Meet the Staff
Dee
Dee (she/her) is the owner of Romantasy Bookstore—an "older" romance reader with a lawyer brain, a mom schedule, and a marriage that's been going strong for 27 years (mostly!). She's a sucker for contemporary romance with maximum emotional payoff: slow burns, second chances, and the kind of tension that makes you text your best friend at midnight. Her go-to authors are Rebecca Yarros and Christy Schillig—and while she'll always come home to contemporary romance, she also fell hard for the Fourth Wing series when she wants her love story with a side of dragons and danger.
See Dee's Picks →
Alex
Alex (she/her) is the General Manager of Romantasy Bookstore, a drag queen, and your reigning Miss American Vampire of Philadelphia 2025—so yes, her Staff Picks come with a little extra bite (in the best way). She's proudly queer, proudly lesbian, and always chasing stories that blend horror and fantasy: eerie atmospheres, monsters you might root for, and worlds that feel one candle away from chaos. When she's not running the shop, Alex is single and holding down the fort as a cat mom to three absolute gremlins—Chicken, Goose, and Turtle. The cats are crazy, not her! (Or so she says.) If you want a recommendation that's dark, magical, and a little unhinged in the "can't stop turning pages" way, you're in the right place.
See Alex's Picks →
Joe Joe the Cat 🐱
Meet Joe Joe (he/him)—our cat-obsessed staff picker. From dark romance to paranormal, he'll read anything with a prominent feline. Single (and adoptable!). These are his top picks from the shelves — paw-approved. 🐾
See Joe Joe's Picks →
Irene
Irene is a proud single mom, cosmetology student, and passionate romance reader who believes every great story has the power to heal, inspire and make you fall in love with fictional characters (sometimes a little too easily!) When she's not behind a book, you'll find her working towards her dream career as a hairstylist, spending time with her son, or sharing her latest reads with fellow book lovers. Irene likes romances with found family, emotional healing, protective heroes, small town charm, motorcycle clubs, sports romances, and any good story that leaves you thinking long after you've turned the last page.
See Irene's Picks →
Ready to Obsess Over This Month's Book?
Gather Somewhere Beautiful
Host your book club in a space that sets the mood, sparks the conversation, and makes the evening feel genuinely special. Order 5 or more copies through us and we'll treat every member to a goody bag and a romance tote bag for the group. Because talking about the books you love should feel like an event in itself.