Last month, a new bookstore opened in Vancouver. But this isn’t your typical brick and mortar spot to pick up the latest thriller, mystery or best-selling memoir of a pop star. The Romance Era Bookshop sells only romance novels and related subgenres, including Romantasy, in which classic fairy tales are reimagined, with strong female protagonists embarking on quests both otherworldly and romantically relatable. The store is also less like Barnes & Noble and more like “hanging out at your best friend’s house,” according to The Romance Era Bookshop owner and founder Ren Rice. The Columbian recently profiled Rice about their new venture to create “a safe space” free of judgement for visitors to explore this popular genre. Rice joins us to talk about their bookstore and efforts to showcase an increasing number of BIPOC, women and LGBTQ+ authors writing romance fiction today.