How To Start Your Own Romance Book Clubs Locally?

As someone who's been diving into the Boston literary scene for years, I can confidently say there are several fantastic romance book clubs in the city that cater to different tastes. The Boston Public Library hosts a monthly romance novel club that focuses on everything from historical to contemporary romance, and it's a great way to meet fellow book lovers. Another standout is the 'Love & Literature' club that meets at Trident Booksellers on Newbury Street. They have themed months, like 'Enemies to Lovers' or 'Fantasy Romance,' which keeps things fresh and exciting. For those who prefer online interactions, the Boston Romance Readers group on Facebook is super active, with members organizing in-person meetups at cafes like Café Nero or Tatte. If you're into indie bookstores, check out Porter Square Books' romance club, which often features author Q&As. And don't overlook the 'Romance Readers of Boston' on Meetup—they’re a tight-knit group with a mix of casual and hardcore fans. Whether you're into steamy reads or sweet love stories, Boston’s got you covered.

I stumbled upon this vibrant Spanish romance novel book club last month, and it's been an absolute game-changer for my reading habits. The group focuses exclusively on passionate, heart-wrenching Spanish-language novels like 'El Amor en los Tiempos del Cólera' and modern gems like 'La Casa de los Espíritus'. What makes it special is how members dissect cultural nuances—like how Latin American magical realism influences love stories differently from European realism. We meet biweekly via Zoom, with members from Madrid to Mexico City, creating this cool cross-continental perspective. The discussions get intense, especially when analyzing authors like Carlos Ruiz Zafón or Isabel Allende. Last week, we spent an hour debating whether the tragic ending of 'Como Agua para Chocolate' romanticized suffering or revealed deeper truths about love. The club also partners with indie bookstores for signed copies, and sometimes authors join Q&As. It’s not just about reading—it’s about experiencing romance through a Spanish-language lens, complete with themed playlists and recipe swaps for books with iconic food scenes.

I've been part of a few romance book clubs on Goodreads, and it's super easy to join if you know where to look. First, log into your Goodreads account and use the search bar to type in 'romance book clubs.' A bunch of options will pop up, from general romance clubs to niche ones like historical or paranormal romance. Click on the club that interests you, then hit the 'Join Group' button. Some clubs might have questions to answer or rules to read before joining, but most are open to everyone. Once you're in, introduce yourself in the introductions thread and start participating in discussions. I found my current club through a recommendation in a romance novel review, and it's been a great way to discover new books and connect with fellow romance lovers.

As someone deeply immersed in LGBTQ+ literature and community spaces, I can confidently say there are numerous romance book clubs dedicated to LGBTQ+ novels. Online platforms like Goodreads and Discord host vibrant groups where members discuss everything from sweet queer rom-coms like 'Red, White & Royal Blue' to intense emotional journeys like 'The Song of Achilles.' These clubs often organize monthly reads, author Q&As, and themed discussions, creating a welcoming space for queer readers and allies. Local LGBTQ+ centers and indie bookstores also frequently host in-person or hybrid book clubs. For instance, I’ve attended meetings at my local queer bookstore where we dissected 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu and contemporary gems like 'Honey Girl' by Morgan Rogers. The camaraderie in these spaces is unmatched—whether you’re analyzing tropes or sharing personal connections to the stories. Social media hashtags like #QueerBookClub or #LGBTQReads can help you discover even more niche groups tailored to specific identities or genres.

I've been on the hunt for romance novel book clubs too, and I've found that local libraries and independent bookstores often host them. For instance, my library has a 'Romance Readers' Circle' that meets monthly to discuss everything from contemporary fluff to steamy historicals like 'Bridgerton'. They even themed one meeting around 'Red, White & Royal Blue'—it was a blast! Another great option is Meetup.com; I stumbled upon a group called 'Hearts & Pages' that rotates between coffee shops and parks. They focus on diverse romances, like 'The Kiss Quotient' and 'Take a Hint, Dani Brown'. If you’re into niche subgenres, Facebook has hidden gems like 'Fantasy Romance Lovers', which mixes books like 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' with RPG elements.

Romance book bingo in book clubs is such a fun way to explore the genre while keeping things fresh and engaging. The basic idea is to have a bingo card with different squares, each representing a specific romance trope or theme. For example, one square might be 'enemies to lovers,' while another could be 'fake dating.' The goal is to read books that fit these categories and mark off the squares as you go. Some clubs set rules like requiring books to be read within a certain timeframe, like a month or a season. Others allow more flexibility, letting members fill the card at their own pace. There’s often a mix of mandatory and optional squares, so you can tailor the challenge to your preferences. For instance, a mandatory square might be 'historical romance,' while an optional one could be 'paranormal romance.' Many clubs also encourage members to share their picks and discuss them, which adds a social element to the challenge. Some even offer small prizes or bragging rights for the first person to get bingo. The rules can vary widely depending on the club, but the core idea is always to have fun and discover new books. It’s a great way to step out of your comfort zone and try tropes or subgenres you might not normally pick up.

If someone asked me what period romance novels fly off the shelves at my book club, I'd say Regency and early Victorian tales still rule the roost — but there’s a delicious variety beyond that. I’ve noticed groups split into a few camps: the classic enthusiasts who argue passionately for 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Persuasion' because of witty dialogue and moral nuance; the historical-accuracy crowd who like the social detail in 'North and South' or 'Jane Eyre'; and the folks craving escapism who devour Bridgerton-esque comfort reads and titles by authors like Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, or Tessa Dare. Gothic romances such as 'Rebecca', and wartime romances set in the 1940s, also spark lively debates about tone and atmosphere. What keeps these novels popular in clubs is discussion fuel — gender roles, consent, class mobility, and how romance reflects or revises history. For meeting night, I bring prompts: compare modern courting to the book’s courting, discuss any harmful romantic tropes, and pick a scene to adapt as a short script. I also flag content warnings and suggest pairing choices: tea for Regency, smoky whisky for a Highland saga. If your group wants something fresh, try inclusive or queer historical romances, or a translated period love story — they push conversation in unexpectedly good directions.

Honestly, if your book club loves juicy conversation and layered characters, start with 'Pride and Prejudice' — it's the little black dress of romance classics: always right for the occasion. I love how every meeting turns into a lively debate about whether Darcy was proud or just painfully shy, or whether Elizabeth's wit is feminist or merely performative in her society. Pair it with a screening of one of the film adaptations and you've got instant material: casting choices, what the director omitted, how the dialogue lands today. After that, toss 'Anna Karenina' into the rotation. It's dense, but it rewards with complex moral questions about duty, passion, and the price of scandal. I found that breaking it into character-focused sessions (Levin one week, Anna another) helps people stay engaged and brings out interesting contrasts about rural versus urban life and how romantic ideals clash with societal expectations. Supplement with a short essay or a chapter from a translation note to spark discussion on how translation colors tone. For something gothic and emotionally raw, 'Wuthering Heights' always guarantees strong opinions. People either adore the stormy, obsessive love or they hate it — both reactions create sparks. I usually suggest a themed meeting: moody tea, a playlist with windswept instrumentals, and a few guiding questions about revenge, class, and narrative reliability. These three together cover witty courtship, tragic passion, and obsessive love, giving your club tonal variety and weeks of lively talk.