! staff is friendly and super helpful, the vibe in the store and the store location is so perfect, and I can't wait to visit again! read more

love this store and the area. i could spend forever in here! but every time i've gone, the girls who work there aren't very welcoming and kinda huff around while i browse making me feel unwelcome.. they don't really make an effort to make conversation at the register either, just tell you the total and ask if you need a receipt. otherwise they have a great selection and the cutest merch! **EDIT: the owner responded asking for a second chance, which really wasn't necessary since i still planned to stop by. i wrote my review because last time i visited, my boyfriend even noticed the off putting behavior from the girl who cashed me out. while i was browsing she came to put books away right in front of me and didn't even say excuse me. didn't check in while i shopped like other bookshops do. when i went to check out, i tried to make conversation about how i couldn't decide between two books and she just ignored me and gave me my total. however, the owner then took my review to instagram to poke fun of it and get others' opinions. learn to take the criticism, your employees could do better! definitely won't be coming back now. and i urge you all to think twice before you do!** read more

Super adorable and the owners are really welcoming. We saw an article about a romance bookstore pop up and knew we had to show up. The decor gives the perfect cozy, comfy reading experience. The owners seemed very knowledgeable on new or popular romance books. Personally they did not hold many of the books or authors I prefer but the shelves were a bit bare by the time we arrived on Saturday. Hopefully the shelves will be a bit more full with the sub genres I prefer next time I come in. They also had some Christmas romance that I haven't seen and the merch is so cute! Also please add more LGBTQ+ romance books. I wished to see more than one small shelf of books compared to the multiple shelves for romantasy. If you're in the area, please stop by! Any opportunity to support small local bookshops. read more

Cozy spot, nicely decorated. But in my opinion the non-book items are wildly overpriced. They claim that everything they have is from a woman-owned business as though that should make me want to pay more. Perhaps it should, but it didn't. I also found it a little hard to believe. And the item I was considering was not written by the author that the clerk said it was. She didn't believe me so she looked it up. read more

I drove all the way from San Leandro which was a smooth 40 minutes. And was welcomed in by the lovely staff. And I was shocked by the lovely wide selection of romance novels which is a lot more better than my local Barnes and Nobles. It was overall a cute small business that carry's not just romance novels but cute stickers, bookmarks, and sweaters and if you're up for it a blind book date! This shares overall the common interest of most romance readers dream in one store. read more

A Novel Affair - Bookstores Near Me - Los Altos, California

Nicely arranged with absolutely a great selection of authors and books. I hope the owners are able to find a permanent place. The atmosphere they've created would be perfect for book club meetings. read more