X&O Books, a new romance-focused independent bookstore, is gearing up for a summer opening in Cypress, founder and owner Kara French confirmed with Community Impact.
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Located near Hwy. 290 and Spring Cypress Road, X&O Books will feature a combination of mainstream romance titles as well as local and Texas-based indie authors, French said. The bookstore’s main genres of focus will include contemporary, Western and "romantasy"—a popular blend of romance and fantasy storytelling.
Additionally, French said customers will be able to shop from a “713 shelf” with local spotlights and a shelf of recommendations from her husband, or Mr. X&O, as she calls him.
“Supporting independent authors and artists remains an important X&O Books priority,” French told Community Impact.
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The new book shop will also include a lounge and bar area serving wine and dirty sodas. French said as a Cypress native she wanted to create an elevated space for women in the community.
“This is what happens in your mid-40s—suddenly you have time and you might want to linger a moment,” she said. “Or you need to sit down, because these knees need a break. I always felt like while I loved book shopping in the larger chain stores, there was not really a place to sit down and be with other like-minded romance readers.”
In addition to shopping the shelves, customers can sign up for a monthly subscription box, join a weekly evening book club and attend other events for readers.
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