Shelf Indulgence was born from both a love of romance and a season of feeling completely lost.

During my pregnancy and the early days of motherhood, I found myself drifting - my identity stretched thin, my world consumed by caretaking and survival. In the quiet, chaotic hours, books became my refuge. Page by page, story by story, I began to feel like me again. Romance in particular gave me hope, comfort, and a sense of joy I desperately needed. It reminded me that softness is strength and that happy endings are worth fighting for.

That feeling, that return to self, is what inspired Shelf Indulgence.

This isn’t just a bookstore. It’s a community space built for people who crave connection, comfort, and a little magic. We’re proud to be Tacoma’s first permanent romance bookstore, dedicated to celebrating love in all its forms. We spotlight indie authors, LGBTQIA+ stories, and Pacific Northwest voices, because we believe the most powerful stories are often the ones waiting quietly to be found.

At Shelf Indulgence, we’re here for the spicy reads and the sweet ones, the dark fantasy slow burns and the messy modern love stories.

But most of all, we’re here for you - the reader who needs a break, who needs a friend, who needs a little reminder that love is still alive and well in this world.

Come in. Stay awhile. You’re welcome here.