BEMIDJI — Romance is at the heart of Bemidji's newest bookstore.
Forbidden Love stemmed from Olivia Pack’s love of reading romance novels.
“I love being surrounded by books and being able to work in it every day and chat with people and bond over books is kind of a dream come true," Pack said during an interview on the KAXE Morning Show.
Pack credits Praise by Sara Cate as the book that hooked her on romance novels.
“I read it when I was like a few months postpartum after having twins, and I've always loved reading, but that book really got me back into reading. Then I read basically everything that Sara Cate wrote after that.”
Romance-specific stores have grown in popularity over the past few years. Pack opened the first romance bookstore in Alaska in 2024 before making the move to Bemidji. She credits BookTok and Instagram for fueling the rise in popularity the genre has had.
There's a stereotype from the '80s and '90s of romance novels as bodice rippers featuring the male model Fabio. Pack says there's much more depth and variety than people realize.
“There's dark romance, romantasy [romance fantasy], contemporary, LGBTQ, rom com and young adult. There's so much variety.”
Pack plans to have different kinds of events at the bookstore. She’s invited Sara Cate for a Q&A and book signing on June 18. She also plans to host events like cowboy book bedazzling and book release parties.
“I really like fostering a community, because I think bonding over books is a lot of fun.”
Pack says she’s always welcome to give recommendations to anyone who enters the store. Even people who may be unfamiliar with the genre, Pack can point them in the right direction. Though it's impossible to read everything, Pack said she relies on her reader friends to keep her aware of books she may have missed.
Forbidden Love opened to fanfare on Indie Bookstore Day on April 25. A line formed around the block, waiting for the store to open. Pack was surprised by the interest.
“I think it took like three or four hours to get through everybody that was in the initial line from the morning.”
To follow along with events at Forbidden Love, Pack recommends following the Facebook and Instagram pages or its website. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.
Listen to the full conversation with Olivia Pack above.
