A Novel Affair was born from a lifelong love of romance stories—and the belief that they deserve a space as vibrant, cozy, and joyful as the readers who love them.

Founded by Yung and Julie, two Bay Area locals, longtime friends of over twenty years, and unapologetic romance readers, A Novel Affair reimagines what a bookstore can be. We dreamed of a beautifully designed third space where books, coffee, wine, and community come together—because romance isn’t just a genre, it’s a feeling. Our long-term vision is intentional and romantic at heart: a book café by day and a wine bar by night.

Today, A Novel Affair lives as a pop-up edition in Los Altos (featuring romance books and bookish merchandise), operating as a residency through at least summer 2026. This space allows us to build community, test and refine our concept, and grow alongside the readers who support us. With the continued love and enthusiasm of our community, we hope to make Los Altos our permanent home.

A Novel Affair would not be possible without the incredible community that believed in this vision from the start—including the successful funding of our Kickstarter campaign, which helped bring this dream to life.

This is more than a bookstore. It’s a shared love story—written with our community, one chapter at a time.