Did you know that romance novels generate over $1.4 billion in revenue--making romance the highest earning genre of fiction?  Romance novels sold more than 39 million print copies in 2023, which represents a 52% increase over the previous year.  Sales of romance novels MORE THAN DOUBLED over 2021 sales, and last year was the third consecutive year of increasing romance sales.  Meaning: romance readers, we know you're out there, and we've got the book club for you!

Join Julie Iatron, Reference and Readers Services' Librarian AND romance devotee, for "Between the Sheets: A Romance Book Group."  We'll gather on Tuesday, September 9th at 6:30 PM in the conference room to discuss "Done and Dusted" by Lyla Sage.

Lyla's biography reads: I’m Lyla–a hopelessly romantic twenty-something that lives in the Wild West with my loyal companion: a sweet, old, blind rescue pitbull. I write romance that feels like I favorite things: sunshine and big blue skies. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, usually about cowboys or hometown heroes, but I’ve been known to dabble with mob bosses, monsters, and billionaires, too.  I started reading romance novels way before I was probably supposed to, and I credit my success as a writer to the fact that I was a founding member of my junior high’s writing club–even though there were only three members.  I write the way I read–obsessively and with joy. There’s nothing I love more than love (except for maybe Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups).  You can usually find me under her heated blanket, at my favorite local bookstore, or up in the mountains.

"For the first time in her life, Clementine "Emmy" Ryder has no idea what she's doing. She's accomplished everything on her to-do list. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming; went to college; and made a career for herself by doing her favorite thing: riding horses. But after an accident makes it impossible for her to get back into the saddle, she has no choice but to return to the hometown she always wanted to escape. Luke Brooks is Meadowlark's most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He's also the unofficial fifth member of the Ryder family. As Emmy's older brother's best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It's been years since he's seen her, but when she walks into his bar and back into his life, he can't take his eyes off her. Despite his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her. Emmy's got too much on her mind to think about romance. And Luke knows he should stay away from his best friend's younger sister. But what if Luke is just what Emmy needs to get her spark back? Or will they both go up in flames?"

Join Julie to unpack this swoonworthy cowboy romance and talk characters, happily ever afters (or happily for now), and alllllll the romance tropes!  Copies of "Done and Dusted" are available at the Borrower Services desk.  For more information or questions, email jiatron@chelmsfordlibrary.org.  See you on September 9th at 6:30 PM!