There’s something incredibly magical about being in a room with people who love the same things you do. That’s exactly how it felt walking into Smitten Bookstore for the release party of Emily Henry’s new novel, Great Big Beautiful Life.
I went with three of my friends and honestly, just being surrounded by a bunch of other Em Hen fans felt like its own kind of celebration. It wasn’t just about the book (even though obviously, we were all really hyped for it). It was about being around people who know the feeling of falling headfirst into a story you love.
Smitten is not just your ordinary, run-of-the-mill bookstore. It’s a romance and women’s literature store, and let me tell you, the vibe is unmatched. The owner, May, has curated every book on the shelf with so much care, and it shows; you can see it reflected in everything that is offered at Smitten. The store isn’t just a place to buy books; whether it’s your first time there or you’re one of The Regulars, it feels like home — warm, inviting, and familiar. You can feel how much love and passion May has poured into this store.
Not only do you get to connect with other Emily Henry fans (or just romance fans in general), but Smitten runs a seriously great trivia night. Like, stump-even-the-biggest-Em-Hen-fans kind of great. Some of the questions had us second-guessing everything we thought we knew! A huge bonus: yours truly won a signed copy of the book for scoring 16/30 😎
One of my favorite parts of the night was just hanging out with my friends and chatting with other book lovers (iykyk!) There’s something so easy and fun about meeting people who instantly get why you’re so excited.
I left Smitten that night with my brand new book, and that giddy, can’t-wait-to-read feeling.
Events like this remind me why local bookstores matter so much. They’re not just places to buy books; they’re places to celebrate them — and to find the kind of connection that reminds you life is, indeed, a great big beautiful thing.
You can check out Smitten on Instagram here!
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