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The pink front of Book Lovers Bookshop on Melville Terrace, its hanging sign reading A Romance Bookshop and romance novels in the window.
Edinburgh

Book Lovers Bookshop

The UK's first bricks-and-mortar romance bookshop, on Melville Terrace on Edinburgh's south side, named Independent Bookshop of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2026.

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Welcome

If you love a love story, this is the bookshop for you.

Book Lovers is the UK's first bricks-and-mortar romance bookshop, a pretty pink-fronted shop on Melville Terrace on Edinburgh's south side, a few minutes' walk from the Meadows. Caden Armstrong, who moved to Scotland and took a master's degree in publishing here, opened it in 2024 with help from a crowdfunder, and in May 2026 it was named the UK's Independent Bookshop of the Year at the British Book Awards. The shelves hold romance in every form, from contemporary, historical and sports romance to romantasy, paranormal and teen reads, with special editions, graphic novels and a little non-fiction too. The booksellers are always glad to point you to your next favourite. Through the year there are signings, author evenings and late-night shopping, and the shop will order in any book you're after. It opens Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm, and takes cards only in the shop.

Close by101 BakeryA small green-fronted bakery on Newington Road, making celebration cakes, buns and pastries, open Tuesday to Saturday.1 min by roadSee it101 Bakery
Before you go

Romance in every form, with signings and events through the year.

Cards only in the shop.

Where
6 Melville Terrace, Edinburgh, EH9 1ND, by the Meadows.
Open
Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm.
Paying
Cards only in the shop.
Access
The main shop floor is wheelchair accessible, and both front doors can be opened for a wider way in.
Phone
0131 327 1168

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
11am–6pm
Thursday
11am–6pm
Friday
11am–6pm
Saturday
11am–6pm
Sunday
11am–6pm

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Where it is

On Melville Terrace on the south side of Edinburgh, by the Meadows, EH9 1ND.

Close byRound the Meadows and the south side.
  1. ConsideritConsideritA plant-based maker of doughnuts, chocolate and ice cream on Sciennes, near the Meadows, with everything made by hand each day.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Till’s BookshopTill’s BookshopA second-hand bookshop on the corner of Hope Park Crescent, looking over the Meadows, crammed floor to ceiling since 1985.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. The bright café at Lady and the Bear, with wooden tables and chairs, plants along big windows and a blue counter at the back.Lady and the BearA café, coffee roastery and organic bakery on Hope Park Terrace by the Meadows, founded by performing arts professionals, with live music and theatre.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. Two sourdough sandwiches on white plates on a wooden table at Cult Coffee Roasters, seen from above.Cult Coffee RoastersA coffee shop on Buccleuch Street by the east end of the Meadows that roasts its own coffee, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch every day.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. Cyclists pass beneath autumn trees as low sun casts long shadows across the parkThe MeadowsThe great park on the south side of the Old Town, once the Burgh Loch, crossed by tree-lined walks and a path through a whale's jawbones.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. Stairwell with "STEP NO. 2" stencilled beside a waterfall photograph and windowsill plantHolyrood DistilleryA whisky and gin distillery on St Leonard's Lane, below Salisbury Crags, open for tours every day.Under a mile 2 min by road
  7. Surgeons’ Hall MuseumsSurgeons’ Hall MuseumsThe Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh's museum on Nicolson Street, with a pathology gallery, a history of surgery and a dental collection.Under a mile 2 min by road
Directions
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Stay nearby

Places to stay near Book Lovers, and when each is next free.

A turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from Book Lovers Bookshop
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
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  • Under a mile from Book Lovers Bookshop
Check datesA hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from Book Lovers Bookshop
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from Book Lovers Bookshop
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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